Find Death Records in Wexford County

Wexford County death index records run from 1869 to the present and are held by the County Clerk in Cadillac, Michigan. The county was organized in 1869, and death registrations began with the county's establishment. Certified copies cost $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy of the same record. Free online tools cover deaths through 1952. This page explains how to search the Wexford County death index and how to request certified copies from the clerk in Cadillac.

Wexford County Clerk Death Records

The Wexford County Clerk is the local authority for death records in this northern Lower Peninsula county. The office is at 437 E. Division Street, Suite 200, Cadillac, MI 49601. The phone number is (231) 779-9453. Wexford County was organized in 1869, and death records go back to that year. The clerk handles requests for certified death certificates in person, by mail, and through state-level ordering channels.

Certified copies cost $15.00 for the first copy. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $5.00. In-person service at the Cadillac office is available during regular business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and your payment. Same-day service is standard for in-person requests unless the office has a backlog. Mail requests take longer. For a mail order, include a completed request form, a copy of your ID, a check or money order payable to the Wexford County Clerk, and a stamped return envelope addressed to yourself.

Michigan death records are public under MCL 333.2885. You do not need to be related to the deceased or have a specific legal purpose to request a copy. Anyone can submit a request.

Michigan MDHHS holds state copies of Wexford County death records and offers an alternative ordering channel for those who cannot visit the Cadillac office in person.

How to Search Wexford County Death Records

The free GENDIS database at Michigan MDHHS is the best starting point for searching Wexford County deaths from 1869 through 1897. GENDIS is searchable by name at no cost and returns basic identifying data from the original registrations. No account is needed. It covers the county's earliest registration period and is comprehensive for the time.

For deaths from 1897 through 1952, Michiganology.org provides free access to digitized death records for Wexford County. This site focuses on Michigan genealogy and has solid coverage of northern Lower Peninsula counties. Together, GENDIS and Michiganology give you free access to Wexford County death index records from 1869 through 1952, covering the county's full early history without a visit or fee.

For deaths from 1952 to the present, contact the Wexford County Clerk in Cadillac or order through Michigan MDHHS. The clerk's office is the fastest route for local in-person requests. Mail requests and state-level orders work well for those who are not near Cadillac.

Note: GENDIS and Michiganology are index-only tools. Certified copies for legal use must come from the county clerk or from MDHHS.

What Wexford County Death Certificates Include

A certified death certificate from Wexford County includes the deceased's full name, date and place of death, age, and cause of death. The certificate also lists the attending physician or coroner, the informant's name and address, and the place of burial or disposition. These details are used for probate and estate work, life insurance claims, survivor benefits, and genealogy records.

The death index is a summary record showing names, dates, and registration numbers. It does not contain the full certificate text. For deaths before 1869, Wexford County records do not exist in the official index. Church burial records, cemetery inventories, and early probate files are the main sources for that period. FamilySearch.org may have some early Michigan records that touch on Wexford County's settlement history before county organization.

State-Level Resources for Wexford County Death Records

The Michigan MDHHS vital records office holds copies of all Wexford County death records from 1869 to present. Ordering from the state is a valid option for those who cannot easily reach Cadillac. MDHHS fees differ from the county's local rate. Check the MDHHS website for current fee and process details before submitting a request.

Under MCL 333.2843, Michigan has required timely death registration for well over a century. Wexford County's index is complete from 1869 forward. For genealogy research, the combination of GENDIS, Michiganology, and the clerk's own records gives you access to the full death index from the county's founding to the present day.

Nearby Counties

Wexford County is in the northern Lower Peninsula. These counties border Wexford and may hold records for deaths near county lines.