Clinton Township Death Records

Death records for Clinton Township are held by the Macomb County Clerk in Mount Clemens, not the township itself. The county clerk maintains certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred within Clinton Township going back to 1867. If you need to search for a death record tied to Clinton Township, this page covers how to do it, what it costs, and how to submit a request in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online.

Which County Handles Clinton Township Death Records

Clinton Township is part of Macomb County. All death records for deaths that occurred in the township are maintained by the Macomb County Clerk, located on the second floor of One South Main Street in Mount Clemens. The township clerk's office on Romeo Plank Road handles local government matters, not death certificates. If someone sends you to the township clerk for a death record, they are sending you to the wrong place.

The Macomb County Clerk has kept death records for the county since 1867. That is a long record set. For most deaths in Clinton Township over the past century and a half, the county has what you need.

The Clinton Township Clerk's office is at 40700 Romeo Plank Road, Clinton Township, MI 48038, phone (586) 286-9422. That office handles township administration, elections, and permits. Death certificates are not among its functions. Reach out to the Macomb County Clerk for all death record requests.

How to Get Clinton Township Death Records

The Macomb County Clerk takes requests for Clinton Township death records three ways: in person, by mail, and online through VitalChek. All three give you the same certified copy. In-person is fastest. Mail takes longer, and online orders through VitalChek add a convenience fee but are easy to do from home.

Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Anyone can request one. You don't need to be related to the deceased. No explanation is required. This applies throughout Michigan, including Clinton Township records held by Macomb County.

To visit in person, go to the second floor of the One South Main Street building in Mount Clemens. Bring a photo ID and your payment. The office is open weekdays until 4:30 PM. Most in-person requests are handled the same day.

For a mail request, write a letter with the deceased person's full legal name, the date or year of death, and the area in Clinton Township where the death happened. Add a copy of your photo ID, payment by check or money order payable to Macomb County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not send cash through the mail.

Online ordering is through VitalChek for Macomb County. A convenience fee is charged on top of the standard county fee. Credit cards are accepted. Good option if you are out of the area or prefer to avoid mail delays.

Death Certificate Fees in Clinton Township

Macomb County charges $15 for the first certified copy of a death record. Every additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $5 each. Two copies run $20. Four copies run $30.

In-person payment can be cash, check, or money order. Mail requests require a check or money order made out to Macomb County Clerk. Online orders through VitalChek accept credit cards and include a platform fee separate from the county's fee.

Think ahead about how many copies you will need. An estate typically requires copies for the bank, the life insurance company, Social Security, the probate court, and sometimes more. Ordering them all at once gets you each extra copy at $5 instead of starting a new $15 request later. That adds up fast if you need five or six copies.

What to Include in Your Request

Giving the county clerk complete information makes the search faster. Missing data can lead to delays or a returned request. Be specific.

Your request should include:

• Full legal name of the deceased
• Date of death or approximate year
• Location in Clinton Township where the death occurred
• Your name and mailing address
• Payment for the correct fee
• A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID
• A self-addressed stamped envelope if you are mailing the request

Older records from the 1800s may have gaps. Information was not always recorded consistently in early filings. Under MCL 333.2895, the original death records are not available for direct public inspection. The county provides only certified copies, which carry the county seal and are valid for all legal and financial purposes.

Online Resources for Clinton Township Death Records

Michigan's free GENDIS genealogical death index covers more than 460,000 records statewide from 1867 to 1897. Search it to check whether a historical record for a Clinton Township death exists before you submit a formal request. It confirms the record is there but does not give you the certificate itself.

The Macomb County Clerk page at macombgov.org/clerk has up-to-date information on requesting vital records, current office hours, and phone contact details. Check it before visiting to confirm nothing has changed.

The VitalChek link above connects to the Macomb County online ordering page. Use it to place a credit card order for a Clinton Township death certificate from home. The convenience fee is shown at checkout before you confirm.

For records from 1897 through 1952, Michiganology offers free digitized Michigan death certificates managed by the Archives of Michigan. That database covers Clinton Township deaths in that time period and is a solid genealogy starting point.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records page covers how death records work at the state level and links to ordering resources for all Michigan counties, including Macomb.

Michigan Death Record Laws

Clinton Township death records are governed by Michigan's Public Health Code. Three statutes are most relevant to how records are accessed and issued.

MCL 333.2882 makes Michigan death records public. Anyone may request a certified copy. No family connection or stated purpose is required. This rule applies to Clinton Township records held by Macomb County, just as it applies statewide.

MCL 333.2888(1) takes vital records out of the FOIA process. A Freedom of Information Act request will not get you a death certificate. The correct path is a direct request to the Macomb County Clerk under the Public Health Code's vital records process.

MCL 333.2895 prevents direct public inspection of the original records. The county provides only certified copies. Each certified copy has the official county seal and is the accepted legal proof of death for insurance, estate, banking, and Social Security purposes.

Nearby Cities

Deaths that occurred in a different city are recorded by that city's county clerk. Use the links below to find the right page for nearby locations.