Search Macomb Township Death Records

Death records for Macomb Township are kept by the Macomb County Clerk in Mount Clemens, not by the township itself. Certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in Macomb Township are available through the county clerk's office going back to 1867. This page explains how to find and request those records, what the fees are, and how to submit a request in person, by mail, or online through VitalChek.

Which County Handles Macomb Township Death Records

Macomb Township is located in Macomb County. All death records for the township are managed by the Macomb County Clerk, whose office is on the second floor of One South Main Street in Mount Clemens. That is the county seat and the place to go for a certified death certificate. The Macomb Township Clerk on Broughton Road handles local township business and does not issue death records. Go to the county, not the township, for any death certificate request.

Macomb County has kept death records since 1867. If a death occurred in Macomb Township at any point from that year forward, the county clerk is the right place to look. The records span well over a century and cover a wide range of historical deaths in the area.

The Macomb Township Clerk is located at 54111 Broughton Road, Macomb, MI 48042, phone (586) 286-8222. That office manages township elections, zoning paperwork, and local permits. It is not set up to issue death certificates. All death record requests go to the county clerk in Mount Clemens.

How to Get Macomb Township Death Records

The Macomb County Clerk accepts requests for Macomb Township death records in three ways. You can go in person, send a mail request, or order online through VitalChek. The certified copy you receive is the same regardless of which method you use. In-person requests are typically processed the same day. Mail takes longer. VitalChek adds a convenience fee but works from anywhere.

Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Any person can request a copy. No family relationship is required, and you don't need to give a reason. This open-access rule applies in Macomb Township just as it does across the rest of Michigan.

For in-person visits, go to the second floor at One South Main Street in Mount Clemens. Bring your government-issued photo ID and your payment. The office is open weekdays from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Arrive with time to spare before closing.

To submit a mail request, write a letter that includes the full legal name of the deceased, the date or approximate year of death, and the location in Macomb Township where the death occurred. Include a photocopy of your photo ID, your return mailing address, and payment by check or money order made payable to Macomb County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Do not mail cash.

The VitalChek link for Macomb County accepts online orders with a credit card. A convenience fee is added to the county's standard rate. This is a practical option if you live outside the area or prefer not to deal with a paper request.

Death Certificate Fees in Macomb Township

The Macomb County Clerk charges $15 for the first certified copy. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $5. Two copies are $20. Three copies are $25. The additional-copy fee drops off steeply after the first one, so it pays to order everything you need in a single request.

Payment for in-person requests can be cash, check, or money order. For mail, include a check or money order made payable to Macomb County Clerk. Do not mail cash. VitalChek orders are paid by credit card, and the platform adds its own convenience fee on top of the county's rates.

When a person passes away, there are often multiple institutions that need a certified copy. Life insurance, Social Security, bank accounts, investment accounts, and the probate court each need their own. Order all the copies at once during a single request to get the best rate. Coming back later means starting fresh at $15 per record again.

What to Include in Your Request

The county clerk needs enough detail to find the right record quickly. Vague or incomplete requests get returned or delayed. Provide accurate information and be as specific as you can with names and dates.

Your request should include:

• Full legal name of the deceased
• Date of death or approximate year
• Address or area in Macomb Township where the death occurred
• Your full name and return address
• Payment for the correct fee amount
• A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID
• A self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests

Records from the 1800s may be incomplete. Data collected in early years was not always recorded consistently, and some entries have limited detail. Under MCL 333.2895, original death records are not available for public inspection. Macomb County issues only certified copies. These copies carry the county's official seal and are accepted for insurance, estate, banking, and Social Security claims.

Online Resources for Macomb Township Death Records

Michigan's free GENDIS genealogical death index covers more than 460,000 statewide records from 1867 to 1897. You can search it by name to verify whether a historical Macomb Township death record exists before submitting a formal request. The index does not produce a certificate, but it tells you the record is likely on file at the county.

The Macomb County Clerk page at macombgov.org/clerk has current details about vital records services, office hours, and how to reach the clerk by phone. Confirm hours before you make the trip or drop a letter in the mail.

The VitalChek page shown above handles online orders for Macomb County death records. Place your order, pay by credit card, and the certified copy is mailed to you. The convenience fee is listed at checkout before you confirm the order.

For deaths from 1897 through 1952, Michiganology offers free digitized death certificates from the Archives of Michigan. It covers Michigan statewide, including Macomb Township deaths from that period, and is a useful tool for genealogy work.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records page explains the state's system for vital records and provides links to county-level ordering resources, including options for Macomb County.

Michigan Death Record Laws

Macomb Township death records fall under Michigan's Public Health Code. Three statutes are most important for understanding how access and issuance work.

MCL 333.2882 makes Michigan death records public. Any person may request a certified copy. You don't need to show a family connection or give a reason. This open-access rule applies in Macomb Township and across all 83 Michigan counties.

MCL 333.2888(1) exempts vital records from the Freedom of Information Act. Submitting a FOIA request is not how you get a death certificate. Use the vital records request process at the Macomb County Clerk's office under the Public Health Code instead.

MCL 333.2895 bars direct public inspection of the original death records. The Macomb County Clerk issues certified copies only. Each certified copy has the county seal and is the legally recognized form of proof for insurance, estate, banking, and government benefit purposes.

Nearby Cities

Deaths that occurred in nearby cities are recorded by those cities' county clerks. Use the links below to find the right page.