Wexford County Death Records

Wexford County death records are maintained by the County Clerk's office in Cadillac. The office has kept death records going back to 1867 and issues certified copies for all deaths that occurred within the county. This page covers how to request a Wexford County death certificate, what fees to expect, and which resources can help with your search.

Wexford County Clerk Office

The Wexford County Clerk is located at 437 E. Division Street in Cadillac, which is the county seat. The clerk's office issues certified death certificates for all deaths that occurred within Wexford County. Requests can be made in person or by mail. Online ordering is also available through VitalChek.

Plan to arrive before 3:30 PM for in-person requests. The office closes at 4:00 PM and needs time to process walk-in requests. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order. Checks should be payable to Wexford County Clerk.

The screenshot above shows the Wexford County Clerk's website at wexfordcounty.org, which provides contact details and guidance for vital records requests.

How to Get Wexford County Death Records

Wexford County death certificates are available three ways: in person at the Cadillac office, by mail, or online through VitalChek. In-person visits to the clerk's office are the fastest option. Most walk-in requests are completed the same day. Mail requests take more time and depend on postal delivery in both directions.

Under MCL 333.2882, Michigan death records are public records. Any person can request a certified copy without needing to explain why or prove a family relationship. This rule applies equally across all 83 Michigan counties, including Wexford.

For mail requests, write a letter with the full legal name of the deceased, the date or approximate year of death, and the city or township in Wexford County where the death occurred. Include your payment, a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return delivery.

The VitalChek page for Wexford County lets you order certified death certificates online. A convenience fee applies on top of the county's standard rate.

Death Certificate Fees in Wexford County

Wexford County charges $15 for the first certified death certificate. Each additional copy of the same record, ordered at the same time, costs $5. This is in line with most Michigan counties. Payment is accepted by cash, check, or money order.

If you need more than one copy, such as for an estate, a life insurance policy, or a retirement account, order all copies in a single request. The $5 rate for extras is much lower than the $15 base fee. One submission can cover all your needs and save you a second trip or mailing.

Note: VitalChek adds a service fee on top of the county's standard fees. For the lowest total cost, in-person or mail requests submitted directly to the Wexford County Clerk are usually less expensive than online orders through a third party.

What You Need to Request a Death Record

The Wexford County Clerk needs accurate identifying information to locate the right record. Include all of the following in your request:

• Full legal name of the deceased
• Date of death or approximate year
• City or township in Wexford County where the death occurred
• Your full name and return mailing address
• Payment for the applicable fee
• A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID

Per MCL 333.2895, original death records are not open for public inspection. The Wexford County Clerk issues only certified copies. These copies carry the official county seal and are accepted as legally valid proof of death for estate proceedings, insurance claims, Social Security, and financial institutions.

Online Resources for Wexford County Death Records

Michigan's free GENDIS genealogical death index has over 460,000 state death records from 1867 to 1897. You can search by name and year to check whether a record exists before submitting a formal request to the Wexford County Clerk. Cadillac-area records from the late 1800s are included in this database.

For records from 1897 through 1952, Michiganology offers free access to digitized Michigan death certificates through the Archives of Michigan. Images are available for records over 75 years old. This is a useful tool for family history research in the Wexford County area.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records portal below provides the state's ordering guidance and connects to VitalChek for online requests.

The michigan.gov/mdhhs portal is the state's main resource for vital records, including death certificates from all 83 Michigan counties.

Michigan Death Record Laws

Wexford County death records follow Michigan's Public Health Code. The key statutes establish who can request records and how they are issued.

MCL 333.2882 makes death records public in Michigan. Any person may request a certified copy. No proof of family relationship is needed, and no explanation is required. This open-access rule is uniform across all Michigan counties.

MCL 333.2888(1) exempts vital records from FOIA requests. A Freedom of Information Act request will not produce a death certificate. You must use the county clerk's vital records process under the Public Health Code.

MCL 333.2895 bars public inspection of original death records. Wexford County issues certified copies only. These copies carry the official seal and are accepted as legal proof of death wherever required.

Nearby Counties

Deaths that took place in a neighboring county are recorded by that county's clerk. Contact the correct office based on where the death occurred.