Find Kent County Court Dockets

Kent County court docket records are maintained by the County Clerk at 180 Ottawa Ave. NW in Grand Rapids. The Circuit Court handles felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $25,000, family matters, and probate proceedings for this major West Michigan county. You can search dockets through the Michigan Courts Case Search portal or visit the clerk's office to view the Register of Actions and get certified copies of court documents.

Kent County Circuit Court Records

Kent County is the second most populous county in Michigan and one of the busiest court systems in the state. The Circuit Court at 180 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 handles felony criminal cases, major civil litigation, family law matters, and probate proceedings. The 17th Circuit Court serves Kent County exclusively. The County Clerk's office maintains the official docket records and the Register of Actions for all cases filed at the Circuit Court level. Records in Kent County date from the mid-1800s, and the court system handles a very high volume of filings each year given the county's size and commercial activity.

Kent County also has multiple District Courts serving different areas. The 61st District Court covers Grand Rapids, the 62A District Court serves Wyoming, and the 62B District Court covers Kentwood. Each handles misdemeanors, civil cases under $25,000, traffic matters, and small claims for its jurisdiction. District Court cases are separate from Circuit Court dockets, though both are searchable through the statewide portal.

The Kent County District Courts information page provides contact details and locations for all district courts in the county. This is a good resource if you are not sure which district court covers the area where your case was filed.

The screenshot below shows the Kent County District Courts page, which lists all district court divisions and their contact information.

Use this page to find the correct district court division for your area of Kent County, whether that is Grand Rapids, Wyoming, or Kentwood.

Searching Kent County Court Dockets Online

The Michigan Courts Case Search portal is the main online tool for Kent County dockets. This free statewide system lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney across Circuit Court, District Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court cases. No account is needed. Results show the case type, filing dates, parties involved, and docket activity. For a county as large as Kent, the portal handles a substantial volume of records and is updated regularly.

As with all Michigan courts, the online portal shows docket entries but not document images. You can confirm that a filing occurred, but you must visit the courthouse or send a written request to read the actual documents. Some case types are excluded from online access under Michigan court rules. Personal Protection Orders are not searchable online under MCR 3.705. Juvenile records are confidential under MCL 600.1750. HYTA cases do not appear in public searches. First-time drug offense cases disposed under MCL 333.7411 are also excluded.

Kent County's large court system processes a high volume of cases, which makes using the case number especially helpful when searching. If you only have a name, the portal may return multiple results. Adding a birth date or narrowing by case type can help you find the right one. For District Court cases in specific areas, the district courts page lists the direct contact information for each court division.

How to Request Kent County Court Records

You can request Kent County court records in person at the Circuit Court clerk's office at 180 Ottawa Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. In-person visits allow same-day access and copies. For mail requests, send a written request to the same address with the case name, case number, the documents you need, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Include payment with your request. Call (616) 632-5440 first to confirm the current fee schedule and accepted payment forms. Checks or money orders are safest for mail requests.

Copy fees in Kent County follow standard Michigan rates. Standard copies run $1.00 to $2.00 per page. Certified copies carry a base fee of $10.00 for the first page and $1.00 for each additional page. If you need records from a District Court case, contact the specific district court rather than the Circuit Court clerk. Each district court handles its own records and may have different office hours or procedures.

For older Kent County court records from the 1800s, some files may be at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing. Contact the Archives at (517) 373-1408 before visiting to confirm they hold the records you need. The SCAO forms page has standard record request forms that you can print and complete before your visit or mail in with your request.

Kent County Docket Types and Business Court

Kent County court dockets cover the full range of case types handled by a major Michigan county. Civil dockets include contract disputes, personal injury claims, property matters, and business litigation. Criminal dockets track felony charges from arraignment through sentencing. Family dockets include divorces, custody orders, child support, and paternity actions. Probate dockets cover estate administration, guardianships, and mental health proceedings. The Register of Actions for each case provides a complete chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders.

Because Kent County has three or more circuit court judges, it is required under Michigan Public Act 333 to maintain a specialized business court docket. The 17th Circuit Court's business docket handles commercial disputes, business contract cases, and other commercial litigation between companies. If you are searching for a business-related case, it may appear on the business docket with a different case number prefix than standard civil cases. Searching by party name on the statewide portal will still find these cases.

The Michigan Clean Slate Law (Public Act 193 of 2020) authorized automatic expungements for certain criminal convictions. This has affected some older Kent County criminal records that are no longer visible in online searches, even if they were previously public. If you are searching for a case and cannot find it, it may have been expunged or sealed under this law.

Legal Resources for Kent County

For free help understanding court records or navigating the court process in Kent County, Michigan Legal Help provides step-by-step guides for common legal situations. The site is designed for people who represent themselves and covers everything from filing procedures to what forms to use. For criminal background check purposes, use the Michigan State Police ICHAT system. ICHAT is the proper tool for employment and licensing background checks. Court docket searches are not a substitute for ICHAT.

The MiFILE electronic filing system allows attorneys and self-represented parties to file documents online for Kent County cases. MiFILE also sends email notifications when new activity is recorded in your case. Kent County participates in the MiFILE system for most case types. This makes it easier to track case activity without going to the courthouse in person. For questions about e-filing in Kent County, contact the Circuit Court clerk at (616) 632-5440.

Cities in Kent County

Kent County includes several cities that have dedicated pages on this site. Grand Rapids is the county seat and the largest city in the county. Wyoming is another major city in the county served by the 62A District Court. All court filings from these cities go through the Kent County Circuit Court clerk's office for Circuit Court matters.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Kent County. If you are not sure which court has your case, check the county where the events occurred or where the parties lived when the case was filed.