Anyone is eligible to request a certified copy of a Michigan death, marriage or divorce record if he/she makes the request in writing and prepays the required search fee (MCL 333.2882(1c)) and (MCL 333.2882(1d)).  Anyone is also eligible to receive a birth record if that record is over 100 years old (MCL 333.2882(1)(b)). A long-form certified copy is printed on special security paper and contains a raised, embossed seal. We do not issue "wallet sized" birth records or genealogy copies; only certified copies. Photo identification is required to request a Michigan birth record less than 100 years old or an Affidavit of Parentage record.

We do have some alternatives that can be used to meet the photo ID requirements if a current, valid driver's license or state ID is not available. The applicant will need to provide at least three pieces of documentation from different sources that will verify his/her name and date of birth. Some examples might be:

* marriage or divorce certificate
* child's birth record
* W-2
* paycheck stub
* voter or car registration
* Bridge card
* health insurance card
* utility bill
* doctor/hospital/dentist bill
* baptismal certificate
* military discharge paper
* school records
* letter from a government agency such as SSA or IRS
* numident letter from SSA
* Social Security benefit statement
* land or rental agreement
* bank statement
* State or Federal prison photo ID with release or discharge paper (dated within one year)
* For persons age 15-20, current student photo ID with either report card or transcript

We cannot accept a Social Security card or junk mail. At least one of the alternative documents must be dated within the last year.

According to MCL 333.2882(1)(a)), only the following parties are eligible to request a certified copy of a Michigan birth record that is less than 100 years old:

• The person named on the record,
  
  
• A parent named on the record,
  
  
• A legal guardian of the person named on the record. With your mail-in application, you must include a copy of the court-appointed legal guardianship papers.  Custody papers or power of attorney papers are NOT acceptable to request a birth record.
  
  
• A legally licensed representative of the person named on the record.  You must include with the mail-in application, a letter having your official letterhead stating who you represent and include a photocopy of your current, valid photo ID and that of the client as well.  
  
  
• An heir if the person on the record is deceased.  A copy of a birth record less than 100 years old can be released to an heir of a deceased person, but you must state your relationship to the person and provide the decedent's married name at the time of death. If the death occurred in Michigan, you'll need to include the death information on the application for us to verify. If the death occurred out-of-state, you'll need to provide a photocopy of the death certificate. If the death occurred out-of-the-country, you'll need to provide a copy of the death certificate translated into English.
  
  
• A court of competent jurisdiction that pays the required fee and supplies a court order (a Michigan court, a federal court or another jurisdiction whose laws are not in conflict with Michigan laws).
  
  

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Order a birth, death, marriage, or divorce record:
- Online using a credit card
- By mail