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Order Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records

Order Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records

Order Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records

The Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics registers, preserves, and issues certified copies of vital records. Birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates are on file for events that occurred in and were registered in Michigan dating back to 1867. Affidavits of parentage are on file dating back to June 1, 1997.

  • You may order vital records by mail, online (including an option for Will Call/in-person pickup), by phone, by drop box, or you may schedule an in-person appointment. Fees (listed below) vary depending on the method and urgency of your order. The Vital Records office is located at 333 South Grand Avenue, Lansing, Michigan 48933. Michigan is in the Eastern Time Zone.
  • For Mail-in orders, print the appropriate application below. Completed and hand-signed applications must be mailed with a photocopy of valid ID of the person requesting the record. Address and service fees are listed on each application. Processing times may vary. Regular processing averages 4-6 weeks and Rush processing averages 2-3 weeks. These estimates do not include any time being handled by the postal service.

  • Birth Certified Copies

    Individuals eligible to request a Michigan birth record include: person who is the subject of the record, parents named on record, legal heir, court-appointed guardian, Power of Attorney (document must specifically grant access to vital records), or licensed attorney representing subject of the record or parents named on record. Registered records greater than 100 years are not restricted.

    Birth Certified Copies (Senior Request for Own Record)

    If you are age 65 or older and applying for your own birth record, you are eligible for a reduced fee of $14.00 for one certified copy.

    Birth Authenticated/Exemplified

    Apostilled record required by a foreign government. Must include the name of the foreign country where used. (Not for use within the USA)

    Birth Verification

    Allows for verification of only the date of birth, place of birth, filing date, and name of the subject of a Michigan birth record. The information you provide on the application must match exactly what is on the record. No copy of the record will be issued.

    Stillbirth

    Record of Stillbirth that occurred in the State of Michigan and filed after June 1, 2003 will be issued to the named parent, or by court order.

    Heirloom Birth Announcement

    A heirloom birth announcement signed by the Michigan Governor.  Please Note:  This is NOT a birth certificate used for legal purposes.

  • Affidavit of Parentage

    Affidavit of Parentage record registered in the Central Paternity Registry and filed after June 1, 1997 are available to those eligible based upon Michigan law. Records prior to June 1, 1997 are registered in the Probate Court of the county where the child was born or county of residence at the time of filing.

    Affidavit of Parentage Verification

    Verification of key facts found on an Affidavit of Parentage as supplied by the applicant. Verification does not include all information found on the actual record but will verify or disprove its existence within the state repository based upon the facts provided. Verification facts will only include the name on the record, birthdate, place of birth, and date of filing. (Photo ID not required)

    Verification of Intent to Claim Paternity

    Verification of facts found in the Michigan Putative Father Registry, as supplied by the applicant, to determine whether a paternity claim has been filed. Verification will indicate the status of a claim and include the searcher’s signature and date. Any actual Notice of Intent found will not be supplied. (Photo ID not required)

  • Death Certified Copies

    A certified record of a Michigan death. Michigan death records date back to 1867. (Photo ID not required)

    Death Authentication/Exemplified

    Apostilled record required by a foreign government. Must include the name of the foreign country where used. (Not for use within the USA)

    Death Verification

    Verification of key facts found on a death record as supplied by the applicant. Verification does not include all information found on the actual record but will verify or disprove its existence within the state repository based upon the facts provided. Verification facts will only include the name on the record, date of death, place of death, and date of filing. (Photo ID not required)

  • Marriage Certified Copies

    A certified record of a Michigan marriage. Michigan marriage records date back to 1867. (Photo ID not required)

    NOTE: A probate court confidential marriage is only available to the bride or groom

    Marriage Authenticated/Exemplified

    Apostilled record required by a foreign government. Must include the name of the foreign country where used. (Not for use within the USA)

    No Marriage

    Used to request a STATEMENT OF NO MARRIAGE in the State of Michigan. If the statement needs to be apostilled, you are required to work directly with the Office of the Great Seal for further processing. (Typically used to allow marriage in a foreign country)

    No Marriage Authenticated/Exemplified

    Used to request an Apostilled STATEMENT OF NO MARRIAGE in the State of Michigan as required by a foreign government. Must include the name of the foreign country where used. (Not for use within the USA)

    Marriage Verification

    Verification of key facts found on a marriage record as supplied by the applicant. Verification does not include all information found on the actual record but will verify or disprove its existence within the state repository based upon the facts provided. Verification facts will only include the name on the record, date of marriage, place of marriage, and date of filing. (Photo ID not required)

  • Divorce Certified Copies

    A certified record of a Michigan divorce. Michigan divorce records date back to 1897. (Photo ID not required)

    Divorce Authenticated/Exemplified

    Apostilled record required by a foreign government. Must include the name of the foreign country where used. (Not for use within the USA)

    No Divorce

    Used to request a STATEMENT OF NO DIVORCE in the State of Michigan. If the statement needs to be apostilled, you are required to work directly with the Office of the Great Seal for further processing. (Typically used to allow marriage in a foreign country)

    No Divorce Authenticated/Exemplified

    Used to request an Apostilled STATEMENT OF NO DIVORCE in the State of Michigan as required by a foreign government. Must include the name of the foreign country where used. (Not for use within the USA)

    Divorce Verification

    Verification of key facts found on a divorce record as supplied by the applicant. Verification does not include all information found on the actual record but will verify or disprove its existence within the state repository based upon the facts provided. Verification facts will only include the name on the record, date of divorce, place of divorce, and date of filing. (Photo ID not required)

Order a Vital Record Online or by Phone

Icon style drawing of a laptop with an internet browser symbol on the screen

Order Online or by Phone at 866-443-9897Phone Icon

Orders may be placed 24 hours day/7days per week.  Helpdesk assistance is available on weekdays from 7am-7pm EST.  

Order a record online at VitalChek.com. VitalChek is the ONLY authorized online service provider for Michigan Vital Records. There is a search fee and online processing fee for each record. Rush delivery is available for additional fees.  VitalChek can also assist with vital events that occurred in another state.   

To pick up your online order via Will Call, select this option when you place your order through VitalChek.

Pick up is available Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00am - 2:00pm after receiving email that your Will Call order is complete.

Order by Using the Drop Box

Drop off your completed application, proper fee in the form of a check or money order, copy of ID, and any necessary documents. All required documents and fees must be in a sealed envelope. The Drop Box is in the main lobby of 333 S. Grand Ave., Lansing, MI 48933 and available Monday-Friday, 7:00am - 5:30pm.

Order in Person

In-person ordering is available by appointment only. Dates and times are limited to Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00am - 2:00pm. Available services: Certificate of Birth, Death, Marriage, Divorce and Affidavit of Parentage. Genealogy requests and Corrections are not available for same-day service. Click to Schedule an appointment.

Order Using Will Call

Will Call pickup is available on Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00am – 2:00pm by using VitalChek’s online order process and selecting the option for Will Call. Your request will be processed within 2-5 business days and you will receive a notice by email that your order is ready for pickup. Photo identification and email confirmation is required upon arrival.

Fees  

Record Type

Search Fee

Online Processing Fee

Standard Record

$34

$14

Apostille/Exemplified Record (For use outside the USA)

$42

$14
                        Acceptable forms of payment include check or money order made payable to the State of Michigan, credit card and cash.

 

Acceptable Proof of Identity

Adoptee Record Request

 

Please contact our office at 517-335-8666 or VRCustomerService@michigan.gov if you have questions or concerns pertaining to vital records.

Customer Service phone lines are available Monday-Friday from 10:00am-12:30pm & 1:00pm-3:30pm EST. 

The State Vital Records Office is closed on recognized state holidays.

**Processing and mail times may be delayed.  Applying for a Michigan Vital Record does not guarantee that a record will be found.  All search fees are non-refundable.