Search Grand Rapids Divorce Records
Grand Rapids divorce decree records are held by the Kent County 17th Circuit Court, located at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW in Grand Rapids. The city clerk does not keep divorce records. If you need a certified copy of a divorce decree from a Grand Rapids case, you contact the circuit court clerk directly. This page covers the court's address, fees, online search tools, and how Michigan divorce law applies to Kent County residents.
Grand Rapids Overview
Kent County 17th Circuit Court: Grand Rapids Divorce Records
All divorce cases filed by Grand Rapids residents go through the Kent County 17th Circuit Court. The courthouse is at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The clerk's phone number is (616) 632-5480, and the fax is (616) 632-5458. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Kent County also has a separate County Clerk office that handles vital records like births and deaths. That office is at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Their vital records line is (616) 632-7640. But vital records and divorce decrees are different. A divorce certificate from vital records is a short summary document. A divorce decree is the full court order. Most legal needs require the full decree from the circuit court.
Records go back to 1918 in the current system. Some earlier records may be available through the Western Michigan University Archives, which holds older Kent County court materials. If you need a divorce decree from before 1918, call the clerk's office at (616) 632-5480 to ask about historical record options.
The Access Kent Courts portal provides online access to Kent County court records, including divorces. You can search by name or case number without visiting the courthouse.
Grand Rapids City Clerk: Not the Right Office for Divorces
The Grand Rapids City Clerk is at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, 2nd floor. Phone is (616) 456-3010. City Clerk Joel Hondorp handles vital records, but only for births and deaths that occurred within the city limits of Grand Rapids. The city clerk does not maintain divorce records at all.
If someone tells you to go to the city clerk for a divorce decree, that is incorrect. Divorce decrees are court records. They are created and maintained by the circuit court. The Grand Rapids city clerk's office can issue a birth or death certificate for a Grand Rapids event. It cannot issue a divorce decree under any circumstances.
For divorce records, go directly to the Kent County 17th Circuit Court at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW.
The Grand Rapids City Clerk's office handles city vital records but does not hold divorce decrees. Those are court records kept at the 17th Circuit Court.
How to Get a Certified Copy of a Grand Rapids Divorce Decree
Certified copies cost $7.00 each. That fee covers the certification. You pay when you pick up or request the copy.
In Person: Visit the 17th Circuit Court clerk's office at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 2400. Bring a government-issued photo ID. If you know the case number, have it ready. Staff can search by party name if needed, but a case number speeds up the process.
By Mail: Send a written request to the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Include both parties' names, the year the divorce was finalized, and a check or money order for the appropriate fee. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Processing times vary, so call (616) 632-5480 to ask about current turnaround.
Online: The Access Kent Online Services portal offers case search features and some online request options. Check the portal for current online ordering availability, as these services can change.
The Access Kent Courts portal lets you search Kent County court records online. Use it to locate a Grand Rapids divorce case before requesting a certified copy.
Michigan Divorce Law and Kent County Residency
Michigan allows no-fault divorce under MCL 552.6. You do not need to prove your spouse did anything wrong to get a divorce. You only need to state the marriage has broken down with no reasonable chance of restoration. Kent County courts follow the same standard as every other Michigan court.
The residency requirement under MCL 552.9 requires 180 days of residence in Michigan and 10 days in the county where you file. Grand Rapids residents who have lived in Kent County for 10 days or more before filing can file in the 17th Circuit Court. This is a low bar, and most Grand Rapids residents easily meet it.
Cases with no minor children have a 60-day waiting period. Cases with minor children require 180 days from the filing date before a judge can enter a final decree. This waiting period applies in all Michigan courts, including Kent County. The waiting period starts on the day the case is filed.
The Kent County Friend of the Court handles child support, custody, and parenting time issues. Their office is in the courthouse complex. Contact the 17th Circuit Court at (616) 632-5480 to get the Friend of the Court number for your specific case if needed.
Online Case Search for Grand Rapids Divorces
Two main tools are available for online searches. The Access Kent Courts portal is the county-level tool. It covers 17th Circuit Court cases, including divorces. You can search by name, case number, or date range. The statewide tool is MiCOURT Case Search, which covers many Michigan courts in one place.
Both portals show case status and docket entries. They do not provide full documents. To get the actual divorce decree, you still need to submit a request to the clerk's office. But checking the case online first lets you confirm the case number and the court it was filed in, which makes the copy request easier.
Legal Help for Grand Rapids Residents
Free legal help is available. Michigan Legal Help offers step-by-step guides for filing divorce in Michigan and forms you can use without a lawyer. Legal Aid of West Michigan serves Kent County residents with low incomes. Their Grand Rapids office can be reached by calling (616) 774-0672. The Kent County Bar Association also maintains a lawyer referral service for those who want private counsel.
The circuit court clerk's staff can explain how to submit a records request but cannot give legal advice. For advice on your specific case, you need an attorney or a legal aid organization.
Nearby Cities
These nearby qualifying cities are also served by Kent County and neighboring county circuit courts.
Kent County Divorce Records
For more information about divorce decree records in Kent County, visit the county records page.