Ann Arbor Death Records
Death records for Ann Arbor are held by the Washtenaw County Clerk, not the city. The clerk's office at 200 N. Main Street in Ann Arbor issues certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred within Washtenaw County, including within city limits. Records go back to 1867. This page explains how to request Ann Arbor death records, what the fees are, and what free online tools are available to help you search before you submit a formal request.
Ann Arbor Death Records Overview
Washtenaw County Clerk Office
The Washtenaw County Clerk handles all death record requests for Ann Arbor and the rest of Washtenaw County. The office is located at 200 N. Main Street in Ann Arbor, which makes it convenient for city residents to request records in person. The clerk issues certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in the county going back to 1867. Certified copies carry the official county seal and are accepted for insurance, estate, Social Security, and probate purposes.
| Address | 200 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (734) 222-6700 |
| Fax | (734) 222-6705 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM |
| Website | Washtenaw County Clerk vital records page |
The office closes at 4:00 PM on weekdays. Plan to arrive by 3:30 PM at the latest if you need to complete an in-person request the same day. The Ann Arbor City Clerk at 301 E. Huron Street handles other city functions but does not issue death certificates. Go to the county clerk at 200 N. Main for all death record requests.
How to Request Ann Arbor Death Records
Washtenaw County death certificates can be ordered in person or by mail. In-person visits to the Ann Arbor office are the fastest option. Most requests made in person are filled the same day. Mail requests take additional time depending on processing volume and how quickly you get the paperwork to the office.
Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Any person can request a certified copy without proving a family relationship or stating a legal reason. This applies in Washtenaw County just as it does in all 83 Michigan counties.
Mail requests should include a signed letter with the full legal name of the deceased, the date or approximate year of death, and the Ann Arbor address or location where the death occurred if known. Include a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID, payment for the fee, and a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return the certificate to you. Send everything to 200 N. Main Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104.
VitalChek also provides online ordering for Washtenaw County death records. A convenience fee is added on top of the county's standard rate when ordering through VitalChek. Check the VitalChek page for Washtenaw County for current availability and processing times.
Fees for Ann Arbor Death Certificates
The Washtenaw County Clerk charges $15 for the first certified death certificate. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $5. Payment is accepted in cash, by check, or by money order. Make checks payable to the Washtenaw County Clerk.
If you need copies for multiple purposes, order them all at once. Getting three copies in a single visit costs $25 total ($15 plus two at $5 each). Ordering them separately would cost $30. Common uses that need multiple copies include life insurance claims, estate probate, Social Security survivor benefits, pension termination, and joint bank account updates. A safe estimate is to order four copies for a typical estate.
The fee structure in Washtenaw County is in line with most Michigan counties. Some counties charge more. There is no rush or expedited fee option in Washtenaw County. In-person service is simply the fastest way to get your copies quickly.
What to Include in Your Request
Providing accurate information speeds up the process. The clerk uses the details you give to locate the right death record in the county's vital records database. Missing or incorrect details can slow things down or cause your request to be returned without a record.
Include the following with every request:
- Full legal name of the deceased (including middle name if known)
- Date of death, or the year if the exact date is not known
- City, township, or location in Washtenaw County where the death occurred
- Your full name and mailing address
- Payment in the correct amount
- A photocopy of a valid government-issued photo ID
- A self-addressed stamped envelope (for mail requests)
Per MCL 333.2895, original death records are not open for public inspection. The Washtenaw County Clerk issues only certified copies, which carry the official seal and are the legally recognized form of the record. Certified copies are what banks, courts, insurers, and government agencies require.
Online Tools and Resources
Before requesting a certified copy, free online tools can help you confirm that a record exists. Michigan's GENDIS genealogical death index covers more than 460,000 statewide death records from 1867 to 1897. The index shows basic information like name and year of death. It does not give you the full certificate, but it confirms the record is in the system before you mail a fee to the clerk.
The Washtenaw County Clerk's vital records section is shown below. The county's main website at washtenaw.org provides contact information, office hours, and current fee schedules for the clerk's office.
For death records from 1897 through 1952, Michiganology hosts free digitized death certificates managed by the Archives of Michigan. Many Washtenaw County records from that period are available online without any fee.
The Michigan MDHHS vital records page explains state-level ordering options and links to VitalChek for counties across Michigan, including Washtenaw.
Michigan Death Record Laws
Ann Arbor death records fall under Michigan's Public Health Code. Three statutes govern how these records are accessed and issued in Washtenaw County.
MCL 333.2882 makes death records public in Michigan. No family relationship or legal reason is needed to request a certified copy. Any person may file a request with the Washtenaw County Clerk and receive a certified copy upon payment of the fee.
MCL 333.2888(1) exempts vital records from the Freedom of Information Act. A FOIA request will not get you a death certificate. The correct process is to submit a vital records request directly to the county clerk under the Public Health Code.
MCL 333.2895 bars public inspection of original death records. The county will not show you the original document. What you get is a certified copy with the official seal, which is the legally valid form of the record accepted by courts, banks, and government offices.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
If the death occurred in another city, contact the clerk in the county where the death took place. The links below go to pages for nearby Michigan cities that meet the population threshold for this site.