State of Michigan and Lenawee County
Obtaining Vital Records

Michigan officially began recording vital records in 1867

Official birth and death records were not maintained by the State prior to 1867. Even though the law required records to be kept beginning in 1867, it took several years for all counties to achieve compliance. Other possible sources for birth and death information are cemetery inscriptions, church records, books in libraries (maybe), land records, probate records, and relatives.

Copies of records on file with the State can be obtained from the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services.

Vital Records in Lenawee County

Records for family history research are available at the Lenawee County Judicial Building and the Old Court House. Copies of records classified as "public records" (see below) are avaiable for a fee.

Birth Records
Births records are on file from 1867 to the present. Birth records 100 years old or older are classified as public records. They are indexed and available on the public terminal.

All other birth records (those less than 100 years old) are sealed and are available only to the individual named on the birth record, the parents named on the birth record, a legal guardian, a legal representative, or an heir of the registrant. An heir is defined as any relative of a deceased individual. Heirs must supply proof of death when requesting a copy, along with documentation to prove relationship.

As of June 1, 2014, all birth records must be certified regardless of age. Anyone can view records that are 100 years old or older and copy the information at no charge.

Death Records Death records are on file from 1865 to present. Death records are classified as public records. All are indexed on the public terminal.

Marriage Records Marriages records are on file from 1853 to present. Marriage records are classified as public records. and are only indexed from 1985 to the present time on the public terminal. You can manually search older marriage records by using our old indexes.

Divorce Records Divorce records are on file from 1853 to present at the Judicial Building. Divorce records are classified as public records. The older records are very limited and located in another storage area. They will take your request, along with payment and mail you the record, as soon as they are able to do the search. They charge a $10 search fee for these records, but this fee will be applied to your copying cost, if the record is located.

Certified Copies This Office of the Lenawee County Clerk only issues certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records and judgments of divorce at a cost of $16 each, and $6 for each additional copy on the same day. Researchers are allowed to transcribe any of the information contained on the records but cameras and scanners are not permitted.

Forms are available to purchase vital records from the Lenawee County Clerk at Lenawee Co

Questions should be directed to:

517-264-4598
or by mail at:
Lenawee County Clerk
301 N. Main St.
Adrian, MI 49221.

State of Michigan Archives in Lansing, Michigan

Naturalization Records for Lenawee County begin in 1856, they were moved to the Michigan State Archives in Lansing in 2003. Copies were not retained by the county.