Court records of Kent County, Michigan, are available through several channels. KentCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the state's official online court system tools, directly at the Clerk of the Court, or on public terminals in the courthouse. Below is a practical guide to the county's court system, hearing calendar, obtaining document copies, and related fees.
Kent Court System & Jurisdictions
There are two main trial courts in the county, each with clearly defined jurisdiction.
17th Circuit Court
17th Judicial Circuit Court is the general jurisdiction court of Kent County. It handles:
- Criminal cases for felonies
- Civil lawsuits with a dispute amount over $25,000
- Family cases — divorce, child custody, alimony
- Probate and guardianship cases
- Appeals from district court decisions
Clerk of the Court maintains all case materials filed with the Circuit Court.
63rd District Court
63rd District Court serves the Kent County area and is a separate branch of local justice. It handles:
- Criminal cases for misdemeanors
- Civil lawsuits with a dispute amount up to $25,000
- Small Claims cases — up to $6,500
- Traffic violations
- Civil infractions
- Preliminary hearings in felony cases
If you are unsure which court your case belongs to, contact the appropriate court's office by phone for guidance.
Kent Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
The schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week can be checked in several ways.
- Online case search. Use the MiCOURT Case Search system — the statewide portal of the Michigan court system. Enter the party's name or case number, and the system will show the dates of upcoming hearings if they are scheduled. Note: The information on the portal is for reference and does not replace the official court record.
- County records search page. Kent County's website has a court records search page for the 17th Circuit Court, where you can find a case by the defendant's last name.
- In-person visit or call. The offices of the Circuit Court and 63rd District Court provide hearing schedule information by phone or directly at the courthouse during business hours.
For appellate cases and higher court decisions, there is a separate Michigan Courts portal, where Court of Appeals and Supreme Court decisions are published.
How to Get a Copy of a Kent Court Document
Copies of court documents come in two types: uncertified and certified. A certified copy has the official court seal and the clerk's signature — this is the type of document usually required by other institutions or courts.
How to Order
- Online. Through the Certified Court Record Request page, you can order certified copies of judgments of divorce and current letters for probate conservatorship, guardianship, etc.
- In person. Visit the Clerk of the Court's office at the Kent County Courthouse. You will need the case number or the full name of the party and the approximate filing date.
- By mail. Send a written request with case details to the office address:
Include payment in the form of a money order if sending the request by mail. Personal checks may not be accepted — confirm in advance.
Other Types of Records
- Criminal records. The Information Services & Records division of the Kent County Sheriff's Office manages all sheriff's office criminal records. For state-level criminal history checks, use the ICHAT system of the Michigan State Police.
- Vital records. Birth, marriage, and death certificates are maintained by the Vital Records division of Kent County.
- Public records (FOIA). If the required document is not a court record, you can submit a request under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).
Kent Court Records Fees & Payment
Fees for court records in Michigan are regulated by state law (MCL 600.1986 and other relevant statutes). Below are approximate rates applicable to Kent County. Confirm exact amounts directly with the court office, as they may change.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Copy of court document (per page) | $1.00 |
| Document certification | $10.00 |
| Case registry search (per request) | $10.00 |
| Certified copy of divorce judgment | $10.00 (certification) + copying cost |
| Download/print land records (Register of Deeds) | $1.00 per page |
Payment methods: Court offices typically accept cash, money orders, and credit/debit cards. For online orders, a credit card is required. When submitting a request by mail, use a money order payable to Kent County Clerk.
For electronic court document filing in Michigan, the MiFILE system is available, supporting over 127 trial courts — separate fees set by the court apply for filing.