The Clerk’s Office also serves as the Local Registrar for all birth and death records for those born or deceased at a Hospital within the City boundaries. Generally, Southfield only has birth records for someone born at a Southfield hospital such as Ascension Providence Hospital. Persons born elsewhere should be able to obtain their certificates from their birth state and/or county. Birth certificates are $15 for the first copy, and $5 for each additional copy purchased at the same time. Call our office (248) 796-5150 if you have any questions.
Who can get a birth certificate in Michigan?
Birth records are restricted in Michigan and only a person or parent named on the record or a court-appointed legal guardian of the person named on the record may request a copy of a birth record that is LESS than 100 years old. Applicants must provide a current acceptable form of ID (see attached). For guardians, your application you must include a copy of the court-appointed legal guardianship papers. Custody papers are not acceptable to request a birth record.
If you were born prior to 1979 and your parents were not married, or you were adopted, the city may not have your birth record. You must contact the State of Michigan (517) 335-8666, 517-353-8000, or view this website for more information.
State of Michigan, Vital Records Department
Who can get a death certificate in Michigan?
Anyone can obtain Death Certificate/Death records they are open to the public. Death Certificates are filed in the county where the death occurred.
PROPER IDENTIFICATION for obtaining a birth certificate includes:
Documents that establish your Identity (Tier 1) U.S. or Foreign Passport, U.S. Passport Card, U.S. or U.S. Territories Driver’s License or Identification Card.
Must Use at least 3 Alternative Documents to establish your Identity such as:
Paycheck stub, Bank statement, Voter registration, Motor vehicle registration, Health insurance card, Utility Bill, etc.
Birth Certificates
Birth certificates are $15 for the first copy, and $5 for each additional copy purchased at the same time. To obtain certified copies of birth or death records, you may either apply by mail using the applications available through this website, request the certified copies online or you may visit the City Clerk's Office any weekday from 8:00AM – 5:00 PM.
Visit the Oakland County website for Oakland County Vital Statistic Information.
Death Certificates
Certified copies of death certificates may be obtained at the City Clerk's Office for any death occurring in the City of Southfield after 1965. For any death prior to 1965, copies may be obtained at either Oakland County or the State of Michigan (phone numbers referenced above).
Online Application for requesting Birth or Death Certificates
Instruction Regarding the approach to your online request and payment:
The fee for the request is $15 for the first certified copy and $5 for any additional. When inputting payment information, please enter 1 for the # of Copies but enter the correct price for the number of copies you actually want. (For example, if you wanted 3 copies, you would enter 1 for the # of copies and $25 for the price).
The request form is separate from the payment form so please click both links.
