Kent County Court Records
What Is Kent County Court Records
Court records in Kent County, Michigan, are official documents generated and maintained by the judicial system in connection with legal proceedings filed within the county's courts. These records serve as the formal, permanent account of judicial activity and encompass a broad range of materials, including case files, docket sheets, pleadings, motions, orders, judgments, transcripts of proceedings, exhibits admitted into evidence, and sentencing records in criminal matters. Court records are distinct from other categories of public records maintained by county agencies, such as property records held by the Kent County Register of Deeds or vital records (birth, death, and marriage certificates) maintained by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Under Michigan law, court records are generated and preserved by each court of jurisdiction. The courts responsible for maintaining records in Kent County include:
- 17th Circuit Court — handles felony criminal cases, civil matters exceeding $25,000, family law, and appeals from lower courts
- 63rd District Court — handles misdemeanor criminal cases, civil claims up to $25,000, small claims, and traffic matters
- Kent County Probate Court — handles estates, guardianships, conservatorships, and mental health proceedings
- Family Division of the Circuit Court — handles divorce, child custody, paternity, and juvenile matters
Records maintained by these courts cover civil, criminal, family, probate, and traffic matters. Pursuant to MCL § 600.1191, Michigan courts are required to maintain complete and accurate records of all judicial proceedings conducted before them.
Are Court Records Public In Kent County
Court records in Kent County are presumptively open to the public under Michigan law. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act, codified at MCL § 15.231 et seq., establishes the general right of public access to government records, including judicial documents. Additionally, Michigan Court Rule 8.119 governs the maintenance, retention, and public accessibility of court records statewide, affirming that most court records are available for public inspection.
Records that are generally accessible to members of the public include:
- Most civil case files, including complaints, answers, and supporting documents
- Criminal case files following the filing of formal charges
- Judgments and court orders
- Docket sheets and hearing schedules
- Sentencing records and probation orders
- Traffic case records
Certain records are exempt from public disclosure under state law or court rule, including records sealed by court order, juvenile delinquency records, adoption records, mental health proceedings, and documents containing sensitive personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers. It is important to note that federal court records for cases filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan are governed by federal rules and are accessible through the federal PACER system, which operates independently of the Kent County court system. Members of the public seeking state court records should direct inquiries to the appropriate Kent County court.
How To Find Court Records in Kent County in 2026
Members of the public may obtain Kent County court records through several official channels, depending on the type of case and the court in which it was filed. The following steps outline the primary methods currently available:
- Identify the correct court — Determine whether the case was heard in the Circuit Court, District Court, Probate Court, or Family Division, as each court maintains its own records independently.
- Search online — Use the Kent County court records search portal or the Michigan Courts statewide case search system to locate case information by party name, case number, or filing date.
- Visit the court clerk in person — Members of the public may inspect physical case files at the clerk's office of the relevant court during regular business hours. Requests for certified copies typically require a written request and payment of applicable fees.
- Submit a written records request — For records not available online, a written request may be submitted to the clerk of the court where the case was filed. Requests should include the full name of the parties, approximate filing date, and case number if known.
- Request copies — Fees for paper copies are set by Michigan Court Rule 8.119 and vary by document type. Certified copies carry an additional certification fee.
Official request forms, where available, may be obtained directly from the clerk's office of each court or downloaded from the respective court's official website.
How To Look Up Court Records in Kent County Online
Several online portals currently provide access to Kent County court records, allowing members of the public to search case information without visiting a courthouse in person.
Kent County Court Records Search Portal The county's official court records search tool allows users to search for court cases by the name of the accused or by case number. This portal provides access to case information for matters filed in Kent County courts and is available at no charge for basic searches.
Michigan Courts Statewide Case Search The Michigan judiciary maintains a centralized cases, opinions, and orders search system that provides access to trial court case information, Court of Appeals opinions issued since July 1996, and Michigan Supreme Court opinions and orders. Users may search by party name, case number, or attorney name across participating courts statewide.
MiFILE Electronic Filing System The MiFILE electronic filing platform is the Michigan judiciary's official system for electronic filing and service of documents. MiFILE currently supports over 127 trial courts across the state, including courts in Kent County. Registered users may access filed documents and case information through this portal.
Search steps for the Michigan Courts statewide portal:
- Navigate to the Michigan Courts case search page
- Select the appropriate court type or leave the field blank to search all courts
- Enter the party name, case number, or other identifying information
- Review the list of matching results and select the relevant case
- Access available docket entries, orders, and opinions linked to the case
How To Search Kent County Court Records for Free
State law and Michigan Court Rule 8.119 guarantee members of the public the right to inspect court records free of charge during regular business hours at the clerk's office of each court. Fees apply only when copies are requested. Several online tools also provide free access to basic case information:
- The Kent County court records search portal is free to use for name-based and case number searches
- The Michigan Courts statewide case search system provides free access to case summaries, docket entries, and published opinions
- MiFILE provides free access to certain publicly available filed documents for registered users
Members of the public who wish to inspect physical case files in person may do so at no cost during the clerk's public counter hours. Charges are assessed only for printed copies, certified copies, or other value-added services.
What's Included in a Kent County Court Record
The contents of a court record vary depending on the type of case and the court in which it was filed. The following outlines what is typically included in each major category:
Criminal Case Records:
- Arrest warrant and charging documents (complaint or information)
- Arraignment records and bail/bond orders
- Motions filed by prosecution and defense
- Plea agreements
- Trial transcripts and exhibit lists
- Verdict and judgment of conviction or acquittal
- Sentencing orders and probation terms
Civil Case Records:
- Complaint and summons
- Defendant's answer and affirmative defenses
- Discovery-related filings
- Motions and supporting briefs
- Court orders and rulings
- Final judgment and any post-judgment filings
- Execution and garnishment records
Family Court Records:
- Divorce petition and response
- Child custody and parenting time orders
- Child support orders and modification filings
- Paternity determinations
- Domestic relations orders
Probate Court Records:
- Petition for probate and letters of authority
- Inventory of estate assets
- Accountings and distributions
- Guardianship and conservatorship orders
- Trust-related filings
Traffic Case Records:
- Citation or complaint
- Appearance records
- Plea and disposition
- Fine and fee assessments
- License sanction orders
How Long Does Kent County Keep Court Records
Michigan courts are required to retain court records in accordance with the retention schedules established under Michigan Court Rule 8.119 and the records management standards issued by the State Court Administrative Office (SCAO). Retention periods vary by case type and document category:
- Felony criminal case files — retained permanently
- Misdemeanor criminal case files — retained for a minimum of 7 years following case closure
- Civil case files (general) — retained for a minimum of 10 years following final judgment
- Probate case files — retained permanently for estate proceedings; guardianship and conservatorship files retained for a minimum of 7 years after termination
- Family court records — retained permanently for divorce decrees and custody orders; other family files retained for a minimum of 25 years
- Traffic case files — retained for a minimum of 1 to 7 years depending on the severity of the offense
- Small claims case files — retained for a minimum of 5 years following case closure
The SCAO publishes official retention schedules that govern all Michigan trial courts, and individual courts are required to comply with these mandated periods. Records subject to pending litigation or appeal may be retained beyond the standard schedule until all proceedings are concluded.
Types of Courts In Kent County
Kent County's judicial system is organized within Michigan's unified trial court structure. The court hierarchy proceeds from the district court level through the circuit court, then to the Michigan Court of Appeals, and finally to the Michigan Supreme Court.
17th Circuit Court The 17th Circuit Court is the general trial court of record for Kent County, handling the most serious civil and criminal matters.
Kent County Courthouse 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 632-5480 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 17th Circuit Court
63rd District Court The 63rd District Court is an independent branch of Kent County government dedicated to delivering prompt, fair, and efficient justice in lower-level civil and criminal matters.
63rd District Court 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 632-5700 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. 63rd District Court
Kent County Probate Court 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 632-5440 Public counter hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Kent County Probate Court
Michigan Court of Appeals (Grand Rapids Office) 350 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (616) 456-1167 Michigan Court of Appeals
Michigan Supreme Court 925 W. Ottawa St., Lansing, MI 48915 (517) 373-0120 Michigan Supreme Court
What Types of Cases Do Kent County Courts Hear
Each court within Kent County's judicial system exercises jurisdiction over specific categories of cases as defined by Michigan law.
17th Circuit Court:
- Felony criminal cases (offenses punishable by more than one year of imprisonment)
- Civil cases involving claims exceeding $25,000
- Appeals from the 63rd District Court
- Family law matters (divorce, custody, paternity, adoption)
- Juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings (Family Division)
63rd District Court:
- Misdemeanor criminal cases and ordinance violations
- Civil cases involving claims up to $25,000
- Small claims cases (up to $7,000)
- Traffic and civil infraction matters
- Preliminary examinations in felony cases prior to circuit court transfer
Kent County Probate Court:
- Decedent estates (testate and intestate)
- Guardianships and conservatorships for minors and incapacitated adults
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Trust administration matters
- Emancipation of minors
How To Find a Court Docket In Kent County
A court docket is the official chronological record of all filings, hearings, and orders entered in a specific case. Members of the public may access Kent County court dockets through the following methods:
Online Search:
- Use the Kent County court records search portal to locate a case by party name or case number; docket entries are displayed as part of the case summary
- Access the Michigan Courts statewide case search system for docket information across all participating Michigan trial courts
- Registered users of MiFILE may view electronically filed docket entries for cases in participating courts
In-Person Access:
- Members of the public may visit the clerk's office of the relevant court during public counter hours to inspect the docket in person
- Court staff can assist in locating a case by party name, case number, or approximate filing date
Steps to search a docket online:
- Access the appropriate online portal
- Enter the party's full name or case number in the search fields
- Select the correct case from the results list
- Review the docket entries, which list each filing and court action in chronological order
- Select individual entries to view associated documents where available
Which Courts in Kent County Are Not Courts of Record
A court of record is a court whose proceedings are officially documented, preserved, and certified, and whose judgments carry full legal authority and are subject to appellate review. Under MCL § 600.101, Michigan's circuit courts, district courts, probate courts, and the Court of Claims are designated as courts of record. All principal courts operating in Kent County — the 17th Circuit Court, the 63rd District Court, and the Kent County Probate Court — are courts of record under Michigan law.
At present, Kent County does not operate any municipal courts or magistrate courts that function as courts not of record. Michigan eliminated its justice of the peace courts and consolidated lower court functions into the district court system, which is a court of record. Certain administrative hearings and quasi-judicial proceedings conducted by county or municipal agencies are not courts of record and do not generate court records subject to the same access rules that govern judicial proceedings. Decisions issued in such administrative proceedings may be subject to appeal to the circuit court, at which point a formal court record is created.