Search Flint Death Records
Flint death records are maintained by the Genesee County Clerk at 900 S. Saginaw Street in Flint. The clerk's office is the primary source for certified death certificates covering all deaths that occurred within Genesee County, including the City of Flint, going back to 1867. The Flint City Clerk has a limited vital records role and does not issue death certificates. This page covers how to search Flint death records, what the fees are, and what free tools are available for genealogical research.
Flint Death Records Overview
Genesee County Clerk Office
The Genesee County Clerk at 900 S. Saginaw Street is the official office for Flint death records. The clerk issues certified death certificates for deaths that occurred anywhere in Genesee County. The office is located in downtown Flint, which makes it easy to visit in person. Certified copies carry the official county seal and are accepted for estate, insurance, Social Security, probate, and bank purposes.
| Address | 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (810) 257-3225 |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | Genesee County Clerk vital records page |
The office is open until 5:00 PM, which gives working residents a bit more time than offices that close at 4:00 PM. The Flint City Clerk is located at 1101 S. Saginaw Street and handles city functions but does not issue death certificates. Contact the county clerk at 900 S. Saginaw for all death record requests.
How to Request Flint Death Records
Genesee County death certificates are available in person, by mail, and online through VitalChek. In-person requests at the Saginaw Street office are the quickest option and are often completed the same day. Mail and online orders take more time. VitalChek charges a convenience fee on top of the county's standard rate.
Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Anyone can request a certified copy without proving a family connection or explaining why they need the record. This rule applies to Genesee County just as it does across all 83 Michigan counties.
To request by mail, write a letter with the full legal name of the deceased, the date or approximate year of death, and the location in Genesee County where the death took place. Include a photocopy of your photo ID, payment in the correct amount, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail the package to 900 S. Saginaw Street, Flint, MI 48502.
Online orders through VitalChek for Genesee County accept credit card payments. This is an option if you cannot visit in person or prefer to handle the request remotely. The VitalChek convenience fee is added automatically during checkout.
Fees for Flint Death Certificates
Genesee County charges $15 for the first certified death certificate. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $5 each. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Make checks payable to the Genesee County Clerk.
The fee structure in Genesee County is typical for Michigan. Ordering multiple copies at once saves money. Three copies cost $25 total ($15 plus $5 plus $5). If you order them in separate trips or mail requests, you pay $15 each time. For a standard estate, four to five certified copies is a reasonable number to order. Think through all the places you will need to submit proof of death before you go so you can order everything at once.
There is no expedited option at the county level. In-person service is the fastest path when you need the record quickly. Plan to arrive before 4:30 PM to allow enough time for staff to process the request before the office closes.
What to Include in Your Request
The Genesee County Clerk staff use the details you provide to find the correct record in the vital records database. Accurate and complete information is important. If something is wrong or missing, the clerk may return the request or contact you for more details, which delays the process.
Every request should include:
- Full legal name of the deceased, including middle name if known
- Date of death or the year if the exact date is not known
- Location in Genesee County where the death occurred
- Your full name and mailing address
- Payment in the correct amount (cash, check, or money order)
- 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 in Michigan. The Genesee County Clerk issues certified copies only. These carry the official seal and are legally recognized wherever proof of death is required.
Free Online Resources for Flint Death Records
Before paying for a certified copy, check the free online tools first. Michigan's GENDIS genealogical death index covers more than 460,000 statewide death records from 1867 to 1897. Enter the name of the deceased and the approximate year to see if the record is indexed. GENDIS gives you basic data, not the full certificate, but it confirms whether a record exists before you submit a formal request and pay the fee.
The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal provides statewide guidance on how death certificates are issued and links to county ordering options. The MDHHS page at michigan.gov/mdhhs is a good starting point if you are not sure which county handled a particular death.
For death records between 1897 and 1952, Michiganology provides free access to digitized certificates managed by the Archives of Michigan. Genesee County records from that period are often available through this tool at no charge.
The GENDIS search system is shown below. Use it to check for Flint and Genesee County death records from the late 1800s before submitting a paid request to the county clerk.
Michigan Laws Governing Death Records
Flint death records are governed by Michigan's Public Health Code. The statutes below set the rules for access, issuance, and use of death records in Genesee County.
MCL 333.2882 makes Michigan death records public. Any person may request a certified copy from the Genesee County Clerk. No relationship to the deceased is required, and no stated reason is needed. Pay the fee and you get the record.
MCL 333.2888(1) exempts vital records from FOIA coverage. A Freedom of Information Act request will not get you a death certificate in Michigan. The proper process is a direct request to the county clerk under the Public Health Code.
MCL 333.2895 prohibits public inspection of original death records. The clerk issues certified copies, not the originals. Those certified copies carry the official county seal and are accepted as legal proof of death by courts, banks, agencies, and insurers.
Nearby Qualifying Cities
If the death occurred in another city, contact the county clerk where that death took place. The pages below cover death records for nearby Michigan cities that meet the population threshold for this site.