Find Kent County Civil Court Records
Kent County civil court records are managed at the county courthouse in Grand Rapids, Michigan's second-largest city. The 17th Circuit Court and 63rd District Court handle civil matters across Kent County, which has the highest case volume in western Michigan. The county clerk's office maintains all civil filings, from small claims to large lawsuits. This page explains how to search for Kent County civil court records online, where to request copies, what fees to expect, and what tools the county offers for public access to court documents.
Kent County Overview
Kent County Court Offices
Lisa Posthumus Lyons serves as the Kent County Clerk. The clerk's office sits inside the courthouse on Ottawa Avenue NW in downtown Grand Rapids. All civil court records for the 17th Circuit Court are filed and stored here. The 63rd District Court operates from a separate location on East Beltline NE.
| Office | Kent County Clerk / 17th Circuit Court |
|---|---|
| Clerk | Lisa Posthumus Lyons |
| Address | 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Phone | (616) 632-5220 |
| DCCustomer@kentcountymi.gov | |
| Hours | Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Office | 63rd District Court |
|---|---|
| Address | 1950 East Beltline NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525 |
| Phone | (616) 632-7770 |
Kent County is one of the busiest court systems in Michigan. The volume of civil cases is high, so having your case number ready when you contact the clerk helps a lot. You can email DCCustomer@kentcountymi.gov for general court questions.
Note: The 17th Circuit Court and 63rd District Court operate from different buildings, so confirm which court has your records before visiting.
How to Search Kent County Court Records Online
Kent County has its own Search Court Records tool on the county website. This lets you look up civil court records by name or case number. It covers 17th Circuit Court filings and is a solid first stop for anyone searching Kent County records.
There is an important change to be aware of. As of January 1, 2025, only criminal cases filed in 2019 and later are displayed through the online search. Civil case records should still be available, but the filtering change may affect some results. If you cannot find what you are looking for online, contact the clerk directly.
The statewide MiCOURT Case Search also covers Kent County. It includes both Circuit Court and District Court records. MiCOURT is free and does not require an account. Search results show case types, filing dates, parties, and docket entries. Full document images are not available through either tool. For copies of actual court documents, you will need to request them from the clerk's office.
The Kent County Courts page links to both courts and provides general information about court services. Under MCR 8.119, courts can make records available online. Kent County uses both its local search system and MiCOURT for public access.
The Kent County Search Court Records page is shown in the screenshot below.
This county search tool provides direct access to 17th Circuit Court case data.
Requesting Copies of Kent County Court Documents
You can get copies of Kent County civil court records in person at the courthouse or by mail. Walk-in requests are handled at the clerk's window on Ottawa Avenue. Standard copies cost $1.00 per page. Certified copies carry a $10.00 certification fee plus $1.00 per additional page, per MCL 600.2546.
Mail requests go to Kent County Clerk, 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Include the case number, party names, the specific documents you need, and a check or money order. Given the high volume of cases Kent County handles, allow a bit more time for processing compared to smaller counties. Two weeks is a reasonable expectation for mail requests.
Kent County fully participates in MiFILE for electronic filing. Attorneys must file through MiFILE for most civil case types. Self-represented parties can use the system voluntarily. MiFILE is available all day and sends email notifications when filings are processed.
Below is the Kent County 17th Circuit Court Name Search account login page.
Some search features may require creating a free account to access detailed case information.
Civil Cases in Kent County Courts
The 17th Circuit Court handles civil disputes over $25,000. Contract lawsuits, property claims, personal injury cases, and appeals from District Court all go through Circuit Court. The Family Division handles domestic cases separately. Kent County's large population means the Circuit Court has a heavy docket.
The 63rd District Court covers civil cases up to $25,000 per MCL 600.8301. Small claims go up to $6,500. District Court cases tend to resolve faster because the amounts are lower and the process is less formal. Both courts maintain public civil records under MCL 600.1420. MCR 1.109 requires protection of personal information. Sealed cases and juvenile matters are not public.
Note: Kent County handles one of the highest civil case volumes in Michigan, so processing times may be longer than in smaller counties.
Kent County Court Fees
Court fees in Kent County follow the statewide fee schedule. Common costs include:
- Standard copies: $1.00 per page
- Certified copies: $10.00 certification plus $1.00 per page
- Civil case filing (up to $600): $30.00 to $35.00
- Civil case filing ($10,001 to $25,000): $130.00 to $215.00
- Motion filing: $20.00
The clerk accepts cash, checks, and money orders. Contact (616) 632-5220 to ask about card payments. For fee waivers, Michigan Legal Help has information on applying for reduced costs.
Court Records Privacy and Access
Civil court records in Kent County are public. MCL 600.1420 requires open courts. Anyone can request access to civil case filings. MCR 8.119 governs how clerks handle public records. There are exceptions for sealed cases, juvenile records, and adoption files.
MCR 1.109 requires courts to protect personal information like Social Security numbers, dates of birth, and financial account details. These are redacted from public records. Michigan courts are exempt from FOIA under MCL 15.232(h)(iv). You cannot use a Freedom of Information request for court documents. Everything goes through the clerk's office.
Kent County Legal Resources
The Michigan Courts website has forms, court rules, and directories. Michigan Legal Help offers free self-help tools for civil cases. The State Court Administrative Office manages record-keeping standards statewide.
Kent County is the fourth most populous county in Michigan. Grand Rapids is a major city with a diverse economy and a high volume of court activity. The county's online search tools are among the better options in the state, and the clerk's office is well-staffed to handle the demand for civil court records.
Kent County Cities
Grand Rapids and Wyoming are the largest cities in Kent County and account for much of the county's civil court activity.
Nearby Counties
These counties are near Kent County in western Michigan.