Find Genealogy Records in Livingston County
Livingston County genealogy records go back to 1836, when the county was organized in southeast Michigan between Detroit and Lansing. The County Clerk in Howell holds birth, death, and marriage records for all communities in the county, and the Livingston County Historical Society offers additional resources for family history research. This page explains what records are available, how to get copies, and where to search online at no cost.
Livingston County Overview
Livingston County Clerk Vital Records
The Livingston County Clerk is at 304 E. Grand River in Howell. The office holds birth records from 1867, death records from 1867, and marriage records going back to 1836. That gives researchers a nearly 190-year window into Livingston County family history through the marriage records alone. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM.
Death and marriage records are public and open to any researcher. Birth records under 100 years old are restricted to direct family members and authorized representatives. Each certified copy costs $15. For in-person requests, bring a photo ID and have the name, record type, and approximate date ready to share. For mail requests, include that same information along with a check or money order for the fee. Call ahead if you have questions about whether a record exists or what form to use.
| Office | Livingston County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 304 E. Grand River, Howell, MI 48843 |
| Phone | 517-546-5300 |
| Fax | 517-546-2370 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Records Available in Livingston County
Livingston County was established in 1833 and organized in 1836. Marriage records start from that first year of organization. Early marriage records often list parents, witnesses, and the officiating minister, adding depth that later standardized forms did not always capture. Under MCL 333.2882, county clerks must maintain vital records and allow access under state rules. Records older than 100 years are generally public regardless of type.
Death records from 1867 are public and often contain useful genealogical detail. Older death certificates can list the deceased's birthplace, cause of death, parents' names, and the informant who reported the death. These details are frequently what researchers need to move from one generation to the next. Birth records over 100 years old are generally open to public search, while more recent ones require proof of a direct family relationship.
| Record Type | Dates | Access | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1867 to present | Restricted (100 years) | $15 |
| Death | 1867 to present | Public | $15 |
| Marriage | 1836 to present | Public | $15 |
Livingston County Historical Society
The Livingston County Historical Society maintains local historical records and genealogy resources that go beyond what the county clerk holds. The society's collection may include church records, newspaper files, local family histories, and donated archives from longtime county families. For researchers working on deep family history in this county, the Historical Society is a valuable second stop after the clerk's office.
Local societies often hold records that were never transferred to official government offices, including church registers, school records, and early township documents. They can also help with cemetery research, which is often one of the most useful tools for confirming dates and family relationships in older generations. Contact the society directly to ask about their research services and whether they hold materials relevant to the families you are tracing.
Michiganology provides free access to Michigan death records from 1897 to 1952, a useful starting point for Livingston County genealogy searches.
Online Genealogy Resources for Livingston County
The FamilySearch Wiki for Livingston County outlines available record collections and links to digitized materials. FamilySearch has indexed portions of Michigan vital records, and searching by name there is a good first step before contacting the county clerk or visiting in person.
The Livingston County MIGenWeb page is a volunteer-run site that focuses on local genealogy. It may include cemetery indexes, record transcriptions, and links to resources specific to this county. For death records from 1897 to 1952, Michiganology offers free statewide access. Under MCL 333.2884 and MCL 333.2885, state law governs access to vital records and the fees involved at the county and state level alike.
State Resources for Livingston County Research
The Archives of Michigan at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing holds state-level materials that go beyond what the county maintains. Naturalization records, early land records, and census-era documents for the Livingston County area may be found there. Call 517-373-1408 to confirm before making the trip. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Vital Records office is reachable at 517-335-8666 or P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909 for state copies of vital records.
The Archives of Michigan holds statewide collections that supplement Livingston County Clerk records for deeper genealogy research.
Communities in Livingston County
Livingston County includes the city of Howell and a number of townships and communities, including Brighton, Hartland, Hamburg, Pinckney, and Fowlerville. No communities in Livingston County meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. The County Clerk in Howell handles all genealogy records for the entire county, regardless of which township or city the event took place in.
Nearby Counties
Livingston County sits between the Detroit metro area and Lansing. If records do not turn up in Livingston, check the surrounding counties where ancestors may have also lived or where events near county lines may have been recorded.