Menominee County Death Records

Menominee County death records are held by the County Clerk in Menominee in Michigan's Upper Peninsula along the Wisconsin border. The office maintains certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred in the county going back to 1867. Under Michigan law, these records are public and can be requested by any person. This page explains how to get Menominee County death records, what fees apply, and what resources are available.

Menominee County Clerk Office

The Menominee County Clerk is located at 839 10th Street in Menominee. The office manages vital records for the county, including certified death certificates for all deaths recorded in Menominee County. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted during regular weekday hours. The clerk can be reached by phone or fax on weekdays.

The office is open weekdays until 4:00 PM. If you visit in person, plan to arrive before 3:30 PM. For those who live outside Menominee, mail requests result in the same certified document. Deaths that occurred on the Wisconsin side of the border are handled by Wisconsin county clerks, not Menominee County.

How to Get Menominee County Death Records

Menominee County death certificates are available in person or by mail. Visiting the 10th Street office is the fastest option, with most in-person requests handled the same day. Mail requests take additional days. VitalChek also provides online ordering for those who prefer a remote method.

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 Menominee County the same as in 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 city or township in Menominee County where the death occurred. Include a check or money order payable to Menominee County Clerk, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

Death Certificate Fees in Menominee County

Menominee 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 Menominee County Clerk.

Order all copies you need in a single request. Each added copy costs only $5, compared to paying the full $15 first-copy fee again on a new request. If you expect to need the record for insurance, estate work, or financial accounts, ordering everything at once saves time and money.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Menominee County Clerk needs accurate and complete identifying information to find the right record. Incomplete or incorrect details may delay processing or result in a returned request.

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 1800s may have limited information. 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 Menominee 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 confirm a record exists before placing a formal request with the Menominee County Clerk.

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

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

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

Michigan Death Record Laws

Menominee County death records are governed by Michigan's Public Health Code. Three statutes define access and how records 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 rule applies in Menominee County the same as in all Michigan counties.

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

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

Cities in Menominee County

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

Nearby Counties

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