Kent County Divorce Records
Kent County divorce records are filed and maintained at the 17th Judicial Circuit Court in Grand Rapids. If you need to find a case, get certified copies of a divorce judgment, or confirm when a divorce was finalized, the circuit court clerk and the AccessKent online portal give you direct access to Kent County divorce records.
Kent County Overview
Kent County Circuit Court Family Division
The 17th Judicial Circuit Court handles all divorce cases filed in Kent County. The Family Division covers divorce, dissolution, custody, child support, paternity, and personal protection orders. The court operates under MCL 600.1021, which gives Michigan circuit courts exclusive jurisdiction over domestic relations matters. All divorce records for Kent County are held by the circuit court clerk.
The Kent County Courthouse is at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The circuit court clerk handles in-person record requests and is located at 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The clerk's direct phone number is (616) 632-5480 and the fax is (616) 632-5458. You can also reach them by email at circuitcourt@kentcountymi.gov. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds is at a separate location: 300 Monroe Avenue Northwest, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, phone 616-632-7640.
The image below shows the Kent County Courts page, which has links to the circuit court, Family Division information, and procedures for requesting records.
The Kent County Courts page at accesskent.com lists all court divisions, provides contact information, and links to online services including the public records search portal.
| Court | 17th Judicial Circuit Court, Family Division |
|---|---|
| Courthouse | 180 Ottawa Avenue NW Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Circuit Clerk Address | 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 2400 Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Clerk Phone | (616) 632-5480 |
| Clerk Fax | (616) 632-5458 |
| circuitcourt@kentcountymi.gov | |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM |
Search Kent County Divorce Records Online
Kent County offers public court record search through AccessKent Online Services at accesskent.com/OnlineServices. You can search by party name or case number and view case details at no cost. Results show case status, party information, and docket entries for Kent County divorce cases. The system covers cases filed in the 17th Circuit and works for both DM cases (divorce with minor children) and DO cases (divorce without children).
AccessKent also allows you to purchase certified divorce judgments online for $15, with a convenience fee added at checkout. This is one of the more direct online copy options available in Michigan, where most counties require you to go in person or mail a request. Cases filed before 1995 are not available through the online system. For those older cases, call (616) 632-7770 to find out how to request them.
The screenshot below shows the AccessKent Online Services portal used for Kent County court records and certified copy purchases.
The AccessKent Online Services page is the primary portal for searching Kent County divorce records and ordering certified copies of judgments without going to the courthouse.
Kent County cases also appear in the statewide MiCOURT case search. MiCOURT covers the 17th Circuit and is a good backup if you can't find a case through AccessKent. Both systems pull from similar court data. MiCOURT also lets you search across multiple Michigan counties if you are not certain which county handled a case.
Note: For Kent County divorce cases filed before 1995, online search is not available and you must call (616) 632-7770 to request records through the clerk's office directly.
How to Get Kent County Divorce Records
In-person requests are handled at the Circuit Court Clerk's office on the 2nd Floor of 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids. Bring a valid photo ID and the names of both parties or the case number from AccessKent. Staff can locate records and make copies on the same day. Uncertified copies cost $7. Certified copies cost $15. Each additional certified copy costs $5. Per-page fees of $1 apply for longer documents on top of the base copy fee. Bring a check or cash. Call (616) 632-5480 ahead of time if you want to confirm what to bring and current fees.
Phone requests are also handled by the clerk's office. Call (616) 632-5480, provide the party names and approximate filing year, and pay the $7 fee. The clerk will mail the copy to you. This is a useful option if you can't make it to Grand Rapids in person. Processing typically takes a few business days plus mailing time. Certified copies requested by phone cost $15 each and are mailed after payment is confirmed.
Under MCR 8.119, Kent County divorce records are public records. You do not need to be a party to the case to request a copy. Sealed records are the exception. Certain documents involving children or financial details may be sealed by the judge. The clerk will let you know if part of a file is sealed when you request it.
For certified divorce certificates from the state (not the court), contact MDHHS Vital Records at P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909. The phone is (517) 335-8656. MDHHS certificates cost $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional. These are different from the certified court copies available from the Kent County clerk. MDHHS vital records certificates are commonly used for legal name changes and for updating records with other government agencies after a divorce is final.
17th Circuit Court Resources for Kent County
The 17th Circuit Court's own page at Kent County's website provides direct access to Family Division procedures, forms, and local court rules. You can reach it at kentcountymi.gov/1476/17th-Circuit-Court. The Family Division handles not just divorce but also child custody enforcement, support modification, and dissolution of domestic partnerships. Local court rules may differ slightly from standard SCAO procedures, so checking the 17th Circuit page before filing is worth doing.
The screenshot below shows the 17th Circuit Court page, which links to Family Division procedures and forms for Kent County divorce cases.
The 17th Circuit Court page is the best place to check for any Kent County-specific requirements before filing a divorce case or requesting records.
The MiFILE eFiling system is available for Kent County divorce cases. eFiling lets you submit documents electronically without going to the courthouse. Once accepted by the clerk, filings appear in the AccessKent case search system. All SCAO-approved forms for Michigan divorce cases are available for free at courts.michigan.gov.
Michigan Divorce Law in Kent County Cases
Divorce in Kent County follows Michigan state law. Under MCL 552.6, Michigan has been a no-fault divorce state since 1972. No fault needs to be proved. The legal standard is a breakdown of the marriage with no reasonable chance of preservation. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days before filing and in Kent County for at least 10 days, as set out in MCL 552.9.
Waiting periods apply in Kent County as they do everywhere in Michigan. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days after filing before the judge can enter a final judgment. Cases with minor children must wait at least 180 days. The judge has discretion to shorten the waiting period for good cause shown, though that is not a routine outcome. These waiting periods are set by state law and cannot be waived by agreement of the parties alone.
Property division in Kent County follows MCL 552.19, which requires equitable distribution. The 17th Circuit judge looks at the length of the marriage, both parties' contributions, and other relevant circumstances. Spousal support falls under MCL 552.13. The court decides support based on each party's ability to pay and their financial needs. The full text of all Michigan divorce statutes is at legislature.mi.gov.
Legal Help for Kent County Divorce
If you need help navigating a Kent County divorce case or accessing records, several free resources are available. Michigan Legal Help offers step-by-step guidance, interactive interviews that generate completed court forms, and county-specific information. It covers 17th Circuit procedures and links directly to Kent County resources.
All SCAO-approved Michigan divorce forms are free to download from courts.michigan.gov. These are the same forms accepted by the Kent County circuit court clerk. The State Bar of Michigan at michbar.org has a lawyer referral service for people who want to hire a family law attorney with experience in Kent County Circuit Court. For lower-income residents, legal aid organizations serve the Grand Rapids area and can provide free or reduced-cost assistance with divorce filings and record requests.
Major Cities in Kent County
Kent County includes Grand Rapids and Wyoming as its largest cities. All divorce cases filed by residents of these cities go through the 17th Judicial Circuit Family Division. Select a city for local courthouse information and resources.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Kent County. If you are unsure which county holds a divorce case, check the filing party's residence address at the time of filing. Under MCL 552.9, a party must have lived in the county for at least 10 days before filing there.