Grand Rapids Police, Kent County Jail and 61st Court Search
A Grand Rapids arrest can create separate police, jail and court records. Grand Rapids Police maintains the city incident and arrest file, the 61st District Court handles criminal cases arising within Grand Rapids city limits, and the Kent County Sheriff operates the county correctional facility and current inmate database.
The fastest search depends on timing. A newly arrested person may not be visible in Web Jail Viewer until county booking is complete, while a very recent court filing may take up to about 24 hours to appear in the 61st District Court public portal. Bound-over felony cases and active warrants also have important online-search limitations.
VERIFIED
What to do immediately after a Grand Rapids arrest
For a very recent arrest, do not assume the person will already appear online. Work in sequence: arresting agency → Kent County booking → 61st District Court.
Call Grand Rapids Police
For non-emergency police assistance, call 616-456-3400. Provide the full legal name, date of birth, approximate arrest time and location.
Confirm whether GRPD still has the person
Ask whether processing is complete, whether the person was released, or whether custody was transferred to the Kent County Correctional Facility.
Search Kent County Web Jail Viewer
Use the complete last name first. Add the first name or booking-date range only when needed.
Call inmate information when the search is unclear
Call 616-632-6300 and choose Option 1 for Kent County inmate information.
Save the booking and inmate identifiers
Record the booking date, inmate identifier, arresting agency, listed charge and bond information before opening family-service accounts.
Search the 61st District Court
Verify the court case number, filed charge, arraignment, bond, scheduled event and disposition.
Allow for the court’s posting delay
The court advises that new case notes may take up to about 24 hours to appear online.
Check whether a felony was bound over
Bound-over felony cases from July 2, 2024 forward are not displayed in the 61st District Court online portal. Search Kent County’s 17th Circuit Court instead.
Verify every hold before paying bond
Ask whether another case, warrant, probation matter or detainer prevents release.
Recheck immediately before travel or payment
Jail information changes quickly, and the Sheriff specifically warns that online custody information may not always reflect the current status.
“I am trying to locate [full legal name], date of birth [date], who may have been arrested in Grand Rapids on [date and approximate time]. Can you confirm whether the person remains with Grand Rapids Police, was released, or was transferred to the Kent County Correctional Facility?”
Make sure the case actually belongs to Grand Rapids
The 61st District Court has jurisdiction within the City of Grand Rapids. A “Grand Rapids” mailing address does not automatically mean the incident occurred inside city limits.
| Incident jurisdiction | District court | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| City of Grand Rapids | 61st District Court | Grand Rapids criminal, traffic and municipal matters. |
| City of Grandville | 59-1 District Court | Do not search the 61st solely because the mailing address says Grand Rapids. |
| City of Walker | 59-2 District Court | Walker cases use their own district-court division. |
| City of Wyoming | 62-A District Court | Wyoming arrests do not begin in the 61st Court. |
| City of Kentwood | 62-B District Court | Confirm the exact incident location. |
| Most other Kent County areas | 63rd District Court | Used for much of Kent County outside the listed city courts. |
Check the address before searching court records
Choose the Grand Rapids record that answers your question
| Information needed | Correct source | Best identifier | Important limitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Very recent arrest | Grand Rapids Police | Full name, DOB, date, location | May precede county booking or court filing. |
| Current county custody | Kent County Web Jail Viewer | Complete last name | Online information can change and is not guaranteed current. |
| GRPD incident or arrest report | GRPD Records / FOIA | Police incident number | Not the final court disposition. |
| GRPD-only arrest history | GRPD Local Arrest Record Check | Requester identification | Only public arrests by GRPD. |
| Grand Rapids misdemeanor | 61st District Court | Court case number | Dismissed criminal cases are not shown in the public portal. |
| Felony preliminary case | 61st District Court | District-court case number | Bound-over cases may disappear from online 61st search. |
| Felony after bindover | Kent County 17th Circuit Court | Full name, DOB or circuit case number | Circuit record does not replace GRPD evidence files. |
| Michigan criminal history | Michigan State Police ICHAT | Name-based search | Not a live jail or active-warrant search. |
Request a Grand Rapids Police arrest or incident report
Grand Rapids Police Records Unit
1 Monroe Center Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Records guidance: 616-456-4177
Police non-emergency: 616-456-3400
When an over-the-counter copy works
If the report is not one of the categories that must go through FOIA, the requester is named in the report, and the investigation is completed or closed, a copy may be available at the Records Unit desk.
Bring a current government-issued photo ID.
Police-report micro-steps
- Get the GRPD incident number when possible.
- Confirm that the report is completed or closed.
- Tell Records whether you are named in the report.
- Ask whether the report must be requested through FOIA.
- List photographs, body-camera footage or other media separately.
- Bring government-issued identification for counter service.
- Ask for the current fee before ordering a large file.
- Save the police incident number for court and insurance follow-up.
Submit a GRPD FOIA request for arrest records, video or reports
GRPD FOIA
Grand Rapids Police Department
Records Unit
1 Monroe Center Street NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: 616-456-3350
Email: foiagrpd@grcity.us
Possible FOIA costs
GRPD may charge labor and other actual costs allowed under Michigan law and city policy.
A deposit may be required when a request is expected to exceed $50, so a narrow request can reduce processing time and expense.
Build a useful police FOIA request
- Identify the incident number.
- Give the full name and date of birth.
- Provide the incident date and exact location.
- Request the arrest/incident narrative specifically.
- Give a narrow time range for body-camera or in-car video.
- Identify dispatch audio or photographs separately.
- Ask for electronic delivery when available.
- State a fee ceiling that requires additional approval.
- Save the portal confirmation.
“Under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, I request available nonexempt Grand Rapids Police records concerning [full name and date of birth] and incident number [number] on [date] at [location], including the incident/arrest report, dispatch record, body-camera footage, in-car video, photographs and property inventory. Please provide an itemized estimate before charges exceed $[amount].”
Use GRPD’s $10 local arrest history when city-only records are enough
Local Arrest Record Check
A person can request a listing of their own GRPD arrests that remain public record.
Current fee: $10
In-person hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Bring a current government-issued photo ID.
Cannot visit in person?
GRPD allows a notarized local-arrest-record form to be mailed with a clear color copy of government ID, a self-addressed stamped envelope, and a $10 check or money order payable to GRPD.
This is a Grand Rapids Police record check, not a complete Kent County or statewide history.
Search Kent County Web Jail Viewer
Official inmate-search steps
- Enter the person’s complete last name.
- Add the full first name only when necessary.
- Use the booking-date range when searching a common name.
- Compare identifying information carefully.
- Check the arresting agency.
- Review the listed booking offenses.
- Save the booking and inmate information.
- Call the Sheriff when a very recent arrest is missing.
Kent County Correctional Facility
703 Ball Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Facility: 616-632-6400
Inmate information: 616-632-6300, Option 1
What Web Jail Viewer may show
- Descriptive information
- Booking information
- Mugshot image
- Arresting agency
- Listed offenses
- Current jail record
Always compare the jail entry with the court case before drawing conclusions about the filed charge or outcome.
Why a Grand Rapids arrest may not appear in the jail search
| Possible reason | What may be happening | Best next move |
|---|---|---|
| Still with GRPD | Initial police processing is incomplete. | Call 616-456-3400. |
| County booking pending | The person has been transferred but the public booking record is not ready. | Call 616-632-6300, Option 1. |
| Released before longer custody | The person may have posted bond or received another form of release. | Search the 61st District Court. |
| Name variation | Booking may use another spelling, legal surname or alias. | Search fewer fields and call with DOB. |
| Wrong jurisdiction | The incident was outside Grand Rapids city limits. | Identify the arresting agency and district court. |
| Medical treatment | The person may remain under law-enforcement authority outside the facility. | Ask the arresting agency whether jail transfer is pending. |
| Outside hold | Another county, federal agency or court may have assumed custody. | Ask which agency received the person. |
| Later MDOC custody | An older felony resulted in Michigan prison custody. | Search MDOC OTIS. |
Search Grand Rapids 61st District Court criminal records
61st District Court
180 Ottawa Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Main: 616-632-5700
Fax: 616-632-5592
Email: contact@grcourt.org
Current court hours
Monday–Friday
7:45 a.m.–4:15 p.m.
Walk-in arraignments:
Monday–Thursday
8:30–11:30 a.m. and 1:30–3:30 p.m.
Arrive early for courthouse security screening.
61st Court case-search steps
- Confirm the incident was inside Grand Rapids city limits.
- Search by the court case number whenever possible.
- Otherwise search the defendant’s legal name.
- Open the matching result.
- Review case status and scheduled events.
- Confirm the disposition when one exists.
- Allow about 24 hours for very new case notes to appear.
- Switch to 17th Circuit Court when a felony was bound over.
Handled at the 61st
The Criminal Division handles misdemeanor offenses, generally crimes carrying a maximum jail term of up to one year.
Preliminary stages
The 61st District Court handles preliminary felony proceedings before any bindover to Kent County Circuit Court.
Photos and fingerprints
The court states that defendants charged with 93-day-or-higher criminal offenses must be photographed and fingerprinted through the Kent County Jail.
Request a 61st District Court complaint, judgment or certified record
Records you can request
- Register of actions
- Judgment
- Bond order
- Public court orders
- Non-certified copies
- Certified copies
- Older case search help
- Records missing online
Current copy fees
Non-certified:
$2 first page + $1 each additional page
Certified:
$10 first page + $1 each additional page
The court limits ordinary document-copy requests to 20 total pages.
Request by email or in person
- Email recordcheck@grcourt.org.
- Include your name and contact information.
- Include the case number when known.
- State exactly what document you want.
- Specify certified or non-certified.
- Choose pickup or mail.
- Wait for the court to confirm the total fee.
Find a Grand Rapids felony after it moves to 17th Circuit Court
Kent County 17th Circuit Court
Kent County Courthouse
180 Ottawa Avenue NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Court: 616-632-5220
Criminal case information: 616-632-5480
Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.
When to switch from 61st to 17th
If the 61st District Court record shows a felony bindover—or a recent felony suddenly stops appearing in the 61st online portal—search Kent County Circuit Court.
The county’s current online criminal name search reaches back to 2018. Contact the Clerk when an older felony needs to be located.
Find appointed counsel after a Grand Rapids arrest
Grand Rapids Indigent Defense
A defendant who cannot afford an attorney can request appointed counsel if legally eligible.
For misdemeanor cases and first appearances, the 61st District Court directs users to:
Kent County Public Defender
For felony court-appointed-attorney information, the 61st District Court directs users to the Kent County Public Defender.
Verify and post bond at Kent County Jail
Cash bond
The full amount ordered by the court may be posted when the order requires cash.
10% bond
If the court sets a 10% bond, the specified percentage may be deposited instead of the full bail amount.
Bonding company
An eligible bail-bonding agency can guarantee appearance when surety is permitted.
One method
Kent County states that split payments are not accepted for a single bond transaction.
Kent County bond checklist
- Verify the inmate through Web Jail Viewer or 616-632-6300.
- Confirm the court case number.
- Confirm that arraignment has occurred.
- Verify the current amount and bond type.
- Ask about every separate hold.
- Confirm the exact accepted payment method.
- Ask about card-processing fees before paying.
- Do not attempt to split one payment across methods.
- Keep the bond receipt.
- Ask what remains before physical release.
24/7 jail bond window
Bail can be paid 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the Jail Processing Office next to the visitor entrance.
Published payment methods include:
- Cash
- Credit card
- Cashier’s check
- Money order payable to Kent County Sheriff’s Office
Personal checks are not accepted.
Card-fee warning
Kent County currently warns that credit-card fees may range from approximately 8% to 20%.
For a large bond, ask for the exact fee before authorizing the transaction.
What family should do after locating the inmate
Save every identifier
Keep the GRPD incident number, Kent County booking information and court case number together.
Confirm the court
Use the 61st District Court only when the incident occurred within Grand Rapids city jurisdiction.
Check the next hearing
Use the 61st hearing schedule and court record rather than relying on an old screenshot.
Find the attorney
Determine whether retained counsel, Grand Rapids indigent defense or the Kent County Public Defender is involved.
Verify every bond and hold
One paid bond does not guarantee release when another court or agency has placed a hold.
Register for SmartInmate
Use the jail’s official visitation route before trying to schedule an onsite or remote video visit.
Choose the right money account
Kent County inmate-account deposits use TouchPay, while care packages use the jail’s separate approved package system.
Use the Florida personal-mail address
Personal mail is no longer accepted directly at the jail and is scanned through Smart Communications.
Report mental-health danger immediately
Use the dedicated jail mental-health hotline for signs of depression, suicidal thoughts or similar urgent concerns.
Recheck custody before pickup
Confirm that release is actually authorized and that no new warrant, hold or transfer changed the plan.
Kent County visitation rules updated for 2026
Daily onsite hours
Monday–Sunday
8–11 a.m.
1–5 p.m.
Lockdowns or facility operations can delay or cancel visits.
Online visitation
Monday–Sunday
8–11 a.m.
1–5 p.m.
7–10 p.m.
SmartInmate
Online: SmartInmate
Phone: 727-349-1561
Kiosk: visitation lobby
| Visit rule | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Registration | Visitors must register and upload valid government photo ID plus a current facial photograph. |
| Adult visitor | Visitors age 18+ need valid photo identification. |
| Children | Visitors under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. |
| People per visit | Maximum of two visitors; a child counts as one. |
| Check-in | Arrive at least 20 minutes before a scheduled onsite visit. |
| General population | One free onsite visit per week. |
| Additional onsite | Currently listed at $0.14 per minute for up to 30 minutes. |
| Offsite video | Currently $7.50 for a 25-minute visit; remote visits are otherwise unlimited subject to availability and rules. |
Kent County inmate calls, tablets and personal mail
Daily calling access
Inmate phones are available daily from 8 a.m.–10 p.m. during permitted housing-unit access.
Kent County currently lists outgoing collect calls through Smart Communications at $0.09 per minute.
The jail does not accept incoming personal calls or messages for inmates.
Do not discuss the case
Calls may be monitored or recorded. Keep ordinary family conversations focused on transportation, housing, childcare, money and attorney contact.
Electronic messages
Facility tablets are generally available daily from 8 a.m.–10 p.m.
Messages and images are monitored, so tablet communication should not be treated as privileged legal communication.
Current personal-mail address
Since April 1, 2025, Kent County no longer accepts ordinary personal mail directly at the correctional facility.
Smart Communications
Inmate Name and Booking/ID Number
PO Box 9216
Seminole, FL 33775-9195
Clearly print the full inmate name and Booking/ID number. Smart Communications opens and scans the mail for tablet delivery.
Legal mail is different
Legal mail continues to be accepted directly at the Kent County Correctional Facility rather than through the Florida personal-mail processing center.
Kent County Correctional Facility
703 Ball Avenue
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Confirm the required inmate-name and identification formatting before sending privileged legal correspondence.
Send commissary funds or a care package
TouchPay deposits
Family can add inmate-account funds through the approved deposit system.
Deposit phone: 866-232-1899
Electronic kiosks are also available in the visitors’ and processing lobbies.
Deposit limits
Daily total: $1,500
Per transaction: $500
Maximum transactions: 3 per day
Transaction fees apply.
Commissary
Inmates can generally purchase up to $150 per week in approved food and personal items.
Pre-arraigned inmates cannot order commissary until assigned to a regular housing unit.
Care packages
Family and friends can currently order approved care packages up to $150 per week.
Care-package support: 877-615-3296, daily 8 a.m.–9 p.m. Eastern.
Verify before sending money
- Full inmate name
- Correct Booking/ID
- Current facility
- Correct deposit purpose
- Transaction fee
- Payment receipt
Medical, mental-health and safety concerns
VitalCore medical services
Kent County’s medical services are provided by VitalCore Correctional Healthcare, and nursing staff is available 24 hours a day.
Dedicated hotline
If an inmate shows signs of depression, suicidal thinking or another mental-health emergency, call:
Inmate information
For current custody and routing, call:
Prepare for release, transfer or state-prison custody
Bond payment is one step
After bond is accepted, jail staff may still need to verify court records, holds and release paperwork.
Release may be blocked
A separate warrant, detainer or probation matter may keep the person in custody.
Switch to MDOC OTIS
After transfer into Michigan Department of Corrections custody, use OTIS rather than Kent County Web Jail Viewer for prison placement.
Release-day checklist
- Confirm release authorization
- Ask about other holds
- Confirm pickup location
- Arrange transportation
- Confirm medication
- Review no-contact conditions
- Check testing requirements
- Check monitoring requirements
- Save next court date
- Keep bond receipts
Find an older Grand Rapids arrest after release
GRPD report
Request the incident file through the Records Unit or police FOIA process.
$10 local check
Request your own public GRPD arrest history when city-only records are sufficient.
61st Court
Search public misdemeanor and preliminary felony records, subject to online restrictions.
17th Circuit
Search Kent County Circuit Court for bound-over felony proceedings.
Correct inaccurate Grand Rapids arrest information
| Problem | Office to contact | Useful proof |
|---|---|---|
| Wrong GRPD report detail | GRPD Records / investigator | Incident number, documents, photographs or supplemental information. |
| Wrong jail identity | Kent County Sheriff | Government ID, DOB, booking details and fingerprint-based verification where needed. |
| Wrong 61st Court result | 61st District Court Records | Court judgment, dismissal or amended order. |
| Wrong felony disposition | 17th Circuit Court Clerk | Circuit judgment or amended disposition. |
| Wrong statewide history | Michigan State Police | Fingerprint-based personal record and certified court records. |
Grand Rapids arrest, court and jail contact sheet
Kent County Jail
703 Ball Avenue, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Facility: 616-632-6400
Inmate info: 616-632-6300
Jail Mental Health
Safety hotline: 616-632-6222
Grand Rapids Police, 61st Court and Kent County Jail maps
Common Grand Rapids arrest-search mistakes
Searching the jail immediately after arrest
County booking may not be complete yet.
Assuming “Grand Rapids” means 61st Court
A postal address can fall outside Grand Rapids city jurisdiction.
Calling the court for the police report
Use GRPD Records or police FOIA for the investigative file.
Assuming no 61st result means no case
Dismissed cases, active warrants and many bound-over felonies are not displayed online.
Treating a booking offense as the final charge
Verify the complaint and disposition in court records.
Using a GRPD check as statewide history
The $10 local arrest check covers GRPD public arrest records only.
Sending personal mail directly to jail
Personal mail now goes through Smart Communications in Seminole, Florida.
Ignoring the 2026 visitation change
Onsite visitation is no longer offered during the 7–10 p.m. period.
Discussing evidence on jail calls
Ordinary inmate calls may be monitored or recorded.
10 essential answers about Grand Rapids arrest records
These answers cover GRPD arrest reports, Kent County inmates, the 61st District Court, felony transfers, bond and family services.
1. How do I find someone recently arrested in Grand Rapids?
2. Where are Grand Rapids inmates held?
3. How do I obtain a Grand Rapids Police arrest report?
4. Does Grand Rapids Police offer a local arrest history?
5. Which court handles Grand Rapids criminal cases?
6. Why can a 61st District Court case be missing online?
7. Where do Grand Rapids felony cases go after bindover?
8. How do I post bond for a Kent County inmate?
9. How do I visit, call or mail a Kent County inmate?
10. How do I find an older Grand Rapids arrest after release?
Official Grand Rapids arrest-record resources
Grand Rapids Police and 61st Court
- Grand Rapids Police Department — official police services and non-emergency information.
- GRPD Records Unit — incident reports, crash reports and local arrest-record checks.
- GRPD Police FOIA — request arrest reports, video and other police records.
- 61st District Court — official Grand Rapids district-court site.
- 61st Court Case Lookup — search available public cases.
- 61st Court Record Request — order certified or non-certified court copies.
Kent County jail and felony resources
- Kent County Inmate Lookup — official inmate-search instructions and disclaimers.
- Kent County Web Jail Viewer — search currently booked inmates.
- Kent County Bonding — current bond-payment methods and 24/7 processing information.
- Kent County Visitation — 2026 visitation hours, registration and fees.
- Kent County Mail & Calls — current mail address, telephone and tablet rules.
- 17th Circuit Court Search — felony records after district-court bindover.