Saginaw County Obituary Records
Saginaw County death records and obituaries are available through the County Clerk in Saginaw, with records going back to 1835. The clerk maintains a searchable death database covering deaths from 1995 forward, which makes recent searches much faster. Hoyt Library in Saginaw holds one of the largest genealogy collections in the state outside of the Library of Michigan. This page covers how to use each source and what to expect.
Saginaw County Overview
Saginaw County Clerk Death Records
The Saginaw County Clerk holds death records going back to 1835, making this one of the longest-running local record sets in mid-Michigan. The clerk's office can issue certified copies of death certificates for deaths filed in the county. The fee is $15 per copy. Under MCL 333.2882, these records are open to the public. Any person may request a copy without giving a reason.
One of the most useful features for Saginaw County is the searchable death database the clerk maintains covering deaths from 1995 onward. This database lets you check whether a record exists and confirm the basic details before you pay for a certified copy. If you know the death was recent, start with this database. For older records, you will need to search in person or submit a written request with as much detail as possible.
The Saginaw County Clerk's office is in the county courthouse in Saginaw. Staff are available Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Mail requests should include the name of the deceased, year of death, your name and mailing address, and a check or money order for $15.
| Office | Saginaw County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | Saginaw, MI 48602 |
| Hours | Monday through Friday, standard business hours |
| Fee | $15 per certified copy |
| Online Database | Deaths from 1995 and later |
| Records Start | 1835 |
Hoyt Library Genealogy Collection
Hoyt Library in Saginaw holds the largest genealogy collection in Michigan outside the Library of Michigan in Lansing. This is a major resource for anyone researching deaths and obituaries in Saginaw County. The collection includes microfilm rolls of local newspapers, cemetery records, funeral home ledgers, and family history files going back into the 19th century.
The Saginaw News has been the main daily paper in Saginaw for over a century. Hoyt Library holds extensive runs of the Saginaw News on microfilm and in other formats. Obituaries in the Saginaw News are often detailed and include the names of surviving family members, occupation, and church affiliation. If you know the approximate date of death, a newspaper obituary search at Hoyt Library can often return more detail than the official death certificate.
The Saginaw Genealogical Society works closely with Hoyt Library and has compiled additional indexes. The society has members who know the Saginaw County record landscape well. Their records and volunteers can help researchers who are stuck on a specific family or time period. Contact Hoyt Library directly to ask about current genealogy room hours and remote access options.
Note: Hoyt Library's genealogy room may have separate hours from the main library. Call ahead before visiting for research purposes.
The MIGenWeb page for Saginaw County at saginaw.migenweb.org indexes volunteer-compiled records and links to other research tools specific to this county.
The Saginaw MIGenWeb site includes compiled obituary data, cemetery transcriptions, and historical resources that complement the official county clerk records.
Saginaw County Death Records via State
Michigan required statewide death registration beginning with Public Act 194 of 1867. Saginaw County deaths from 1897 onward are held by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services in Lansing. Certified copies cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional copy in the same order. Call MDHHS at 517-335-8666 for help with state-level requests.
You can also order online through VitalChek, which adds a $12.95 service fee. For genealogy work, the free Michiganology database at michiganology.org covers Michigan death records from 1897 to 1952. This database is searchable by name and county at no cost. Public Act 73 of 2006 restricts full image access to records more than 75 years old, so Michiganology's coverage aligns with that threshold.
The GENDIS system on Michiganology covers indexed data going back even further, including early death records from Saginaw County when local registration was just getting started. Check both databases before ordering a paid copy from MDHHS.
FamilySearch also holds indexed and microfilmed Saginaw County death records. The Saginaw County genealogy wiki on FamilySearch describes which record sets are available and in what format.
Cities in Saginaw County
Saginaw County includes the city of Saginaw and several other communities in the mid-Michigan region.
Other communities in Saginaw County include Saginaw, Birch Run, Chesaning, Frankenmuth, and Zilwaukee. All death records for this county are filed with the Saginaw County Clerk.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Saginaw County. Death records are filed based on where the person died or lived, so check nearby counties if the record is not found here.