State Vital Records in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records 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.
Administering agency
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records
State Vital Records in Michigan: key facts
- Administering office
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records.
- Contact
- Phone 517-335-8666; email VRCustomerService@michigan.gov.
- Office hours
- Phone lines: Monday-Friday 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM & 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM EST.
- Certificate fee
- $34 for the first certified copy; $16 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $12.
- Processing time
- 4-6 weeks. Expedited: 2-3 weeks with rush processing.
- Who may order
- Anyone may request a certified copy of a Michigan death record in writing with prepaid search fee.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
- Public record
- Death records are public immediately.
- Records available from
- 1867.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in Michigan — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order through VitalChek - only authorized online provider ($14 online processing fee)
- By phone: Call 866-443-9897
- By mail: Mail DCH-0569-DX with payment to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909 (RUSH mail to Vital Records RUSH at the same box)
- In person: By appointment only (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM); lobby drop box available weekdays
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid ID
- Email confirmation for in-person pickup
- Allow the office's processing time (4-6 weeks); expedited handling is available.
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records
Phone: 517-335-8666
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call 866-443-9897. by mail: Mail DCH-0569-DX with payment to Vital Records Requests, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909 (RUSH mail to Vital Records RUSH at the same box). in person: By appointment only (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM); lobby drop box available weekdays.
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid ID; Email confirmation for in-person pickup. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in Michigan primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services - Vital Records