Marriage records in Kent County, Michigan, are available through several channels. KentCourt.us helps quickly find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the County Clerk's office directly, which issues and maintains these documents, visit the office in person, or send a request by mail. The state of Michigan has been keeping marriage records since 1867, and access to them is regulated by state law.
Kent Marriage Records Search
In Kent County, marriage records are maintained and stored by the County Clerk's office. This office issues marriage licenses, registers returned certificates after the ceremony, and maintains an archive of marriage documents. The collection includes issued marriage licenses, registered marriage certificates, and historical records dating back decades. On the Vital Records page of the county's official website, you can find general information about available record categories — birth, marriage, death, and genealogical data.
At the state level, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also maintains copies of marriage certificates for all events that occurred in Michigan.
Contact information for the office:
Kent County Clerk
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Kent
Fees for obtaining copies of marriage records are set according to Michigan law and the internal policy of the County Clerk's office. Below is an approximate fee schedule:
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy | $26.00 |
| Additional copy (in the same order) | $13.00 |
| Search fee | Included in the cost of the certified copy |
Fees are based on rates set by Michigan Compiled Laws. Payment is usually accepted by check, money order made payable to Kent County Clerk, or credit card — confirm acceptable payment methods when contacting. In-person request processing time is typically the same day. Mail requests may take from one to several weeks depending on the office's workload.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Kent
There are three main ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate in Kent County.
Online
The state of Michigan offers the option to order certified copies through the centralized MDHHS Vital Records portal. Through this service, you can order a marriage certificate for any event registered in the state. Online orders involve an additional service fee charged by the platform operator. The How Do I page on the county's website also contains links to relevant resources for ordering marriage records.
In Person
Visit the County Clerk's office at the address listed above. Come with valid photo identification. A certified copy is usually issued the same day. No appointment is necessary — the office operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
By Mail
Send a written request to the office address:
What to include in the request:
- Full names of both spouses
- Approximate date of marriage
- Purpose of the request
- A copy of your photo ID
- A check or money order for the appropriate amount, made payable to Kent County Clerk
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
If you need a copy of a divorce decree rather than a marriage record, contact the Clerk of the 17th Circuit Court, which handles such requests separately.