Kent County Dissolution Of Marriage Records
Kent County dissolution of marriage records are filed and maintained by the 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids, one of the busiest family law courts in Michigan. The county has kept dissolution of marriage records going back to 1836, and the court handles a large volume of cases each year given the size of the Grand Rapids metro area. You can search records online through the county's own portal at accesskent.com or through MiCOURT, visit the courthouse in person, or submit a mail request to the clerk's office. This guide explains how to find dissolution records in Kent County, what those files contain, how to get copies, and where to find legal help if you need it.
Kent County Overview
17th Circuit Court in Kent County
The 17th Circuit Court at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW in Grand Rapids handles all dissolution of marriage cases filed in Kent County. The Family Division of the circuit court processes cases with and without minor children. Kent County is the second largest county in Michigan by population, and the 17th Circuit ranks among the most active family law courts in the state. You can reach the court at (616) 632-5480. The court is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
The Kent County Clerk and Register of Deeds is located at 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids. That office handles a range of county records and can be reached at (616) 632-7640. For most dissolution of marriage case files, you will work with the circuit court clerk's staff directly. Staff can search by party name or case number. Cases involving minor children are coded DM; cases without are coded DO.
The Friend of the Court office serves Kent County through the 17th Circuit. The FOC can be reached at (616) 632-7700. If your case involves children, the Friend of the Court handles support enforcement, custody investigations, and parenting time disputes after the case closes. The FOC is a key resource for ongoing issues after a dissolution judgment is entered.
| Court | 17th Judicial Circuit Court - Family Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Phone | (616) 632-5480 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
| County Clerk | Kent County Clerk / Register of Deeds |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Phone | (616) 632-7640 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM |
Search Kent County Divorce Records Online
Kent County offers a name search tool through the county's own portal at accesskent.com/OnlineServices. You can look up dissolution of marriage cases by party name or defendant name and date of birth. This tool is one of the more capable county-level search systems in Michigan. Results show case numbers and basic filing information that you can use to request specific documents from the court.
Kent County court information is also available at accesskent.com/Courts, which provides contact details for the circuit court clerk, the Friend of the Court, and other court offices in the county. The statewide MiCOURT Case Search system run by Michigan Courts is also available for name or case number searches at no charge. Both tools are useful starting points before you request copies.
Kent County court information including the 17th Circuit Court is available through the county's official courts portal at accesskent.com/Courts.
The Kent County courts page provides contact info for the circuit court clerk, FOC, and resources for dissolution of marriage filings and record requests.
Note: The accesskent.com name search is a good first step, but the full case file must be requested directly from the 17th Circuit Court clerk at (616) 632-5480.
Kent County Dissolution Of Marriage Filing Rules
Michigan law requires one spouse to have lived in the state for at least 180 days before filing. A 10-day county residency period also applies before you can file in Kent County. Both rules are set out in MCL 552.9. The court will not accept a filing that does not meet these thresholds, so check your dates carefully before you pay the fee.
Michigan is a no-fault state. Under MCL 552.6, you simply state that the marriage has broken down with no reasonable chance of saving it. You do not need to prove fault or wrongdoing by either spouse. This standard applies to every dissolution case filed at the 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids.
Waiting periods depend on whether minor children are involved. Under MCL 552.9f, cases without children must wait at least 60 days after filing before a final judgment can be entered. Cases with minor children face a 180-day wait. A judge may reduce the 180-day period in cases of extreme hardship, but a motion is required.
Filing fees at the 17th Circuit run approximately $175 for DO cases and $255 for DM cases. Copies cost $1 per page, and certified copies carry an additional fee. Fee waivers are available for those who qualify on income grounds. Ask the clerk's office about the waiver form when you go in.
What Kent County Divorce Case Files Contain
A dissolution of marriage file in Kent County typically includes the original complaint or joint petition, any temporary orders issued during the case, financial disclosure statements, parenting plans if children are involved, and the final judgment of divorce. The judgment covers all terms of the case, including property division under MCL 552.19, spousal support if ordered under MCL 552.23, and all custody and child support terms when minor children are part of the case.
Public access to these records is governed by MCR 8.119. Certain details are sealed, including Social Security numbers, bank account numbers, and specific identifying information about minor children. The rest of the file is public. You do not have to be a party to the case to view it or request copies.
Genealogy researchers should note that the circuit court clerk holds dissolution records from 1918 to the present. Some pre-1918 records are available at the Western Michigan University Archives. That collection covers older Kent County court materials that predate modern filing systems.
Kent County Online Case Search Portal
Kent County's online services portal at accesskent.com offers a name search tool for looking up dissolution of marriage cases filed at the 17th Circuit Court.
The online search allows you to look up case records by party name or defendant name, making it one of the more accessible county search systems in Michigan.
MDHHS Vital Records for Kent County Divorces
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services manages statewide divorce certificates through the MDHHS Vital Records office at 333 S. Grand Ave, Lansing. Call (517) 335-8666 to get information about orders. A certified certificate costs $34 by mail; online ordering through the state portal costs $58.50. Each additional copy is $16. These certificates confirm that a dissolution happened and give basic identifying details, but they do not include property orders, custody terms, or case specifics. For the complete file, request documents from the 17th Circuit Court clerk in Grand Rapids.
The MDHHS Vital Records portal shows ordering options for certified divorce certificates, including mail and online methods and current fee schedules applicable to Kent County and all Michigan counties.
Legal Help for Kent County Dissolution Cases
Michigan Legal Help provides free guides and forms for people who need to handle their own dissolution case. The site covers the full process from initial filing to final hearing, and it addresses both DM and DO case types. Instructions are written for people without legal backgrounds, and they apply to cases filed in Kent County at the 17th Circuit Court. This is a solid first stop if you want to understand what steps are ahead of you.
The Michigan Legislature website has the full text of all statutes that apply to dissolution of marriage cases, including MCL 552.6, 552.9, 552.9f, 552.19, and 552.23. You can read the law directly. The Michigan Courts website also has procedural guides and forms that apply statewide, including filings used at the 17th Circuit.
Cities in Kent County
Grand Rapids is the county seat and by far the largest city in Kent County. Wyoming is a significant city in the southwestern part of the county. Both cities have dedicated dissolution of marriage records pages. All cases filed by residents of these cities, and all other cities and townships in Kent County, go through the 17th Judicial Circuit Court at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW.
Nearby Counties
Dissolution of marriage cases must be filed in the county where at least one spouse lives. If you are unsure which county holds a record, check the counties that border Kent.