Michigan Vital Records Search

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What are Michigan Vital Records?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office is the government agency that keeps all vital records for the state. These records include births, deaths, marriages that occurred in Michigan, and divorces. This agency allows individuals to request copies of their vital records through the mail, in person, or online using the VitalChek service. The state of Michigan has been keeping vital records since 1867, however actual dates may vary based on the town hall maintaining the records. Some vital records are not public for a number of years; then, they are opened to the general public.

Michigan Birth Records

Michigan has been keeping birth records since 1867. Birth records in Michigan are not public records for 100 years. Then anyone can get copies. The State of Michigan Vital Records Office is the agency in charge of all birth records, and you can apply to them to get a copy of your own and someone related to you or a legal client. They allow you to request copies through the mail, in person and also online using the VitalChek service. When applying for a certified copy, you must produce a valid ID. The state also offers heirloom copies for parents of newborns.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Birth Records

How do I find birth records in Michigan?

Contact the State of Michigan Vital Records Office. They have an email address and phone number if you have questions. However, to perform a search and find a birth record, you must pay for a certified copy.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in Michigan?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office allows you to visit their offices to get a copy, mail in a downloadable application and mail it in with the fee, or go online and use the VitalChek service to order copies.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in Michigan?

For people who are 64 or younger, the fee is $34 for the first certified copy and then $16 for each additional copy. If you need to search additional years, it will cost you $12 per year, and if you want expedited service, that costs another $12. For senior citizens (65+), the fee is only $14.

Who can request birth records?

Birth records in Michigan are restricted for 100 years, and only the following people can request copies:

  1. The person named on the record.
  2. The parent named on the record.
  3. A court-appointed legal guardian of the person named on the record.
  4. A legally licensed representative is eligible to request a copy if he/she represents the person named on the record. Power of Attorney documents may be used, depending upon the limitations of the power of attorney order.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my Michigan birth certificate?

When you request a Michigan birth record copy, you will need to supply the following information:

  1. Applicant's name, address, signature, and phone number.
  2. Purpose for requesting the record.
  3. Date of birth.
  4. Gender.
  5. Place of birth.
  6. Child's full name at birth.
  7. Mother's full name.
  8. Father's full name.
  9. If married, the person's maiden name.

You must also stipulate your relationship to the person listed on the record and provide proof via documentation.

Where can I find historical vital records in Michigan for genealogy research?

All birth records are kept by the State of Michigan Vital Records Office. They have birth certificates going back to 1867.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office has a web page of forms you can use to correct different parts of a birth record, such as adding a father or correcting the name. You must submit the form along with a fee and wait for processing.

Can I get a refund if my Michigan birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

Michigan Death Records

Death records in Michigan are open to the public, and anyone can get a copy. The State of Michigan Vital Records Office is the government agency that supplies individuals with copies. They have death records dating back to 1867. They allow people to request copies of a death certificate through the mail, in person at their office, and online or by phone through the VitalChek network. They also offer death verifications rather than a death certificate, which simply verifies the details of someone's passing. The agency also handles Death Authentication (Exemplified) w/Apostille.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Death Records

How do I find death records in Michigan?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office is where you go for death records. They are open to the public, and this agency allows anyone to get a copy through the mail, in person, or online using VitalChek.

Are death records public in Michigan?

Yes. Death records are completely open to the public, and anyone can get a copy of someone's death certificate.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in Michigan?

The cost for a death record is $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy. If you need to search for other years, it will cost you $12 per year and another $12 if you want RUSH service. You can choose between a Short Form (without medical information) or a Long Form (with medical information).

How long does it take to get a copy of a Michigan death record?

A regular search for death records will take approximately five weeks, but you can order rush service to expedite it to 2 weeks. However, if you visit their office in person, you can get one the same day.

Who can request death records?

Anyone. Death records in Michigan are open to the public.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's Michigan death certificate?

When requesting copies of someone's death certificate, you must supply the following information:

  1. Applicant's name, address, phone number, and signature.
  2. The purpose of the record.
  3. Name of the deceased.
  4. Gender.
  5. Date of birth.
  6. Date of death.
  7. Place of death.
  8. Decedent's social security number.
  9. Decedent's place of birth.
  10. Decedent's mother's full name.
  11. Decedent's father's full name.

Where can I find historical death records in Michigan?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office has all death records going back to 1867. They should have everything you need, although not every town has kept records going back that far.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office has a web page of forms to make amendments to vital records. You can download the one to correct a death record and mail it in with your fee and wait for processing.

Can I get a refund if my Michigan death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

Michigan Marriage Records

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office is the agency in charge of keeping marriage records. They have records dating back to 1867. They offer a few different types of records, including:

  1. Certified copies of marriage certificates.
  2. Marriage authenticated (exemplified) w/Apostille.
  3. No marriage (single status) authenticated (exemplified) w/Apostille.
  4. No marriage (single status, not yet authenticated).

The state also offers a marriage verification document that verifies some details of the marriage, such as name, date, and place of filing. As long as you can provide some details, you can request a marriage verification. The State of Michigan Vital Records Office allows you to request copies of marriage certificates and others through the mail, in person, and through the VitalChek network, which they have partnered with.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Marriage Records

Are Michigan marriage records public?

Yes. Anyone can request a copy of someone's marriage certificate or a marriage verification.

What Michigan marriage records are available?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office has records dating back to 1867, although not every town kept records explicitly to that year.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in Michigan?

Typically, it takes five weeks for processing; however, if you order rush service, you can get a copy within two weeks. If you order through VitalChek, it may take between 5-7 business days. You also have the option of visiting them in person and picking up a copy the same day.

How much does a Michigan marriage certificate cost?

The cost for a marriage certificate is $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional copy. If you need to search for additional years, it will cost $12 per year, and RUSH service is another $12.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When you request a copy of someone's marriage record, you will need to supply some information such as:

  1. Applicant's name, address, phone number, and signature.
  2. The purpose of the request.
  3. Full names of both parties.
  4. Parent's full names.
  5. Date of marriage.
  6. Place of marriage.

How do I get a copy of a Michigan marriage record?

Contact the State of Michigan Vital Records Office, and you can order one through the mail, in person, online, or by phone using VitalChek.

What if I didn't get married in Michigan?

If you did not get married in Michigan, you must contact the vital records office or courthouse in the state where you were married, and your marriage was filed.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Anyone. Marriage records are open to the public.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in Michigan?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office has forms for corrections of vital records. You must download the form, fill it out, sent it in with your payment, and wait for processing.

Michigan Divorce Records

Divorce records in Michigan are also open records, and anyone can get a copy. The State of Michigan Vital Records Office has divorce records going back to 1897. When requesting copies of divorce records, you have some choices. The state offers a verification that simply verifies some details about the divorce. You can also get a full certified copy of the divorce certificate, or a No Divorce status authenticated statement with or without Apostille. The State of Michigan Vital Records Office allows you to request divorce records through the mail, in person at their office, or by phone or online using the VitalChek network with whom they partner.

Frequently Asked Questions About Michigan Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in Michigan?

Not through the state agency. All records are supplied either in person or by mail, depending on how you request them. However, because divorce records are open, there may be other third-party databases that do store this information online.

How do I find old divorce records?

The State of Michigan Vital Records Office has divorce records going all the way back to 1867, which cover all vital records for the state. There aren't any older records or other agencies that store them.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

You can easily get a copy of your divorce certificate by contacting the State of Michigan Vital Records Office and ordering a copy through the mail, in person, or online. You must pay a fee, however.

What information is needed to search for a Michigan divorce record?

When you search for a Michigan divorce record, you will need the following information:

  1. Applicant's name, address, phone number, and signature.
  2. The purpose of the request.
  3. Date of divorce or annulment.
  4. Full names and genders of both parties.
  5. County where the divorce was granted.

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of Michigan?

If you were divorced outside of Michigan, you must contact the vital records office or courthouse in the state where you were divorced.

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