Find Genealogy Records in Monroe County
Monroe County genealogy records are held at the county clerk's office in Monroe. This county was organized in 1817, making it one of the oldest in Michigan, and marriage records go back to that founding year. The Monroe County Historical Museum and the county library system both hold additional materials for deep family history research in southeast Michigan.
Monroe County Overview
Monroe County Clerk Vital Records
The Monroe County Clerk at 106 E. 1st St. in Monroe holds birth, death, and marriage records for the county. The office is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Phone is 734-240-7020. The fax line is 734-240-7025. Staff can search by name and year and issue certified copies. You must show a valid photo ID for in-person requests.
Birth records begin in 1867 and are restricted under MCL 333.2882. Records under 100 years old are only available to the person named, their parents, a legal guardian, or a documented heir. Older birth records are open to the public for genealogy research. Death records start in 1867 and are always public. Marriage records go all the way back to 1817, when the county was formed. The fee per certified copy is $15, per MCL 333.2884.
Mail requests to the clerk are accepted. Include the full name of the person on the record, the approximate date, the type of record, and your contact information. Processing time for mail requests is longer than in-person visits.
| Office | Monroe County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 106 E. 1st St., Monroe, MI 48161 |
| Phone | 734-240-7020 |
| Fax | 734-240-7025 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
Early Monroe County Marriage Records
Monroe County marriage records go back to 1817, making this one of the deepest marriage record sets in Michigan. These early records are especially valuable for researchers tracing families from the French settlement era, the War of 1812 period, and the first decades of American settlement in southeast Michigan. Early marriage records in this county may list ages, birthplaces, and witness names, all of which add depth to a family tree.
Records from the early 1800s were kept by hand and their condition varies. The county clerk can tell you what is available and in what format. FamilySearch has digitized some of the older Monroe County records, so it is worth checking there before making a trip to the courthouse.
Death records begin in 1867. They are public and cost $15 each. A Monroe County death record from the early 20th century will typically list cause of death, place of burial, and an informant name. Birth records also start in 1867. Under MCL 333.2885, certified copies of birth records are restricted until the record reaches 100 years of age.
Monroe County Historical Museum and Library
The Monroe County Historical Museum holds local historical records and genealogy resources, including materials related to early settlement in the area. The museum's collection can include photographs, newspapers, cemetery records, and documents not found in the clerk's office. Contact the museum directly for access and hours.
The Monroe County Library System holds a local history collection that supports genealogy research. Their resources may include city directories, newspaper archives, and reference tools that are useful when county vital records do not tell the full story. Check their website for which branches hold genealogy materials and what is available remotely.
The FamilySearch Wiki for Monroe County gives a breakdown of what records exist and where to find them. FamilySearch is free and has digitized some Monroe County records going back to the 1800s.
Online Resources for Monroe County Genealogy
The Monroe County MIGenWeb page has transcribed records and local genealogy links contributed by volunteers. This is a good free resource when you are not sure where to look next. Volunteers post cemetery data, obituaries, and compiled records here on a regular basis.
Michiganology lets you search Monroe County death certificates from 1897 through 1952 for free online. Results include images of the original death certificates, showing all the details recorded at the time of death. This is often the first place to check for early 20th-century Monroe County deaths.
The Michiganology vital records page explains how the search works and what to do when a record is not online.
Michiganology links directly to the Archives of Michigan, which holds the original digital files. The Archives are at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing and can be reached at 517-373-1408. For records not covered by Michiganology, the Archives hold additional materials including land records and naturalization files relevant to Monroe County.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services statewide vital records office is at P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909 (phone 517-335-8666). They hold records for all Michigan counties and can fulfill requests that the county clerk cannot.
Note: Monroe County's proximity to Ohio and its early French settlement history mean researchers may also need to check Ohio and French Canadian records. The county was part of the Northwest Territory, so territorial records held at the National Archives may also be relevant.
Communities in Monroe County
Monroe County includes the city of Monroe, Dundee, Luna Pier, Petersburg, and several townships. None of these communities meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. All genealogy record requests for Monroe County go through the county clerk at 106 E. 1st St. in Monroe.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Monroe County. Monroe sits at the southeastern corner of Michigan near Ohio, so researchers may also need to check records in Toledo or other Ohio counties.