How to Search Michigan Vital Records (Start Here)
Vital records in Michigan — birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records — can be obtained from County Clerk (local) / MDHHS (state). Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk.
What this page covers: Michigan vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).
Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact County Clerk (local) / MDHHS (state). For marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.
Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.
Statewide vital-records agency
Parent agency
Statistical information for Michigan on live births
Records back to
Online ordering
Marriage license issued by
To obtain a Michigan marriage license
Local intake
Population
10,140,459
Households
4,023,700
Median Income
$68,505
Median Home Value
$199,100
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by Sam Rokni — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Michigan vital records URL verified against the official state publisher at www.michigan.gov on the review date. 7 primary .gov sources cited below.
Michigan Vital Records — Key Facts (2026)
Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Michigan — who can request, how to order, and what 2026 changed.
State-only
Issuing authority
Not federal
Restricted
Birth/death access
Usually self + family
75-125 yr
When records become public
Genealogy threshold
VitalChek
3rd-party portal
Used by many states
CDC NVSS
National statistics
Data only, no certificates
The person named
100%
Parent of subject
100%
Spouse of subject
90%
Adult child
90%
Legal representative
80%
General public (recent)
10%
General public (historical 75+yr)
95%
Unit: % likely to receive a certified copy.
What Changed in 2026 — Michigan Vital Records
2026
Michigan vital records portal active
The official Michigan portal at www.michigan.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for vital records in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for vital records
The CDC National Vital Statistics System at www.cdc.gov provides federal-level context that complements Michigan state records.
2026
Michigan access in 2026
For 2026, Michigan continues to publish vital records information through state-authorized portals; check www.michigan.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Michigan's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.
The 4-Step Michigan Vital Records Pathway
1
Step 1 — Confirm state of event
Vital records are issued by the state where the event happened. For events in Michigan, start with the Michigan health department.
2
Step 2 — Verify eligibility
Most states restrict birth/death to self, parents, spouse, child, or legal rep.
3
Step 3 — Choose ordering method
Michigan typically allows mail, in-person, or online (often via VitalChek).
4
Step 4 — Genealogy fallback
Michigan records older than 75-125 years are usually public — try FamilySearch or NARA.
Five Things People Get Wrong About Michigan Vital Records
❌ Myth: "I can request anyone's Michigan birth certificate."
✓ Truth: False. Most states (including Michigan) restrict access to immediate family or legal representatives.
❌ Myth: "Vital records are federal."
✓ Truth: False. They are state-issued. The CDC compiles statistics but does NOT issue certificates.
❌ Myth: "VitalChek is the government."
✓ Truth: False. VitalChek is an authorized third-party vendor used by many states, NOT a federal or state agency.
❌ Myth: "Older Michigan marriage records are private."
✓ Truth: False. Marriages older than ~75 years are usually public and indexed by genealogy sites.
❌ Myth: "A Michigan death is recorded the day it happens."
✓ Truth: False. CDC NVSS data has a 1-2 year lag for final figures; provisional data takes 6+ months.
Primary Sources and Official Record Portals
- www.michigan.gov — Official Michigan Vital Records — State portal for Michigan vital records
- CDC National Vital Statistics System — National Vital Statistics System
- CDC — Where to Write for Records — CDC state-by-state directory
- National Archives — Vital Records — Federal genealogy & vital guide
- Social Security Death Master File — Social Security death records
- Census — Births and Deaths — Census Bureau vital statistics
- VA — Veterans Records — Veterans Administration records
Related Vital Records Resources
📍 Other Michigan records:
- Michigan Court Records →
- Michigan Criminal Records →
- Michigan Property Records →
- Michigan Voter Records →
- Michigan Wants & Warrants →
- Michigan Licenses →
- Michigan Recorded Documents →
🇺🇸 Vital Records in other states:
- Alaska
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Maine
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Mississippi
- Montana
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Nebraska
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- Nevada
- New York
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- Vermont
- Washington
- Wisconsin
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
National: U.S. Vital Records hub →
Related Public Records
More Michigan records: Court records · Criminal records · Wants & warrants · Property records · Voter records · Licenses · Recorded docs
National view of this topic: All states: Vital records
Vital Records Databases
68 official Michigan vital records sources.
Vital Records
Welcome to Antrim County, MI
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www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords **Click on Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records. . Copy and paste this code into your website. <a href="http://www.antrimcountymi.gov/departments___services_/clerk/vital_records.php">Your . .
Vital Records
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Marriage, Death, and DBA Lookup Order Online Vital Records Birth Records Vitals Request Form Marriage Records Vitals Request Form Death Records Vitals Request Form Military Discharge (DD214) Request Form . . Copy and paste this code into your website. <a href="http://www.barrycounty.org/departments_and_officials/officials/county. .
Death Certificate Request Form – Branch County, Michigan
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They are filed in the county where the death occurred . Please fill out the Death Certificate Request Form below, and mail it to the Branch County Clerk with the appropriate fee. You can also search the Death Record Index to see all death certificates on file with the Branch County Clerk.
County of Charlevoix, MI
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Search All County Documents · Back to Clerks page · Death Record Search: UPDATED 5/20/2020 MOBILE FRIENDLY SEARCH · Marriage Record Search: UPDATED 5/7/2020 NOTE: Marriage record data is currently under revision. Searches may result in multiple results for each marriage record. MOBILE FRIENDLY SEARCH · Share this page · × · Copy and paste this code into your website. <a href="http://www.charlevoixcounty.org/death_marriage_searches/index.php">Your Link Name</a> Share this page on your favorite Social network ·
Vital Records | Clinton County, MI
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Death records are available for persons whose death occurred in Clinton County, dating back to 1867 . Clinton County Marriage records are on file for parties who were residents of Clinton County and made application for the license in Clinton County at the time in which they were married.
46th Circuit Court Location, Crawford County Michigan
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Courthouse 200 West Michigan Avenue Grayling, MI 49738 · Family Division Phone: 989-344-3239 Fax: 989-344-3277 · Probate Division Phone: 989-344-3237 Fax: 989-344-8529 · District Division Clerk: 989-344-3242 Probation: 989-344-3252 Fax: 989-344-3290 · Friend of the Court Phone: 989-344-3272 Fax: 989-344-3292 · Crawford County Clerk Circuit Court Clerk Phone: 989-344-3206 Fax: 989-344-3223
Population, Births, Deaths, Marriages & Divorces by Year
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Tripple dashes ("---") indicates that the data is not available. Perinatal deaths include deaths under 1 week and fetal deaths. Deaths otherwise classified exclude fetal deaths. Divorces include annulments. The increase in maternal mortality incidence reflects a change in death certificate . .
Birth Records – Delta County
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In this project that has taken years to complete, volunteers from the Delta County Genealogical Society have copied the Delta County Birth Records from 1867 to 1914 as they are recorded in the official records at the Delta County Clerk’s Office. These records include the following information: Name, Birth Date, Sex, Place of Birth, Father, Place of Birth (Father), Mother, and Place of Birth (Mother).
Death Records – Delta County
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In a project that has taken three years, volunteers from the Delta County Genealogical Society have copied the Delta County Death Records from 1867 to 2010 as recorded in the official records of the Delta County Clerk’s Office. These records include these categories: Name of Deceased, Death Date, Birth Year, Mother’s Name, Father’s Name, Cemetery and Funeral Home (when present in the records).
Marriage License Information – Delta County
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Marriage license is valid for 30 days — marriage must be performed within that 30 days . . Online orders will be processed by the County Clerk through VitalDirector by Permitium. VitalDirector is the only Delta County authorized and approved vendor for ordering vital records online.
Marriage License Process | Eaton County, MI
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You or your fiancé is an Eaton County resident - Michigan residents must apply in the county of their current address
Marriage Application and Ceremony
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The mailing address is: Genesee County Clerk's Office, Marriage Desk, 324 S Saginaw St, Flint, MI, 48502 · Read "Excerpts of Certain Michigan Laws" (link opens in new tab)
Genesee County, MI
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Copy and paste this code into your website · Share this page on your favorite Social network
Apply for a DBA (doing business as)
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NOTE: The address on the ID provided must match the current residential address of the business owner. When applying by mail, the form must be notarized and signed by all business owners. Mail to Genesee County Clerk "Attention: Assumed Names" at 324 S Saginaw St.
Death Records Database | Grand Traverse County, MI
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Death Records Database Search · County Clerk · Email · Physical Address View Map 400 Boardman Ave., Ste. 101 Traverse City, MI 49684 · 400 Boardman Ave., Ste. 101 Traverse City MI 49684 Directions · Phone: 231-922-4760 · Fax: 231-922-4794 · Directory · Contact Us ·
Marriage Licenses | Grand Traverse County, MI
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The Marriage Application can be completed from your computer . There is a required three (3) day waiting period to obtain the license after submission of an application. . Michigan residents must apply for the license in the county where either applicant is a resident.
Ingham County - Marriage Licenses
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If one or both of you have an Ingham County address, you must apply at the Ingham County Clerk’s Office for your license. The fee is $20. You can use the license to be married anywhere in Michigan. Marriage License Application - Online or In-Person (Ingham County Residents)
Deaths That Should Be Reported | Jackson County, MI
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Unexpected and unexplained deaths of persons presumed to have been in good health or for whom no history of serious medical problems or progressive primary disease is known · Physical Address 1991 Chanter Road Jackson, MI 49201
Applying for a Marriage License | Jackson County, MI
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Instructions on processing the license after the marriage ceremony will be provided at the time the license is picked up. Physical Address View Map 120 W. Michigan Ave, 12th FL Jackson, MI 49201
Kalkaska County Courts and Friend of the Court
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These courts are the 46th Circuit Court, the 87-B District Court and the Kalkaska County Probate Court . With the approval from the Michigan Supreme Court, all of the elected judges serving Kalkaska County entered into an agreement called a . .
Kent County Clerk - Self-Service
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This search site is provided as a service to our customers. All data contained herein is subject to change without notice. By using this service, in any form, the user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the County and anyone involved in storing, retrieving, or displaying this information . .
Clerk of the Court | Kent County, MI
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The Clerk of the Court is the "keeper of the records" for all lawsuits filed in the Kent County Circuit Court. The Clerk of the Court's office is where you file for a divorce, other family matters (i.e., paternity, custody, and support), civil actions where the amount of damages exceeds $25,000, or other civil matters over which the Circuit Court has jurisdiction.
Case Types | Kent County, MI
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More divorce cases are filed in Circuit Court than any other type of lawsuit or proceeding. Filing for a divorce is similar to filing any other lawsuit. The prepared Summons and Complaint are filed with the Clerk of the Court. If the case involves minor children, copies of the complaint, answer, motions, notices, and judgment must be served on the Friend of the Court.
Death Investigation - Livingston County, MI
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UPDATE (March 14, 2025) On Friday March 14th, 2025 Detectives with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office obtained two arrest warrants for open murder on 27 year old Aaron Aydelotte and 24 year old Marqwevell Cummings , both of Flint.
Courts - Livingston County, MI
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The 44th Circuit Court of Livingston County handles felony criminal cases, civil liability cases where damages are alleged to be above $25,000, all Family Court cases including divorce, custody, support, and related cases and all Juvenile Court cases .
Macomb County Funeral Master Index
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Details about the contents of this index and the records included List of Macomb County funeral homes Partial list of defunct or merged funeral homes of Macomb County . . Copy and paste this code into your website. <a href="http://www.mtclib.org/databases/macomb_history_and_genealogy_databases/macomb_county_funeral_master_index.php">Your Link Name</a>
Death records FAQs
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Death certificates are obtained in the county where the death occurred. Mailing Address: Macomb County Death Records, 120 North Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043
https://courtpa.macombgov.org/eservices/home.page.2
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Michigan Court Forms · Macomb County Prosecutor · Macomb County Sheriff · Circuit Court Probation · CourtView Justice Solutions Inc. an equivant company, Copyright 2026 v1.52.00 · For more information please visit circuitcourt.macombgov.org or probatecourt.macombgov.org.
Monroe County Museum - Obituary Search
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This site was created and is maintained by the Monroe County Museum. It is a “work in progress” as obituaries are added on a weekly basis. To obtain a copy of an obituary please send cash, check, or money order along with name and death date of deceased to Attn: Obituary Research Monroe . .
Birth, Death, & Marriage Records | Muskegon County, MI
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Births, deaths or marriages which took place in Muskegon County are recorded and filed with the Muskegon County Clerk . You may search the Muskegon County Clerk's Death, Marriage and Business Registration Index to see if we have a current record on file. You may also search our Online Genealogical . .
Starting a Child Support Case
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the correct three digit code for the county in which you case is filed. The county codes for the · 46th Circuit Friend of the Court are as follows: Otsego County - 687 , Crawford County - 272, Kalkaska County - 525. To speak to a customer service representative at the MiSDU, press 0.
County of Saginaw, MI - Genealogy
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The Saginaw County Clerk’s Office has vital records dating back to 1867. These include birth records for individuals who were born in Saginaw County, marriage records for individuals who applied for their marriage license in Saginaw County, and death records for individuals who died in Saginaw County.
Manistique's Cemeteries
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Lakeview Cemetery is the location of the City’s burial vault which serves as a storage facility for bodies during the winter months since regular burials are · Lakeview Cemetery is located at the top of the eastern end of Main Street. It is adjacent to the Schoolcraft County Medical Care . .
St. Clair County, Michigan: Vital Records
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An additional fee is charged by . . divorce records by clicking HERE · The St. Clair County Registrar of Vital Statistics provides you with birth, death, and marriage certificates . .
Genealogy Research - St. Joseph County
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St. Joseph County Clerk’s Office maintains public records dating back to the 1830s. . *Birth records are closed. Heirs/descendants may access deceased records with an “Affidavit of Heir” and death certificate .
Washtenaw County, Michigan: Vital Records
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The Washtenaw County Vital Records Office provides you with birth, death, and marriage certificates. Contact details and address here.
Certified Copies of Vital Records - Newaygo County
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Effective September 7, 2012, all birth certificates are issued from the Michigan Centralized Birth Certification System. Certified copies of death and marriage records are issued from Newaygo County’s certification system.
Death Records – St. Joseph County
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This online search is provided as an aid for genealogical research. It allows you to verify if a death was recorded in St. Joseph County and obtain the record number · Note: The actual death record cannot be viewed through this interface. To view a full record, please bring the name and record . .
Cemeteries | Holland, MI
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The first recorded burial in the log church burial ground was September 21, 1854. The name officially became Pilgrim Home Cemetery on October 31, 1889. In August 1877, the Holland Township Cemetery Association was formed to operate Fairlawn Cemetery on the south side of 16th Street, then the southern city limit.
isabella county, michigan marriage returns 1886
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This server space page is provided by Michigan Family History Network genealogical server.
Genealogy & Local History – Brighton District Library
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The Genealogy and Local History Collection of the Brighton Room has developed over time to become one of the largest collections of family and local history information in Livingston County. It provides a full range of services and materials for genealogists, historians, teachers and other interested hobbyists and scholars. What do we collect? The collection includes 3,000+ printed items composed of family histories, indexes to records, how-to books, cemetery transcriptions, obituaries, family history magazines, photographs, microfilm of Livingston County vital records and more.
Calhoun County, MI
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Completed forms and fees may be brought to the Clerk's Office in the Calhoun County Building in Marshall, or be sent by mail to: Calhoun County Clerk 315 W. Green St. Marshall, Michigan 49068 · Mail-in requests for a birth record must be accompanied by a photocopy of the Requestor's driver's . .
Genealogy :: Home
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Welcome to the Oakland County Clerk’s Genealogy Search Service. This service allows you to search and order marriage and death records that have occurred in Oakland County · First, you will need to select the record type that you are searching for, or you may select ‘All’ to receive . .
Birth, Death & Marriage Records - Welcome to Alcona County
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-Name of decedent -Date of death -Signature -Return address and daytime phone number -Fee for certified copy (check or money order) payable to: Alcona County Clerk . . The Alcona County Clerk’s office has marriage records for individuals who were residents of the county and made application for the license in Alcona County at the time in which they were married.
Official Records Online Select
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Marriage records and death certificates from the Kalamazoo County Clerk and Register of Deeds.
Vital Records - Michigan: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide - Research Guides at Library of Congress
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Michigan, County Marriages, 1820-1940 External Index to marriage registers and certificates from Alger, Alpena, Barry, Eaton, Gladwin, Kalkaska, Kent, Lenawee, Missaukee, Monroe, Montmorency, Oceana, Oscoda, Schoolcraft, and Shiawassee records.
Michigan Counties
83 Michigan counties are indexed on SearchSystems.net — top 28 counties shown below. Browse the full directory or click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do I order a Michigan birth certificate?▼
Certified birth certificates for events in Michigan are issued by the Official Michigan Vital Records at www.michigan.gov. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The county of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.
How do I get a Michigan death certificate?▼
Michigan death certificates are issued by the Official Michigan Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at www.michigan.gov. For deaths within the last year, the county clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.
Can I look up a Michigan marriage or divorce record online?▼
Michigan marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official Michigan Vital Records (www.michigan.gov) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the county clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.
How long does it take to get a Michigan vital record?▼
Standard Michigan vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some county clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official Michigan Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at www.michigan.gov. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.
What ID do I need to order a Michigan certified vital record?▼
The Official Michigan Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at www.michigan.gov.