Oakland County Death Records

Oakland County death records are maintained by the County Clerk/Register of Deeds in Pontiac and date back to 1867. Oakland County offers same-day in-person service and a free genealogy search service, which sets it apart from many Michigan county clerks. The county accepts credit cards and processes online orders. This page covers how to get Oakland County death records, what fees apply, and what resources are available.

Oakland County Clerk Office

The main Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds office is at 1200 N. Telegraph Road in Pontiac. No appointment is needed for the Pontiac location. A Troy location is also available but operates by appointment only. The office provides same-day in-person service, extended hours in Pontiac until 4:30 PM, credit card acceptance, and a free genealogy search service for those looking to confirm a record before ordering.

The Pontiac office stays open until 4:30 PM, which is later than most Michigan county clerks. No appointment is needed there. The busiest time is 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, so arriving earlier in the morning or after 1:30 PM will reduce wait times. Records from before 1942 can only be requested in person or by mail, not online.

How to Get Oakland County Death Records

Oakland County death certificates are available in person, by mail, and online. In-person requests are processed the same day at the Pontiac office without an appointment. Mail requests take 3 business days to process, with delivery via USPS First Class Mail. Online ordering is available for records from 1942 to the present. Records prior to 1942 must be requested in person or by mail.

Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public. Any person can request a certified copy. No family relationship or legal reason is needed. Oakland County also provides a free genealogy search service where staff can search for a record at no cost before you decide to order a certified copy.

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 Oakland County where the death occurred. Include payment, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope. Send to the Pontiac address.

Death Certificate Fees in Oakland County

Oakland 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, by money order, and by credit card. Make checks payable to Oakland County Clerk.

The free genealogy search service means you can confirm a record exists at no cost before ordering. If you find the record and need a certified copy, ordering multiple copies at the same time saves money. Each added copy at $5 is less than paying the $15 first-copy fee again on a new request.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Oakland County Clerk needs accurate identifying information to find the right death record. You can use the free genealogy search service to verify names and dates before submitting a formal request. Provide complete details to avoid delays.

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

Records prior to 1942 are available in person or by mail only. 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 Oakland County Death Records

Oakland County provides a free genealogy search service through the clerk's office, letting you confirm a record exists before ordering. This is available by contacting the office at the Pontiac location or by phone.

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

The portal also connects to VitalChek for Oakland County, which accepts online orders by credit card. A convenience fee applies. Note that VitalChek is only available for records from 1942 forward.

Michigan's free GENDIS genealogical death index covers over 460,000 records statewide from 1867 to 1897 and is useful for older Oakland County research.

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

Oakland 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 in Oakland County the same as in all 83 Michigan counties.

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

Cities in Oakland County

Oakland County includes several large cities in the Detroit metro area. Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, Rochester Hills, and Waterford Township meet the population threshold for individual city pages. Death records for deaths in any of these cities are held by the Oakland County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

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