Kent County, Michigan Court Records
In Kent County, Michigan, court records contain information on court proceedings and judicial decisions. Such records are vital to various legal processes, as they provide accurate details of court proceedings. For example, legal researchers and attorneys may use court documents as references during research or as evidence while preparing a case. In addition, the documents provide evidence that the courts follow fair and standard practices.
Kent County’s trial courts are responsible for creating records of court events. In addition, the courts, along with the county clerk of court’s office, may maintain and disclose such records in accordance with the Michigan Court Rule (MCR) 8.119. The state law requires record custodians to maintain options for the public to access court documents.
Kent County court records often include documents filed during a court activity. These documents may include arrest reports, financial statements, criminal history records, and vital records.
Are Kent County Court Records Public?
Yes, the majority of court records in Kent County are public documents. This means interested persons or entities may view and obtain copies of the records from designated government bodies. The Kent County Clerk of Courts, for instance, offers online and offline access to court documents in its custody. Interested parties must follow the agency’s procedures before accessing court records.
Note that the state laws restrict public access to specific court documents. Such court documents may include sensitive information whose disclosure could endanger involved parties. Examples of non-public court records in Kent County include the following:
- Case files that contain information on juvenile offenders.
- Personal financial documents filed during case proceedings.
- Sealed or expunged case files.
- Information protected under attorney-client privilege.
What Information is Available in Kent County Court Records?
Kent County court records may reveal the following information:
- Full names of the parties involved
- Case identifiers, such as the case number and filing year.
- Initiating or charging documents, such as those filed by the prosecutor or the plaintiff.
- Date and place of case hearings.
- Case summary.
- Court judgments and orders.
- Filed documents, such as wills, arrest reports, and summons.
In Kent County, court records may contain information that is specific to a case type or status. Based on case type, criminal case records may include pleas, exhibits, transcripts, and sentencing. In contrast, civil court records may include financial documents, property deeds, and wills.
Kent County Court Records Search
Record seekers may search and obtain Kent County court records by using any of the following options:
- Online Access: The Kent County Clerk of the Court maintains an online search portal for criminal and civil cases heard in the circuit court. Record seekers may view court information on the portal by entering the case party’s full name and filing year range.
However, record seekers may access criminal case records created before 2020 on the Michigan State Police’s ICHAT platform. The platform allows name-based searches for criminal records.
- In-Person Access: Kent County courts allow in-person access to court records. Inquirers are generally required to submit their request to the convicting court during official hours. For example, you may submit an in-person request for circuit court records to the clerk of the court at this address:
180 Ottawa Avenue Northwest,
Suite 2400,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-5480
Fax: (616) 632-5458
The clerk’s office may review in-person requests during weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. In contrast, record seekers may request records heard at the district court by submitting a request in person to this location:
63rd District Court
1950 East Beltline Avenue Northeast,
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (616) 632-7770
To release court records, the court may require relevant information about the case party and copy fees.
- Mail and Phone Requests: You may request court records by mailing a request to the court that handled the case. For example, you may request court records from the 63rd District Court at this address:
63rd District Court
1950 East Beltline Avenue Northeast,
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
However, mail-in requests for circuit court records must be submitted to the clerk’s office at:
180 Ottawa Avenue Northwest,
Suite 2400,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-5480
Fax: (616) 632-5458
Mail-in requests may include the following data:
- A completed request form.
- A money order or check made payable to the Kent County Clerk. Note that the check or money order must include the record seeker’s phone number. The clerk’s office charges $1 per page and $0.30 per page for copies of transcripts. In contrast, certified copies are $10 per page.
Fees for Court Records in Kent County
According to the Local Administrative Order 2014-04, the Circuit Court Clerk’s Office may charge different fees based on the document format and the number of requested pages. Based on document format, court record copies are $1 per page, while court transcript copies are $0.30 per page. The court clerk charges $10 per page of certified court documents.
The court clerk may charge extra fees if the request requires court staff to identify, select, and review documents to be copied. In addition, the court clerk charges $7 for an uncertified copy of a divorce judgment and $ 15 for a certified copy.
Kent County Courthouse Locations
Kent County’s trial court system consists of circuit court, district court, and probate courts. Public members may find the courthouses at these locations:
17th Circuit Court - Kent
Kent County Courthouse
180 Ottawa Avenue Northwest,
#2400,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-5480
Fax: (616) 632-5458
District Courts in Kent County
59th District Court - Grandville
3161 Wilson Avenue Southwest,
Grandville, MI 49418
Phone: (616) 538-9660,
Fax: (616) 538-5144
59th District Court - Walker
4343 Remembrance Road Northwest,
Walker, MI 49534
Phone: (616) 453-5765
Fax: (616) 791-6851
61st District Court - Grand Rapids
Kent County Courthouse
180 Ottawa Avenue Northwest,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-5700
Fax: (616) 632-5592
62A District Court - Wyoming
Wyoming Justice Center
2650 DeHoop Avenue Southwest,
Wyoming, MI 49509
Phone: (616) 530-7386 (Civil)
Phone: (616) 257-9814 (Criminal)
62B District Court - Kentwood
Kentwood Justice Center
4740 Walma Avenue Southeast,
Kentwood, MI 49512
Phone: (616) 698-9310
Fax: (616) 698-8199
63rd District Court - Kent County
1950 East Beltline Avenue Northeast,
Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Phone: (616) 632-7770
Fax: (616) 363-6124
Kent County Probate Court
Kent County Courthouse
180 Ottawa Avenue Northwest,
#2500,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-5440
Fax: (616) 632-5430
The 17th Circuit Court has general jurisdiction over criminal and civil cases that are beyond the jurisdiction of other courts. In addition, it has sole jurisdiction over domestic relations and juvenile case types. On the other hand, the probate court oversees probate-type cases.
Criminal Records Access in Kent County
The Michigan State Police handles requests for criminal history records. As the record custodian, the agency allows name- and fingerprint-based inquiries for such records. Record seekers may conduct name-based searches by using the agency’s ICHAT platform. To search records on the platform, inquirers must first register an account or search as a guest before entering relevant search criteria.
However, they may follow these steps to conduct a fingerprint-based search:
- Visit the Kent County Sheriff’s Office and get fingerprinted on an RI-008 card. Non-residents may get their prints taken on the FD-258 card.
- Attach a letter detailing the reasons for requesting a criminal history check.
- Attach a $30 money order or check made payable to the State of Michigan.
- Mail or submit the form in person to this address:
Michigan State Police
CJIC
P.O. Box 30266,
Lansing, Michigan 48909-7766.
Information on criminal case records is under the purview of the circuit court clerk’s office. Record seekers may submit a request in person to the court clerk at this address:
180 Ottawa Avenue Northwest,
Suite 2400,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-5480
Fax: (616) 632-5458
Kent County Probate Records
Kent County probate records provide information on probate cases heard in the circuit and the probate courts. The court hears probate cases on issues such as wills, conservatorships, trusts, name changes, and estates.
The Kent County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office maintains and allows public access to certified copies of current letters for probate-related issues. Record seekers may order the copy by filling out the required details on the clerk’s online request form and clicking on "Submit." Upon receiving the form, the agency forwards the requested document to the record seeker’s mail or physical address. Note that the clerk’s office charges $12 per copy.
In contrast, you may request probate court records in-person by visiting the probate court at this address:
Kent County Probate Court
Kent County Courthouse
180 Ottawa Avenue Northwest,
#2500,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 632-5440
Fax: (616) 632-5430
To search and retrieve records, the probate court may require relevant search details, like the case party names, case number, or filing year.
Kent County Family Court Records
In Kent County, family court records reveal information on domestic relations and juvenile cases. Such records may include information on court cases, such as divorce, child custody, child support, and juvenile delinquency. Record seekers can find court records by first determining which court heard the case. For cases heard at the circuit court, record seekers must submit a request in-person to the clerk’s office. The court clerk’s office will receive and process such requests on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Alternatively, record seekers may request certified copies of divorce judgments. through the court clerk’s online request platform.
Federal Court Records in Kent County
Kent County federal court records are under the purview of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. The court oversees federal cases, like drug trafficking, terrorism, civil rights violations, and bankruptcy.
Record seekers may access federal records online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) platform. The platform allows searches for records heard in the federal court. Note that you are required to register an account before accessing the search option.
Alternatively, record seekers may access physical copies of the records by visiting the federal court at these locations:
Western District of Michigan
Main Office:
330 Ionia Avenue Northwest,
Suite 501,
Grand Rapids, MI 49503,
Phone: (616) 456-2404,
Fax: (616) 456-2408