Search Clinton County Death Records

Clinton County death records are held by the County Clerk in St. Johns, with records available since 1867. This page explains how to request a certified copy of a death certificate from the Clinton County Clerk, what the fees are, and which online tools you can use to research records before submitting a formal request.

Clinton County Clerk Office

The Clinton County Clerk in St. Johns handles vital records for the county, including all death certificates filed since 1867. You can visit the office in person during regular business hours, send a mail request, or call ahead with questions. The office is located in the county seat on East State Street.

Business hours run 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on weekdays. Arriving well before 4:00 PM gives you time to complete your request without being rushed. The clerk's staff handle both in-person visits and mail requests for death certificates and other vital records.

The VitalChek ordering portal for Clinton County is shown below, where you can order certified copies online with a credit card.

VitalChek connects directly to the county clerk for processing and adds a service fee above the standard copy cost. It is a good option for those who prefer online ordering and credit card payment.

How to Request Clinton County Death Records

You have three main options for getting a certified death certificate from Clinton County: visit the clerk's office in person, send a mail request, or order through VitalChek online. In-person requests are usually fastest, as they can often be handled on the same day during office hours.

Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Anyone can request a certified copy without proving family ties or providing a reason. This open-access rule applies in Clinton County the same as everywhere else in the state. Researchers, legal professionals, and family members all follow the same process.

Mail requests should include the deceased person's full legal name, date or approximate year of death, the city or township in Clinton County where the death occurred, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, and payment by check or money order. Make the check payable to Clinton County Clerk. Once the clerk receives all required items, processing typically takes a few business days before the certified copy is mailed back to you.

For online ordering, VitalChek handles Clinton County death certificate requests and accepts credit cards. A service fee beyond the state fee applies when using this platform.

Clinton County Death Certificate Fees

The fee is $15 for the first certified copy. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $5. These are the standard state rates applied across Clinton County.

In-person payments can be made with cash, check, or money order. Mail requests must use a check or money order made out to Clinton County Clerk. Cash in the mail is not accepted. If you order online through VitalChek, that platform charges its own fee on top of the copy cost. Direct requests to the county are the most cost-effective choice when the extra convenience fee doesn't justify the cost.

Details Needed for a Clinton County Death Record Request

The clerk needs identifying information to locate the correct record. Providing complete details on the first try avoids delays and follow-up correspondence.

Include the deceased person's full legal name, the date or approximate year of death, the location within Clinton County where the death took place, your full name and mailing address, a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID, and payment for the copies you need. If you are ordering more than one copy, note the quantity so the clerk can process them together.

Clinton County records go back to 1867. Some records from the late 1800s may be less detailed than modern death certificates. Ask the clerk what is available if you are researching deaths from that period. Under MCL 333.2895, only certified copies are issued to the public. The original filed document is kept by the county and is not open for public inspection or viewing.

State and Online Resources for Clinton Death Record Research

Several free tools can help you research Clinton County death records before making a formal request. Michigan's GENDIS genealogy death index is a statewide search tool that covers deaths registered in Michigan going back well over a century. Searching by name shows the date of death and a reference number. Clinton County deaths are included in the index. This is a good starting point to confirm a death was registered and to identify the year and county to contact.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records page provides statewide guidance on how certified death certificates work and connects you to ordering options. If you need to understand whether to contact the county clerk or the state office, this resource can help clarify.

Historical genealogy records from Clinton County are also available through Michiganology, which digitizes vital records held by the Library of Michigan. You can search these free of charge, making it a useful resource for deaths from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Michigan Law and Clinton County Death Records

State statutes govern how death records are managed and who can access them in Clinton County. Three provisions from Michigan's Public Health Code are most relevant.

MCL 333.2882 makes Michigan death records public documents. Any person can request a certified copy. There is no closed period after the date of death, and no family relationship is required to make a request. This broad access policy applies in Clinton County the same as anywhere in Michigan.

MCL 333.2888(1) excludes vital records from the Freedom of Information Act. A FOIA request will not produce a death certificate. You need to follow the vital records process through the county clerk instead. The Public Health Code governs these records and creates a separate, more specific framework for access than FOIA provides.

MCL 333.2895 specifies that only certified copies are issued to the public. Original death records are retained by the county and are not available for direct inspection. The certified copy, which includes an official raised seal, is accepted as legal proof of death for all official purposes.

Cities in Clinton County

Clinton County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. St. Johns is the county seat. All death record requests for deaths occurring anywhere in Clinton County are processed through the Clinton County Clerk's office in St. Johns.

Nearby Counties

If a death occurred in a county adjacent to Clinton, you will need to contact that county's clerk directly. Michigan death records are kept at the county level where the death was registered.