How to Obtain a Certified Michigan Birth Certificate

In Person

• 1). Visit the State of Michigan Vital Records office in Lansing to request a certified copy of your birth certificate in person. Office hours are Monday to Friday 8 am to 5 pm. Arrive prior to 3 pm to receive same day service.
  
  
• 2). Ask the Vital Records clerk for a certified copy of your birth certificate. He will need the information listed on your certificate, such as your birth name, date of birth, city of birth, sex at birth and the names of any parents listed on the record.
  
  
• 3). Pay for a certified copy of your birth certificate using cash, check or a money order. The fee for one certified copy is $26, as of 2010 and $12 for each additional copy.
  
  

By Mail

• 1). Complete a Michigan Birth Record application that you can download from the Michigan Department of Community Health website. Enter all of the required information, including your mailing address and a copy of your photo identification. Birth records are not issued to anyone other than the person listed in the certificate or an immediate family member.
  
  
• 2). Write a check or money order payable to the "State of Michigan" for $26. Add $12 for each additional copy you are requesting and $10 if you would like your certificate request expedited.
  
  
• 3). Mail your application, payment and photo ID to:
  
  Vital Records Requests
  
  PO Box 30721
  
  Lansing, MI 48909
  
  If you are expediting the certificate mail your information to:
  
  Vital Records RUSH
  
  PO Box 30721
  
  Lansing, MI 48909
  
  Your expedited certificate is mailed within six weeks. Your regular certificate will take two to three months before it is mailed to you.
  
  

Online

• 1). Order a certified copy of your birth certificate online using the VitalChek site, which you are directed to by the Michigan Community Health Department.
  
  
• 2). Enter the information on the certificate, your shipping information and your credit card number for payment. VitalChek automatically charges an additional $6 credit card processing fee and all VitalChek orders are considered expedited service, which costs another $10 in addition to the $26 it costs for a certified copy.
  
  
• 3). Review and submit your order. Orders will arrive within six weeks.