Farmington Hills Genealogy Records Search
Farmington Hills genealogy records are maintained by the Oakland County Clerk in Pontiac. The city was incorporated in 1973, but Oakland County holds vital records going back to 1827, covering generations of families who lived in this part of the county long before city boundaries were drawn. Birth, death, and marriage records tied to Farmington Hills residents are available through the Oakland County Clerk, and local resources like the Farmington Genealogical Society and Farmington Community Library can help you dig deeper into family history.
Farmington Hills Overview
Oakland County Clerk Records
The Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is at 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341. Call 248-858-0572 with questions. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. All Farmington Hills vital records go through this office.
Oakland County offers a dedicated genealogy research service described at Oakland County's genealogy research page. Birth records over 100 years old are open to the public. Newer birth records require proof of eligibility such as a death certificate, heir's birth certificate, guardianship papers, or legal representative documents. All death records are public. All marriage records are also public. The county's marriage records go back to 1827, which is useful for researching the earlier farming families who settled this part of Oakland County.
A first certified copy costs $15. Each additional copy of the same record is $5. Records from before 1935 (birth) and before 1942 (death and marriage) require an in-person visit or a mail request. Newer records can be ordered online. Express mail delivery costs $31.40. Regular mail is free with seven to ten business day processing.
Under MCL 333.2882, the county clerk must register and certify all vital records in the county. Oakland County meets that obligation for all Farmington Hills area records.
Farmington Genealogical Society
The Farmington Genealogical Society was founded in 1973, the same year Farmington Hills incorporated. It is a member of the Michigan Genealogical Council and offers educational programs and workshops for researchers at all levels. The society focuses on records tied to the Farmington Hills and Farmington area, which makes it particularly useful if your ancestors lived in this specific part of Oakland County.
Their website is at mifarmgs.org. The society's collection and programs can help you identify which records exist, where they are kept, and how to access them. Workshops often cover practical topics like how to read old handwriting, how to use online databases, and how to interpret vital records.
The screenshot below shows Oakland County Genealogical Society resources, which serve the broader Oakland County area including Farmington Hills.
The Oakland County Genealogical Society (OCGS) at ocgsmi.org also has published records including cemetery readings, naturalization records, and surname indexes. These cover the county broadly and are available for purchase or research through OCGS meetings and publications.
Farmington Community Library
The Farmington Community Library has a local history collection that supports genealogy research for Farmington Hills and the surrounding Farmington area. The library may have access to subscription databases like Ancestry Library Edition, which you can use in-library at no cost. That is a practical option if you want to search large national genealogy databases without paying for a home subscription.
The screenshot below shows Oakland County Historical Resources, which offers digital archives covering Farmington Hills and the broader Oakland County area.
Oakland County Historical Resources at oaklandcountyhistory.org provides digitized materials and archives related to Oakland County history. The collections include photographs, documents, and records that can help paint a picture of life in the Farmington Hills area over the past century and a half.
Under MCL 333.2884, local clerks must register births and deaths when they happen. This means the Oakland County Clerk has records tied to specific events in Farmington Hills and the earlier townships that preceded the city's incorporation.
Online Resources for Farmington Hills Genealogy
Michiganology offers free access to Michigan death certificates from 1897 to 1952. Oakland County families from that period are included in the database. Search by name and county at no cost. This tool is especially helpful for finding records of ancestors who lived in this area before Farmington Hills was incorporated.
FamilySearch has an Oakland County Michigan genealogy wiki page with links to digitized records and research guides. Some Oakland County records have been indexed and made searchable through FamilySearch. Creating an account is free. The Bloomfield Family History Center and the Lyon Township Public Library FHC Affiliate are both in Oakland County and offer in-person genealogy research help with access to FamilySearch tools.
The Novi Public Library's Local History Room is also in Oakland County and has access to several genealogy databases including Ancestry Library Edition, MyHeritage Library Edition, and local newspaper archives. While it is not in Farmington Hills, it is close enough to be worth a visit if you need database access.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) holds statewide vital records under MCL 333.2885. Call 517-335-8666 to ask about ordering state-level copies if you cannot find what you need at the county clerk.
Note: If you are researching family from before 1973, the records you need will be under the earlier township name, not Farmington Hills.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities are in Oakland County or the surrounding area. Each has a dedicated page with local genealogy resources.
Oakland County Genealogy Records
Farmington Hills is in Oakland County. Vital records for all Farmington Hills residents are on file with the Oakland County Clerk in Pontiac. The county page covers the full list of records available, how to order them, fees, and local genealogical resources across Oakland County.