Where to Request a Death Certificate in Michigan

In Michigan, you request a death certificate from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), Vital Records Office. This is the only official source for certified copies. You cannot get one from a funeral home, hospital, or county clerk — they can tell you where to go, but only MDHHS issues the actual document.

The Vital Records Office is located in Lansing. You can reach them by mail, phone, fax, or in person. If the death occurred in Michigan, MDHHS has the record on file. If the death happened elsewhere, you will need to contact that state's vital records office instead.

Processing time depends on how you order. In-person requests at the office take about 15 minutes. Mail requests typically take 2 to 3 weeks. Online orders through the state's vendor take 5 to 7 business days for standard service, or 1 to 2 business days for expedited service (which costs more).

Key Takeaways

  • The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records Office is the only place to get an official death certificate for a Michigan death.
  • You can order by mail, phone, fax, in person, or online through the state's authorized vendor, and each method has different costs and wait times.
  • You will need the full name of the deceased, date of death, and usually the county where the death occurred.
  • Certified copies cost between $20 and $30 depending on the number of copies and the method you choose.
  • If you do not know the exact date of death or the county, the Vital Records Office can search their database, but this takes longer and may cost extra.

What Information You Need Before You Order

Have the full legal name of the deceased, the date of death, and the county where the death occurred. If you have the death certificate number, that speeds things up. If you do not have all of this information, you can still order, but the search will take longer.

If you only know the month and year, or if you are unsure of the county, tell the Vital Records Office. They will search their records, but this adds time and may add a search fee on top of the certificate cost. Having the exact date and county is the fastest path.

How to Order by Mail

Send a written request to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Office, 333 South Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. Include the full name of the deceased, date of death, county of death, your relationship to the deceased, your full name, your address, and your phone number. State how many certified copies you need.

Include payment by check or money order. As of the most recent update, a certified copy costs $20 for the first copy and $3 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Do not send cash. Mail requests take 2 to 3 weeks from the time MDHHS receives your letter.

Keep a copy of your request for your records. If you need the certificate urgently, mail is not the fastest option — consider phone, fax, or online ordering instead.

How to Order by Phone or Fax

Call the Vital Records Office at 517-335-8656. Have your information ready: the deceased's full name, date of death, county of death, your relationship, and your address. The staff will take your order and tell you the cost and expected delivery date.

You can pay by credit card or debit card over the phone. Fax requests go to 517-335-8666. Send the same information you would mail, plus your payment method and card details. Phone and fax orders typically take 5 to 7 business days to arrive by mail.

Phone lines can have wait times, especially during business hours. If you reach a voicemail, leave your name, number, and a brief description of what you need, and someone will call you back within one business day.

How to Order Online

Michigan uses a third-party vendor called VitalChek to process online orders. Go to the VitalChek website, select Michigan, and follow the steps to order a death certificate. You will enter the deceased's information, your relationship, your address, and your payment method (credit or debit card).

VitalChek offers two shipping speeds: standard (5 to 7 business days) and expedited (1 to 2 business days). Expedited costs more. The certificate arrives by mail at the address you provide. Online orders are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so you can order outside of office hours.

Some people prefer online ordering because it is fast and you get a confirmation email right away. The downside is the vendor fee on top of the state fee, which makes the total cost higher than ordering directly from MDHHS by mail or phone.

How to Order in Person

Visit the Vital Records Office at 333 South Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933. Bring a photo ID and the deceased's full name, date of death, and county of death. You can pay by cash, check, or card. If you have the death certificate number, bring that too.

The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Bring more than one copy if you think you will need them — ordering extras at the same time costs only $3 per copy, while ordering them later costs $20 per copy. You will receive your certificates within 15 minutes in most cases.

If you live far from Lansing, in-person ordering is not practical. Phone, fax, or online ordering is usually faster and easier for people outside the area.

What Certified Copies Cost

A certified copy of a Michigan death certificate costs $20 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $3. So if you order 5 copies together, you pay $20 plus (4 × $3) = $32 total.

If you order more copies later, each one costs $20 again. This is why it makes sense to order several copies the first time if you think you might need them — for insurance claims, property transfers, name changes, or other legal matters.

Online ordering through VitalChek adds a vendor fee on top of the state fee, usually $10 to $15 depending on the shipping speed you choose. So an online order for one copy might cost $30 to $35 total, while a mail order to MDHHS directly costs $20.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the death happened in another state?

You need to contact that state's vital records office, not Michigan. Each state keeps its own records. Search online for "[state name] vital records" or "[state name] death certificate" to find the right office and their ordering process. The process is similar in most states, but costs and wait times vary.

Can I get a death certificate if I am not a family member?

Yes, but you may need to show a reason — such as being the executor of the estate, a creditor, or someone with a legal interest in the death. Call the Vital Records Office and explain your relationship to the deceased and why you need the certificate. They will tell you whether you can order and what documents you might need to provide.

How many copies should I order?

Order at least 3 to 5 copies. You will likely need one for the funeral home, one for insurance claims, one for the probate court, and one for your own records. Having extras on hand is much cheaper than ordering them one at a time later, since each new order costs $20 for the first copy.

What if I do not know the exact date of death?

Tell the Vital Records Office the month and year, or the range of dates you think it might be. They will search their database, but this takes longer and may add a search fee. Having the exact date speeds up the process significantly.

Can I get a death certificate the same day?

Only if you go in person to the Vital Records Office in Lansing during business hours. In-person requests are processed in about 15 minutes. All other methods — mail, phone, fax, or online — take at least several business days.