Kalamazoo County Death Records

Kalamazoo County death records are maintained by the County Clerk in Kalamazoo and go back to 1867. The clerk's office handles certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred within the county. Kalamazoo County has its own fee schedule with rates slightly higher than most Michigan counties. This page explains the process, fees, and resources for Kalamazoo County death records.

Kalamazoo County Clerk Office

The Kalamazoo County Clerk is located at 201 W. Kalamazoo Avenue in Kalamazoo. The office manages vital records for the county, including certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in Kalamazoo County. Walk-in service is available during regular weekday hours, and mail requests are accepted. The clerk also accepts online ordering through VitalChek.

The office is open weekdays until 4:00 PM. If you plan to visit, try to arrive before 3:30 PM to give staff enough time to process your request. For those who cannot visit in person, mail requests and online ordering through VitalChek are both available options.

How to Get Kalamazoo County Death Records

Kalamazoo County death certificates are available in person, by mail, and through VitalChek online. Visiting the office on Kalamazoo Avenue is the fastest option, with most in-person requests handled the same day. Mail requests take additional days for transit and processing. Online orders through VitalChek require a convenience fee on top of the county's standard rate.

Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Any person can request a certified copy. You do not need to prove a family connection or provide a reason. This open-access rule applies in Kalamazoo County the same as in all other Michigan counties.

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 Kalamazoo County where the death occurred. Include a check or money order payable to Kalamazoo County Clerk, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.

Death Certificate Fees in Kalamazoo County

Kalamazoo County charges $20 for the first certified death certificate. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $7 each. These rates are higher than most Michigan counties. Payment is accepted in cash, by check, or by money order. Make checks payable to Kalamazoo County Clerk.

The county's fee schedule is available online at kalcounty.gov for reference. If you need several copies, ordering them all in one request keeps costs down. Each additional copy at $7 is still less than paying the full $20 first-copy fee again on a separate request. Order all copies you need at once rather than making multiple requests.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Kalamazoo County Clerk needs accurate information to find the correct death record. Providing complete identifying details reduces delays and avoids returned requests. Give the full legal name and the most specific date you have.

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, information may be limited. Per MCL 333.2895, original death records are not open for public inspection. Only certified copies are issued, and they carry the official seal and are legally valid for any purpose requiring proof of death.

Online Resources for Kalamazoo County Death Records

Michigan's free GENDIS genealogical death index covers over 460,000 records statewide from 1867 to 1897. Search by name and year to verify that a record exists before contacting the Kalamazoo County Clerk. This is a useful tool for genealogical research on Kalamazoo County families.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal is shown below. The portal at michigan.gov/mdhhs provides state-level guidance and links to ordering options.

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

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

Michigan Death Record Laws

Kalamazoo County death records are governed by Michigan's Public Health Code. Three key statutes define who can access records and how they are issued.

MCL 333.2882 makes death records public. Any person may request a certified copy. No proof of family relationship or legal reason is required. This open-access policy is consistent across all 83 Michigan counties.

MCL 333.2888(1) exempts vital records from FOIA. You cannot get a death certificate through a Freedom of Information Act request. Use the vital records request process through the county clerk instead.

MCL 333.2895 bars public inspection of original death records. Only certified copies are issued, and they are legally valid for any official purpose requiring proof of death.

Cities in Kalamazoo County

Kalamazoo is the county seat and the largest city in Kalamazoo County. Death records for deaths that occurred in the city of Kalamazoo are held by the Kalamazoo County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

Deaths that occurred in a neighboring county are held by that county's clerk. Contact the correct office based on where the death took place.