Michigan Genealogy Records
Michigan genealogy records cover births, deaths, marriages, and divorces going back to 1867, when statewide registration began under Public Act 194. Records are held at county clerk offices across all 83 counties, with free online access through Michiganology, the state's official genealogy database. You can also search collections at the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan in Lansing, or order certified copies through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. This guide covers the main sources, tools, and resources for searching Michigan genealogy and vital records statewide.
Michigan Genealogy Records at a Glance
Michiganology - Michigan's Free Genealogy Database
Michiganology is the primary free genealogy database for Michigan records. The Michigan History Center operates it in partnership with the Archives of Michigan and Library of Michigan. It was formerly called Seeking Michigan. You do not need an account to search most collections. The site holds over 10 million records total, covering vital records, census data, military service records, naturalization indexes, historic photographs, and maps.
The most popular collection on the site is death certificates from 1897 to 1952. These are scanned images of the actual original certificates. You can search by name, county, and date range. Records over 75 years old show full images. Records less than 75 years old show index data only, with no image. Over 1.5 million death records are indexed. Before 1897, Michigan death records from 1867 to 1897 are covered by the Genealogical Death Indexing System (GENDIS), now integrated into Michiganology. That index holds roughly 170,000 records transcribed by volunteers from genealogical societies. To search death records, go to michiganology.org.
The Michiganology vital records page gives you a full breakdown of available collections. Births, deaths, marriages, and divorces are all covered in various formats depending on the time period. The site also holds state census records from nine census years: 1827, 1834, 1845, 1854, 1864, 1874, 1884, 1894, and 1904. The 1894 state census is the most complete and is fully searchable with images for select counties. State censuses are separate from the federal census and often contain different details about household members and occupations.
Use the Advanced Search feature for best results. Try searching by last name only for common surnames. Use the county filter to narrow down results. Check neighboring counties for families who lived near county lines. Wildcards such as * and ? help when name spellings vary across records. Always search maiden names as a separate search. The same person may appear under a married name in some records and a maiden name in others.
Civil War service records on Michiganology cover the Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers 1861 to 1865. These are organized alphabetically and include service details and regiment information. Naturalization records are also indexed on the site, in partnership with FamilySearch for digitization. Sanborn fire insurance maps, historic photographs of Michigan, county plat maps, and railroad maps round out the broader collections available for free.
Michigan Vital Records - MDHHS Certified Copies
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) handles certified copies of vital records for the entire state. This is not a search tool. It is how you get official certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for legal use. Statewide vital records registration began in 1867 with Public Act 194. Contact MDHHS Vital Records at 517-335-8666, Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Eastern Time.
Death records from 1867 to the present are public and open to anyone. Marriage records are also public. Divorce records are public from 1897 forward. Birth records are restricted for 100 years under MCL 333.2882. Only the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardian, or an heir with proof of the person's death may request a certified birth record copy. A first certified copy costs $34. Each additional copy of the same record is $16. Ordering online through VitalChek adds a $12 to $20 processing fee. In-person visits are at 333 S. Grand Ave. in Lansing, where same-day service is available for records from 1906 forward. Records before 1906 take extra processing time.
Michigan birth certificates show the child's full name, date and time of birth, place of birth, parents' full names, ages, birthplaces, occupations, addresses, and the name of the attending physician. Death certificates show the full name of the person who died, date and place of death and birth, age, marital status, spouse name, occupation, parents' names including the mother's maiden name, cause of death, burial details, and the attending physician's name. Michigan marriage records list full names of both parties, ages, dates, residences, birthplaces, occupations, parents' names, and previous marriages. These details make vital records among the most valuable documents in genealogy research.
Under MCL 333.2884, fees are set by the state registrar. Under MCL 333.2885, both the county clerk and state registrar are authorized to issue certified copies. Mail requests go to Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records Request, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909. Processing time by mail is 3 to 5 weeks.
Archives of Michigan - Genealogy Research Collections
The Archives of Michigan is a key stop for in-depth Michigan genealogy research. The archive is located at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing, P.O. Box 30740. Call 517-373-1408 for general questions or 517-373-1414 for the reference desk. Email questions to archives@michigan.gov. The research room is open Tuesday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It is closed on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday. Admission is free. You need a photo ID to register. Only pencils are allowed in the research room. Laptops and digital cameras are permitted, but no flash photography on fragile materials.
The Michigan state census collection at the Archives spans nine census years from 1827 through 1904. State censuses predate or supplement federal census years and often contain different household details. The military records collection includes the Record of Service of Michigan Volunteers in the Civil War 1861 to 1865 in 32 volumes organized alphabetically, Michigan Adjutant General Reports, Spanish-American War records, and World War I veteran census cards. Naturalization records cover the Eastern District based in Detroit from 1837 to 1993, and the Western District based in Grand Rapids from 1837 to 1993. An index is available online at Michiganology.
Probate court records from various counties are another major collection at the Archives. These include estate case files, wills, administrations, and guardianship records. Land records for select counties and county government records such as supervisor's records and road records are also available. Research guides published by the Archives cover vital records research, naturalization records, military records, land records, state census records, and probate court records. A copier is available at $0.25 per page. Scanning services are also available. Visit michigan.gov/archivesofmi for current collection guides and research room rules.
Library of Michigan Genealogy Databases
The Library of Michigan is at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing, sharing the state complex with the Archives of Michigan. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM and Saturday 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Call 517-373-1300 or email lmlibrary@michigan.gov. All Michigan residents can get a free Library of Michigan card by registering online at michigan.gov/librarycard. Out-of-state students enrolled at Michigan colleges are also eligible. The card gives you access to major online genealogy databases at no cost.
Free databases available with a Library of Michigan card include Ancestry Library Edition, which covers census records, military records, immigration records, and vital records. Fold3 by Ancestry holds military records and historical documents. Heritage Hub contains obituaries and death notices. NewspaperArchive and Newspapers.com provide access to historical newspapers. Black Life in America covers African American historical newspapers. Michigan County Histories gives full-text access to county histories for all 83 Michigan counties. These databases together cover a wide range of records useful for tracing Michigan family history.
The physical collection at the Library includes Michigan county histories for all 83 counties, federal census records for Michigan, city and county directories, telephone directories, Sanborn fire insurance maps, cemetery readings and transcripts, and the Michigan Pioneer and Historical Collections in 40 volumes. Newspaper holdings include the Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Grand Rapids Press, Kalamazoo Gazette, Bay City Times, Saginaw News, and small-town newspapers from across the state. Family histories and genealogies submitted by researchers are also part of the collection. Visit michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan for more details.
Michigan Genealogical Council and County Societies
The Michigan Genealogical Council (MGC) is the coordinating body for genealogical societies across all 83 counties. It was founded on April 6, 1972, and is based in Lansing at P.O. Box 80953. Their website at mimgc.org has a county genealogical society directory, research guides by topic, a cemetery transcription database, and vital records indexes. The MGC also offers continuing education through Zoom tutorials, a speaker bureau for local societies, and an annual Fall Family History Seminar.
The Pioneer Certificate Program run by the MGC awards certificates and pins to researchers who can document a direct ancestor who settled in Michigan before statewide registration began. The Pre-Statehood certificate covers ancestors who settled before January 26, 1837. The First Families certificate covers ancestors who arrived from January 26, 1837 through December 31, 1880. Applications require documented proof of direct lineage and are reviewed on a quarterly basis.
Several statewide societies serve specific research interests. The Detroit Society for Genealogical Research (DSGR), founded in 1936, is based at the Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library. It holds a marriage index from 1872 to 1921 and a death index from 1867 to 1914. The Western Michigan Genealogical Society (WMGS) at wmgs.org focuses on the Grand Rapids and Kent County area and maintains a Kent County Marriage Index with over 152,744 records from 1845 to 1929. The French-Canadian Heritage Society of Michigan, the Jewish Genealogical Society of Michigan, and the Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan all serve specific ancestry groups with specialized collections. Michigan GenWeb at migenweb.net provides county-by-county transcriptions and indexes for all 83 counties.
Burton Historical Collection - Detroit Public Library
The Burton Historical Collection at the Detroit Public Library is one of Michigan's most significant genealogy repositories. It is at 5201 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48202. The DSGR keeps its collection here, including a marriage index from 1872 to 1921, a death index from 1867 to 1914, family folders, and research correspondence files. The Polish Genealogical Society of Michigan also houses its collection at the Burton, covering Polish church records, Polish-American newspapers, and cemetery inscriptions.
The Burton is a key resource for anyone researching Wayne County, Detroit, and broader southeastern Michigan genealogy records. The Detroit Society for Genealogical Research publishes a quarterly magazine that contains records of Michigan and Michigan source states, available at FamilySearch libraries under call number 977.4 C4de. A dedicated genealogical resources guide at the Burton covers selected Michigan and Detroit genealogy materials in depth. Visit the Burton's genealogical resources page for the full list of holdings.
Online Genealogy Databases for Michigan Research
Several major platforms hold Michigan genealogy records beyond what is available through Michiganology. FamilySearch at familysearch.org is free and includes Michigan births from 1867 to 1902 with index and images, county births from 1867 to 1917 with images from 53 counties, marriages from 1822 to 1995, death certificates from 1921 to 1952, naturalization records from 1837 to 1993, and probate records from 1797 to 1973. Some image sets require viewing at a Family History Center or FamilySearch affiliate library. The FamilySearch Michigan Wiki is a strong starting point, with individual county pages covering record availability, repositories, and research strategies for all 83 counties.
Ancestry.com holds Michigan death records from 1867 to 1952, marriage records, divorce records from 1897 to 1952, birth records from 1867 to 1913, the Michigan Deaths and Burials Index from 1867 to 1995, and state census records from 1884 and 1894. Ancestry Library Edition is available free at the Library of Michigan. MyHeritage has Michigan marriages from 1828, deaths from 1867 to 1897, voter registrations from 1850, Oakland County obituaries from 1929, and a Kent County Death Index from 1935 to 2019. All of these platforms provide indexed, searchable access to collections that would otherwise require in-person research at county offices or the state archives.
Note: Not all records from every county have been digitized. For older records or counties with limited online access, contact the county clerk directly or plan a visit to the Archives of Michigan.
Browse Michigan Genealogy Records by Location
Michigan genealogy records are held at county clerk offices and probate courts across all 83 counties. Each county handles its own vital records, though many collections are also indexed at the state level. Pick a county or city below to find local office details, resources, and genealogy collections for that area.
Michigan Counties
County clerk offices hold local birth, death, marriage, and military discharge records from the date each county was organized. The county is your first stop for certified copies at the local level.
Michigan Cities
Residents of major Michigan cities file vital record requests through their county clerk office. Pick a city below to find which county handles local genealogy records and what resources are available in that area.