Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics

Michigan · Vital Records

michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords

State Vital Records in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in Michigan. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in Michigan; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
  • •Online: Order through VitalChek, the only authorized online provider (search fee plus online processing fee; rush delivery for additional fees)
  • •By phone: Call VitalChek at 866-443-9897, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • •By mail: Mail DCH-0569-DX with a check or money order to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909 (rush requests to Vital Records RUSH at the same box)
  • •In person: By appointment only, Tuesdays and Thursdays 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM; appointments open 31 days in advance
  • •In person: Will Call: order through VitalChek, choose Will Call, and pick up Tuesdays or Thursdays 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM after the ready email (photo ID and the email confirmation required)
  • •In person: Drop box: leave the application, check or money order, and copy of ID in a sealed envelope, Monday-Friday 7:00 AM - 5:30 PM
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Completed, hand-signed application with the search fee (photo ID not required for a death record)
  • •Photo ID and the email confirmation to pick up a Will Call order
4
Allow the office's processing time (10-12 weeks); expedited handling is available.

State Vital Records in Michigan: key facts

What Michigan says9

Administering office

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics.1

Office location and hours

333 South Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. Phone lines: Monday-Friday 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM & 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST; closed on state holidays.1

Mail orders

Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909.1

Certificate fee

$34 for the first certified copy; $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $12.1

Processing time

10-12 weeks. Expedited: 8-10 weeks with rush processing.1

Who may order

Anyone may request a certified copy of a Michigan death record in writing with prepaid search fee.1

Filing deadline

The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.2

Public record

Any requester may obtain a copy of a death record with no waiting period; certified copies follow the eligibility rules.1

Records available from

1867.1

Governing law: MCL 333.2848

Sources2

  1. 1.Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics
  2. 2.Michigan death-certificate filing rule (MCL 333.2848; MCL 333.2843; MCL 333.2844; MCL 333.2850; MCL 128.111; MCL 339.1810; MCL 339.1811; Mich. Admin. Code R 325.2)

Michigan vital records offices

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics

Phone

517-335-8666

Hours

Phone lines: Monday-Friday 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM & 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST; closed on state holidays

Mailing address

Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909
Verified Oct 2026

Tools for Settling an Estate in Michigan

Free tools for settling an estate in Michigan: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In Michigan, certified death certificates come from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health StatisticsMichigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $34Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $16Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Division for Vital Records and Health StatisticsVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.

Use Calculator

How Do I Settle an Estate?

Settling an estate in Michigan: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 91 daysMCL 700.3706, 700.3707, 700.3708Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 4 monthsMCL 700.3801, 700.3803, 700.3804, 700.3805, 700.3806; MCR 5.208, MCR 5.106Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 5 months to 7 months.

Get Plan

Hire a Probate Attorney

Browse vetted attorneys handling probate matters across all 50 states.

Browse firms

All Michigan tools