How to Find Michigan Birth Records
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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 required more effective record keeping and was generally complied with by 1915.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? |
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Births before 1867
Before 1867, births were not recorded formally by the county or the state. However, FamilySearch Historical Records includes an index of some pre-1867 births.
| Michigan Births Databases - Includes Index Only | ||||
| Try | ||||
| 1775-1995-At FamilySearch | Free; Michigan Births and Christenings, 1775-1995; Name index only to birth, baptism and christening records; Incomplete for all counties.
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If your ancestor's birth was not found in this database, you must search substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births from 1867 thru 1911
- Michigan, Births and Christenings, 1775-1995 Index only.
- Michigan, Births, 1867-1902 Index and Images.
- Michigan, Births and Christenings Index, 1867-1911 ($)
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.
For births which occurred during this time period, try the following databases.
| Michigan Births Databases - Includes Index and Digital Images | ||||
| Try | ||||
| 1775-1995-At FamilySearch | Free; Michigan Births and Christenings, 1775-1995; Name index only to birth, baptism and christening records; Incomplete for all counties. | |||
| Try: | ||||
| 1867 - 1902 - At FamilySearch | Free; Michigan Births, 1867-1902: Name index and images of Michigan statewide birth registration entries. | |||
| Try: | ||||
| 1867 -1911 - At Ancestry.com | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Michigan, Births and Christenings Index, 1867-1911; Indexes to Michigan birth, baptism and christening records.Find your local FamilySearch Center OR use your own Ancestry.com account. | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | 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 |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth, the fee paid to the Michigan State Department of Health includes a 1 year search. Searches for additional years are available for an additional fee.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Births from 1912 thru Present
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
Currently there are no indexes to Michigan births later than 1911. To locate your ancestor's birth you must search substitute records for birth information.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | 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 |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth, the fee paid to the Michigan State Department of Health includes a 1 year search. Searches for additional years are available for an additional fee.
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records
Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born in Michigan the following restrictions may apply. State law restricts who may obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate. A certified copy may be issued to:
- The person named on the record.
- A parent named on the record.
- A legal guardian of the person named on the record.
- A legally licensed representative of the person named on the record.
- An heir if the person on the record is deceased.
- A court of competent jurisdiction.
If you do not meet one of the above criteria, you cannot receive a certified copy of a birth certificate.
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
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