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Register a Home Birth for Your Child Under 1 Year Old

Register a Home Birth for Your Child Under 1 Year Old

Registration of your child’s birth establishes the facts of birth and will be used through your child’s lifetime for a variety of legal purposes.  Birth certificates are one of the most important identity documents for Michigan’s newest citizens and are needed for a wide range of benefits like health insurance, tax benefits, travel, childcare and education.

When a child is born outside of an institution and the delivery is not attended by a physician or licensed midwife, the birth may be registered at your local Clerk’s office between the day your child is born and the day before your child’s first birthday. Michigan law requires that all births be registered (Public Health Code Act 368 of 1978, MCL 333.2821 and MCL 333.2811)

To register and obtain a birth certificate, you must first determine where your local Clerk’s office is.  If your child was born in Wayne, Oakland, or Macomb counties, contact the County Clerk’s office and provide them with the address.  They will let you know if you should go to the County Clerk’s office, or to one of the City Clerk’s offices within their county.   

  • Wayne County Clerk’s Office: 313-224-5565
  • Oakland County Clerk’s Office: 248-858-0591
  • Macomb County Clerk’s Office: 586-469-5120

Here is what is needed to register your child’s home birth prior to the age of one:

  • Step 1: Provide Information and Proof of Identity

    Provide Proof of Identity

    • Valid photo ID for the birth parent
    • If another parent it listed, they must show ID too.
    • Identification Requirements:
      • State Issued Photo Identification card, Passport, Passport Card, Military Identification Card with both picture and signature, etc.

    Complete Required Paperwork

    Completely and accurately fill out the Live Birth Certificate Worksheet obtained from the City or County Clerk’s office.

    Do you need to Establish Parenthood?

    Parents who were married at the time of conception, time of birth, or anytime in between do not need an Affidavit of Parentage or court order to establish parentage or parenthood.  Michigan law presumes the spouse is the legal parent (MCL 333.2824).

    If parents are unmarried, and the man is be considered the natural father of the child, a voluntary Affidavit of Parentage (AOP) signed by both parents,  or court documentation, is required to establish legal parentage. You can find a copy of the AOP here.

    If assisted reproduction, not involving surrogacy, was used to conceive the child,  then unmarried or married parents may complete an AOP. 

    • Married parents: AOP is optional, the law presumes both spouses are legal parents, but you may file an AOP for added clarity.
    • Unmarried parents: An AOP is required to establish parentage unless valid court documentation is provided at the time of birth filing.

    If you have any questions, you can ask your local clerk’s office or contact Vital Records Registration at 517-335-6506.

    If You Were or Are Married and Do Not Want to List the Spouse as a Parent

    Michigan law presumes a spouse as the legal parent per MCL 333.2824 (1)

    • If the birth parent was married at conception, birth, or any time between, a court order excluding the spouse is required to omit the spouse from the birth record. Without it, the birth will NOT be fully registered, and you will need to work with the State of Michigan Vital Records Office to obtain a copy of your child’s birth certificate.

  • Step 2: Submit Proof of Pregnancy, Proof of Live Birth, and Proof of Birth in Michigan

    Fact of Pregnancy – Learn More

    At least one piece of acceptable documentation is required to establish fact of pregnancy.

    • Prenatal medical records that include the birth parent’s name and date of birth, date of exam or test, health care provider’s name, signature, signature date and license number.
    • Lab test results confirming pregnancy and that include identifiable information and are consistent with the date of delivery.
    • Letters signed by a licensed medical professional, such as a doctor, dentist, midwife or chiropractor.
    • Statement from a social services worker that indicates that the social worker has firsthand knowledge of pregnancy.
    • Other evidence that is acceptable to the State Registrar.

     

    Fact of Live Birth – Learn More

    At least one piece of acceptable documentation is required to establish fact of live birth.

    • Post-birth medical records (e.g. newborn checkups) from a medical professional.
    • Immunization records.
    • Church Baptismal Records.
    • Documentation from a public health nurse or social worker who observed the baby during an at-home visit during the first two weeks of life.
    • Other evidence acceptable to the State Registrar.

    Note: Presenting an infant at the local registrar office is not acceptable as the sole source of proof.

     

    Proof the Birth Happened Within a Specific County in Michigan – Learn More

     

    At least one piece of acceptable documentation is required to establish proof that the birth happened in Michigan.

     

    If Delivery Occurred at the Parent’s Residence

    • Michigan driver’s license with current residence on the face of the license.
    • Rent receipt, mortgage statement, deed, utility bill, or other bill including birth parent’s name and address.
    • Recent pay stub that includes the birth parent’s name and address.

     

    If Delivery Occurred at Another Residence

    • A notarized affidavit from the tenant of the premises where the birth occurred should be provided. The Affidavit should include the date and time of the birth, the child’s name, the parent(s) name, the address and explain that the person signing the affidavit witnessed that the birth parent was present on those premises at the time of birth.
    • Evidence that the person signing the affidavit lives on the premises should also be provided.

  • Step 3: Birth is Registered

    If facts can be verified, the local Clerk’s office will file the birth record with the State of Michigan.