Vital Records

This page contains information about where to obtain copies of Michigan vital records, such as birth & death certificates, marriage licenses & divorce decrees. See the guidelines for general information on how to order vital records. Check the related links for addition information on Michigan.

Please Note: The information contained on these pages is not guaranteed, as addresses and prices change frequently. It is recommended that you confirm the price and address by calling the vital records office before you place your order.  Many have different offices for handling specific types of vital records and holdings may vary. Use the addresses and phone numbers listed for each county as a starting point. 

 

Michigan State

Michigan State Vital Records Office
Michigan Dept of Community Health
3423 N. Martin Luther King Blvd
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, Michigan 48909
(517) 335-8666

Check or money order should be made payable to State of Michigan. Personal checks are accepted. Additional copies of the same record, ordered at the same time are $4.00 each.  To verify current fees, the telephone number is (517) 335-8656. This will be a recorded message.  Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the internet at State of Michigan.

Remarks: State office has records of births and deaths that occurred and were filed with the state since 1867. Some of the records (especially pre-1906 births and pre-1897 deaths) were not filed with the state.

Copies of records may also be obtained from the Menominee County Clerk.

Fill out the appropriate application form. Make check or money order payable to State of Michigan.

Copies of most records since 1867 may also be obtained from the Menominee County Clerk. Immediate family members may order birth, death, marriage or divorce records via VitalChek for an extra fee for expediting the order.

Also for deaths 1867-1882, see the Genealogical Death Indexing System - Michigan.
Records since 1867.  Some marriages (especially pre-1926) were not filed with the state.

 

 

Adoption

Michigan Family Independence Agency
Adoption Services Division
P.O. Box 30037
Lansing, Michigan 48909
(517) 373-3513

 

Obtaining an Original Birth Certificate:
If parental rights were terminated prior to May 28, 1945, or after September 12, 1980, an adopted adult may receive a copy of the original birth certificate if there is no denial statement on file. If parental rights were terminated between May 28, 1945 and September 12, 1980, an adopted adult must petition the court in which the adoption was finalized.
An adopted adult's adoption record is usually held in the Family Division of Circuit Court (formerly the probate court) closest to the adoptive parents. The court should be able to provide the name of the agency that handled the adoption. Adopted adults may contact the Department of Community Health, Customer Services Section, 3423 North Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., PO Box 30195, Lansing, MI, 48909 to request the name of the court that finalized the adoption.

Overview of Michigan Adoption Information: In Michigan, a child placing agency, court or Department of Social Services may release identifying information to an adult adoptee (age 18) only when 
    (a) both birth parents have filed a consent with the Department; 
    (b) one birth parent has filed a consent and the other has FAILED to file a statement denying consent; 
    (c) one birth parent is deceased, a biological sibling of the adoptee who is also a biological child of the deceased birth parents has filed a consent and the other birth parent has FAILED to file a denial of consent; or 
    (d) both birth parents are deceased and their death was the reason for adoption. 
In the case of adoptions occurring after 9⁄12⁄80, an adult adoptee (age 18) may receive identifying information concerning birth parent(s) unless either has filed a written request that the information not be released. [Mich. Comp. Laws 710.68]
Obtaining Non-Identifying Information:
Adopted adults, direct descendants of a deceased adopted adult, adoptive parents, birth parents, and birth siblings may obtain non-identifying information. Age of adulthood: 18

Obtaining Identifying Information:
Adopted adults can receive information through the State registry on the birth parents and birth siblings. Birth parents and birth siblings can receive the adopted adult's information, if the adopted adult provided written consent through the agency that completed the adoption and the court that finalized the adoption.

Using a Confidential Intermediary:
Confidential intermediaries are provided through the court for adopted adults, birth parents, birth grandparents, birth siblings, adoptive parents of a minor adoptee, and descendants of a deceased adopted adult.

Using the Adoption Registry:
If parental rights were terminated prior to May 28, 1945, or after September 12, 1980, and there is no parental statement of denial found in the registry, the adopted adult can receive information on the birth parents and Birth Siblings. If parental rights were terminated after May 28, 1945, but before September 12, 1980, the information will be released if the birth parents or birth siblings have filed consent through the registry.