Search Wyoming Divorce Decree Records
Wyoming divorce decree records are maintained by the Kent County 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids, not at Wyoming City Hall. Wyoming is in Kent County, and all divorces filed by Wyoming residents go to the Kent County courthouse at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW in Grand Rapids. The Wyoming City Clerk handles city government functions and does not hold divorce records of any kind.
Wyoming Overview
Kent County 17th Circuit Court: Wyoming Divorce Records Are Here
Wyoming is part of Kent County. The 17th Circuit Court at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 handles all divorces for Kent County residents, including those from Wyoming. Clerk phone is (616) 632-5480, fax is (616) 632-5458. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
Kent County also has a separate County Clerk at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids. Vital records phone is (616) 632-7640. Vital records and divorce decrees are different. A vital records divorce certificate is a short summary. A divorce decree is the full court order. For the full decree, contact the 17th Circuit Court, not the vital records division.
Certified copies in Kent County cost $7.00 each. Divorce records in the current system go back to 1918. Records from before 1918 may be available through the Western Michigan University Archives. Call the clerk at (616) 632-5480 to ask about records from that era if needed.
Use Access Kent Courts to search for Wyoming divorce cases online. The portal is free and lets you search by name or case number.
Wyoming City Clerk: City Functions Only, Not Divorce
The Wyoming City Clerk is at 1155 - 28th Street SW, Wyoming, MI 49509. Phone is 616-530-7272. City Clerk Kelli VandenBerg manages the office, which is in City Hall Lobby. The city clerk serves as the FOIA coordinator for the city and handles city records requests under the Freedom of Information Act. However, divorce records are not city records. They are court records.
The Wyoming City Clerk cannot provide divorce decrees. The city does not create them, does not receive them, and does not store them. If you contact Wyoming City Hall about a divorce decree, you will be redirected to the Kent County 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids.
Vital records in Kent County are handled by the Kent County Clerk, not by any city clerk in the county. The Wyoming city website provides city service information. Divorce record access is handled at the county level.
The Wyoming City Clerk's office handles city government functions including FOIA coordination. Divorce decree records for Wyoming residents are maintained at the Kent County 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids.
Getting a Certified Copy of a Wyoming Divorce Decree
Certified copies from Kent County cost $7.00 each. That is the fee for the certified copy itself. Additional page fees may apply. Call (616) 632-5480 to confirm current rates and any additional charges before mailing a request.
In Person: Drive to the Kent County Courthouse at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids. That is about 4 miles from central Wyoming. Bring a photo ID and know both parties' names and the approximate year of divorce. Hours are 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Bring a check, money order, or cash.
By Mail: Send a written request to Kent County Circuit Court Clerk, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Include both parties' names, year of divorce, your return address, and phone number. Include a check or money order for the applicable fees and a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Online: Use the Access Kent Online Services portal to check for any online ordering options. The Access Kent Courts portal lets you search Kent County cases online for free before submitting a copy request.
Wyoming, Michigan is served by the Kent County 17th Circuit Court for divorce matters. For certified copies of divorce decrees, visit the courthouse at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW in Grand Rapids.
Michigan Divorce Law for Wyoming Residents
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state under MCL 552.6. No proof of fault is required to file. The filing spouse states only that the marriage has broken down beyond repair. The Kent County 17th Circuit Court follows this standard for all Wyoming cases.
Under MCL 552.9, you must have been in Michigan for 180 days and in Kent County for 10 days before you can file there. Wyoming residents in Kent County for 10 or more days meet the county requirement. Newer Michigan residents must wait for the 180-day state residency requirement to be met.
Once you file, there is a waiting period before the final decree can be entered. For divorces without minor children, the wait is 60 days. For divorces with minor children, the wait is 180 days. These periods are mandatory and run from the date of filing. The court will not finalize the divorce before the required time has passed.
Legal Help for Wyoming Residents
Free legal help is available through Michigan Legal Help. Legal Aid of West Michigan serves Kent County residents at (616) 774-0672 for income-qualifying individuals. The Kent County Bar Association can refer you to a private attorney. For questions specifically about getting copies of existing decrees, call the circuit court clerk at (616) 632-5480 directly.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities are also in Kent County or nearby areas with divorce records at the 17th Circuit Court or neighboring county courts.
Kent County Divorce Records
For more information about divorce decree records in Kent County, visit the county records page.