Schoolcraft County Death Records
Schoolcraft County death records are held by the County Clerk in Manistique and date back to 1867. The clerk's office issues certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred within this Upper Peninsula county. Under Michigan law, these records are public and can be requested by any person. This page covers how to get Schoolcraft County death records, what fees apply, and what resources are available.
Schoolcraft County Death Records Overview
Schoolcraft County Clerk Office
The Schoolcraft County Clerk is located at 300 Walnut Street in Manistique. The office maintains vital records for the county and issues certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred in Schoolcraft County. Walk-in and mail requests are both accepted. VitalChek is also available for online ordering. Call ahead or check the county website to confirm current office hours before visiting.
| Address | 300 Walnut Street, Manistique, MI 49854 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (906) 341-3618 |
| Fax | (906) 341-3649 |
| Hours | Contact office for current hours |
| Website | Schoolcraft County Clerk vital records page |
Manistique is located on Lake Michigan's northern shore in the Upper Peninsula. Given the county's remote location, calling ahead to confirm hours and current fee schedule is a good idea before making a trip. Mail requests and VitalChek are both practical options for those at a distance.
How to Get Schoolcraft County Death Records
Schoolcraft County death certificates are available in person, by mail, or through VitalChek online. In-person visits to the Walnut Street office are the most direct option. Mail requests take additional business days for transit and processing. VitalChek accepts credit cards and is available for most records.
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 Schoolcraft 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 Schoolcraft County where the death occurred. Include a check or money order payable to Schoolcraft County Clerk, a photocopy of your photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped return envelope.
Death Certificate Fees in Schoolcraft County
Schoolcraft County follows standard Michigan county rates for certified death certificates. Contact the clerk's office at (906) 341-3618 to confirm the current fee before sending a mail request. The standard Michigan rate is $15 for the first certified copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time.
Order all copies you need in one request. Each added copy is much less than paying the 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 Schoolcraft County Clerk needs accurate information to locate the right death record. Provide complete identifying details to avoid delays or returned requests.
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. These carry the official seal and are legally valid for any purpose requiring proof of death.
Online Resources for Schoolcraft 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 Schoolcraft 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 Schoolcraft 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
Schoolcraft 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 how you get 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 Schoolcraft County
Schoolcraft County's county seat is Manistique. No cities in Schoolcraft County meet the population threshold for individual city pages. For death records from anywhere in the county, contact the Schoolcraft 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.