How to Find Michigan Birth Records

How to Find United States Births Michigan  Michigan Births

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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.

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Next Step: When did the birth occur?

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 * Birth Records
 * Choose a time period:


 * Before 1867
 * 1853 thru 1912
 * 1913 thru 1930
 * 1931 thru 1969
 * After 1969 to present
 * Birth year unknown


 * }

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.

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.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 18-- thru 19--

 * 18-- - Michigan law required counties to record births
 * Michigan was created from the state of -- in
 * From 18-- - 18,
 * 19-- - Michigan Statewide birth registration began

If you cannot locate your ancestor in the databases below, try searching for birth information in other records.

For births that exist during the time period, try the following databases.

Return to top: Choose another birth year

STEP ONE: Find Birth Information
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Michigan Department of Health office.

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:

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: For a fee, the Ohio Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

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.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births from 19-- thru 19--
Limited births maybe found in the following databases. Try each link. If you do not find your ancestor's birth or if you want order a copy of the certificate, then contact the Michigan Vital Registration office.

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:

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: For a fee, the Michigan Department of Health office will do a 3 year search.

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.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

Births after 19-- to the Present
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:

Michigan Birth Records#Restrictions_for_Obtaining_Birth_Records|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: For a fee, the [Ohio Department of Health office] will do a 3 year search.

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.  Return to top: Choose another birth year

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
 * The current spouse of the person named on the record
 * The current domestic partner of the person named on the record
 * A parent of the person named on the record
 * A sibling of the person named on the record
 * A child of the person named on the record
 * A grandparent of the person named on the record
 * A person authorized in writing by one of the above. The written authorization must accompany the request and the relationship of the authorizing party to the subject of the record must be clearly explained.
 * A person who can demonstrate that the record is required to protect a personal or property right.
 * If you do not meet one of the above criteria, you cannot receive a certified copy of a birth certificate.
 * An uncertified copy of a birth certificate is available to anyone who applies. An uncertified copy will contain the same information as a certified copy but will not be acceptable for legal purposes, such as obtaining identification.

If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information. Return to top: Choose another birth year

Related Wiki Articles
Michigan

Michigan Online Genealogy Records

Michigan Vital Records


 * Learn more about U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. birth records
 * How to find U.S. marriage records
 * How to find U.S. death records
 * United States Record Selection Table
 * U.S. Vital Records Overview
 * United States Vital Records
 * Locating United States Vital Records
 * United States Death Records
 * United States Marriage Records [[Category:How_to_arti