Get a certified Michigan Death Certificate

Michigan does not issue death certificates for individuals who die on U.S. military bases overseas. In such cases, if the deceased’s parents held U.S. citizenship, the U.S. Department of State records the death. To request this document, you must contact the U.S. Department of State and obtain a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

An officially certified death certificate from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Social Services (MDHHS) will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue. Still, it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at death. Official death certificates from Michigan typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The MDHHS issues these certificates according to state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

Michigan death certificates are one of the most important and valuable legal documents. They are the only legal proof that someone has passed away and are used for crucial purposes, particularly in legal, financial, and personal matters. The vital record is fundamental after someone has died to handle financial affairs, benefit claims, verification for institutions, estate settlements, and benefits from government agencies.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property, Mortgag,e and Real Estate Matters

Enrolling in school

Obtain and Fill Out the Necessary Form. Corrections or changes to a Michigan Death Certificate may only be made by mail, such as sending the Application to Correct a Michigan Death Certificate.

Pay the Amendment Fee

The fee for processing an amendment to a death record or fetal death record is $50.00. Additional certified copies are $16.00 each, and an optional rush fee costs $25.00. Fees are payable by check or money order to the “State of Michigan.”

Gather Supporting Documentation

To request a correction, please provide a current, government-issued photo ID of the person making the request and any documentary evidence relevant to the requested change. Medical information can only be corrected by a certifying physician or medical examiner. Refer to the Application to Correct instructions page or contact the MDHHS Vital Records website for more information on required documents.

Submit the Application

For assistance, applicants may call (517) 335-8660 or email [email protected].

Apostilles may be ordered from the Michigan Secretary of State by mail or VRO only. You need an apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

For simultaneous requests, complete the appropriate form from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and follow the instructions Simultaneous Death / Apostille Request Form.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille to the Michigan office of the Secretary of State in , you will need to provide the following items:

1. The certified copy of the death certificate, with the original signature and seal of the current Michigan State Registrar;
2. A payment of $5.00 per document.

Submit your request to the Michigan Office of the Secretary of State in Annapolis at the following addresses:

In-person:

A person may make an apostille request in person by browsing to the Michigan Department of State website and following the outlined directions for an Office Visit at a select Secretary of State office

By Mail:

A person may make an apostille request by mail by browsing to the Michigan Department of State website and following the outlined directions for By Mail. Documents must be sent to the address below:

Ensure that you indicate the country to which the document will be submitted.