St. Joseph County Genealogy Records
St. Joseph County genealogy records are available at the County Clerk's office in Centreville, with records dating back to 1829. Researchers can access birth, death, and marriage documents that cover nearly two centuries of family history in southwest Michigan. This guide covers the main office, available records, fees, and online resources to help with your search.
St. Joseph County Overview
St. Joseph County Clerk - Vital Records
The County Clerk in Centreville is the primary source for vital records in St. Joseph County. The office holds birth, death, and marriage records and can provide copies to requesters who meet the access requirements. The office is open Monday through Friday during regular business hours. You can visit in person or send a written request by mail.
Marriage records go back to 1829, making them especially valuable for tracing pioneer families who settled this part of southwest Michigan. Birth records are available from 1867 forward, though recent births within the last 100 years are restricted under MCL 333.2882. Death records from 1867 onward are public. Anyone can get a copy of a death record with no proof of relationship needed.
| Office | St. Joseph County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 125 W. Main St., Centreville, MI 49032 |
| Phone | 269-467-5602 |
| Fax | 269-467-5605 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM |
The standard fee for copies is $15 per record, set by state law under MCL 333.2884. Certified copies cost more and carry the official seal. Plain copies are fine for most genealogy research. Cash and check are accepted in person. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the county clerk.
Records Available in St. Joseph County
Here is what the county clerk holds and how far back each record type goes.
| Record Type | Dates | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | 1867-present | Restricted (100 years) |
| Death | 1867-present | Public |
| Marriage | 1829-present | Public |
Death and marriage records are both fully public. No proof of eligibility is required. Birth records newer than 100 years require ID and documentation of your relationship to the person named in the record, as outlined in MCL 333.2885. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, the certified version includes an embossed seal that makes it official.
Beyond the clerk's office, the St. Joseph County Circuit Court holds court and probate records that may be useful. The Register of Deeds holds land records. Both offices are in Centreville and serve the same county area. Older probate records from before the county's early decades may be held at the Archives of Michigan in Lansing.
Online Genealogy Resources
Searching online first can save you a trip to Centreville. Several platforms index St. Joseph County genealogy records and let you preview what is available.
The Michiganology database holds death certificates from 1897 to 1952 for St. Joseph County and the rest of Michigan. It is free and run by the state. The site also has an index of vital records that can point you toward the original documents. The Archives of Michigan in Lansing holds older records not available at the county level, including naturalization papers and some early court files.
The FamilySearch St. Joseph County Wiki is a good directory of every known record set for the county. FamilySearch has indexed many Michigan records including census entries, vital records, and other documents that cover St. Joseph County residents. The St. Joseph County MIGenWeb page has volunteer-contributed cemetery transcriptions, local data, and surname queries.
The Library of Michigan in Lansing also supports family history research with newspaper archives and reference collections. Their holdings include many Michigan papers that ran in the Three Rivers and Centreville area over the past 150 years.
State Resources for St. Joseph County Research
When county-level records do not have what you need, the state agencies in Lansing can help. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) holds statewide vital records. Contact them at P.O. Box 30721, Lansing, MI 48909, or call 517-335-8666. They can provide certified copies of birth and death records.
The Archives of Michigan at 702 W. Kalamazoo St. in Lansing holds older records and can be reached at 517-373-1408. They have census records, naturalization files, and some county-level genealogy materials that go back to Michigan's territorial period. The Michiganology vital records page is also useful for finding death certificates and related records indexed at the state level.
Note: For the earliest St. Joseph County marriages from 1829 onward, consider also checking federal census records from 1840, 1850, and 1860, which can help confirm family relationships when only indirect evidence exists in the vital records.
Cities in St. Joseph County
Three Rivers is the largest city in St. Joseph County. Other communities include Sturgis, Centreville, Colon, and Mendon. None of these cities currently meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page. All vital records for county residents are filed with the St. Joseph County Clerk in Centreville.
Nearby Counties
Families often moved across county lines. If you do not find what you need in St. Joseph County, check the records in neighboring counties.