Michigan ranks 36th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#51of 51
Speed#49of 51
Ease of ordering#9of 51
Birth certificates #41 of 51
Cost
$34 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: 10–12 weeks (8–10 weeks expedited); online orders for Will Call pickup: within 2–5 business days; in person: same day, by appointment only
Time until the copy is in hand
About 10.5–13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the County Clerk
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1867
Marriage records #31 of 51
Cost
$34 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: 10–12 weeks (8–10 weeks expedited); online orders for Will Call pickup: within 2–5 business days; in person: same day, by appointment only
Time until the copy is in hand
About 10.5–13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the County Clerk
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1867; also from the County Clerk in the county where the license was issued
Divorce records #23 of 51
Cost
$34 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: 10–12 weeks (8–10 weeks expedited); online orders for Will Call pickup: within 2–5 business days; in person: same day, by appointment only
Time until the copy is in hand
About 10.5–13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the County Clerk
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1897; also from the County Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted
Death certificates #38 of 51
Cost
$34 first copy, $16 each extra copy
Processing time
Mail: 10–12 weeks (8–10 weeks expedited); online orders for Will Call pickup: within 2–5 business days; in person: same day, by appointment only
Time until the copy is in hand
About 10.5–13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the County Clerk
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1867
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order Michigan birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a Michigan birth certificate?
A certified Michigan birth certificate from the MDHHS Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics costs $34, including a one-year search and one copy, plus $16 for each extra copy. Mail orders currently take 10–12 weeks (8–10 weeks with rush), so the fastest options are an in-person appointment in Lansing or an online order picked up by Will Call. You can also ask the County Clerk in the county of birth.
Michigan birth records: ordering details
Who can order
The person named on the record, a parent named on it, a legal heir, a court-appointed legal guardian or custodial party, someone with a power of attorney that specifically grants access to vital records, or a licensed attorney for the person or parents. Birth records 100 or more years old are open to anyone.
Fee
$34 search fee, which includes one certified copy or a no-find letter (non-refundable). Seniors 65 and older ordering their own birth record pay $14 for one copy. Extras: $16 for each additional copy; $12 for each extra year searched if you don’t know the exact year; $12 rush processing. Online and phone orders add a $14 processing fee. Apostilled copies for use outside the U.S. cost $42.
How to order
Online or by phone:VitalChek, Michigan’s only authorized online provider, or 866-443-9897. Choose mail delivery, rush delivery, or Will Call pickup. By mail: the birth record application (DCH-0569-BX), a photocopy of your ID and a check or money order payable to “State of Michigan” to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909 (address rush orders to “Vital Records RUSH”). Drop box: main lobby, 333 S. Grand Ave., Lansing (Mon–Fri, 7 a.m.–5:30 p.m.; check or money order, sealed envelope). In person: by appointment only, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m., at 333 S. Grand Ave., Lansing. The state accepts check, money order, credit card and cash.
ID needed
A photocopy of one unexpired photo ID, such as a passport, driver’s license or state ID, or military ID. Without one, the application lists other combinations: an ID that expired within 5 years plus a recent document, a photo work or student ID with proof, or three documents from different sources (one issued in the past year). No ID is needed for a birth record at least 100 years old.
Processing time
In-person appointment: same day. Will Call (online order picked up in Lansing): processed within 2–5 business days; bring photo ID and the confirmation email. Mail: currently 10–12 weeks, or 8–10 weeks with rush processing. MDHHS doesn’t post a processing time for shipped online orders. Estimate: plan on about 10.5–13 weeks for a regular mail order to arrive.
Older and local records
The state has birth records from 1867 on, though some early records were never filed with the state. Genealogy birth requests currently take 12–16 weeks (10–12 with rush). County Clerks can also issue certified copies of births in their county; fees and hours vary by county.
Tip: Need it soon? Book an in-person appointment or choose Will Call when you order on VitalChek. Mail orders are taking months.
A certified Michigan death certificate from the MDHHS Division for Vital Records costs $34, including a one-year search and one copy, plus $16 for each extra copy. Death records are open in Michigan, so anyone can order one. Mail orders currently take 10–12 weeks; an in-person appointment or Will Call pickup is much faster.
Michigan death records: ordering details
Who can order
Anyone. Death records aren’t restricted in Michigan.
Fee
$34 search fee, which includes one certified copy or a no-find letter (non-refundable). Choose a short form (no medical information) or a long form (with cause of death). Extras: $16 for each additional copy; $12 for each extra year searched; $12 rush processing. Online and phone orders add a $14 processing fee.
How to order
Online or by phone:VitalChek or 866-443-9897, with mail, rush or Will Call delivery. By mail: the death record application and a check or money order payable to “State of Michigan” to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909. Drop box or in person: 333 S. Grand Ave., Lansing; in-person service by appointment only, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
ID needed
MDHHS says a photo ID isn’t required for a death record. Will Call pickup requires photo ID.
Processing time
In-person appointment: same day. Will Call: processed within 2–5 business days. Mail: currently 10–12 weeks, or 8–10 weeks with rush. Estimate: plan on about 10.5–13 weeks for a regular mail order to arrive.
Older and local records
The state has death records from 1867 on; some were never filed with the state and some pre-1906 records are missing. County Clerks also issue certified copies of deaths in their county; fees vary.
Tip: Pick the form on the application: the short form leaves out the cause of death and medical information, and the long form includes them.
A certified Michigan marriage record from the MDHHS Division for Vital Records costs $34, including a one-year search and one copy, plus $16 for each extra copy. You can also order from the County Clerk in the county where the license was issued.
Michigan marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
Anyone. Marriage records aren’t restricted in Michigan. The exception is a confidential marriage performed by a probate judge, which is available only to the couple.
Fee
State: $34, including one certified copy or a no-find letter (non-refundable). Extras: $16 each additional copy, $12 each extra year searched, $12 rush, and a $14 processing fee for online or phone orders. County Clerk fees vary.
How to order
Online or by phone:VitalChek or 866-443-9897. By mail: the marriage record application and a check or money order payable to “State of Michigan” to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909. In person: state appointment in Lansing (Tuesdays and Thursdays), or the County Clerk where the license was issued.
ID needed
MDHHS says a photo ID isn’t required for a marriage record.
Processing time
State: same day by appointment; 2–5 business days for Will Call; 10–12 weeks by mail (8–10 with rush). County Clerk: varies by county.
Older and local records
The state has marriages from 1867 on, though some were never filed with the state. The County Clerk where the license was issued also keeps the record.
Tip: The County Clerk where you got your license is often the quickest route. The state’s mail orders are taking 10 weeks or more.
The MDHHS Division for Vital Records sells a certified record of divorce for $34, including a one-year search and one copy, plus $16 for each extra copy, for divorces from 1897 on. If you need the actual divorce judgment, contact the county where the divorce was granted.
Michigan divorce records: ordering details
Certificate vs. decree
State record of divorce: a certified record of the divorce from MDHHS. Divorce judgment: the court’s actual judgment, which the state doesn’t have. Get it from the county where the divorce was granted.
Who can order
Anyone. Divorce records aren’t restricted in Michigan.
Fee
State: $34, including one certified copy or a no-find letter (non-refundable). Extras: $16 each additional copy, $12 each extra year searched, $12 rush, and a $14 processing fee for online or phone orders. County fees vary.
How to order
State record online or by phone:VitalChek or 866-443-9897. By mail: the divorce record application and a check or money order payable to “State of Michigan” to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909. Judgment: contact the county where the divorce was granted.
ID needed
MDHHS says a photo ID isn’t required for a divorce record.
Processing time
State: same day by appointment; 2–5 business days for Will Call; 10–12 weeks by mail (8–10 with rush). County: varies.
Older records
The state has divorce records from 1897 on, though some were never filed with the state. For earlier divorces, or for the judgment itself, contact the county where the divorce was granted.
Tip: Check whether you need the state record or the full judgment before you order. Only the county has the judgment.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other Michigan records people search for
Official Michigan sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official Michigan sites for other records
Court case lookup
MiCOURT Case Search Participating trial courts; other courts are searched locally.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About Michigan public records
Certificate Information
The Michigan State Vital Records Office has some of the most complete records for birth, death, marriage and divorce events.
Birth and death records dating back from 1867 are available for purchase online, in person and by mail. Records older than
100 years are available as public records.
Michigan Vital Records Office
201 Townsend Street
Capitol View Bldg
Lansing MI 48913
Marriage records from 1867 to present are availabe from the state Vital Records office. Divorce records are available from
1897 to present except some Detroit divorce decrees filed during the period of 1973-1974.
Adoption records in Michigan are considered closed records and are not publically available. Closed records can be opened to
an adult age adoptee, adoptive parents of a minor, biological parents, and adult age biological siblings. The Department of Human
Services in Lansing, Michigan also maintains the central adoption registry for voluntary information exchange.
Central Adoption Registry
P.O. Box 30037
Lansing, Michigan 48909
