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Death Certificates

Due to limited staffing and an overwhelming number of phone calls, voicemails, emails, and letters you may now schedule your own appointment in order to receive services from our office using our eScheduler (see below).

Easy as 1-2-3

Step 1: Prepare. (Read this page before moving to Step 2)

Step 2: Apply. (For Death Certificates you may skip to Step 3)

Step 3: Schedule.

To schedule an appointment with Wayne County

Click Here -------> Click Here for Wayne County - Death

To schedule an appointment with City of Detroit

Click Here -------> Click Here for City of Detroit - Death

General Information

The Birth & Death Records Division of the Wayne County Clerk's office maintains the birth records for cities and townships in Wayne County.

Order Online

For your convenience, Wayne County has partnered with an independant company, VitalChek Network, Inc.
You can now order and pay for your document requests online, through their website.

  • VitalChek charges an additional fee to use their service
  • VitalChek accepts all major credit cards, including American Express, Discover, MasterCard or Visa.
Order Online

Requests for Death Certificates must include the following information:

  • Full Name at Death
  • City of Death
  • Date of Death

Order Death Certificates (for INSIDE the City Of Detroit)

Certified copies of death certificates FOR THE CITY OF DETROIT can also be obtained by in person, or by mail. Please print out the appropriate application and follow the instructions listed below.

Detroit Death Certificate ApplicationDetroit Death Certificate Application (Rushed Delivery)

Order In-Person (BY APPOINTMENT ONLY [SEE ABOVE])

Please visit our Birth & Death Records Division at:

400 Monroe Street, Suite 605
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 202-7190

Hours of operation:
Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Order by Mail

Please forward a written request
(along with a copy of Driver's License or State I.D.) to:

Wayne County Clerk's Office
c/o City of Detroit Birth & Death Records Division
400 Monroe Street, Suite 605
Detroit, MI 48226


Order Death Certificates (for OUTSIDE the City Of Detroit)

Certified copies of death certificates OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF DETROIT may be obtained in person or by mail. Please print out the appropriate application and visit us, or forward a written request (along with a copy of Driver's License or State I.D.) to the address below.

Death Certificate Application Death Certificate Application (Rushed Delivery)

The Wayne County Clerk's Office
C/o Birth and Death Records Division
400 Monroe St.
Suite 610
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 967-6938


Please Note:
  • The fees for obtaining copies of death certificates are $24.00 for a certified copy and $7.00 for additional certified copies of the same record. They are made payable to Wayne County Clerk by money order, cashier's check, or certified check [by mail] and by cash [in person].
  • To change or correct information on a Michigan Death Certificate you must do so through the State of Michigan.
What do I need in order to request a death certificate?
The full name of the deceased, date of death and city of death.
Where do I go if I need to obtain a death certificate for a person that died in the City of Detroit?
The Office of the Wayne County Clerk; 400 Monroe Street - Suite 605; Detroit, MI 48226; 313-202-7190
Who can obtain a death certificate?
Death certificates are public records and can be obtained by anyone.
If someone died out of State, can I get their death certificate in Wayne County?
No, to find a non-Michigan death record, you must contact the Vital Records Office for that state.