Oakland County Genealogy Records
Oakland County holds some of Michigan's richest genealogy records, with birth, death, and marriage documents going back to 1827. The county clerk in Pontiac serves researchers through in-person visits, mail requests, and an online ordering system. Whether you are tracing a family line or looking for a specific vital record, Oakland County has dedicated staff and a formal genealogy research service ready to help.
Oakland County Overview
Oakland County Clerk Genealogy Records
The Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds keeps vital records for the county. This office handles birth, death, and marriage records going back to the mid-1800s. The clerk is located at 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341. You can call them at 248-858-0572. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Visit oakgov.com/clerkregister for current details and ordering options.
Oakland County offers three ways to get records. You can order online through the clerk's website, which is the fastest route for records from 1935 or later. You can visit in person during business hours. Or you can mail a written request with your name, the record type you need, dates, and a check or money order. For older records that predate 1935 or 1942 depending on the type, in-person or mail is the only option.
The Oakland County Clerk's dedicated genealogy research service is one of the more complete local services in Michigan. The team handles requests for older vital records and can assist with searches when exact details are unknown. Access that service directly at the genealogy research page.
| Address | 1200 N. Telegraph Rd., Pontiac, MI 48341 |
|---|---|
| Phone | 248-858-0572 |
| Fax | 248-858-0579 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM |
| Website | oakgov.com/clerkregister |
Oakland County Birth, Death, and Marriage Records
Birth records in Oakland County go back to 1867. Records that are less than 100 years old are restricted. Only the person named on the record, parents, legal guardians, heirs, and certain legal representatives can get copies. You must show valid ID and, in many cases, supporting documents such as a birth certificate proving your relationship or a court order. Records older than 100 years are open to the public. Birth records from before 1935 must be requested in person or by mail. Those from 1935 forward can be ordered online.
Death records date from 1867. All death records are public in Oakland County regardless of age. Records from before 1942 need an in-person or mail request. Death records from 1942 to the present are available online. You can also search death certificates from 1897 to 1952 through Michiganology, the Archives of Michigan's free digital database.
Marriage records in Oakland County go back to 1827. All marriage records are public. Like death records, those before 1942 require an in-person or mail request. Marriages from 1942 forward are available online. The first certified copy costs $15. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $5 each. Online orders carry a convenience fee on top of those base costs. Express mail delivery (2-3 business days) runs $31.40. Standard mail at 7-10 business days is free.
Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan requires the county clerk to maintain vital records and provide certified copies to eligible persons. MCL 333.2884 sets the rules on who can access restricted birth records, and MCL 333.2885 governs fees for certified copies. Oakland County follows all of these rules when processing requests.
Oakland County Genealogical Society
The Oakland County Genealogical Society (OCGS) is a key local resource for researchers. The society has published records covering cemeteries, deaths, marriages, naturalizations, and surnames. These publications often fill gaps that official records leave behind. OCGS members work to index and transcribe older county records, making them easier to find and use.
The society holds regular meetings and events where researchers can share tips and find help. If you are just starting to trace family lines in Oakland County or have hit a wall, reaching out to OCGS is a good step.
The Oakland County Genealogical Society maintains records and indexes not found in the clerk's office. Their published volumes on cemetery and death records are particularly useful for tracing families that lived in the county in the late 1800s and early 1900s.
The OCGS website at ocgsmi.org lists current publications, meeting schedules, and research tips for Oakland County.
Oakland County Historical Resources
Oakland County has a dedicated historical resources program that supports genealogy research. Digital archives and document collections covering county history are available through oaklandcountyhistory.org. These records can help connect family names to specific places and time periods in the county.
The Oakland County Historical Resources site holds digitized materials that can be browsed online, making it a useful starting point before visiting the clerk's office.
The Farmington Genealogical Society at mifarmgs.org and the Northville Genealogical Society at nvgensoc.org are two more local groups that focus on family research in Oakland County communities. Both maintain their own collections and can point researchers to resources specific to their corner of the county.
Note: The Novi Public Library at 45255 W. 10 Mile Rd. has a local history room with Ancestry Library Edition, MyHeritage Library Edition, and Northville Record newspaper archives on microfilm going back to 1869.
Online Genealogy Databases for Oakland County
Several free databases cover Oakland County genealogy records. Michiganology is run by the Archives of Michigan and has death certificates from 1897 to 1952, which are fully searchable and free to use. This is one of the best places to start for late 19th and early 20th century deaths in the county.
The FamilySearch Wiki for Oakland County lists the types of records available, which ones have been digitized, and where to find them. FamilySearch also holds many indexed collections tied to Oakland County. The site is free. You do need a free account to access some records.
The Oakland MIGenWeb page is part of the Michigan GenWeb Project. It has county-specific resources, volunteer-transcribed records, and links to databases that focus on Oakland County. You will find cemetery indexes, obituary lists, and more there. These volunteer-built resources can save a lot of time when doing early searches.
The Archives of Michigan in Lansing at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. (phone: 517-373-1408) holds older state-level vital records and naturalization papers. For Oakland County naturalization records going back to 1827, this is a primary source. MDHHS in Lansing can also assist with more recent vital record requests at 517-335-8666, P.O. Box 30721, Lansing MI 48909.
Cities in Oakland County
Oakland County includes several large cities with their own records and resources. The following cities have dedicated genealogy pages on this site.
Other communities in Oakland County include Pontiac, Royal Oak, Novi, Auburn Hills, and Bloomfield Hills. All vital record filings for these areas go through the Oakland County Clerk in Pontiac.
Nearby Counties
Oakland County borders several other Michigan counties. If an ancestor lived near a county line, records may be held by a neighboring county clerk.