Are Michigan Vital Records Open to the Public?
It depends on how old the vital records are. Michigan vital records are mostly open to the public per the Michigan Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This law enables public access to vital records, except where restricted by law provisions or court orders. Any member of the public is eligible to request a certified copy of a Michigan death, marriage, or divorce records or birth records over 100 years old if the request is made in writing and all required fees are paid.
What Information Shows Up in Michigan Vital Records?
Michigan vital records are official documents that provide information about significant life events such as births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains these records, which are useful for many legal, genealogical, and historical purposes. For the most part, they are critical for establishing or validating a person's identity.
How Do I Obtain Michigan Vital Records?
To obtain a certified copy of a Michigan vital record, the applicant should request from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS). Requesters will need to pre-pay the processing fee as well as any other applicable fees (which will depend on the method of application). Online applications will come with additional processing fees. For records that have eligibility requirements, the applicant will need to provide a valid form of identification or proof of legal right to obtain the record. Non-certified copies can be obtained by applying for a record search and paying a fee of $11.50. This fee is due even if the records are not located.
Publicly available vital records are managed and disseminated by some third-party aggregate sites. These sites are generally not limited by geographical record availability and may serve as a reliable jump-off point when researching specific or multiple records. However, third-party sites are not government-sponsored. As such, record availability may differ from official channels. To find a record using the search engines on third-party sites, the requesting party will be required to provide:
- The location of the record in question, including the city, county, or state where the case was filed.
- The name of someone involved, provided it is not a juvenile.
Requesters must provide relevant information associated with the record to conduct an online search for vital records. Some of these include:
- The registrant's name
- Date of the event
- Place of the event
- City or county where the life event occurred
- First and last name of parents
- Presiding judge (for marriage or divorce records)
What Information Do I Need to Search for Vital Records Online?
To obtain Michigan vital records online, the requesting party must provide pertinent information about the record when making the application. Certain records require the applicant to be eligible to request the record. This information to be provided will include
- The location of the event
- Date of the event
- Name of the party on the record
- Name of the applicant
Certified Copy vs. Informational Copy: Understanding the Difference
A long-form certified copy is printed on special security paper and contains a raised embossed seal. It can only be received by mail after all conditions have been met and fees have been paid. A non-certified copy can be printed from online searches or received for a lesser fee. Furthermore, a certified record is acceptable for official purposes, but a non-certified record can only serve informational purposes.
Are Michigan Marriage Records Public Information?
Yes. Michigan marriage records are public information and are covered by the Michigan FOIA. As public information, the records are mostly available to the general public on request.
How Do I Obtain Michigan Marriage Records?
Public marriage records are available through the MDHHS. The state agency maintains all marriage records for civil unions that occurred in Michigan as far back as 1867. To request a marriage record, download and complete the application form. Attach a check or money order for the search fee and enclose the application packet in a self-addressed stamped envelope. Submit the application packet in person or send the request to:
Vital Records Request
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
Office hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays (except holidays).
How to Get a Michigan Marriage Certificate
To obtain a Michigan marriage certificate, contact the county clerk's office where the marriage license was issued or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Eligibility is limited to the named individuals, their immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order. To prove their eligibility, requesters will need to present valid identification and/or supporting documents during the request process.
Are Divorce Records Public Information in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan divorce records are classified as public information under the Michigan FOIA. Ergo, interested persons may order divorce records unless access to the vital record is restricted by law or court order.
How Do I Obtain Michigan Divorce Records?
There are three ways to find divorce records in Michigan. For one, interested persons may perform a divorce record search via the state website or trusted third-party websites that provide online access to divorce records. Furthermore, in-person and mail requests for divorce records go to the Vital Records Office of the MDHHS. Intending requesters must complete the application form and deliver it by mail or in person, along with a money order or check to:
Vital Records Request
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
Office hours are between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays (except holidays).
How to Get a Certified Divorce Certificate in Michigan
Divorce certificates can be obtained from the county clerk's office where the divorce was granted or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. Only the named individuals, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a court order are authorized to access a certified copy.
Are Birth Records Public Information in Michigan?
The public availability of Michigan birth records depends on the statutory period of confidentiality. Birth records are not public records in Michigan until 100 years after the birth event. Until then, only the following authorized persons may order a birth certificate:
- The person named on the record
- A parent named on the record
- A court-appointed legal guardian of the person on the record
- A legal representative of the person on the record
However, once a birth record is over 100 years old, state laws open the documents to the public. Interested persons can obtain these publicly available birth records through the Vital Records Office of the MDHHS.
How Do I Obtain Michigan Birth Records?
Interested persons may order birth records online or submit a request to the Vital Records Office of the MDHHS. Online searches can be done on the state website or other third-party websites. For mail and in-person requests, a requester must download and complete the application form to request the birth certificate. Then, the requester must attach payment in the form of a check or money order and a valid government-issued photo ID. Next, enclose the application packet in a self-addressed stamped envelope and mail or submit it in person to:
Vital Records Request
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mondays - Fridays (except holidays). The same instructions and fees apply to eligible individuals who wish to order a replacement birth certificate in Michigan.
Are Birth Certificates Public in Michigan?
Michigan birth certificates are not public records. The Michigan Compiled Laws §333.2882 outlines the provisions for disclosing birth certificates and restricting access to the individual, immediate family, legal representatives, or those with a court order.
Are Michigan Death Records Open to the Public?
Yes. Death records in Michigan are generally open to the public because Michigan FOIA classifies death records as public records, except where restricted by a provision of the law or court order.
How Do I Obtain Michigan Death Records?
Public death records in Michigan can be found by performing a death record search by name on the Michigan Genealogical Death Indexing System. However, the database only stores information on deaths that happened over 100 years ago. For more recent death records, submit a death certificate search request to the MDHHS. Record requests can be made by mail or in person. Mail requesters must complete the application form, attach a government-issued photo ID, and payment in the form of a money order or check. Then, the requester must enclose the application packet in a self-addressed stamped envelope and mail it to:
Vital Records Request
P.O. Box 30721
Lansing, MI 48909
Office hours are 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Mondays - Fridays (except holidays).
How Do I Obtain Sealed Vital Records in Michigan?
Adoption records are the only records that are automatically sealed by court order following the finalization of the adoption process. To unseal an adoption record, the interested person must contact the court in the county where the adoption was finalized. There, the requester must submit a petition to unseal, citing reasons that outweigh the privacy rights of the persons named on the adoption record. If the court grants the petition, the adoption record becomes public information, and the requester may obtain a copy.
What are Vital Statistics in Michigan?
In Michigan, vital statistics are statistical information related to vital record data. This includes data regarding the death, birth, marriage, divorce (and other vital events) of persons in the state. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics are tasked with collating and maintaining this data for use in policy development, research allocation, and disease control.
