Michigan's Women, Infants & Children program, providing supplemental nutrition, breastfeeding information, and other resources for healthy mothers & babies.
Information on the Family Independence Program, State Disability Assistance, SSI, Refugee, and other cash assistance.
If you cannot afford child care, payment assistance is available.
Children's Special Health Care Services information and FAQ's.
Information on assistance with home repairs, heat and utility bills, relocation, home ownership, burials, home energy, and eligibility requirements.
Information on the Food Assistance Program, eligibility requirements, and other food resources.
Information about the health care programs available through Medicaid and how to qualify.
Our migrant program works with a number of organizations to provide services for Michigan’s migrant and seasonal farmworkers.
A federal program which helps persons admitted into the U.S. as refugees to become self-sufficient after their arrival.
Universal caseload, or task-based processing, is a different way of handling public assistance cases.
Information on the Children's Protective Services Program, child abuse reporting procedures, and help for parents in caring for their children.
Information on adoption programs, adoption resources, locating birth parents and obtaining information from adoption records.
Information on Adult Protective Services, Independent Living Services, Adult Community Placement Services, and HIV/AIDS Support Services.
Information on child support services for participants and partners.
Programs for healthy children & families, including immunization, lead poisoning prevention, prenatal smoking cessation, and many others.
Information on the Children's Foster Care program and becoming a Foster Parent.
Information about the Michigan law that requires certain information be made available to a woman who is seeking an abortion at least 24 hours prior to the abortion procedure.
Information on treatment and services for juvenile offenders, success stories, and more.
Child Welfare Medical and Behavioral Health Resources
MDHHS and partners support a continuum of prevention services. The continuum is inclusive of primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention activities. Visit this page to learn more.
Information about injury and violence prevention programs in Michigan
Information on Safe Sleep for your baby, how to protect your baby's life.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services' (MDHHS) Division of Environmental Health (DEH) uses the best available science to reduce, eliminate, or prevent harm from environmental, chemical, and physical hazards.
Resources and information to assist in assuring firearm safety for families in the state of Michigan.
The Division of Victim Services (DVS) provides a voice advocating for and responding to all victims of crime in Michigan. Learn more about DVS-funded programs and services, including Michigan’s 24/7, free, confidential, and anonymous domestic violence and sexual assault hotlines.
Medical Resources for Child Protection
Serves as liaison and provides funding to Michigan’s 45 local health departments.
Adult Behavioral Health & Developmental Disability Services
Multicultural Health
Prevention of diseases & conditions such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and many others.
Information on communicable & chronic diseases.
Home to an array of public health programs, initiatives and interventions aimed at improving the health and well-being of women, infants, families and communities.
Birth, Death, Marriage and Divorce Records
Boards and Commissions
Bridge Card Participation Information on Electronic Benefits for clients and businesses, lists of participating retailers and ATMs, and QUEST.
Provider Payments Information on the direct deposit of State of Michigan payments into a provider's bank account.
Information on How to Bid, Requests for Proposals, forms and publications, contractor rates, and manuals.
Information & resources for Community and Faith-Based partners
Information on DHS Applications and Forms grouped by category.
Health Care Providers
Licensing information for Adult Foster Care and Homes for the Aged, Child Day Care Facilities, Child Caring Institutions, Children's Foster Care Homes, Child Placing Agencies, Juvenile Court Operated Facilities and Children's or Adult Foster Care Camps.
Michigan Statewide Systems of Care
Information on the grant awarded for the State Innovation Model Proposal
Protect MiFamily -Title IV-E Waiver
Offers resources for agencies who operate the Weatherization Assistance Program in the state of Michigan
Information is collected to monitor the general health and well-being of Michigan citizens.
Information on resources in your community and volunteer recruitment and training, and services provided at local DHS offices.
Equal Opportunity, Legal Base, Laws and Reporting Welfare Fraud information.
A variety of reports & statistics for programs and services.
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Regular processing time for mail-in orders is 4-5 weeks and rush processing is 2-3 weeks. This does NOT include mail time or payment processing through our accounting department. If you have questions, please contact our Eligibility Unit at 517-335-8666.
Please select from the following application forms for birth, death, marriage, divorce and Affidavit of Parentage records. Please review the entire list below to determine the appropriate form for your needs.
**PHOTO ID REQUIREMENTS**
Birth records less than 100 years old and Affidavit of Parentage records filed in the Central Paternity Registry are restricted documents and you must prove eligibility in order to request one. We will accept a current valid driver's license, state-issued photo identification card or passport. If you do not have photo ID, click on the acceptable documents link for a list of acceptable documents that may be used. Please send photocopies ONLY, originals will NOT be returned.
**** IMPORTANT NOTICE ****
Please submit separate checks or money orders for each application being requested by mail. Pre-Paid Self-Addressed envelopes are not permitted. Expedited shipping methods are available for online and phone orders.
The State Vital Records Office will be closed on recognized state holidays.
Birth Record Applications
A certified copy is printed on special safety paper and contains a raised, embossed seal. Records are available as early as 1867, however, the initial registration year varies by the county where the birth occurred - Click here for table.
Birth records are restricted in Michigan and only a person or parent named on the record or a court-appointed legal guardian of the person named on the record may request a copy of a birth record that is LESS than 100 years old. A legally licensed representative is eligible to request a copy if he/she represents the person named on the record. Power of Attorney documents may be used, depending upon the limitations of the power of attorney order. Each will be handled on an individual case-by-case basis. An heir may request a copy of a birth record LESS than 100 years old if they can provide an out-of-state death certificate or the death information if it was a Michigan death with the request. Requests placed by a legal representative, power of attorney, or heir must be ordered by mail with appropriate documentation. Anyone can request a birth record that is OVER 100 years old as they are no longer restricted documents.
Birth Senior Citizen Certified Copies
A person who is age 65 or older and applying for a certified copy of his or her own birth record is charged a reduced fee. The reduced fee does NOT apply to a senior citizen ordering a record for someone else.
Birth Authenticated Copies (Exemplified) w/Apostille
An authenticated (exemplified or containing an apostille) record is typically required by a foreign government for adoption, work visas, or establishing residency. An authenticated document is NOT needed for foreign travel. You must provide the name of the FOREIGN country where the document will be used. An apostille CANNOT be applied to a document that will be used in the United States.
Key facts on any Michigan birth record can be verified. Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan birth record as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant. A verification does not include a signature, state file number or a copy of the birth record, but a stamp that indicates that a record is/is not on file in the state repository that matches the criteria supplied by the applicant. Parents names cannot be verified. Only the name on the record, date, place and date of filing can be verified. Photo ID not required.
The Michigan Vital Records office issues certificates of stillbirth that occurred in Michigan with information filed after June 1, 2003 with the state. Michigan law limits who can receive a certified copy of a Michigan Certificate of Stillbirth to the parent named on the certificate or a court of competent jurisdiction (court order required).
Affidavit of Parentage
Effective March 31, 2003, Michigan law restricts who can receive a certified copy of an Affidavit of Parentage record. The Michigan Vital Records office has Affidavit of Parentage records that were properly filed and registered in the Central Paternity Registry since June 1, 1997. If the Affidavit of Parentage form you are requesting was filed prior to June 1, 1997, please contact the Probate Court in the county where the mother resided at the time of signing, or the Probate Court in the county where the child was born.
Affidavit of Parentage Verification
Key facts on any Michigan Affidavit of Parentage record can be verified. Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan Affidavit of Parentage record as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant. A verification does not include a signature, state file number or a copy of the Affidavit of Parentage record, but a stamp that indicates that a record is/is not on file in the state repository that matches the criteria supplied by the applicant. Parents names cannot be verified. Only the name on the record, date, place and date of filing can be verified. Photo ID not required.
Verification of Intent to Claim Paternity (Putative Father Registry)
Submitting this form will produce a search of the Michigan Putative Father Registry to determine whether or not a paternity claim has been registered for a particular mother-to-be. Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan Notice of Intent as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant. A verification of a Notice of Intent to Claim Paternity will include a signature of the searcher who performed the search and the date, but will not include a copy of the notice of intent to claim paternity form. The form will indicate whether or not an intent has been filed, and the results can be faxed or mailed to the applicant (or both). Photo ID not required.
Death Record Applications
Records are available since 1867. Any individual may request a copy.
Death Authentication (Exemplified) w/Apostille
An authenticated (exemplified or containing an apostille) record is typically required by a foreign government for adoption, work visas, or establishing residency. You must provide the name of the FOREIGN country where the document will be used. An apostille CANNOT be applied to a document that will be used in the United States. Anyone can order this type of document.
Key facts on any Michigan death record can be verified. Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan death record as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant. A verification does not include a signature, state file number or a copy of the death record, but a stamp that indicates that a record is/is not on file in the state repository that matches the criteria supplied by the applicant. Parents names cannot be verified. Only the name on the record, date, place and date of filing can be verified.
Marriage Record Applications
Marriage Certified Copies
Records are available since 1867. Any individual may request a search. (Note: if the marriage was a confidential marriage performed by a probate judge, it would only be available to the bride and groom).
Marriage Authenticated (Exemplified) w/Apostille
An authenticated (exemplified or containing an apostille) record is typically required by a foreign government for adoption, work visas, or establishing residency. You must provide the name of the FOREIGN country where the document will be used. An apostille CANNOT be applied to a document that will be used in the United States. Anyone can request this type of document.
No Marriage (Single Status) Authenticated (Exemplified) w/Apostille
This application should be used if you need to request a STATEMENT OF NO MARRIAGE from the State of Michigan so you can be married in a foreign country. Click here for additional information and instructions on requesting this type of search.
No Marriage (Single Status, not yet authenticated)
This application should be used by customers who want to come to the Vital Records office, get the certificate, and take it to the Office of the Great Seal personally.
Key facts on any Michigan marriage record can be verified. Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan marriage record as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant. A verification does not include a signature, state file number or a copy of the marriage record, but a stamp that indicates that a record is/is not on file in the state repository that matches the criteria supplied by the applicant. Parents names cannot be verified. Only the name on the record, date, place and date of filing can be verified.
Divorce Record Applications
Records are available since 1897. Any individual may request a search.
Divorce Authenticated (Exemplified) w/Apostille
An authenticated (exemplified or containing an apostille) record is typically required by a foreign government for adoption, work visas, or establishing residency. You must provide the name of the FOREIGN country where the document will be used. An apostille CANNOT be applied to a document that will be used in the United States. Anyone can request this type of document.
No Divorce (Single Status) Authenticated (Exemplified) w/Apostille
This application should be used if you need to request a STATEMENT OF NO DIVORCE from the State of Michigan so you can be married in a foreign country. Click here for additional information and instructions on requesting this type of search.
No Divorce (Single Status, not yet authenticated)
This application should be used by customers who want to come to the Vital Records office, get the certificate, and take it to the Office of the Great Seal personally.
Key facts on any Michigan divorce record can be verified. Anyone is eligible to request a verification of a Michigan divorce record as long as the information to be verified can be supplied by the applicant. A verification does not include a signature, state file number or a copy of the divorce record, but a stamp indicating if a record is/is not on file in the state repository that matches the criteria supplied by the applicant. Parents names cannot be verified. Only the name on the record, date, place and date of filing can be verified.
Vital Record from Another State
If you need a record of a vital event that occurred in another state, you will need to contact that state's vital records office.