Cass County Death Records

Cass County death records date back to 1867 and are held by the County Clerk in Cassopolis. The clerk's office issues certified copies of death certificates for all deaths that occurred within the county. Records are open to the public under Michigan law, and anyone can request a copy. This page covers how to request a certificate, what fees apply, and how online resources can help with your search.

Cass County Clerk Office

The Cass County Clerk is located at 120 N. Broadway in Cassopolis. The office holds all vital records for the county and handles requests for certified death certificates. A mailing address (P.O. Box 355) is available for those who prefer to send requests by mail. The office is open on weekdays during standard hours.

When sending mail requests, use the P.O. Box rather than the physical address. For walk-in service, visit Suite 123 at 120 N. Broadway. Staff can process in-person requests during business hours and handle mail orders that arrive with the proper documentation.

How to Get Cass County Death Records

Cass County death certificates can be requested in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. Visiting the clerk's office in Cassopolis is the quickest method since most in-person requests are handled on the same day. Mail requests are also accepted and processed within a few business days after receipt. VitalChek provides online ordering with a credit card for those who cannot visit or mail a request.

Michigan's MCL 333.2882 establishes that death records are public. Any person can request a certified copy. There is no need to be related to the deceased or to explain why you want the record. This rule applies to all 83 Michigan counties, including Cass.

For mail requests, put together a written request with the decedent's full legal name, the date of death, and the location of death within Cass County. Enclose a check or money order payable to Cass County Clerk, a copy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Send to the P.O. Box listed above.

Death Certificate Fees in Cass County

Cass County charges $15 for the first certified death certificate. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $5. The clerk accepts cash, check, or money order. Make checks payable to Cass County Clerk.

Ordering extra copies in one request saves money. If you need the death certificate for probate, insurance, Social Security, or other purposes that each require their own certified copy, order all the copies at once. Coming back later for additional copies means paying the full $15 first-copy fee again.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Cass County Clerk needs specific information to locate the correct death record. Providing complete and accurate details helps avoid delays. If the record cannot be found based on the information you give, the request may be returned or the clerk may contact you for additional details.

Here is what to include in your request:

• Full legal name of the deceased
• Date of death (or approximate year)
• City or township where the death occurred
• Your name and mailing address
• Payment for the applicable fee
• A photocopy of your government-issued ID

For older records from the 1800s, the amount of detail may be limited. Per MCL 333.2895, original death record documents on file are not open to public inspection. The county issues only certified copies, which carry the official seal and are legally valid for all purposes.

Online Resources for Cass County Death Records

Michigan's free GENDIS genealogical death index covers more than 460,000 death records from 1867 to 1897. It is searchable by name and year of death. The index shows basic information and helps confirm that a record exists. Use it to gather details before submitting a formal request to the Cass County Clerk.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal is shown below. The portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs explains state-level ordering procedures and links to options for getting certified copies from county and state offices.

This portal connects to VitalChek for Cass County, which provides online ordering with a credit card. VitalChek charges a service fee on top of the county's standard copy fee.

For records more than 75 years old, Michiganology offers free access to digitized Michigan death certificates from 1897 through 1952, maintained in partnership with the Archives of Michigan.

Michigan Death Record Laws

Michigan's Public Health Code provides the legal framework for death records in Cass County and statewide. Three statutes are particularly relevant.

MCL 333.2882 makes death records public. Any person may request a certified copy without showing a family relationship or legal purpose. This open-access approach means that genealogists, attorneys, researchers, and family members all have equal access to death records through the same request process.

MCL 333.2888(1) removes vital records from the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. A FOIA request will not get you a death certificate. You must use the standard vital records request process through the county clerk or state vital records office instead.

MCL 333.2895 bars public inspection of original records. The county keeps original death record documents secure and issues only certified copies. These copies carry the official seal and are the legally accepted form of proof for any situation that requires documentation of a death.

Cities in Cass County

Cass County's county seat is Cassopolis. No cities in Cass County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. All death record requests are handled by the Cass County Clerk regardless of where in the county the death occurred.

Nearby Counties

If the death occurred in an adjacent county, contact that county's clerk office. Each county in Michigan keeps its own records independently.