Find Kent County Residents Directory

Kent County is in western Michigan and has about 650,000 residents. Grand Rapids serves as the county seat and is the second largest city in the state. The Kent County residents directory lets you search court case files, property deeds, criminal records, and voter data held by county offices on Monroe Avenue and Ottawa Avenue. County Executive Adam London leads county government. Whether you need to look up a person, check a case, or find a deed, this page has the links, phone numbers, and details to help you search. Start with the tool below or use the sections on this page to go straight to a Kent County agency.

Kent County Residents Directory Property Records

The Kent County Register of Deeds is at 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Phone is (616) 632-7610. Fax is (616) 632-7802. Email registerofdeeds@kentcountymi.gov for questions. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Under MCL 565.201, this office records and maintains all property transfer documents in the county. MCL 565.29 sets the rules for what must be included in recorded documents.

The Kent County Register of Deeds online portal lets you search records by name, property address, parcel number, document number, book and page, or date range. You can log in as a guest for basic access. Document images are available for viewing and printing. The records cover warranty deeds, quit claim deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, plats, land contracts, UCC filings, and releases. Recording fees range from $15 to $30 depending on the document type. Copy fees are $1.00 per page. Certification is $5.00.

Kent County property assessment data is handled by the Equalization Department. Tax info comes from the Treasurer. Both can help if you need to know what a property is assessed at or what taxes have been paid.

Court Records in the Kent County Residents Directory

The Kent County Circuit Court is the 17th Judicial Circuit. It is at 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Call (616) 632-5440. This court handles felony criminal cases, civil claims over $25,000, and family law matters. Search for cases on the court website by entering a case number or party name. Results list the parties, charges or claims, filing dates, hearing dates, and dispositions. Under Michigan Court Rule 8.119, most case records are public.

Kent County has five district courts. The 61st District Court in Grand Rapids is the busiest. The 62A District Court covers Wyoming. The 62B handles Kentwood cases. Phone for all is (616) 632-5700. These courts deal with misdemeanors, traffic cases, and civil disputes under $25,000. You can search across them using the free MiCOURT statewide portal. No account is needed.

Criminal Records in Kent County

The Kent County Sheriff's Office is at 701 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The main line is (616) 632-7100. The Kent County Correctional Facility is next door at 703 Ball Avenue NE. Jail booking info and inmate searches are available through the sheriff's office. VINELink is also an option for getting notifications about an offender's custody status changes.

The Kent County residents directory screenshot below shows the Kent County Sheriff's Office website, the starting point for inmate and public safety lookups in the county.

The sheriff's records division is at 4191 17 Mile Road NE, Cedar Springs, MI 49319. Call (616) 632-6020. Hours are Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. They handle criminal records, fingerprinting, and concealed pistol license applications. For a statewide criminal check, the ICHAT system from Michigan State Police costs $10 per search. It covers felony convictions and serious misdemeanors across all Michigan counties. The free OTIS database from the Department of Corrections tracks state prison inmates, parolees, and probationers.

Vital Records and Voter Info in Kent County

The Kent County Clerk is at 300 Monroe Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. Phone is (616) 632-7640. This office issues birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and concealed pistol licenses. Bring a valid ID. Certified copies cost between $15 and $30 depending on the record type.

Voter registration data for Kent County residents is part of the statewide Qualified Voter File. You can check someone's registration through the Michigan Voter Information Center. Enter their first name, last name, date of birth, and zip code. The system returns registration status, polling location, and district data. Under MCL 168.509(q), certain voter details like full birth dates and Social Security numbers stay private. But names, addresses, registration dates, and which elections a person voted in are public record. The full voter file is available from the Michigan Department of State through a FOIA request for $23.

Kent County Public Records Requests

FOIA requests in Kent County go to the department that holds the records. The Michigan Freedom of Information Act at MCL 15.231 through 15.246 gives anyone the right to ask for public records. Write your request. Describe what you need. Give them your contact info. The department must respond within five business days. A ten-day extension is allowed with written notice under MCL 15.235.

Copy fees range from $0.10 to $1.00 per page. Fee waivers may be granted under MCL 15.234 for people who show they cannot pay. MCL 15.243 lists exemptions that can keep some records private, but the default position under Michigan law is open access. If a Kent County office denies your request, they must tell you the reason in writing.

Kent County Register of Deeds Office

Cities in Kent County

Kent County includes Grand Rapids and Wyoming, both of which have their own pages in this residents directory. County offices in Grand Rapids handle public records for these cities.

Nearby Counties

Kent County borders several other Michigan counties. Browse their residents directory pages for more search options.