Death Index in Van Buren County
Van Buren County death index records go back to 1867 and are kept by the County Clerk in Paw Paw, Michigan. The clerk handles certified death certificates for this southwest Michigan county, with a fee of $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. Free search tools cover deaths through 1952 via state genealogy databases. This page walks through how to search the Van Buren County death index and what to expect when requesting records from the clerk's office.
Van Buren County Overview
Van Buren County Clerk Death Records Office
The Van Buren County Clerk handles vital records, including death certificates and the local death index. The office is at 212 Paw Paw Street, Suite 105, Paw Paw, MI 49079. You can reach the clerk by phone at (269) 657-8218. The county was organized in 1837, and death records from the period of systematic statewide registration go back to 1867. Van Buren County sits in southwest Michigan, bordered by Lake Michigan on its western edge.
Certified death certificates cost $15.00 for the first copy. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $5.00. In-person requests are handled at the Paw Paw office during regular business hours. Same-day service is typical for in-person visits when the office is not backed up with requests. Bring a valid photo ID and your payment in cash, check, or money order. Mail requests are also accepted. Send your completed form, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order payable to the Van Buren County Clerk, along with a self-addressed stamped envelope.
Under MCL 333.2885, death records in Michigan are available to the public. You can request a copy without showing that you are a family member or have a specific legal need.
Michigan MDHHS maintains state copies of Van Buren County death records and is an alternative source for certified copies if you prefer ordering through the state office.
| Office | 212 Paw Paw Street, Suite 105 Paw Paw, MI 49079 |
|---|---|
| Phone | (269) 657-8218 |
| Records Available | 1867 to present |
| Fee | $15.00 first copy, $5.00 each additional |
Searching Van Buren County Death Records Online
The GENDIS database from Michigan MDHHS covers Van Buren County deaths from 1867 through 1897. The database is free and searchable by name. It is the best starting point for researching deaths in the county's earliest registration period. You do not need an account or a fee to use GENDIS, and results return quickly with basic index information.
For deaths between 1897 and 1952, Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized Van Buren County death records. This resource is designed for Michigan genealogy research and covers southwest Michigan counties well. Running searches in both GENDIS and Michiganology together gives you free coverage from 1867 through 1952 without any visit to the county clerk.
Deaths from 1952 forward require a request to the Van Buren County Clerk or to Michigan MDHHS. Neither GENDIS nor Michiganology covers recent deaths. The clerk in Paw Paw is the most direct route for modern records. If you are outside the area, a mail request to the Paw Paw office or an order through MDHHS are your best options.
Note: Neither GENDIS nor Michiganology provides certified copies. Those must come from the county clerk or from MDHHS.
What Van Buren County Death Certificates Show
A certified death certificate from Van Buren County includes the deceased's full name, date of death, place of death, age, and cause of death. It also lists the attending physician or coroner, the informant's name and relationship, and the place of burial or cremation. These fields are required for probate filings, estate settlements, life insurance claims, and pension or benefit applications.
The county death index is a condensed record that shows names, dates, and registration numbers. It does not include the full text of the certificate. For deaths before 1867, Van Buren County records are limited. Church registers, early cemetery inventories, and probate court files are the most likely surviving sources for that period. FamilySearch.org has some pre-registration Michigan records that may include Van Buren County entries from the 1840s onward.
State-Level Death Record Resources
The Michigan MDHHS vital records office holds state-level copies of all Van Buren County death records from 1867 onward. You can order from MDHHS directly if you want an alternative to going through the county clerk. Fees at the state office differ from Van Buren County's local rate, so check the MDHHS website before submitting.
Under MCL 333.2843, Michigan has long required that deaths be reported and registered within a set time. This requirement has produced a relatively complete death index for Van Buren County going back over 150 years, making it a reliable source for both legal research and genealogy.
Nearby Counties
Van Buren County borders several southwest Michigan counties. If a death occurred near a county boundary, searching nearby counties may turn up the record.