Clinton Township Genealogy Records
Clinton Township genealogy records are maintained by Macomb County, which serves as the primary source for birth, death, and marriage documents for township residents. Originally settled in 1827 and chartered as a township in 1988, Clinton Township sits in southern Macomb County and has a population of around 100,000. Researchers can access these records through the Macomb County Clerk in Mt. Clemens, the county's dedicated genealogy office, and free statewide tools like Michiganology.
Clinton Township Overview
Macomb County Clerk Genealogy Office
Clinton Township residents request vital records through the Macomb County Clerk at 120 N. Main St., Mt. Clemens, MI 48043. The main phone line is 586-469-5120. The clerk also runs a dedicated genealogy hotline at 586-469-7953 for researchers. Genealogy research hours are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. A FastPass appointment system is available online for those who want to book a time slot in advance.
Certified copies of vital records cost $15 each. Marriage records in Macomb County go back to 1819, making them especially strong for early research. Death records and birth records follow state-mandated date ranges under Michigan law. The clerk's genealogy page at macombgov.org lists what is available, how to request it, and current fees.
| Office | Macomb County Clerk - Genealogy Records |
|---|---|
| Address | 120 N. Main St., Mt. Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Main Phone | 586-469-5120 |
| Genealogy Hotline | 586-469-7953 |
| Genealogy Hours | Tue, Wed, Thu: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM |
| General Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM |
Under MCL 333.2882, birth records are restricted for 100 years and death records for 25 years from the date filed. To request records within the restricted period, you need to be the person named, a parent, spouse, child, or have a legal court order. Extended genealogy hours may be available on certain days, so check the online calendar before you visit.
Macomb County Genealogy Resources
The Macomb County Clerk maintains one of the more developed county genealogy programs in Michigan. The dedicated genealogy page provides an overview of what records are held, how to search them, and what appointment options are available. For Clinton Township researchers, this is the main starting point for county-level records.
Macomb County marriage records from 1819 to 1925 are strong for early research. If you have ancestors who settled in this part of Michigan in the nineteenth century, those marriage indexes are a solid tool for confirming family connections and dates. Land records and probate materials from the same era can also help fill gaps that vital records don't cover on their own.
The Macomb County Clerk also has death certificates available for research that fall outside the 25-year restricted window under MCL 333.2884. These records can include cause of death, parents' names, place of birth, and other genealogical details that help trace older family lines. Staff at the genealogy counter can help you search if you're not sure where to start.
Note: The MIGenWeb project for Macomb County at http://www.migenweb.net/macomb/ has free transcribed records and volunteers who can help with research questions for Clinton Township families.
Clinton Township Early Settlement Records
Clinton Township was first settled in 1827, and its records pre-date its formal charter status. Township records from that period can be valuable for tracing families who arrived in Macomb County during the early settlement wave. The Macomb County Clerk holds some of these older materials, and the Archives of Michigan in Lansing holds county-level records that were transferred for long-term preservation.
The Mount Clemens Public Library also has a genealogy collection and local history archives that cover the broader Macomb County area, including Clinton Township. Call ahead to confirm availability of specific materials before you make the trip to the library.
Michiganology has death certificates from 1897 to 1952 for Macomb County residents including those from Clinton Township. These records are free to search and can give you a quick look at dates and family details before you request certified copies from the county clerk. The platform is run by the Archives of Michigan and covers the statewide index for those years. MCL 333.2885 governs how those records are released and which years fall under public access rules.
State Vital Records Access
For Clinton Township records not held at the county level, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) serves as the state repository. Their office is at P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909, and the phone is 517-335-8666. Mail-in requests take three to five weeks. In-person visits at 333 S. Grand Ave. in Lansing can get same-day service for records from 1906 forward.
MDHHS holds birth records going back to 1867 and death records from 1897. Earlier records, if they exist, would be at the Archives of Michigan at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing. The FamilySearch platform at familysearch.org has also indexed Macomb County records in significant volume. Searching there first is often the fastest way to get a date or confirm a name before you make a formal records request.
Nearby Cities
Clinton Township is in Macomb County along with Warren and Sterling Heights. These cities share the same county clerk office for vital records.
Macomb County Genealogy Records
Clinton Township is part of Macomb County. All vital records for township residents are handled by the Macomb County Clerk in Mt. Clemens. The county page covers fees, research hours, and the full range of genealogy resources available for Macomb County.