County Clerk

Online Services

Birth Certificates (1867 - present)

The charge for a certified copy of a birth certificate is $10.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record when requested in-person at the Clerk's office

For online and mail orders, the search fee for a birth certificate is $10 and includes one certified copy. Additional copies of the same record are $3 for each copy. A convenience fee also applies to your order total for online requests. Search and convenience fees are non-refundable.

Order a Birth Certificate online or print out a Birth Certificate [Spanish] request form.

The charge for a certified copy of his/her own birth certificate for senior citizens (65 or older) is $7.00 for the first copy and $3.00 for each additional copy of the same record.

Only the mother, father, legal guardian, or the individual named on the certificate may receive a copy of the birth certificate. Legal Guardian must show guardianship papers. (MCL 333.2882)

Anyone may obtain a copy of a birth record more than 100 years old. If the desired record is less than 100 years old and the individual is deceased, an heir may obtain it by providing a death certificate.

Birth certificates (State of Michigan Birth request form) must be obtained from the State for the following:

  • Births that occurred outside of Kent County
  • Adoptions
  • Those born before 1978 and parents were not married

The following must be obtained from the State of Michigan:

  • Application to correct a certificate of birth
  • Application to name a father on a certificate of birth
  • Affidavit of parentage