Kent County Divorce Decree Records
Kent County divorce decree records are kept by the 17th Circuit Court Clerk in Grand Rapids, and this page explains how to search for those records, request certified copies, and understand what each document contains whether you need it for legal, personal, or research purposes.
Kent County Overview
Where to Get Kent County Divorce Decree Records
The 17th Circuit Court Clerk is the official keeper of all civil and family court records in Kent County, including divorce decrees. The office is located at the Kent County Courthouse, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. You can reach them by phone at (616) 632-5480 or by fax at (616) 632-5458. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
There are three ways to get a certified copy of a Kent County divorce decree. In person, go to the second floor of the courthouse and ask the clerk for the Certified Court Record Request form. By mail, download and complete the Certified Court Record Request form and send it with payment to the address above. Online requests are also available through the county's online services portal for a $15 fee. All methods require that you know the case number or the names of both parties and the approximate year of the divorce.
A certified copy of a divorce judgment costs $15.00. Additional page copies are $1.00 per page. Payment by check or money order is accepted for mail requests.
| Office | 17th Circuit Court Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Phone | (616) 632-5480 |
| Fax | (616) 632-5458 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 9:00 AM-4:00 PM |
| Certified Copy Fee | $15.00 |
| Per Page Copy | $1.00 |
Searching Kent County Divorce Decree Records Online
Kent County provides a free self-service case search tool called the Access Kent Name Search. You can look up case names, case numbers, and basic filing details without leaving your home. The tool covers civil, family, and probate cases filed in Kent County courts going back many years.
The screenshot below shows the Access Kent name search portal, which lets you look up Kent County divorce records by party name.
For cases not available through the local tool, the statewide MiCOURT Case Search system also covers Kent County filings. MiCOURT is maintained by the Michigan Supreme Court and provides public access to case index information across all Michigan circuit courts.
Kent County also offers additional online services through its online portal. The image below shows that broader services page, which includes links to court records and other county functions.
Keep in mind that online searches show index data only. To get a certified copy you still need to contact the clerk's office directly or submit a formal request.
Fees for Divorce Decree Copies in Kent County
Getting a certified copy of a Kent County divorce decree costs $15.00. That covers the judgment itself. If the decree is more than one page, you pay an extra $1.00 per page for any pages beyond the first included in the certified copy. Most simple divorce decrees are a few pages, so the total cost is usually modest.
When you request by mail, make your check or money order out to "Kent County Clerk." Do not send cash. Include the full names of both parties, the case number if you have it, and the year the divorce was finalized. A self-addressed stamped envelope helps speed up the return of your documents. Processing times vary, but most mail requests are fulfilled within a few business days.
The image below shows the certified court record request page on the Kent County website, where you can download the request form.
Online requests through the county portal also carry the $15.00 fee. The online option is convenient but is not available for all case types or older records. If you need a record from before 1918, note that those older Kent County circuit court records are held by the Western Michigan University Archives, not the courthouse.
Michigan Divorce Law in Kent County
Michigan is a no-fault divorce state. That means neither party has to prove wrongdoing to get a divorce. The legal basis under MCL 552.6 is simply that there has been a breakdown in the marriage relationship where the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there is no reasonable likelihood they can be restored.
To file for divorce in Kent County, at least one spouse must have lived in Michigan for 180 days and in Kent County for at least 10 days immediately before filing. This is spelled out in MCL 552.9. Filing happens at the 17th Circuit Court in Grand Rapids.
There is a waiting period before a divorce can be finalized. Cases without minor children must wait at least 60 days after filing. Cases that involve minor children require a minimum 180-day wait. The court can waive the longer period in cases of hardship or other exceptional circumstances.
Property division in Michigan follows equitable distribution principles. The final divorce decree will set out how assets and debts are split, custody and parenting time schedules if children are involved, and any spousal support or child support obligations. Once the judge signs the decree, it becomes a binding court order. Certified copies of that order can be used for name changes, insurance updates, refinancing property, and many other legal purposes.
What Is in a Kent County Divorce Decree Record
A divorce decree is the final court order that ends a marriage. It is different from a divorce certificate, which is the vital record issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The decree is a court document; the certificate is a vital record.
Kent County divorce decrees typically contain the names of both parties, the date and county of filing, the case number, the date the judge signed the order, property division terms, debt allocation, and if applicable, custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, child support amounts, and spousal support terms. The decree may also include provisions about insurance coverage, pension division, and other financial matters depending on the complexity of the case.
Most divorce decrees in Kent County are public records. Anyone can request a copy, though some documents may be sealed in cases involving domestic violence, minor children's personal information, or other sensitive matters. The clerk can tell you whether a specific record has any access restrictions before you submit a request.
If you need a divorce certificate rather than the court decree, contact the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office. The two documents serve different purposes and come from different offices.
Getting Legal Help for Divorce in Kent County
Not everyone can afford an attorney for a divorce. Kent County has several resources for people who need help but have limited funds. The 17th Circuit Court clerk's office can provide forms and procedural information, though clerks are not allowed to give legal advice under Michigan law.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org is a free online resource that walks you through the divorce process step by step. It includes guided interview tools that help you complete the right forms for your situation. The site is run by a nonprofit and is available to all Michigan residents at no cost.
Legal aid organizations in the Grand Rapids area may also be able to help. The Legal Aid of Western Michigan office serves Kent County and can assist low-income residents with family law matters. Call the 17th Circuit Court directly or check the court website for a current list of legal aid contacts and self-help resources available in the courthouse.
Statewide resources are also available through VitalChek if you need certified vital records rather than court documents. And the Michigan State Bar's lawyer referral service can connect you with a licensed family law attorney in the Grand Rapids area if you want professional legal advice for your Kent County divorce matter.
Cities in Kent County
Kent County includes several cities. The following cities have dedicated records pages:
Nearby Counties
If you are researching divorce records in counties near Kent, these neighboring county pages may help: