Grand Rapids Court Docket Lookup
Grand Rapids court dockets are available free online through the 61st District Court case lookup portal. The 61st District Court sits in the Kent County Courthouse in downtown Grand Rapids and handles misdemeanors, civil cases up to $25,000, and felony preliminary exams for city residents. For felony cases and larger civil matters, court dockets move to the Kent County 17th Circuit Court. Both courts share space in the same downtown building at 180 Ottawa Ave NW.
Grand Rapids Overview
Grand Rapids Court Docket Overview
Grand Rapids cases fall under two courts depending on case type and amount. The 61st District Court handles the first stage for most criminal matters, plus smaller civil and traffic cases. Chief Judge Michael S. Distal leads a bench that includes Judges Jennifer L. Faber, Nicholas S. Ayoub, David J. Butler, Jeanine N. LaVille, and Kimberly A. Schaefer. The court also has one full-time law-trained magistrate. The 61st District Court has jurisdiction over the city of Grand Rapids only.
The 17th Circuit Court handles felony cases after preliminary examination, plus civil cases above the district court limit, divorces, and custody matters. Both courts are in the Kent County Courthouse, which makes it easier to access records from both in a single visit. Kent County is Michigan's second-largest county by population, which means the court docket volume is substantial.
| 61st District Court | 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 1400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
|---|---|
| Main Phone | 616-632-5700 |
| Criminal Records | 616-632-5525 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| Walk-In Arraignments | Mon-Thu 8:30-11:30 AM and 1:30-3:30 PM |
Find Grand Rapids Court Dockets Online
The 61st District Court provides a free case lookup tool through its website at grcourt.org. This system connects to the Kent County Courts Public Access Portal. You can search by name, case number, or date. The portal shows case status, hearing dates, and docket entries for Grand Rapids district court cases. It is the most direct route for 61st District Court records.
The statewide MiCOURT case search portal at courts.michigan.gov/case-search/ is another option. MiCOURT covers all 57 Michigan circuit courts as well as the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Grand Rapids circuit court dockets appear in MiCOURT, which is useful when you need to search for cases across more than one court level or county. The search is free and open to the public.
For information on Kent County's district courts across the full county, the Kent County website at kentcountymi.gov lists all district courts serving different parts of the county.
The Kent County district courts information page shows all courts serving the county, including the 61st District Court in Grand Rapids.
Use this page to confirm which court covers your specific address within Kent County before searching for docket records.
Note: Document images are not available through the online case lookup system. You must visit or contact the court clerk to get copies of actual filings.
Requesting Grand Rapids Court Records
To get an official copy of a Grand Rapids court docket or document, you can request records by email, phone, mail, or in person. The 61st District Court accepts record check requests by email at recordcheck@grcourt.org. You can also call 616-632-5525 for criminal record-related inquiries. Mail requests should go to 61st District Court, 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Suite 1400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
When submitting a records request, include the case number or the full name of the party you are looking for. A valid ID is typically required for in-person requests. Copy fees run about $1 per page for plain copies, and certified copies carry an additional fee. Call the court directly for the current fee schedule since rates can change. Walk-in hours for general clerk services align with the Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM schedule.
For felony or civil cases handled at the circuit court level, contact the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk separately. The circuit court and district court are in the same building but operate as separate offices. SCAO court forms are available free at courts.michigan.gov/SCAO-forms/ for common case types.
Types of Cases in Grand Rapids Court Dockets
The 61st District Court handles a wide range of case types for Grand Rapids residents. Civil cases up to $25,000 are filed here, including small claims up to $7,000. Traffic violations, parking tickets, misdemeanor criminal charges, and ordinance violations all go through this court. Felony preliminary examinations begin here before moving to the circuit court if probable cause is found.
The 17th Circuit Court in Kent County handles cases that move beyond the district court level. Felonies, divorces, custody disputes, and civil cases over $25,000 are all circuit court matters. Both courts generate docket entries that track every filing, motion, hearing, and order in a case. The Register of Actions (ROA) is the official docket record and shows the full history of any case.
Some case types are not available in public online searches. Personal Protection Orders are excluded under MCR 3.705. Cases handled under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (HYTA) are sealed. First-time drug charges disposed under MCL 333.7411 do not appear online. Juvenile cases involving minors are confidential under MCL 600.1750. Cases expunged under Michigan's Clean Slate Law also drop from public access.
E-Filing in Grand Rapids
Michigan's MiFILE system at mifile.courts.michigan.gov handles electronic filing for civil cases in courts across the state. Attorneys in many courts are required to file electronically. Self-represented parties can use MiFILE but are generally not required to do so. The 61st District Court participates in MiFILE for eligible civil case types. Check the available courts list on the MiFILE site to confirm current participation status.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org provides step-by-step guides for people filing court papers on their own. The site covers common case types like small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and traffic matters. It is a good resource if you need to understand what the docket entries mean or how to respond to a filing.
Note: Attorneys handling civil cases in many Michigan courts must now e-file through MiFILE, so docket entries for those cases will reflect electronic filings and service.
Nearby Cities
Other Michigan cities with court docket pages you can search.
Kent County Court Dockets
Grand Rapids is the county seat of Kent County. The Kent County 17th Circuit Court handles felonies, divorces, and civil cases over $25,000 for all Grand Rapids residents. For more on Kent County courts, clerk contact information, and county-level docket search tools, visit the Kent County court docket page.