Find Genealogy Records in Clare County

Clare County genealogy records are kept at the County Clerk's office in Harrison, Michigan. Birth, death, and marriage records date back to 1871 when the county was organized. If you are searching for family roots in central Michigan, the Clare County Clerk is your primary source for vital records. You can request records in person, by mail, or find older records through free online databases.

Clare County Clerk - Vital Records

The Clare County Clerk is located at 225 W. Main St. in Harrison and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The clerk's office holds vital records and can issue certified copies under MCL 333.2885. Staff can search by name, year, or record type.

Birth records are restricted for 100 years under MCL 333.2882. Records from births before the mid-1920s are open to the general public. Newer birth records require proof of a direct family connection or legal authority. Death and marriage records are both public. Death records begin in 1871, and marriage records also start in 1871, covering the county from its earliest organized years. Certified copies cost $15 each, as established by the state registrar under MCL 333.2884.

For mail requests, include the full name, type of record, approximate year, payment of $15 per copy, and a copy of your photo ID. The clerk's office can confirm current processing times when you call.

What Records Are Available in Clare County

Clare County has birth, death, and marriage records available from 1871 forward. All three types cost $15 per certified copy. Birth records are restricted for 100 years. Death and marriage records are public and available to any researcher. There are no extra fees charged beyond the standard $15 per copy.

Death certificates from Clare County often include the name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, place of death, cause of death, and names of relatives. For older records from the early 1900s, details may be less complete but still usable for genealogy. The Michiganology database offers free access to Clare County death certificates from 1897 to 1952. Search at michiganology.org without creating an account.

Marriage records from 1871 are available at the county clerk and list the names of both parties, the date of the marriage, and often the ages and places of birth. These are particularly useful when combined with census data to track a family's movement across Michigan.

Online Genealogy Resources for Clare County

The FamilySearch Wiki for Clare County is a good place to start. It covers what records exist, where they are held, and how to access them. FamilySearch also has free digitized Michigan records that may include Clare County collections.

The Clare County MIGenWeb site provides locally gathered data such as cemetery transcriptions and obituary indexes. These volunteer-maintained resources can fill in gaps where official records are missing or difficult to access. The site is worth checking before planning a trip to the clerk's office.

For death records, Michiganology is the best free online source. It covers certificates from 1897 to 1952 for the entire state. For births and marriages, FamilySearch has digitized collections from Michigan's early years that may include some Clare County records.

Michiganology provides free access to Clare County death certificates from 1897 through 1952 without requiring an account or payment.

State Archives and Statewide Records

The Archives of Michigan at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing, phone 517-373-1408, holds historical records for all Michigan counties. For Clare County, this includes early land records, probate files, and naturalization papers. These records predate or complement vital records and can be especially useful when tracing families who arrived in central Michigan in the mid-1800s.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services at P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909, phone 517-335-8666, handles statewide vital records. They can issue certified copies of Clare County records held in the state system. This is a useful backup if the county clerk cannot locate a particular record.

The Library of Michigan at michigan.gov/libraryofmichigan has genealogy collections that include Michigan newspapers, city directories, and other reference materials. These can add context to vital records and help you trace Clare County families across multiple sources.

The Library of Michigan holds statewide genealogy resources that support Clare County family research including newspaper archives and city directories.

Note: The Michigan Genealogical Council at mimgc.org connects researchers across the state and can direct you to local sources for Clare County.

Communities in Clare County

Clare County includes the city of Clare, the city of Harrison (county seat), and communities such as Farwell, Lake, Temple, and Beaverton. All vital records for residents of these areas are filed with the Clare County Clerk in Harrison. There are no separate municipal-level vital records offices in the county.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Clare County. Each has its own genealogy records at the county clerk's office.