Search Macomb County Obituary Records
Macomb County is Michigan's third most populous county, with death records dating back to 1818. The county clerk offers a searchable online death database, and the Mount Clemens Public Library holds an obituary index with over 20,000 entries from 1880 to the present. Whether you need a recent certified copy or are searching for an ancestor from the early 1900s, Macomb County has some of the most accessible death record resources in southeast Michigan.
Macomb County Overview
Macomb County Clerk Death Records
The Macomb County Clerk in Mt. Clemens handles official death records and issues certified copies of death certificates. The clerk's office maintains a searchable online death database at clerk.macombgov.org, which is one of the more accessible online clerk tools among Michigan's larger counties. The fee for a certified death certificate is $17. You can submit requests in person, by mail, or check the clerk website for online ordering options.
Macomb County's death records begin in 1818, making this one of Michigan's longest-running death record collections alongside neighboring Wayne County. The county clerk can search by name and date. Under MCL 333.2882, these records are open to anyone. Public Act 73 of 2006 restricts online image access for deaths within the past 75 years, but the index data is available through the clerk's online database. Mailed requests need a completed application, a copy of your ID, and a $17 check or money order.
| Office | Macomb County Clerk |
|---|---|
| City | Mt. Clemens, MI |
| Website | clerk.macombgov.org |
| Fee | $17 per certified copy |
Mount Clemens Public Library Obituary Index
The Mount Clemens Public Library at mtclib.org holds a Macomb County obituary index with more than 20,000 entries covering 1880 to the present. This index was built from obituaries clipped from local Macomb County newspapers over many decades. Each entry typically includes the person's name, death date, and the newspaper issue where the obituary appeared. From there, you can request the full text of the obituary through the library.
This kind of dedicated obituary index is uncommon even among larger Michigan counties. The 20,000-plus entries represent a significant volunteer and staff effort to document local deaths beyond what appears in the official certificate index. For researchers looking for personal details, survivor information, or confirmation of family relationships, the library's obituary index is often more useful than the death certificate alone.
The library also holds local newspaper archives and other Macomb County historical materials. Staff at the genealogy desk can assist with more targeted searches. The library is located in Mt. Clemens, making it easily accessible to researchers visiting the county seat. Check mtclib.org for current hours and any remote access options they offer.
The library's obituary index complements the county clerk's online death database, giving Macomb County researchers two strong tools that work well together.
Macomb County Death Records Online
The Macomb County MiGenWeb project at macomb.migenweb.org is the main free genealogy site for county research. It provides death indexes, cemetery records, and links to county-specific historical documents.
The MiGenWeb site links to the free statewide Michigan death index at michiganology.org, covering deaths from 1897 to 1952. The GENDIS database at michiganology.org/gendis provides early death index access. FamilySearch maintains a guide at familysearch.org with links to available collections. The Macomb County Genealogy Group is another resource worth contacting for county-specific research assistance.
For recent certified copies from the state level, MDHHS charges $34 for the first copy and $16 for each additional one. MDHHS can be reached at 517-335-8666. VitalChek at vitalchek.com also handles state copy orders online with a $12.95 service fee. For Macomb County-specific certified copies, the county clerk at clerk.macombgov.org is often faster and costs $17 per copy.
Macomb County Death Records History
Macomb County was one of Michigan's original counties, organized in 1818 when Michigan was still a territory. This means the county's records predate statehood by nearly 20 years. Early territorial-era death records are fragmentary, but the Michigan Archives in Lansing holds some of the original documentation from this period at michigan.gov/archivesofmi.
Death registration under Public Act 194 of 1867 brought formal county-level recording. From 1867 onward, Macomb County's records are generally complete. The county grew substantially through the 20th century as suburban development expanded north and east from Detroit. This growth is reflected in the increasing volume of annual death records from the 1950s onward.
The Macomb County Genealogy Group holds additional research materials and can assist with genealogy questions specific to the county. The group has been active for many years and maintains a library of local records and family histories that supplement the official collection at the clerk's office and the Mount Clemens Public Library.
Cities in Macomb County
Macomb County is one of Michigan's most populated counties and includes several large cities. The following cities have dedicated obituary and death records pages on this site.
Other communities in Macomb County include Roseville, St. Clair Shores, Eastpointe, Shelby Township, and Utica. Death records for all of these areas are filed through Macomb County.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Macomb County. Each has a separate clerk office and death record collection.