Mackinac County Death Records

Mackinac County death records are held by the County Clerk in St. Ignace, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula near the Mackinac Bridge. The office maintains death certificates for all deaths that occurred in the county going back to 1867. Mackinac County charges $20 for the first certified copy, which is slightly above the standard Michigan county rate. This page covers the request process, fees, and resources for Mackinac County death records.

Mackinac County Clerk Office

The Mackinac County Clerk is located at 100 S. Marley, Room 10 in St. Ignace. The office manages vital records for the county and issues certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in Mackinac County. Records are issued from the first floor of the courthouse. In-person and mail requests are both accepted during regular weekday hours.

The office opens at 8:30 AM and closes at 4:30 PM on weekdays. Note that this schedule differs slightly from most county clerks in Michigan. Plan to arrive before 4:00 PM if visiting in person to allow enough time for your request. Mail requests result in the same certified document for those who cannot make the trip to St. Ignace.

How to Get Mackinac County Death Records

Mackinac County death certificates are available in person at the St. Ignace courthouse or by mail. In-person requests are handled the same day in most cases. Mail requests take additional days for transit and processing. VitalChek also provides an online ordering option for remote access.

Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Any person can request a certified copy. No family relationship or legal reason is required. This open-access rule applies in Mackinac County the same as across all 83 Michigan counties.

For mail requests, write a letter with the full legal name of the deceased, the date or year of death, and the location in Mackinac County where the death occurred. Include a check or money order payable to Mackinac County Clerk, a photocopy of your government-issued photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

Death Certificate Fees in Mackinac County

Mackinac County charges $20 for the first certified death certificate. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $10 each. Payment is accepted in cash, by check, or by money order. Make checks payable to Mackinac County Clerk.

The $20 first-copy fee is higher than the $15 charged by most Michigan counties. If you need multiple copies, ordering them all at once saves money. Each additional copy at $10 is less than paying the $20 first-copy fee again on a separate request. Order all copies you need at once if you expect to use the record for insurance, estate work, or financial accounts.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Mackinac County Clerk needs accurate information to locate the correct death record. Providing complete and precise details reduces the chance of delays or returned requests. Give the exact legal name and the most specific date of death you have.

Here is what to include in your request:

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

Older records from the 1800s may have limited information. Per MCL 333.2895, original death records are not available for public inspection. The county issues only certified copies, which carry the official seal and are legally valid for any purpose requiring proof of death.

Online Resources for Mackinac County Death Records

Michigan's free GENDIS genealogical death index covers over 460,000 death records statewide from 1867 to 1897. Search by name and year to confirm a record exists before placing a formal request with the Mackinac County Clerk. Mackinac County's records include deaths from both the mainland and Mackinac Island.

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

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

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

Michigan Death Record Laws

Mackinac County death records are governed by Michigan's Public Health Code. Three key statutes define access and how records are 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 policy is consistent across all 83 Michigan counties.

MCL 333.2888(1) exempts vital records from the Freedom of Information Act. A FOIA request is not the way to obtain a death certificate. Use the county clerk's vital records request process under the Public Health Code instead.

MCL 333.2895 bars public inspection of original death records. Only certified copies are issued. These carry the official county seal and are legally valid wherever proof of death is required.

Cities in Mackinac County

Mackinac County's county seat is St. Ignace. No cities in Mackinac County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. Mackinac County includes Mackinac Island, and deaths that occurred there are also recorded by the county clerk in St. Ignace.

Nearby Counties

Deaths in neighboring counties are recorded by each county's clerk. Contact the right office based on where the death occurred.