Lapeer County Obituary Records

Lapeer County death records and obituaries go back to 1867, making this one of Michigan's earlier-organized counties with a long record history. The Lapeer District Library holds an obituary card file covering 1880 to 2004, which is one of the most useful local genealogy tools in this part of Michigan. This guide walks through where to find Lapeer County death records, how to search online, and what the county clerk office offers.

Lapeer County Clerk Office

The Lapeer County Clerk keeps official death records and issues certified copies of death certificates. The office is at 255 Clay Street in Lapeer and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. The phone number is 810-667-0356. Fees for certified copies run between $13 and $15 per copy. Requests by mail require a completed application, a copy of your ID, and a check made out to the Lapeer County Clerk.

Lapeer County was organized in 1835, making it one of Michigan's oldest counties. Death registration under Public Act 194 of 1867 brought formal records starting that year, but earlier records tied to the county's founding era exist through church records and cemetery registers. The clerk can search by name and date. The county's main website at lapeercountymi.gov has current contact information and any available online forms.

Lapeer District Library Obituary Card File

The Lapeer District Library maintains an obituary card file covering 1880 through 2004. This is one of the most valuable local genealogy resources in Lapeer County for anyone researching deaths from the late 1800s through the early 2000s. The card file includes obituaries clipped from local newspapers and organized by name. Researchers can visit the library in person to access this collection.

This kind of physical card index is relatively rare among Michigan's county libraries. Most obituary indexes from this era exist only as original newspaper microfilm or have not been indexed at all. Having a name-indexed card file covering over a century of local obituaries gives Lapeer County researchers a significant advantage when trying to fill gaps between official death certificates and published notices. The library staff can assist with searches during regular hours.

For deaths after 2004, local newspaper archives are the best supplemental source. The library may hold microfilm or digital access to local Lapeer County newspapers. Check with library staff for current availability and remote access options.

Note: Contact the Lapeer District Library directly for current access hours and any remote search options they may offer.

Lapeer County Death Records Online

The Lapeer County MiGenWeb project at lapeer.migenweb.org provides free access to death indexes, cemetery transcriptions, and county genealogy links. This is a solid starting point before contacting the clerk or library.

The MiGenWeb site connects to the statewide Michigan death index at michiganology.org, which is free and covers deaths from 1897 to 1952. The GENDIS database at michiganology.org/gendis provides early death index access as well. FamilySearch has a Lapeer County guide at familysearch.org with links to available collections.

Under MCL 333.2882, death certificates are open public records in Michigan. Anyone can request a copy regardless of their relationship to the deceased. Public Act 73 of 2006 limits the online display of death record images for deaths within the past 75 years, but the index data is still available. For recent certified copies, MDHHS charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional one. Orders go through the MDHHS at 517-335-8666 or through vitalchek.com.

Lapeer County Records History

Lapeer County was formally organized in 1835, long before Michigan required statewide death registration. This means pre-1867 deaths are documented only through church records, probate filings, and cemetery records. Several churches in Lapeer County maintained registers from the 1830s onward. These can be found through the Library of Michigan, FamilySearch, and various genealogical societies.

After 1867, the county clerk began recording deaths under Public Act 194 of 1867. The records from the late 1800s and early 1900s are generally intact, though completeness varies. Rural areas of Lapeer County may have gaps where deaths went unreported to the county for days or weeks, particularly in winter months when travel to Lapeer was difficult.

For researchers looking at families in the 1800s, the Lapeer County Historical Society and the Library of Michigan are useful supplemental sources. The county's location near the Thumb region means some families moved between Lapeer, Tuscola, and Sanilac counties, so checking records in neighboring counties is worth doing.

Communities in Lapeer County

Lapeer County's main city is Lapeer, the county seat. Other communities include Imlay City and Almont. None of these meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Death records for all Lapeer County communities are filed through the county clerk in Lapeer.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Lapeer County. If your research spans county lines, each has its own clerk office and genealogy resources.