How to Find Michigan Death Records

United States

U.S. Vital Records

How to Find U.S. Death Records

Michigan Vital Records

How to Find Michigan Death Records

Michigan was admitted into the Union on January 26, 1837, as the 26th state. Death records for each county, with copies also sent to the state, began no later than January 1867, although registration of all vital records was certainly not enforced. A 1905 law was much more effective, and was generally complied with by 1915.

Next Step: When did the death occur?	Death Records Choose a time period: Deaths before 1867 Deaths from 1867 thru 1897 Deaths from 1897 thru 1920 Deaths from 1921 thru 1952 Deaths from 1952 thru 1995 Deaths from 1995 thru the present Death year unknown

Learn more about U.S. Death Records Deaths before 1867 Before 1867, deaths were not recorded formally by the county or state. However, approximately 10,000 deaths between 1800 and 1867 are indexed in the following database: Michigan Deaths Database - Includes Index only 1800-1995 - At FamilySearch.org Free; dates vary by county. If your ancestor's death was not found in this database, you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s death date and place.   Records that give death information: Cemetery Records Newspapers Probate (wills, etc) Church Records Census Bible Records Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1867 thru 1897 The state of Michigan began recording deaths in 1867. There are no restrictions on Death records for Michigan. STEP ONE: Find Death Information For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link. Michigan Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images Try 1st: 1867-1897 - At FamilySearch.org Free; name index and images of Michigan statewide death registration entries Next try one of the following: 1867-1897 Michigan Dept. of Health Free 1867-1995 - At Ancestry.com ($); free at FamilySearch centers. Index to Michigan, deaths and burials. 1800-1995 - At FamilySearch.org Free; name index to death and burial records from the state of Michigan What's Next? Go to Step Two Part B listed below. You may be able to order the death record for your ancestor from the Michigan Department of Health. Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate Part A: You know the exact date of death With an exact date of death (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From MI Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county There are no restrictions for ordering death records in Michigan. If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death If you do not know the exact date or place of death, the fee paid to the Michigan State Department of Health MAY include a 1 year search. Searches for additional years are available for an additional fee. There are no restrictions for ordering death records in Michigan. If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1897 thru 1920 The state of Michigan began recording deaths in 1867. There are no restrictions on Death records for Michigan. STEP ONE: Find Death Information For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link. Michigan Deaths Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images Try 1st: 1897-1952 Michiganology.org Free; name index and images of Michigan statewide death registration entries. Also on Ancestry.com, free at FamilySearch centers. Next try one of the following: 1800-1995 - At FamilySearch.org Free; name index to death and burial records from the state of Michigan 1867-1995 - At Ancestry.com ($) free at FamilySearch centers. Index only. What's next? Go to Step Two Part B listed below. You may be able to order the death record for your ancestor from the Michigan Department of Health. Can't find your ancestor in the online indexes? Tips for searching online indexes No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate Part A: You know the exact date of death With an exact date of death (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From MI Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county There are no restrictions for ordering death records in Michigan. If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death If you do not know the exact date or place of death, the fee paid to the Michigan State Department of Health MAY include a 1 year search. Searches for additional years are available for an additional fee. There are no restrictions for ordering death records in Michigan. If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1921 thru 1952 The state of Michigan began recording deaths in 1867.  STEP ONE: Find Death Information For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link. Michigan Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only Choose one of the following: 1921-1952 - At FamilySearch.org Free; index of death records from the Michigan Department of Community Health, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics in Lansing 1800-1995 - At FamilySearch.org Free; name index to death and burial records from the state of Michigan 1867-1995 - At Ancestry.com ($) free at FamilySearch centers. Index to Michigan, deaths and burials. What's Next? Go to Step Two Part B listed below. You may be able to order the death record for your ancestor from the Michigan Department of Health. Social Security Death Index (SSDI) United States Social Security Death Index U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 ($) U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Incomplete ($). Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate Part A: You know the exact date of death With an exact date of death (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From MI Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death If you do not know the exact date or place of death, the fee paid to the Michigan State Department of Health MAY include a 1 year search. Searches for additional years are available for an additional fee. If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1952 thru 1995 The state of Michigan began recording deaths in 1867. STEP ONE: Find Death Information For deaths that exist during the time period, try the following databases. Try each link. Michigan Deaths Databases - Includes Index Only Choose one of the following: 1971-1996 - At FamilySearch.org Free; index of deaths from the Michigan Department of Vital and Health Records in Lansing Also on Ancestry.com ($), free at FamilySearch centers. 1800-1995 - At FamilySearch.org Free; name index to death and burial records from the state of Michigan Can't find your ancestors? Go to Step Two Part B listed below. You may be able to order the birth record for your ancestor from the Michigan Department of Health. United States Social Security Death Index U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 ($) U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Incomplete ($). Can't find your ancestor in the online index? Tips for searching online indexes No death record for your ancestor? Other records with death information STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate Part A: You know the exact date of death With an exact date of death (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From MI Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death If you do not know the exact date or place of death, the fee paid to the Michigan State Department of Health MAY include a 1 year search. Searches for additional years are available for an additional fee. If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. Return to top: Choose another death year Deaths from 1995 thru the present Part A: You know the exact date of death United States Social Security Death Index U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014 ($) U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, Incomplete,] ($). With an exact date of death, you can order a copy of the death record for a fee from the following locations: To Order Death Certificates From County of Death From MI Dept. of Health State office Pros Cons Pros Cons May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state County websites can be more difficult to use Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee May be more expensive than ordering from the county If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. PART B: You don't know the exact date of death If you do not know the exact date or place of death, the fee paid to the Michigan State Department of Health MAY include a 1 year search. Searches for additional years are available for an additional fee. If you do not want to order the death record, there are other records with death information you can search. Return to top: Choose another death year Related Wiki Articles How to Find United States Birth Records Learn more about U.S. Death Records United States Record Finder U.S. Vital Records Overview United States Vital Records Locating United States Vital Records United States Birth Records United States Marriage Records

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