Oakland County Death Index

Oakland County death index records are held at the Oakland County Clerk in Pontiac, with a second location in Troy. A free online death index is available for deaths from 1942 onward, and the genealogy research service provides a searchable death index going back to 1900. Certified copies can be ordered online, in person, or by mail. This page covers how to search the Oakland County death index and what resources are available for older records.

Oakland County Clerk Death Records Office

The Oakland County Clerk manages the death index and issues certified copies of death certificates. The main office is at 1200 N. Telegraph Road, Dept 480, in Pontiac, MI 48341. A second location at 1151 Crooks Road in Troy operates by appointment only. Death records go back to 1867. The clerk also provides a free online death index accessible at oakgov.com, searchable from 1942 to present, with a broader genealogy search covering deaths from 1900 onward.

Oakland County is the second most populous county in Michigan. The clerk's office handles a high volume of vital records requests. In-person service at the Pontiac office is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The Troy office has shorter hours of 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM by appointment. The busiest in-person time at Pontiac is between 11:30 AM and 1:30 PM, so visiting earlier or later in the day is faster. You can reach the Pontiac office at (248) 858-0561 and the Troy office at (248) 858-0571. The clerk's death records page at oakgov.com has current details on all methods.

Genealogy volunteers are available at the Pontiac office to assist with historical record searches. This service is particularly useful for researching deaths from the early 1900s when records may be harder to navigate without local knowledge.

The Michigan MDHHS vital records page covers state-level ordering options that run parallel to Oakland County's local records going back to 1867.

How to Search Oakland County Death Records

Oakland County offers more access options than most Michigan counties. Online is the easiest starting point. The county's free genealogy research service at oakgov.com lets you search the death index from 1900 onward. For deaths from 1942 to present, the online database is more detailed. You can use the search to find names, dates, and registration information without any fee or visit to the office.

In-person service at the Pontiac office gives you same-day certified copies. Bring a completed request form, a valid photo ID, and payment. The first copy costs $15 and additional copies of the same record are $5 each. Death records before 1942 require an in-person visit or a mail request, since they are not available through the online portal. Genealogy volunteers at the Pontiac office can help with historical research for older entries in the index.

Mail requests are accepted at the Pontiac address. Include a completed form, a copy of your photo ID, a stamped return envelope, and your payment by check or money order. The clerk processes mail requests in the order they arrive. Under MCL 333.2885, death records in Michigan are public. Anyone can request a copy without proving a family relationship.

Note: Records prior to 1942 are only available in person or by mail at the Pontiac office.

Oakland County Online Death Index and Genealogy Search

Oakland County provides free online access to its death index through the county website at oakgov.com. The database is searchable from 1900 to present, with records from 1942 onward also available for viewing. This is a strong resource for genealogy research in one of Michigan's largest counties. You can search by name without creating an account or paying a fee.

The GENDIS database at the state level also covers Oakland County deaths from 1867. Checking both the county's own database and GENDIS gives you the best chance of finding older entries. Neither source provides a certified copy. You still need to contact the clerk for a document valid for legal use.

Genealogy volunteers at the Pontiac office can help with research for entries going back to the 1800s. This is a free service available to anyone visiting the office during regular hours.

What Oakland County Death Index Records Contain

A certified death certificate from Oakland County includes the full name of the deceased, date and place of death, age, and cause of death. It also shows the attending physician or medical examiner, the informant's name, and the place of burial or cremation. These facts are needed for probate, insurance claims, name changes, and family history research.

The death index is a summary of registered deaths. It shows names, dates, and registration numbers rather than the full certificate text. For deaths before 1867, church records, cemetery listings, and early probate files are the main sources. Michiganology.org and FamilySearch.org both have free Oakland County records spanning multiple periods. FamilySearch in particular has strong coverage of Oakland County given its population and long settlement history.

Michigan Death Index Resources for Oakland County

The Michigan MDHHS vital records office holds state copies of Oakland County death records from 1867 to present. You can order from the state as an alternative to ordering from the county. The state uses its own fee schedule. Visit michigan.gov/mdhhs for state ordering options.

Under MCL 333.2843, Michigan requires timely death registration. This is why Oakland County's death index is largely complete going back to 1867. For a county of this size, the records are extensive and well-indexed, particularly from 1900 onward through the county's own genealogy search tool.

Cities in Oakland County

Oakland County includes several large cities. Death records for residents of all Oakland County communities are filed with the county clerk in Pontiac.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Oakland County. If you are uncertain which county handled a specific death, check records in neighboring jurisdictions.