Clinton Township Death Index
Clinton Township death index records are maintained by the Macomb County Clerk, located in Mount Clemens. Clinton Township is the largest township in Michigan, but like other townships in the state, it does not issue death certificates itself. All death records for deaths that occurred within the township are filed at the county level. This guide covers how to find and request Clinton Township death records, what fees to expect, and which free databases let you search older records before ordering a certified copy.
Clinton Township Death Records Overview
Macomb County Clerk Handles Clinton Township Death Records
Clinton Township does not have its own vital records office. All death records for the township are held and issued by the Macomb County Clerk. The clerk's office is in Mount Clemens, the Macomb County seat. If you need a certified death certificate for someone who died in Clinton Township, the Macomb County Clerk is where you go.
The Macomb County Clerk's Vital Records division handles requests from across the county, including from Clinton Township's large population base. Staff can search records going back many years. For very old records, availability depends on when registration was required for that area. For most requests covering the past several decades, the county clerk can help quickly.
| Office | Macomb County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 40 N. Main Street Mount Clemens, MI 48043 |
| Phone | (586) 469-5120 |
| Fee | $20.00 first copy; $5.00 each additional copy |
The Macomb County Clerk's death records page at macombgov.org has current information on how to request records, accepted payment methods, and any updates to hours or procedures.
Michigan MDHHS oversees vital records registration and ordering statewide, including all Macomb County and Clinton Township death records.
How to Request Clinton Township Death Records
The Macomb County Clerk accepts death record requests in person, by mail, and online through VitalChek. In-person is the fastest method. Mail takes the most time. Online is available any day but adds a service fee from VitalChek on top of the Macomb County fee.
For in-person requests, visit the Macomb County Clerk at 40 N. Main Street in Mount Clemens. Bring a government-issued photo ID and payment for the fee. The first certified copy is $20. Additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time cost $5 each. You must be an eligible requester under state law, meaning you are an immediate family member, a legal representative, or someone with a documented legal need. The office can often process your request the same day.
Mail requests require a written letter with the full name of the deceased, the date and place of death, your relationship to the deceased, and your reason for requesting. Include a legible copy of your photo ID and a check or money order payable to Macomb County Clerk. Send your request to 40 N. Main Street, Mount Clemens, MI 48043. Allow two to four weeks for mail processing.
Online orders go through Michigan MDHHS and VitalChek. You fill out the form online and pay by credit card. VitalChek adds a service fee that is separate from the $20 county fee. Records are mailed to your address after processing.
Note: State law under MCL 333.2885 restricts who can get a certified death record. If you are not immediate family or a legal representative, you will need to show documentation of your need before the clerk can issue the record.
Death Certificate Fees for Clinton Township
Macomb County charges $20 for the first certified copy of a death record and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. These fees apply for in-person, mail, and online requests. Online orders through VitalChek will be more expensive because of the added service fee.
If you need multiple certified copies for legal, estate, or financial purposes, order them all in the same request. The additional copy fee of $5 is much lower than paying full price on a second request. Most attorneys and financial institutions each want their own original certified copy, so plan for that before you submit.
Free Death Index Search Tools for Clinton Township
Before paying for a certified copy, you can search two free Michigan databases to confirm a record exists and get basic details. Both are useful for genealogy work and for locating older records.
The GENDIS database (Michigan's Genealogical Death Indexing System) covers 1867 to 1897. It is a name-based index. Search results show the name, county, date of death, and a file number. That file number helps the clerk find records faster. GENDIS is free and needs no account. Use it for early Clinton Township area records from the 19th century.
Michiganology is run by the Library of Michigan. It holds digitized death records from 1897 through 1952. Macomb County records are included. In many cases, you can view scanned images of the original death records on this site. This can be enough for research purposes without needing a certified copy. Both GENDIS and Michiganology are free, no login needed.
Nearby Cities
These qualifying cities are near Clinton Township. Death records for each are handled by the relevant county clerk office.
Macomb County Death Records
Clinton Township is in Macomb County. All death records for the township are maintained by the Macomb County Clerk. Visit the Macomb County Death Index page for full county-level details, office information, and resources for the broader county area.