Iosco County Death Records

Iosco County death records are kept by the County Clerk in Tawas City and cover all deaths that occurred in the county going back to 1867. The clerk issues certified copies of death certificates to anyone who requests one, with no proof of family connection required under Michigan law. This page explains how to request Iosco County death records, what fees to expect, and what online tools are available to help with your search.

Iosco County Clerk Office

The Iosco County Clerk is located at 422 W. Lake Street in Tawas City. The office maintains vital records for the county, including certified death certificates for all deaths that took place within Iosco County. Requests can be made in person during regular office hours or by mail for those who cannot visit in person.

The office is open weekdays until 4:00 PM. If you plan to come in person, try to arrive no later than 3:30 PM so staff have time to process your request. Mail requests work well for people outside the area and result in the same certified document.

How to Get Iosco County Death Records

Iosco County death certificates are available in person or by mail. In-person visits to the Tawas City office are the fastest way to get a certified copy, and most requests are handled the same day. Mail requests take a few extra days for transit and processing. VitalChek also offers online ordering for those who prefer that option.

Michigan's MCL 333.2882 makes death records public. Any person can request a certified copy. No family relationship or legal standing is required. This open-access rule is uniform across all 83 Michigan counties, including Iosco County.

For mail requests, write a letter that includes the full legal name of the deceased, the date or year of death, and the city or township in Iosco County where the death occurred. Include a check or money order payable to Iosco County Clerk, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery of the certificate.

Death Certificate Fees in Iosco County

Iosco County charges $15 for the first certified death certificate. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $5 each. Payment is accepted in cash, by check, or by money order. Make checks payable to Iosco County Clerk.

If you need more than one copy, order all of them in a single request. Each added copy costs only $5, compared to paying the $15 first-copy fee again on a separate request. People often need multiple certified copies for insurance claims, estate proceedings, Social Security, and bank accounts. Ordering together saves money and avoids delays.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

To find the right record, the Iosco County Clerk needs specific identifying information about the deceased. Accurate details help the office process your request without delays or follow-up questions. Give the exact legal name and death date whenever possible.

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

Older records from the late 1800s may have limited information compared to modern certificates. Per MCL 333.2895, original death records are not open for public inspection. The county issues only certified copies, which carry the official seal and are the accepted legal form for any official purpose requiring proof of death.

Online Resources for Iosco County Death Records

Michigan's free GENDIS genealogical death index covers over 460,000 records from 1867 to 1897. You can search by name and year of death to confirm a record exists before submitting a formal request to the Iosco County Clerk. This is especially useful for older records where details may be harder to verify.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal is shown below. The portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs provides guidance on state-level death record ordering and connects to certified copy options across the state.

The portal also connects to VitalChek for Iosco County, which accepts online orders by credit card. A convenience fee applies on top of the county's standard copy rate.

For historical records from 1897 through 1952, Michiganology provides free access to digitized Michigan death certificates managed by the Archives of Michigan and the Library of Michigan.

Michigan Death Record Laws

Iosco County death records are governed by Michigan's Public Health Code. Three key statutes define how records are accessed and issued.

MCL 333.2882 makes death records public in Michigan. Any person may request a certified copy. No proof of family relationship or legal reason is required. This open-access rule applies in Iosco County just as it does across all 83 Michigan counties.

MCL 333.2888(1) keeps vital records outside the scope of the Freedom of Information Act. You cannot obtain a death certificate through a FOIA request. The proper route is the vital records request process through the county clerk under the Public Health Code.

MCL 333.2895 bars public inspection of original records. The county issues only certified copies, which carry the official seal and are legally accepted wherever proof of death is required.

Cities in Iosco County

Iosco County's county seat is Tawas City. No cities in Iosco County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. For death records from anywhere in the county, contact the Iosco County Clerk directly.

Nearby Counties

If the death occurred outside Iosco County, contact the clerk in the county where the death took place. Each Michigan county maintains its own death records separately.