Find Genealogy Records in Macomb County

Macomb County genealogy records are held at the county clerk's office in Mount Clemens. The clerk has a dedicated genealogy program with special research hours and a hotline for family history questions. Birth records date from 1867, marriage records go back to 1819, and death records cover the same period. This is one of Michigan's most accessible counties for genealogy work.

Macomb County Clerk Genealogy Program

Macomb County has one of the more organized genealogy programs among Michigan county clerks. The office at 120 N. Main Street in Mount Clemens offers dedicated genealogy research hours on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Outside those hours, the general clerk line handles records requests. Use the FastPass system to book an appointment online before your visit.

The genealogy hotline number is 586-469-7953. Call this line with questions about specific records or to find out if a record exists before making a trip. The main clerk line is 586-469-5120 for general questions. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is in downtown Mount Clemens.

The genealogy page covers birth, death, and marriage records along with military records such as DD-214 discharge papers. It also explains the FastPass appointment system and lists what ID you need to bring.

Macomb County Birth, Death, and Marriage Records

Birth records in Macomb County date from 1867. Under MCL 333.2882, birth records less than 100 years old are restricted. Only the person named on the record, their parents, a legal guardian, or an heir with proof can get a copy. Records that are more than 100 years old are open to the public and available for genealogy research. Birth indexes are not open to the public regardless of age.

Death records follow a tiered access system in Macomb County. Records from 1867 through 1933 have indexes that are viewable in the office. Death records from 1934 through 1958 are stored off-site and require a two-day delay to retrieve. Records from 1958 to the present are verified by computer only and not open for viewing. All searches must go by name of the deceased and year of death. The fee for a certified copy is set by MCL 333.2884.

Marriage records from 1819 through 1925 are open for inspection. Indexes run from 1819 through 1962 and are viewable in the office. Records from 1926 to the present are issued as certified copies only. You cannot view the original document for recent marriages. The first certified copy costs $17, and each additional copy of the same record is $8. Payment can be made by cash, check, money order, or credit card.

Military Records at Macomb County Clerk

The Macomb County Clerk holds DD-214 military discharge records from World War I to the present. Veterans can get their own records at no charge if they bring a letter from the Veterans Administration. A picture ID is also required. If someone else is picking up records on behalf of a veteran, they need a notarized letter from that veteran authorizing the pickup.

For a deceased veteran's records, a family member must provide the veteran's death certificate and documentation showing the family relationship. These rules help protect military records from unauthorized access. If you need a DD-214 for a veteran who is not from Macomb County, contact the county where they were discharged or the National Archives.

Library Resources for Macomb County Genealogy

The Warren Public Library has a genealogy collection worth checking. Their genealogy resources are listed at warrenlibrary.net/genealogy. The library holds local history materials, newspaper archives, and reference tools useful for tracing Macomb County families. It is a good supplement to the county clerk's records.

The Mount Clemens Public Library also has a genealogy collection and local history archives. Both libraries offer access to databases and research tools that can help fill gaps in family trees. Check with each library about their specific holdings before visiting.

The FamilySearch Wiki for Macomb County gives a county-level overview and links to digitized record sets. FamilySearch is free to use and covers many Macomb County records including some that are not available at the clerk's office.

Michiganology is run by the Archives of Michigan and is one of the best free tools for early 20th-century death research. Results include images of the original death certificates, which often list cause of death, place of burial, and informant name.

Online Resources and MIGenWeb

The Macomb County MIGenWeb page has local genealogy resources including transcribed records, cemetery indexes, and links to county-specific databases. Volunteers maintain this site and update it regularly. It is a good place to look when you are not sure where else to search.

For records not at the county level, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services holds statewide vital records. Their office is at P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909, phone 517-335-8666. The Archives of Michigan at 702 W. Kalamazoo St., Lansing (517-373-1408) also holds materials that support county-level research.

Qualifying Cities in Macomb County

Macomb County has several large cities with their own genealogy pages. Records for all these communities are filed with the Macomb County Clerk in Mount Clemens.

Other communities in Macomb County include Roseville, Eastpointe, St. Clair Shores, Utica, and Shelby Township. Records for all of these are at the county clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties are adjacent to Macomb County. If your family moved across county lines, you may need to check records in more than one place.