Introduction to Michigan Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a Michigan birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

Michigan birth certificates have been maintained by the State of Michigan Vital Records Office for individuals born in the state of Michigan since 1867.

Michigan Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By Michigan state law, Michigan birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the Michigan Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the Michigan Birth Certificate
• An heir of the individual named on the Michigan birth certificate is deceased
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the Michigan Birth Certificate

Michigan Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a Michigan Birth Certificate, 100 years or later from the date of the birth for genealogy or other reasons.

Michigan Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Michigan Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Michigan Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Michigan Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order Michigan Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Michigan birth certificate online.  It usually takes 4-6 weeks upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the Michigan birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the Michigan birth certificate
• Date of birth on the Michigan birth certificate
• Sex on the Michigan birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the Michigan birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the Michigan birth certificate
• Full name of father on the Michigan birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Michigan birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Michigan birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

Vital Records Requests

PO Box 30721

Lansing MI 48909

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in Michigan: You may go to any county health department in the State of Michigan to obtain a certified copy of a Michigan birth certificate. Most Michigan birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

Michigan Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Michigan birth certificate is $26.00, which includes one certified copy of the Michigan birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Michigan birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $12.00. If you want a “rushed” Michigan Birth Certificate and additional fee of $10.00 is added on to the fee.  If you are over 65 years old and are requesting your own Michigan birth Certificate you ware charged a discounted fee of $7.00 for the first Michigan birth certificate.  Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to " Michigan Vital Records." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.