Kent County Arrest Records Search
Kent County arrest records are kept by the Kent County Sheriff's Office and the courts that serve the greater Grand Rapids area. These records document bookings, charges, and case outcomes for people arrested within the county. You can search current inmate data online, request records through official channels, or use state tools to pull broader criminal history on individuals connected to Kent County.
Kent County Overview
How to Search Kent County Arrest Records
There are a few ways to look up arrest records in Kent County. The fastest is the online Web Jail Viewer, which shows who is currently held at the county jail. For past arrests and court records, you will need to use the 17th Circuit Court's case search or file a formal records request.
The Kent County Sheriff's Office runs the main records division. They handle booking data, inmate lookups, and FOIA-based document requests. State tools like ICHAT let you pull criminal history for anyone who has been arrested or convicted in Michigan, not just those currently in custody in Kent County. Each tool serves a different purpose, so knowing which one fits your needs will save time.
Start with the Web Jail Viewer if you need current custody status. Use the courts' case search for charge history and case outcomes. Use ICHAT if you need a full background check tied to someone's fingerprint record.
Kent County Web Jail Viewer
The Web Jail Viewer is the county's live inmate lookup tool. It is available at eisjailviewer.kentcountymi.gov. An alternate access point is listed on the county's site at accesskent.com. Both lead to the same database.
The viewer shows each person's descriptors, mugshot, booking details, arresting agency, and bond information. It also lists the offenses tied to the arrest. One important note: charge information only appears after arraignment has taken place. If someone was booked recently and you don't see charges listed, that usually means they haven't yet been arraigned before a judge. The data updates as the process moves forward.
Here is a screenshot of the Web Jail Viewer portal:
The viewer is free to use and does not require you to log in. Search by name to get results. If you need records for someone no longer in custody, you will need to go through the courts or the FOIA process instead.
A second screenshot from the county's inmate lookup page:
Both the Jail Viewer and the inmate lookup page are supported by the sheriff's office. They are meant to give the public quick access to basic custody data without needing to call the jail directly.
Kent County Sheriff's Office Contact and Records
The Kent County Sheriff's Office is led by Sheriff Michelle LaJoye-Young. The office is located at 701 Ball Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. The main phone number is 616-632-6100.
The phone system routes callers based on their needs. Press 1 for non-emergency, press 2 for the jail, press 3 for records, press 4 to reach a deputy, press 5 for community services, press 6 for the detective bureau, press 7 for property pick-up, press 8 for training, and press 9 for administration. Emergency calls should still go to 911.
Records services are open Monday through Friday from 9 am to 5 pm. The lobby is open from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays. On Wednesdays, you need an appointment if you plan to come between noon and 12:30 pm. Walk-ins are fine during other hours. Fax requests go to 616-632-6122.
The records page on the county site is at kentcountymi.gov/1343/Records. You can also submit FOIA requests through that page. Below is a screenshot of what that page looks like:
The records page also explains what documents are available and how to request them. If you're not sure whether to submit a FOIA or use the online viewer, the records office can help you figure out the right path.
Kent County Correctional Facility
The county jail sits at 703 Ball Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, right next to the sheriff's main office. Administration can be reached at 616-632-6400. For inmate information specifically, call 616-632-6300.
The facility holds over 400 inmates at a time. It runs several programs for people in custody. These include education and rehabilitation programs, mental health services, ministry programs, and health care. Inmates can also be placed on work crews. The facility has a transport section and a warrants section as well. The warrants section handles active warrants for people who have not yet been taken into custody.
The Grand Rapids area jail is one of the larger county facilities in Michigan. Its size reflects the population and volume of arrests in the region each year.
VINE Victim Notification for Kent County
VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. It is a free service that lets victims and others track the custody status of inmates in Kent County and across Michigan.
You can register by calling 1-800-770-7657 or by signing up at vinelink.com. Once registered, you get automatic alerts by phone or email when an inmate's status changes. That includes releases, transfers, and other custody events. The service runs around the clock. You don't need to keep calling the jail to check on someone's status once you're registered with VINE.
Kent County Courts and Case Records
Criminal cases in Kent County run through several courts depending on the charge level and location. The 17th Circuit Court handles felony cases and is located at 180 Ottawa Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503. This is where most serious criminal matters are decided.
District courts handle misdemeanors and the early stages of felony cases. The 61st District Court serves Grand Rapids. The 62A and 62B District Courts cover Wyoming. The 63rd District Court covers several townships in the county. Each court keeps its own case records, though the state's case search tool pulls from multiple courts at once.
The Michigan Courts case search is at courts.michigan.gov/case-search. You can search by name, case number, or date of birth. The tool shows charges, case status, hearing dates, and outcomes. It is free and open to the public. Not every case type may appear, but most criminal matters are accessible through this tool.
Below is a look at the Kent County main government site, which links to court and sheriff resources:
The county homepage at kentcountymi.gov is a good starting point if you're not sure which office or court to contact. It connects you to the sheriff, the courts, and the clerk's office from one place.
FOIA Requests and Records Access in Kent County
Michigan's Freedom of Information Act, found at MCL 15.231, gives the public the right to request government records. Arrest records, booking reports, and incident reports can all be requested through FOIA as long as they are not exempt for law enforcement reasons.
To submit a FOIA request to the Kent County Sheriff's Office, go to kentcountymi.gov/1343/Records. The online form walks you through the process. You can also mail or fax a written request. The office has five business days to respond and tell you whether it will provide the records, deny the request, or ask for more time.
Fees may apply. Michigan law allows agencies to charge for staff time to search and copy records. The sheriff's office will give you a cost estimate before proceeding if fees will be involved. In some cases, records can be provided for free if the request serves the public interest.
Michigan also has a Clean Slate law under MCL 780.621g. This law allows certain old or low-level convictions to be set aside, which can affect what shows up in a records search. If a record has been set aside, it may not appear in standard public searches, though law enforcement can still access it.
ICHAT and Statewide Tools for Kent County Searches
ICHAT is Michigan's Internet Criminal History Access Tool. It is run by the Michigan State Police and is available through apps.michigan.gov. A search costs $10 and is based on fingerprint-linked records under MCL 28.241. This means it returns more complete and verified results than a basic name search.
ICHAT is useful when you want to know about a person's full criminal history in Michigan, not just their current Kent County arrest status. It pulls from statewide records and is commonly used by employers, courts, and individuals checking their own records.
The Michigan Department of Corrections runs OTIS, the Offender Tracking Information System, at mdocweb.state.mi.us. OTIS shows people who are or have been under MDOC supervision. This includes people serving prison sentences or on parole. It does not cover county jail inmates.
The Michigan Sex Offender Registry is maintained by the Michigan State Police at mspsor.com under MCL 28.721. You can search by name or location to see registered offenders in Kent County, including those in Grand Rapids and surrounding areas. The registry is free and open to the public.
For MSP records and FOIA requests at the state level, the form is at michigan.gov/msp/services/foia. State statute references can be verified through the Michigan Legislature's site at legislature.mi.gov.
Cities in Kent County
Grand Rapids is the largest city in Kent County and the second largest in Michigan. Wyoming is the second largest city in the county. Both have a significant number of arrest records processed through county and district courts each year.
Nearby Counties
Kent County borders several counties in West Michigan. Each has its own sheriff's office, jail, and records process.