Kent County Information

 

Kent County History

  • Website: http://www.co.kent.mi.us/

  • Date Created: 2 March 1831 (organized in 1836)

  • Name Origin: Named for Chancellor James Kent (1763-1847), New York jurist.  Michigan employed him to defend its rights during the "Toledo War", 1836-37.

  • County Seat: Grand Rapids

  • Formed From: Michilimackinac County and Unorganized Land

County Records

  • County Courthouse: 300 Monroe NW, Grand Rapids, MI  49503

  • County Clerk's Office:  Ph: 616-336-3550,  Fax: 616-336-2885
    Birth records: 1867 to present (Anyone may obtain a birth record more than 110 years old.  If the desired record is less than 110 years old, a death certificate must be provided along with proof of relationship to the deceased).
    Death records: 1867 to present
    Marriage records: 1849 to present
    Divorce records: Contact the Kent County Circuit Court Clerk's office
    Naturalization/Citizenship records: The State Archives of Michigan has the records for Kent County for 1860-1929.  (Written requests - please include name and date.  If the date is unknown, please supply an approximate date.  There will be about a 5 year search.  Please call before visiting or mailing fees to confirm hours, etc.

  • Register of Deeds: has land records from 1860
    Ph: 616-336-3550,  Fax: 616-336-2885  (Mailing address the same as the courthouse)

  • Clerk of the Probate Court: has probate records from 1898, 180 Ottawa NW, Ste 2500, Grand Rapids, MI 49503;  Ph: 616-632-5440, Fax: 616-632-5430

  • Clerk of the Circuit Court: has court records from 1854
    Ph: 616-336-3550, Fax: 616-336-2885  (Mailing address same as the courthouse)

  • State Archives of Michigan: 702 W. Kalamazoo Street, P.O. Box 30738, Lansing, MI 48909-8238;  Ph: 517-373-1408

  • Library of Michigan: 717 Allegan Street, Lansing, MI  48909; Ph: 517-373-1580
    Adoptions: Adopted person searching for their original birth records should contact the Adoption Central Registry, P. O. Box 30037, Lansing, MI  48909

Michigan Types of Records to Search

  • U.S. and Michigan Censuses, Birth, Marriage, Death and Divorce Records, Court and Probate Records, Land, Military, Church, Cemetery, Tax, Immigration, Historical Newspapers, Family & Local Histories.