Michigan Death Records

With an average of 108,675 deaths recorded each year in Michigan, the state's mortality rate stands at 856.3 per 100,000 residents. This is higher than the national average of 793.7 deaths per 100,000 total population. Statewide recording of deaths in Michigan began in April 1867 following the passage of Public Act 194, which required county clerks to file certain information about all death events in their counties with the Secretary of State. Records of death events in Michigan were captured in ledger form through 1897. Death records account for the second-largest number in the state's vital record system.

In Michigan, a death record, which is primarily a death certificate, may either be short form or long form. Generally, a short-form death record includes important information about the deceased person, where and when the death occurred, but no manner of death or medical information is shown. In contrast, a long-form death record in Michigan shows full death registration details, including reported medical conditions and circumstances leading to the person's death.

Original death certificates are permanent legal records of death events from which copies are made. In Michigan, an original death certificate is prepared by the attending physician, typically within 48 hours after a person is pronounced dead, except in certain instances where they are prepared by medical examiners. Once completed, original death certificates are filed and retained with the state's vital records office, where interested persons may obtain certified copies. The certified copy of a death certificate helps to establish the facts of a person's death in settling the decedent's affairs.

How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate in Michigan?

Anyone is eligible to get a certified copy of a Michigan death certificate from the state's Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics. The Divison on file certificates/records of death events that occurred in the state from 1867 to the present.

Individuals looking to secure certified copies of death certificates in Michigan may do so using any of the following methods:

• Order Certified Copies of Michigan Death Certificates By Mail - Anyone may obtain a certified copy of a Michigan death certificate by mail with the following steps:

  • Complete the Application For A Certified Copy - Michigan Death Record
  • Prepare a photocopy of a valid ID (if applicable)
  • Pay a $34 processing fee check or money order made out to the State of Michigan(additional $12 for expedited "rush" processing)

  • Submit the completed form and other requirements to the Division of Vital Records and Statistics at:

    Vital Records Requests

    P.O. Box 30721

    Lasing, MI 48909

    Requesters should mail expedited requests to:

    Vital Records RUSH

    P.O. Box 30721

    Lasing, MI 48909

    Processing time for regular mailed requests takes between 4 to 5 weeks, while expedited "rush" requests are processed between 2 and 3 weeks after submitting such requests.

• Order Certified Copies of Michigan Death Certificates in Person - The first step to ordering a certified copy of a Michigan death certificate from the state's Division of Vital Records and Statistics is to schedule an appointment. Dates and times for making in-person requests are typically limited to Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. On the appointed date, a requester should submit their completed application form alongside a payment proof of the $34 processing fee at the nearest MDHHS office.

• Order Certified Copies of Michigan Death Certificates Using Drop Box - To use the Drop Box service, drop a sealed envelope containing a completed application form, any required document/ID, and the proof of processing fee payment in a Drop Box located at:

  333 S. Grand Ave.

  Lasing, MI 48933

  The Drop Box is located in the main lobby, and the service is available Monday to Friday, 7:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Are Michigan Death Records Public?

Michigan death records are a matter of public record, according to Section 333.2882 of the state's Compile Laws (MCL). Any member of the public may access a certified copy of a death certificate in the state as long as they have information like the decedent's name at the time of the event, location of death, and the date of death.

Who Can Request an Original Death Certificate in Michigan?

Original death certificates in Michigan are not issued to members of the public. The state's Division of Vital Records and Statistics permanently maintains them on its file and may only issue certified copies of the certificates. Under Section 333.2882 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, death certificates are not restricted documents. Hence, anyone is eligible to request a certified copy of a death certificate in the state.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in Michigan?

The turnaround time for getting a certified copy of a death certificate in Michigan depends on the circumstances surrounding the death event. For a regular or naturally occurring death, it takes approximately 4 to 5 weeks to process a death certificate request, after which it is mailed to the requester's address. However, where the cause of death is due to an external or violent cause, or if the death seems suspicious, an autopsy may be required to determine the cause and manner of death.

In most cases, it takes about 60 days to complete autopsy reports in Michigan, and sometimes, it could take longer, depending on the complexity of the case. The duration it takes to complete an autopsy report also depends on a medical examiner's need to conduct additional testing, like histology and toxicology tests. These tests typically take time to process and analyze, hence contributing to the delay in completing an autopsy report and ultimately preparing an original death certificate.

Another major factor to consider is the volume of cases being handled by medical examiners and the availability of pathologists. All of these factors, combined, impact how long it takes to get copies of a death certificate for a death that requires an autopsy in Michigan. A medical examiner cannot prepare an original death certificate until they can ascertain the cause and manner of death.

Can I View Michigan Death Records online for free?

Online resources like FamilySearch.org and Ancestry.com provide a platform that enables members of the public to view some Michigan death records for free. These records are usually historical and are available as indexes and scanned images of death certificates and ledgers. Similarly, anyone may view Michigan death certificates for deaths that occurred between 1897 and 1952 online through the Archives of Michigan.

Alternatively, anyone looking to view Michigan death records online may do so through credible third-party websites like Michiganpublicrecords.us. These sites provide a convenient means of accessing the state's death records, but users will have to pay a small fee. Where there are no official records of deaths in Michigan, interested individuals may consider checking substitute records for information about such deaths. Typically, substitute records like newspapers, obituaries, cemetery records, tax records, social security death indexes, and probate records may help find information about a person's death free of charge.

When Would You Require A Death Certificate in Michigan?

In Michigan, a person would require certified copies of a death certificate for several administrative and/or legal purposes, including the following:

• Gaining access to a decedent's financial accounts
• Accessing the decedent's retirement income benefits, including pensions and veterans' benefits
• Filing the decedent's final tax returns
• Transferring the decedent's assets, like real estate and motor vehicles, to another person
• For final disposition
• Filing for life insurance benefits
• Notifying government agencies like the Social Security Administration and the Internal Revenue Services
• Canceling utility services and the decedent's credit cards

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in Michigan?

The number of death certificates needed varies by family and the situation. In most cases, a person can request between 8 and 12 copies of a death certificate in Michigan for varying legal and administrative purposes. However, the exact number of copies needed largely depends on the size of the decedent's assets, income sources, and estate.

Another factor that determines how many copies of a death certificate to order in Michigan depends on the number of agencies where they are needed and the preference of such institutions. For instance, while some agencies may accept photocopies of certified death certificates, others will insist on getting certified copies. On average, certified copies of a Michigan death certificate will be needed for pensions, life insurance, veterans' administration, estate administration, and certain bank transactions.