Introduction to Michigan Death Certificates

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

Michigan Death certificates have been maintained by the State of Michigan Vital Records Office for individuals that died in the state of Michigan since 1867.  Some of the records (especially pre-1897 deaths) were not filed with the state.

Michigan Death Certificate Authorized Persons

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

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

Michigan Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

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

Michigan Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order Michigan Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your Michigan Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your Michigan Death 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 Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your Michigan Death 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 Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the Michigan Death certificate
• Date of Death on the Michigan Death certificate
• Sex on the Michigan Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the Michigan Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose Michigan Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the Michigan Death 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 Death certificate. Most Michigan Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

Michigan Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a Michigan Death certificate is $26.00, which includes one certified copy of the Michigan Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the Michigan Death certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $12.00. If you want a “rushed” Michigan Death 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 Death Certificate you ware charged a discounted fee of $7.00 for the first Michigan Death 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.