Presque Isle County Death Index

Presque Isle County death index records are kept by the County Clerk in Rogers City. The office holds death records going back to 1871 and can help you find certificates by name, date, or case number. You can request records in person or by mail, and staff can assist with both current filings and older historical entries.

Presque Isle County Clerk - Death Records

The Presque Isle County Clerk handles all vital records for the county, including death index entries and death certificates. The office is at 151 East Huron Avenue in Rogers City, and staff are available Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Death records go back to 1871, making this one of the longer-running county vital record collections in northern Michigan. You can reach the office by phone at 989-734-3288 or by fax at 989-734-7635.

For written requests, mail to: Presque Isle County Clerk, P.O. Box 110, Rogers City, MI 49779. Include the full name of the deceased, the date of death, your relationship to the deceased, and the reason for the request. Payment must accompany all mail requests. The clerk does not process incomplete submissions.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services also maintains statewide death records. You can search the GENDIS death index at no cost for genealogy research. That database covers a large span of Michigan deaths and may help you narrow down dates before making a formal request to the county office.

The state vital records office is another option. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in Lansing holds copies of death records from across the state, including Presque Isle County. Some researchers use the state office when county records are unavailable or when they need certified copies faster.

Death Certificate Fees and How to Request

The fee for a death certificate in Presque Isle County is $12 for the first copy. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $3. There is a reduced rate for seniors 65 and older: $8 for the first copy. This discount applies when you provide proof of age with your request. Additional copies remain $3 each regardless of age.

You can get Presque Isle County death records two ways: in person at the Rogers City office or by mail. Walk-in requests are handled during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and payment by cash or check. Mail requests should include a completed request form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order made payable to the Presque Isle County Clerk. Do not send cash through the mail.

Under MCL 333.2885, certified death certificates are available to the deceased's immediate family, legal representatives, and others with a tangible interest. Genealogy researchers can typically access records that are at least 25 years old. If you are unsure whether you qualify, contact the clerk's office before submitting a request.

Note: Senior discount requests require a copy of a government-issued ID showing date of birth along with the certificate request.

Michigan Death Index - Online Resources

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services maintains the statewide vital records portal, which includes the Michigan death index. The image below shows the MDHHS vital records page, which lists ordering options, fees, and forms for death certificates across all Michigan counties including Presque Isle.

The MDHHS page at michigan.gov/mdhhs is updated regularly and includes links to order forms, information on who can request records, and processing time estimates for mail orders statewide.

The free GENDIS genealogy index at vitalstats.michigan.gov lets you search Michigan death records online by name. This is a good first step before ordering a certified copy from the county. FamilySearch also has digitized Michigan death records and is free to use. For older Presque Isle County entries, Michiganology holds historical vital records and genealogy collections from across northern Michigan.

Michigan Law and Death Records Access

Michigan death records are governed under the Michigan Public Health Code. MCL 333.2843 sets the rules for who can access vital records and under what conditions. Death certificates are considered public records in Michigan, though access to the cause-of-death section may be restricted depending on the requester's relationship to the deceased.

County clerks in Michigan act as local registrars. They receive, record, and store death records filed within their jurisdictions. The MDHHS serves as the central state repository. Both offices can issue certified copies, though fees and processing times may differ. For Presque Isle County, the local clerk is typically faster for in-person requests.

Certified death certificates are used for estate settlement, Social Security claims, insurance payouts, and genealogy research. Plain (non-certified) copies are also available but are not accepted by most government agencies. Ask the clerk at the time of your request which type you need.

Genealogy Research in Presque Isle County

Presque Isle County has records going back to 1871, which makes it a valuable source for family history research. The county was settled by European immigrants in the mid-1800s, and many early death records reflect those communities. The county clerk can assist with historical lookups, though researchers may need to visit in person for older entries.

Michiganology at michiganology.org is a free digital archive run by the Library of Michigan. It holds collections of Michigan death records, obituaries, and vital statistics. FamilySearch at familysearch.org has indexed many Michigan vital records, including death entries from Presque Isle County going back to the 1800s. Both sites are searchable by name and date.

For records not found online, the State Archives of Michigan holds older county records that may include Presque Isle entries. Contact the Archives at 702 West Kalamazoo Street in Lansing for research assistance. The GENDIS index at MDHHS is also a useful tool for verifying a name and date before requesting a physical copy from the clerk.

Note: Some pre-1900 records in Presque Isle County may be incomplete or contain transcription errors due to the age of the original documents.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Presque Isle County or are close by in northeastern Michigan. Each county has its own clerk's office handling death records for that area.