Search Kent County Genealogy Records
Kent County genealogy records go back to 1845 for marriages and 1867 for births and deaths, giving researchers one of the most complete vital records collections in west Michigan. The County Clerk in Grand Rapids, the Western Michigan Genealogical Society, and the Access Kent online portal all offer ways to find genealogy records for this county. This page explains what is available, where to find it, and how to request certified copies.
Kent County Overview
Kent County Clerk Vital Records
The Kent County Clerk at 300 Monroe Ave. NW in Grand Rapids is the primary source for vital records in this county. The office holds birth records from 1867, death records from 1867, and marriage records dating back to 1845. Kent County charges $10 per certified copy, which is lower than the $15 fee common in most other Michigan counties. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM.
Birth records under 100 years old are restricted to direct family members and authorized representatives. Death and marriage records are public. If you do not know the exact date, the clerk can search a five-year window if you provide an approximate year. Mail requests should include the full name, type of record, the approximate date, and a check or money order for the fee. Processing typically takes three to four weeks by mail. Forms are available in English and Spanish.
| Office | Kent County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 |
| Phone | 616-632-7640 |
| Fax | 616-632-7645 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:45 PM |
| Website | kentcountymi.gov |
| Record Type | Dates | Access | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1867 to present | Restricted (100 years) | $10 |
| Death | 1867 to present | Public | $10 |
| Marriage | 1845 to present | Public | $10 |
| Divorce | 1918 to present | Public | Circuit Court |
Kent County Genealogy Resources Online
Kent County has more online genealogy resources than most Michigan counties. The county's dedicated genealogy page at kentcountymi.gov explains how to request records and what collections are available. It is the best starting point for anyone doing research in this county.
The Kent County Clerk's genealogy page provides direct guidance on requesting birth, death, and marriage records and lists what collections are held at the county level.
The Access Kent portal allows online ordering of vital records and provides access to court records and property records. This is the fastest way to start a search without visiting the courthouse in person.
The Access Kent portal lets you search court records, order vital records, and access other county services online without visiting the courthouse.
Western Michigan Genealogical Society
The Western Michigan Genealogical Society (WMGS) is one of the most valuable resources for Kent County family history. Their website at wmgs.org gives access to a range of databases built by volunteers over many years. The society focuses on Kent County and the surrounding region of west Michigan.
The Western Michigan Genealogical Society maintains several free databases covering Kent County marriages, obituaries, and cemetery transcriptions going back to the mid-1800s.
The WMGS Kent County Marriage Index is one of the best free genealogy databases in the state. It covers marriages from 1845 to 1929 and contains more than 152,744 records. You can search it at data.wmgs.org/Marriages. The index includes both the bride's and groom's names, the date of the marriage, and often additional details. Under MCL 333.2882, these marriage records are public, and the WMGS has made them free to search online.
The WMGS Marriage Index covers 152,744 Kent County marriages from 1845 to 1929 and is searchable for free at the WMGS data portal.
In addition to marriage records, WMGS maintains obituary indexes from the Grand Rapids Press and Grand Rapids Herald, cemetery transcriptions from across the county, and church record indexes. These materials can help fill in details that vital records do not cover, including maiden names, immigrant origins, and family connections not recorded in official documents.
Kent County MIGenWeb and Additional Resources
The Kent County MIGenWeb site holds a large collection of transcribed records contributed by volunteers. The collection includes birth records from 1867 to 1870, Lowell Township births for 1880 and 1906 to 1949, marriage records from 1845 to 1870, and a marriage index from 1845 to 1929. Death records include Grand Rapids deaths from 1886 to 1887, countywide deaths from 1850 to 1940, and township-level records from various years. Obituary indexes for several decades are also available on the site.
The Grand Rapids Public Library holds a digital collection of the Grand Rapids Herald from 1894 to 1916. This newspaper archive is searchable and contains obituaries, marriage announcements, legal notices, and other content useful for genealogy research. Contact the library for access details and to find out what other local history materials are available in their collection.
For divorce records in Kent County, go to the Circuit Court Clerk's Office at 180 Ottawa NW, Suite 2400, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The phone number is 616-632-5480. Divorce records go back to 1918. For pre-1918 divorce records, contact the Western Michigan University Archives at 616-387-8490.
Naturalization records from 1860 to 1929 for Kent County are held at the Archives of Michigan, 702 Kalamazoo St., Lansing, 517-373-1408. These records can be essential for tracing immigrant ancestors who settled in the Grand Rapids area during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Under MCL 333.2884 and MCL 333.2885, access to vital records is governed by state statutes that set the rules for both county and state-level record access.
The FamilySearch Wiki for Kent County gives an overview of all available collections and links to digitized materials. FamilySearch has indexed many Kent County records and provides free search access. This is one of the best places to check before ordering certified copies or traveling to the courthouse.
Michiganology at michiganology.org offers free access to Michigan death records from 1897 to 1952. Search by name to confirm a date and year before ordering a certified copy from the county clerk.
Cities in Kent County
Kent County is Michigan's second most populous county. Grand Rapids is the county seat and the largest city. Wyoming is another major city in the county. Both have individual city pages for genealogy resources. Smaller communities in Kent County include Kentwood, Walker, East Grand Rapids, Grandville, and many townships. Vital records for all communities in the county are held by the County Clerk at 300 Monroe Ave. NW, Grand Rapids.
Nearby Counties
Kent County shares borders with several west Michigan counties. If an ancestor's records do not turn up in Kent, check the neighboring counties listed below.