Sanilac County Death Records

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

Sanilac County Clerk Office

The Sanilac County Clerk is located at 60 W. Sanilac Avenue in Sandusky. The office maintains vital records for the county and issues certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred in Sanilac County. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted during regular weekday hours. In-person requests may be paid by credit or debit card. The clerk is reachable by phone or fax on weekdays.

The office is open weekdays until 4:00 PM. Plan to arrive before 3:30 PM for in-person visits. Credit and debit cards are accepted for in-person payments. Mail requests require a check or money order. Sanilac County notes that photo ID is required for in-person requests; mail requests need a copy of your driver's license or state ID.

How to Get Sanilac County Death Records

Sanilac County death certificates are available in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. In-person visits to the Sanilac Avenue office are the fastest option. The clerk requires a photo ID for walk-in requests. Mail requests take additional business days. VitalChek accepts credit cards for online ordering.

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

For mail requests, write a letter or send a signed, dated letter with the full legal name of the deceased, the date or year of death, and the city or township in Sanilac County where the death occurred. Include a check or money order payable to Sanilac County Clerk, a copy of your driver's license or state ID, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.

Death Certificate Fees in Sanilac County

Sanilac County charges $15 for the first certified death certificate. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $5 each. In-person payment can be made in cash, by check, by money order, or by credit or debit card. Mail requests require a check or money order payable to Sanilac County Clerk.

Order all copies you need in one request. Each added copy at $5 is much less than paying the $15 first-copy fee again on a new request. If you need the record for insurance, estate administration, or financial accounts, ordering everything at once saves time and money.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Sanilac County Clerk needs accurate information to locate the right death record. Providing complete details helps avoid delays. The clerk requires photo identification for all request types.

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 copy of your driver's license or state ID (required for all requests)

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. These carry the official seal and are legally valid for any purpose requiring proof of death.

Online Resources for Sanilac 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 Sanilac 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 Sanilac 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

Sanilac 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 policy applies uniformly across all 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 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 Sanilac County

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