Midland County Death Records

Midland County death records are maintained by the County Clerk in Midland and date back to 1867. The clerk's office issues certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred within the county. Under Michigan law, these records are public and can be requested by any person. This page explains how to get Midland County death records, what fees apply, and what resources are available.

Midland County Clerk Office

The Midland County Clerk is located at 220 W. Ellsworth Street in Midland. The office manages vital records for the county, including certified death certificates for deaths that occurred in Midland County. Walk-in service and mail requests are both accepted. The clerk can be reached by phone or fax on weekdays during regular office hours.

The office is open weekdays until 4:00 PM. Plan to arrive before 3:30 PM if visiting in person to give staff enough time to process your request. Mail requests are also accepted and result in the same certified document.

How to Get Midland County Death Records

Midland County death certificates are available in person at the Ellsworth Street office or by mail. In-person visits are the fastest method, with most requests handled the same day. Mail requests take additional business days for transit and processing. VitalChek provides online ordering for those who prefer a remote option.

Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Any person can request a certified copy. No family relationship or legal standing is required. This open-access rule applies in Midland 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 city or township in Midland County where the death occurred. Enclose a check or money order payable to Midland County Clerk, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

Death Certificate Fees in Midland County

Midland 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 Midland County Clerk.

If you need more than one copy, order all of them at once. Each extra copy costs only $5 within a single request, compared to paying $15 again for a new first-copy request. Order everything you need at once if you expect to use the record for insurance, estate proceedings, or bank accounts.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Midland County Clerk needs accurate information to locate the correct death record. Incomplete details may delay your request or result in it being returned for more information.

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

Online Resources for Midland 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 a record exists before submitting a formal request to the Midland County Clerk.

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

The portal also connects to VitalChek for Midland 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

Midland 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. Any person may request a certified copy. No proof of family relationship or legal reason is required. This open-access rule applies uniformly across all 83 Michigan counties.

MCL 333.2888(1) exempts vital records from FOIA. A Freedom of Information Act request is not the right method for obtaining 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 Midland County

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

Nearby Counties

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