The Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage) Certificate Request Form is the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds form for ordering certified copies of birth, death and marriage records. If you searched for an Oakland County marriage license, note that this form does not apply for a license: it requests copies of the marriage record for a license that was obtained in Oakland County. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Clerk's office receives it by mail, in person or through its own online ordering, as described below.
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What is Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage) Certificate Request Form – Oakland County, MI?
The Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage) Certificate Request Form, printed on the PDF as the Vital Records Certified Copy Request Form, is the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds form used to request certified copies of birth, death and marriage records for events or licenses in Oakland County, Michigan.
One form has three request sections:
- Birth records, for births that occurred in Oakland County. This section asks for the name of the person on the record, date and city of birth, mother's full maiden name, father's name and the requestor's eligibility.
- Death records, for deaths that occurred in Oakland County: name of the deceased, date of death and city of death.
- Marriage records, for marriage licenses obtained in Oakland County: both spouses as they appear on the record, with name at birth or maiden name, and the date of marriage.
The Clerk's page says every copy the office issues is a certified copy and serves as an original document. Birth certificates are confidential records, which is why the birth section carries an eligibility checklist citing MCL 333.2882 and a penalty notice for obtaining another person's record with intent to commit identity theft or another crime.
The form requests existing records. It is not an application for a marriage license, and it does not cover events outside Oakland County. The requestor's signature is required for the request to be processed. A fee applies per copy; the form and the Clerk's page give the current amounts.
Who needs to file Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage) Certificate Request Form – Oakland County, MI?
Anyone who needs a certified copy of a birth, death or marriage record from Oakland County files this form with the Oakland County Clerk's office. Complete only the section for the record you want.
For birth records, you must be eligible under MCL 333.2882. The form lists the groups; check the box that applies to you:
- the person named on the record;
- a parent named on the record;
- a legal guardian (guardianship papers required);
- an heir of the deceased person named on the record (give your relationship and the date and place of death);
- a court of competent jurisdiction (court order required);
- a legal licensed representative (letter of representation required);
- anyone, if the birth record is at least 100 years old.
The Clerk's page adds that a parent must be named on the birth record as mother or father, and that guardians, legal representatives and heirs must supply extra documents. A person who is 65 or older requesting their own birth record checks the box for the reduced first-copy rate.
If your name now differs from the name on the birth record, the form asks for your date and state of marriage. People without valid photo identification cannot order birth records online from the Clerk; the Clerk's page points them to the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH).
When to file Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage) Certificate Request Form – Oakland County, MI
Submit the form whenever you need a certified copy of an Oakland County birth, death or marriage record; neither the form nor the Clerk's page sets a deadline for it.
One timing rule applies to births: the form warns that a birth certificate may not be available for 45-60 days after the child's birth. Birth records before 1935 are available in person or by mail only.
Turnaround depends on the channel. The Clerk's page says birth certificate requests made in person are provided the same day, and mailed requests are processed within 3 business days and should be received within 7-10 business days with regular mail. Online birth orders are not processed until the Clerk has received your photo ID, which must arrive within two days.
Documents you need
- Photo identification for birth records: a copy of the front and back of your current valid driver license, state ID or passport with a mailed request, or the original shown in person.
- Photo ID uploaded with the order, for online birth record orders; the order is not processed until the Clerk receives it.
- Guardianship papers, if you request a birth record as a legal guardian.
- A court order, if a court of competent jurisdiction requests the birth record.
- A letter of representation, if you request a birth record as a legal licensed representative.
- For an heir: the death certificate of the person named on the birth record, plus your own birth record to prove you are an heir.
- Custody orders or other legal representative documents, when the Clerk's page lists them for your situation.
- A photocopy of the front and back of your credit card and of your valid driver license or state ID, when you mail the request and pay by credit card.
- A stamped, self-addressed envelope, for requests sent by mail.
How to fill out Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage) Certificate Request Form – Oakland County, MI
Enter requestor's information
Under Requestor's Information, write your name, daytime phone, address, and city, state and ZIP code. Sign and date the form at the end; it must be signed to process the request.
Complete only the record section you need
Fill in the Birth Records, Death Records or Marriage Records section that matches the record. Each section has its own Number of copies requested line.
Describe the birth record
Enter the full name of the person on the record, date of birth, city of birth, mother's full maiden name and father's name. Leave out hyphens and apostrophes in names.
Add marriage details if your name differs
If your name is different from the name on the birth record, enter the date of marriage (line 1) and the place of marriage, state (line 2).
Check your eligibility box
Check the one box that applies: person named on record, parent named on record, legal guardian, heir, court of competent jurisdiction, legal licensed representative, or record at least 100 years old. For an heir, add your relationship and the date and place of death.
Mark the senior rate box if it applies
Check the box for age 65 or older only if you request your own birth record.
Complete the death record section
Enter the name of the deceased, the date of death and the city of death, for deaths that occurred in Oakland County, plus the number of copies.
Complete the marriage record section
For a marriage license obtained in Oakland County, enter both spouses as they appear on the record: first, middle, last name and name at birth or maiden name. Add the date of marriage and the number of copies.
Review, sign and download the PDF
Check that names match the record and that the signature and date are filled in. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit Vital Records (Birth/Death/Marriage) Certificate Request Form – Oakland County, MI
The Oakland County Clerk's office takes requests by mail, in person and through its own online ordering.
- By mail: Send the signed form, a photocopy of the front and back of your current valid driver license, state ID or passport, payment and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the Clerk's Vital Records office: 1200 North Telegraph Road, Dept 413, Pontiac, MI 48341. If you pay by credit card, also include a photocopy of the front and back of both the card and your ID.
- In person: The Pontiac office (1200 N. Telegraph Rd.) is open Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm, no appointment necessary. The Troy office is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 4:00 pm, by appointment only; call 248.858.0571. Show your current valid photo ID. The busiest times are 11:30 am to 1:30 pm.
- Online: The form points to www.oakgov.com/clerkrod. Online orders carry a service fee, and you must upload valid photo ID.
For guardian, legal representative or heir requests, bring the supporting documents in person or send them by fax or email ([email protected]) with proper ID.
Payment: Discover, MasterCard and Visa, cash, or a money order payable to Oakland County Clerk. Personal checks are not accepted. Regular mail has no shipping charge; Express Mail carries an additional charge, applies within the continental U.S. only and is not overnight delivery. Ask the Clerk for current fees at 248-858-0571.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the Clerk's channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting the form unsigned; the form states it must be signed to process the request, and the signature must match the applicant's name.
- Paying with a personal check; the form says no checks, and the Clerk accepts cards, cash or a money order payable to Oakland County Clerk.
- Mailing a birth record request without a copy of the front and back of your photo ID.
- Mailing a credit card payment without photocopies of both the card and your driver license or state ID.
- Requesting a birth record when you are not in an eligible group under MCL 333.2882, or without the guardianship papers, court order or letter of representation the box requires.
- Entering names with hyphens or apostrophes; the Clerk's page says to leave them out and match the record exactly, including the mother's maiden name.
- Ordering a birth certificate within 45-60 days of the birth, when the record may not yet be available.
- Checking the box for age 65 or older on a record that is not your own; the reduced first-copy rate is for your own birth record only.
- Requesting a record for an event or marriage license outside Oakland County; each section covers Oakland County records only.
- Leaving out the date and state of marriage when your name differs from the name on the birth record.
Frequently asked questions
Is this form the application for an Oakland County marriage license?
No. The form requests certified copies of a marriage record for a marriage license that was already obtained in Oakland County. It asks for both spouses' names as on the record, their names at birth or maiden names, and the date of marriage. It does not apply for a new license.
Who can request a birth certificate from the Oakland County Clerk?
Only eligible people under MCL 333.2882: the person named on the record, a parent named on it, a legal guardian, an heir, a court of competent jurisdiction, a legal licensed representative, or anyone if the record is at least 100 years old. Guardians, representatives, heirs and courts must supply documents.
Can I pay for vital records with a personal check?
No. The form says no checks, and the Clerk's page says no personal checks. You can pay with Discover, MasterCard or Visa, cash, or a money order payable to Oakland County Clerk. A fee applies per copy; ask the Clerk for current amounts.
How long does it take to get a copy by mail?
The Clerk's page says mailed requests are processed within 3 business days and should be received within 7-10 business days by regular mail. Express Mail is available within the continental U.S. for an additional charge and is not overnight delivery.
Can I get a vital record the same day in person?
For birth certificates, yes: the Clerk's page says requests received in person are provided the same day. Show a current valid driver license, state ID or passport. The Pontiac office needs no appointment; the Troy office is by appointment only at 248.858.0571.
What ID do I need to request a birth record?
A current valid driver license, state ID or passport. Show it in person, or mail a photocopy of the front and back with the form. For online orders, upload a copy; the order is not processed until the Clerk receives it.
Do I need a copy of my ID if I pay by credit card by mail?
Yes. Along with the form and your photo ID copy, include a photocopy of the front and back of both your credit card and your valid driver license or state ID, plus a stamped, self-addressed envelope.
Can I fill out the Oakland County vital records request form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of Oakland County and does not submit the request; you send it to the Clerk by mail, in person or through the Clerk's own online ordering.
Which records does the form cover?
Birth and death records for events that occurred in Oakland County, and marriage records for licenses obtained in Oakland County. Fill in only the section for the record you want, with the number of copies for that record.
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