Grand Rapids Dissolution Of Marriage
Grand Rapids dissolution of marriage records are filed at the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County. As the second largest city in Michigan and the largest in western Michigan, Grand Rapids has a significant volume of family court cases. You can search dissolution of marriage records online through the Kent County courts portal, request copies in person at the courthouse, or contact the Kent County Clerk. This page explains how to find and access Grand Rapids dissolution of marriage filings and where to get help with your case.
Grand Rapids Overview
Where to File in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids residents file dissolution of marriage cases at the 17th Circuit Court, located at the Kent County Courthouse in downtown Grand Rapids. The courthouse is at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW. The Family Division of the circuit court handles all dissolution cases, including those involving children, property disputes, and spousal support. The Kent County Clerk's office at 300 Monroe Avenue NW maintains the official case records and handles certified copy requests.
| Court | 17th Circuit Court - Kent County |
|---|---|
| Courthouse Address | 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Circuit Court Phone | (616) 632-5480 |
| County Clerk | 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Clerk Phone | (616) 632-7640 |
| Friend of the Court | (616) 632-7700 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Kent County has records going back to 1836 when the county was first established. Many older records are only available in person at the courthouse. The Kent County Clerk can help you locate historical dissolution filings and can provide certified copies of judgments for cases on file. Certified copies cost $15 plus any applicable convenience fees. Regular plain copies are $1 per page.
Note: If children are involved in your dissolution case, the Friend of the Court office at (616) 632-7700 will be actively involved in your case from early in the process.
Searching Grand Rapids Dissolution Records Online
Kent County provides online access to court records through the AccessKent portal. You can search dissolution of marriage cases at accesskent.com/Courts. The courts section of the site includes contact information, court schedules, and links to the online case name search tool. The online services page at accesskent.com/OnlineServices offers additional tools for searching records and accessing public information.
The statewide MiCOURT case search is another way to search Grand Rapids dissolution records. MiCOURT covers multiple Michigan circuit courts and lets you search by name or case number from one place. For basic information like party names, filing dates, and case status, the online tools work well. If you need the actual documents from a case file, you will need to visit the courthouse or submit a written request to the Kent County Clerk.
Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Process in Grand Rapids
Michigan is a no-fault state for dissolution of marriage under MCL 552.6. You do not have to prove that one spouse did something wrong. The only ground for dissolution in Michigan is that the marriage has broken down and there is no reasonable chance it can be saved. This applies to all filings in Grand Rapids at the 17th Circuit Court. Either spouse can file. You do not need both to agree to start the case.
Before you file in Kent County, you must meet the residency requirements under MCL 552.9. One spouse must have lived in Michigan for at least 180 days. You also need to have lived in Kent County for at least 10 days before filing. Once the case is filed, the waiting period depends on whether children are involved. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without minor children can be final in 60 days. Cases with children require at least 180 days from the filing date before a final judgment can be entered.
Property division in Grand Rapids dissolution cases is governed by MCL 552.19. Courts look at what is fair given both spouses' contributions and circumstances. Spousal support issues fall under MCL 552.23. If both spouses agree on all terms, a consent judgment can wrap up the case more quickly. Contested cases take longer and may require hearings before a judge or referee.
Accessing Grand Rapids Dissolution Records
Court records in Grand Rapids are open to the public under MCR 8.119. You can view case records at the Kent County Clerk's office or search online using AccessKent or MiCOURT. Certified copies require a written request and the appropriate fee. Plain copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies are $15 plus convenience fees.
You can request records by visiting the Kent County Clerk at 300 Monroe Avenue NW or by calling (616) 632-7640. Have the full names of both parties and the approximate year of filing ready. Case numbers speed up the search. For certified copies needed for legal purposes, the Clerk's office is the right contact. State-level vital records, including certified dissolution records for MDHHS purposes, are available from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at 333 S. Grand Avenue in Lansing, at (517) 335-8666, or through their site at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords.
Legal Help for Grand Rapids Dissolution Cases
If you need help with a dissolution case in Grand Rapids, several resources are available. Michigan Legal Help offers free guides, forms, and instructions for people filing without a lawyer. The site covers both contested and uncontested cases and is a strong starting point whether you are just starting to think about filing or already partway through the process.
Kent County also has local legal aid organizations that serve low-income residents. These groups can provide advice, help fill out forms, and in some cases represent you in court at no cost or reduced cost. You can find legal aid resources through the Michigan Courts website or by calling the Kent County Courthouse. For questions about state law, the Michigan Legislature site has the full text of every statute that applies to dissolution of marriage in Michigan.
Grand Rapids dissolution of marriage cases are filed at the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County, with court information available at accesskent.com/Courts.
The Kent County courts page at accesskent.com provides contact information, the online name search tool, and resources for Grand Rapids residents seeking dissolution of marriage records.
Kent County Dissolution Records
Grand Rapids is in Kent County, and all dissolution of marriage cases are filed at the 17th Circuit Court. The county court serves Grand Rapids and all other Kent County communities. For more information on the circuit court, fee schedules, and related resources, see the county records page.
Nearby Cities
Wyoming is the other Kent County city with a dissolution of marriage records page and uses the same 17th Circuit Court as Grand Rapids.