Family Tree Circles Locations
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Michigan
Locations
Volunteers
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Requests
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Wiki
State Offices
Michigan Department of Community Health
Vital Records Office
201 Townsend Street
Capitol View Bldg, 3rd Floor
Lansing MI 48913
Mailing address:
Michigan Vital Records Office
Capitol View Building
201 Townsend Street
Lansing, Michigan 48913
Phone: (517) 373-3740
Email: VRCustomerService@michigan.gov
Website
The State of Michigan vital records office has records of births, deaths, and marriages that occurred in Michigan and were filed with the state as early as 1867, and divorce records as early as 1897.
Remarks: All requests must include an
unexpired copy of Government or State-issued Photo ID, and the
completed & notarized request form with signature of the person
requesting the certificate.
Verification
Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan Affidavit of Parentage record as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant.
Remarks: A verification does not include a signature, state file number or a copy of the Affidavit record, but a stamp that indicates that a record is/is not on file in the state repository that matches the criteria supplied by the applicant.
Apostilles & Authentication
An authenticated (exemplified or containing an apostille) record is typically required by a foreign government for adoption, work visas, or establishing residency.
Remarks: An apostille cannot be applied to a document that will be used in the United States. Anyone can order this type of document.
Options to obtain a certified copy:
By Mail - Regular processing time for mail-in orders is 5 weeks and rush processing is 3 weeks. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped, legal size envelope and proper payment;
In-Person - Orders at our counter must be placed by 3:00 pm in order to receive same-day service. An additional rush fee of $10.00 is required for same-day service and you must allow up to a 2 hour waiting period for the order to be processed.;
VitalCheck - Secured online applications to request for vital records, which accepts all major credit card payments, can be made through VitalCheck with an additional charge for their service.
Vital Records
Birth
Location:
Michigan Department of Community Health
Vital Records Office
201 Townsend Street
Capitol View Bldg, 3rd Floor
Lansing MI 48913
Mailing address:
Michigan Vital Records Office
Capitol View Building
201 Townsend Street
Lansing, Michigan 48913
Phone: (517) 373-3740
Email: VRCustomerService@michigan.gov
Website
A certified copy of the birth certificate which may be used for retirement purposes, passports, social services, school enrollment, and other legal reasons. If the search provides no record, a Certification of Record Search will be provided.
Fee: $26.00 per copy
Time-frame: Since 1867
Notes: Additional copies of any record ordered
at the same time are $12.00 each.
There is no fee for a copy of a certificate of a current or former armed forces member that is requested by the member; or a copy of a certificate of a current or former armed forces member or of a surviving spouse or child of the member.
Remarks: If the copy will be used in connection with a claim for a dependent or beneficiary of the member, proof of service in the armed forces must be provided.
A certified copy is printed on special safety paper and contains a raised, embossed seal. Records are available as early as 1867, however, the initial registration year varies by the county where the birth occurred (click here for table).
Remarks: Anyone can request a birth record that is OVER 100 years old as they are no longer restricted documents.
Senior Citizen Certified Copies
A person who is age 65 or older and applying for a certified copy of his or her own birth record is charged a reduced fee. The reduced fee does NOT apply to a senior citizen ordering a record for someone else.
The Michigan Vital Records office issues certificates of stillbirth that occurred in Michigan with information filed after June 1, 2003 with the state.
Remarks: Michigan law limits who can receive a certified copy of a Michigan Certificate of Stillbirth to the parent named on the certificate or a court of competent jurisdiction (court order required).
Effective March 31, 2003, Michigan law restricts who can receive a certified copy of an Affidavit of Parentage record. The Michigan Vital Records office has Affidavit of Parentage records that were filed in the Central Paternity Registry with the state since June 1, 1997.
If you would like an Affidavit of Parentage record that was filed prior to June 1, 1997, please contact the Probate Court in the county where the mother resided at the time of signing or the Probate Court in the county where the child was born.
Remarks: Michigan law limits who can receive a certified copy of a Michigan Certificate of Stillbirth to the parent named on the certificate or a court of competent jurisdiction (court order required).
Death
Location:
Michigan Department of Community Health
Vital Records Office
201 Townsend Street
Capitol View Bldg, 3rd Floor
Lansing MI 48913
Mailing address:
Michigan Vital Records Office
Capitol View Building
201 Townsend Street
Lansing, Michigan 48913
Phone: (517) 373-3740
Email: VRCustomerService@michigan.gov
Website
Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan death record as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant.
Fee: $26.00 per copy
Time-frame: Since 1867
Notes: Additional copies of same record
ordered at same time are $12.00 each.
Remarks: A verification does not include a signature, state file number or a copy of the death record, but a stamp that indicates that a record is/is not on file in the state repository that matches the criteria supplied by the applicant. Parents names cannot be verified.
Certified Copy
A certified copy is printed on special safety paper and contains a raised, embossed seal. Records are available as early as 1867, however, the initial registration year varies by the county where the birth occurred (click here for table).
Remarks: Anyone can request a birth record that is over 100 years old as they are no longer restricted documents.
Marriage
Location:
Michigan Department of Community Health
Vital Records Office
201 Townsend Street
Capitol View Bldg, 3rd Floor
Lansing MI 48913
Mailing address:
Michigan Vital Records Office
Capitol View Building
201 Townsend Street
Lansing, Michigan 48913
Phone: (517) 373-3740
Email: VRCustomerService@michigan.gov
Website
Key facts on any Michigan marriage record can be verified. Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan marriage record as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant. Records for 1892-1922 are available at the Maine State Archives.
Fee: $26.00 per copy
Time-frame: Since 1867
Notes: Additional copies of same record
ordered at same time are $12.00 each. Certified marriage
certificates maybe obtained through the Clerk of Circuit Court in
county where license was issued or Clerk of Court of Common Pleas
of Baltimore City (for licenses issued in City of
Baltimore.
Most foreign governments require an official statement of "No Marriage of Single Status" which contains an "apostille" to be presented by a U.S. citizen in order to be married in a foreign country.
Remarks: This application should be used if you need to request a Statement of No Marriage from the State of Michigan so that you can be married in a foreign country.
Divorce
Location:
Michigan Department of Community Health
Vital Records Office
201 Townsend Street
Capitol View Bldg, 3rd Floor Lansing MI 48913
Mailing address:
Michigan Vital Records Office
Capitol View Building
201 Townsend Street
Lansing, Michigan 48913
Phone: (517) 373-3740
Email: VRCustomerService@michigan.gov
Website
The Michigan Vital Records office has records of divorces that occurred in Michigan and were filed with the state since 1897. Some records were not filed with the state. We have no divorce records for Detroit for 1973 and 1974.
Anyone is eligible to request a copy of a Michigan divorce or annulment record if the application is completed and signed and the required fee is paid. Records for 1892-1922 are available at the Maine State Archives.
Fee: $26.00 per copy
Time-frame: Since 1897
Notes: Additional copies of same record
ordered at same time are $12.00 each.
Remarks: Certified divorce decrees may be obtained through the Clerk of Circuit Court in the city/county where the divorce was granted.
