Montcalm County Death Records

Montcalm County death records are held by the County Clerk in Stanton and date back to 1867. The clerk's office issues certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred within the county. Montcalm County updated its fee schedule in October 2025, so the current first-copy fee is $20. This page explains how to get Montcalm County death records, what the current fees are, and what resources are available.

Montcalm County Clerk Office

The Montcalm County Clerk is located at 639 N. State Street in Stanton. The office maintains vital records for the county and issues certified death certificates. A downloadable birth/death request form is available on the county website. The clerk can be reached by phone, fax, or email during regular weekday hours.

The office is open weekdays until 4:00 PM. The county provides a request form on its website at montcalmcountymi.gov that you can download and complete before submitting your request. The clerk also accepts email inquiries at Vitals@Montcalm.us.

How to Get Montcalm County Death Records

Montcalm County death certificates are available in person or by mail. In-person visits to the Stanton office are the fastest option. Mail requests take additional days for transit and processing. VitalChek provides online ordering for those who prefer a remote method. The county's request form is available at montcalmcountymi.gov and can be submitted by mail or in person.

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 Montcalm County the same as across all 83 Michigan counties.

For mail requests, use the county's death record request form or write a letter with the full legal name of the deceased, the date or year of death, and the city or township in Montcalm County where the death occurred. Include a check or money order payable to Montcalm County Clerk, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

Death Certificate Fees in Montcalm County

Montcalm County charges $20 for the first certified death certificate as of October 1, 2025. 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 Montcalm County Clerk.

These rates are higher than most Michigan counties. If you need multiple copies, ordering them all at once saves money compared to making separate requests. Each additional copy at $10 is still less than paying the $20 first-copy fee again. Order all copies you need in a single submission if you expect to use the record for insurance, estate work, or financial accounts.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Montcalm County Clerk needs accurate identifying information to locate the right death record. The county's request form on its website is the clearest way to provide all required details. Provide the full 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)
• 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 official purpose.

Online Resources for Montcalm 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 Montcalm 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 Montcalm 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

Montcalm 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 policy applies uniformly across all Michigan counties.

MCL 333.2888(1) exempts vital records from FOIA. A Freedom of Information Act request is not how you 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 seal and are legally valid wherever proof of death is required.

Cities in Montcalm County

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