How to Search Michigan Vital Records
Michigan vital records (births, deaths, marriages, divorces) are maintained by the state Department of Health (or equivalent). Older records may be at county clerks or the state archives. Some records are restricted by privacy law.
- Order birth, death, marriage, divorce: through the Michigan Department of Health Vital Records office.
- Order online: vitalchek.com — authorized vendor for most states.
- Historic records: contact the Michigan State Archives.
- Marriage license: apply at any county clerk's office.
- Genealogy research: state historical societies and FamilySearch.org carry many historical vital records.
Population
10,037,261
Households
4,000,000
Median Income
$68,505
Median Home Value
$201,100
Vital Records Databases
75 official Michigan vital records sources.
Vital Records
Antrim County | Divorces
Official Free
13th Circuit Court of Antrim County divorce, paternity, and other family court records.
Barry County | Births, Deaths, Marriages
Official Free
Barry County Clerk's Office document search for death, birth, and marriage certificates.
Deaths | 1867-1940
Official Free
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services index of deaths recorded between 1867 and 1940.
Delta County | Deaths
Official Free
Delta County death records by name, date of death, year of birth, parent name, cemetery, or funeral home.
Genesee County | Deaths & Marriages
Official Free
Genesee county Clerk / Register of Deeds marriage license and death certificate index.
Genesee County | Divorces
Official Free
Genesee County 7th Judicial Circuit family court divorce records.
Genesee County | Vital Records
Official Free
Genesee County Clerk and Register of Deeds birth, death, and marriage certificates.
Ingham County | Marriages
Official Free
Ingham County Clerk records of marriage license applications.
Jackson County | Deaths
Official Free
Death records from 1845 to present from the Jackson County Clerk.
Jackson County | Marriages
Official Free
Marriages recorded with the Jackson County Clerk from the 1800s to present.
Kalkaska County | Divorces
Official Free
Kalkaska County 46th Circuit Court family and divorce case records.
Kent County | Births, Deaths, Marriages
Official Free
Birth and death record searches in Kent County, or order death and birth certificates or marriage licenses online.
Macomb County | Burials
Official Free
Mount Clemens Public Library and the Macomb County Genealogy Group database of cemetery burials.
Macomb County | Obituaries
Official Free
Mount Clemens Public Library index of Macomb County obituaries since 1880.
Muskegon County | Deaths
Official Free
Muskegon County Genealogical Society death records covering 1867 through 1965.
Saginaw County | Obituaries
Official Free
Public Libraries of Saginaw index of Saginaw County obituaries.
Schoolcraft County | Manistique Burials
Official Free
Index of burials and plot owners in City of Manistique cemeteries.
St. Clair County | Divorces
Official Free
St. Clair County 31st Circuit Court family court (including divorce) records.
Newaygo County | Marriages
Official Free
Marriages recorded in Newaygo County, searchable by bride or groom name or by date.
Jackson County | Obituaries
Official Free
Jackson County obituaries from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.
Bay County | Obituaries
Official Free
Bay County death notices and obituaries from the Bay City Times.
St. Joseph County | Deaths 1867-1929
Official Free
St. Joseph County Clerk register of deaths recorded between 1867 and 1929.
St. Clair County | Deaths & Marriages
Official Free
St. Clair County marriages between 1838 and 1898, death records between 1868 and 1974.
City of Holland | Burials
Official Free
City of Holland index of burials in Pilgrim Home & Graafschap cemeteries.
Kalamazoo County | Obituaries
Official Free
Kalamazoo Gazette index of Kalamazoo County death notices and obituaries.
Isabella County | Births, Deaths, Marriages
Official Free
Isabella County historical birth, death, marriage, and obituary records.
Washtenaw County | Obituaries
Official Free
Washtenaw County obituaries and death notices from the Ann Arbor News.
Muskegon County | Obituaries
Official Free
Muskegon Chronicle database of Muskegon County obituaries, death notices, and guest books.
Genesee County | Obituaries
Official Free
Genesee County obituaries & death notices from the Flint Journal.
Livingston County | Obituaries
Official Free
Large Brighton District Library pdf file of Livingston County obituaries, funeral announcements, and death notices.
Kent County | Marriages
Official Free
Western Michigan Genealogy Society index of marriages recorded in Kent County from 1845 to 1929.
Hillsdale County | Deaths
Official Free
MiGenWeb genealogy database of deaths recorded in Hillsdale County.
Kent County | Obituaries
Official Free
Kent County obituaries, death notices, guestbooks from the Grand Rapids Press.
Manistee County | Deaths 1869-1973
Official Free
Manistee County deaths recorded between 1869 and 1973.
Calhoun County | Deaths
Official Free
Death records from the Calhoun County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
Deaths | Cemetery Records
Official Free
FindaGrave index listed by county of Michigan cemetery and interment records.
Births and Christenings 1775-1995
Official Free
Michigan births and christenings recorded between 1775 and 1995.
Births | 1867-1902
Official Free
Search over 1.4 million Michigan birth registrations entered between 1867 and 1902.
Deaths | and Burials 1800-1995
Official Free
Michigan deaths and burials recorded between 1800 and 1995.
Deaths | 1867-1897
Official Free
Search Michigan death records filed between 1867 and 1897 and view images of the documents.
Marriages | 1868-1925
Official Free
Search over 1.5 million Michigan marriages recorded between 1868 and 1925.
Oakland County | Marriages & Deaths
Official Free
Oakland County Register of Deeds death and marriage records.
Alcona County | Births, Deaths, Marriages
Official Free
Alcona County Genealogical Society birth, death, and marriage records.
Kalamazoo County | Marriages & Deaths
Official Free
Marriage records and death certificates from the Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
Schoolcraft County | Burials
Official Free
Burials in Lakeview, Fairview, Thompson, and Wood cemeteries in Schoolcraft County.
Shiawassee County | Marriages & Deaths
Official Free
Marriage license and death record search from the Shiawassee County Clerk.
Michigan Counties
All 83 Michigan counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Michigan birth certificate?▼
Order from the Michigan Department of Health Vital Records office, online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person at a county clerk.
Are Michigan vital records public?▼
Most Michigan vital records have access restrictions. Recent records may require proof of relationship. Older records (typically 50+ years for births, 25+ for deaths) are usually public.
Where do I get a Michigan marriage license?▼
Marriage licenses are issued by county clerks. Both parties typically apply in person. Fees and waiting periods vary by county.
How do I find old vital records?▼
For records before state-level recording began, contact the Michigan State Archives or the county where the event occurred.
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