Ann Arbor Birth Certificates
Ann Arbor birth records are issued by the Washtenaw County Clerk, located right in the city at 200 N. Main Street. Ann Arbor serves as the Washtenaw County seat and is home to over 121,000 residents. The county clerk maintains birth certificates for Ann Arbor going back to 1867, and the office also offers genealogy assistance on Thursdays. If you need a birth certificate for yourself, a child, or a family member born in Ann Arbor, the Washtenaw County Clerk is where you start. This page covers how the process works, what it costs, and who can request records.
Ann Arbor Overview
Where to Get Ann Arbor Birth Records
The Washtenaw County Clerk handles all birth records for Ann Arbor. Because Ann Arbor is the county seat, the clerk's office is right in the city. You don't have to travel anywhere else for your birth certificate. The office is in Suite 120 at 200 N. Main Street, which is in downtown Ann Arbor.
One thing that sets the Washtenaw County Clerk apart is genealogy assistance on Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. If you are doing family history research and need help finding older birth records, you can come in during those hours and get guidance from staff. This is not available every day, so plan your visit if you need that kind of support.
| Office | Washtenaw County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 N. Main Street, Suite 120 Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645 |
| Phone | (734) 222-6710 |
| Genealogy Help | Thursdays, 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM |
| Website | washtenaw.org |
The county's main site at washtenaw.org has current hours, forms, and contact information for the clerk's office. Check there before your visit to make sure nothing has changed. The office ZIP code for mailing is 48107-8645 so use that exact address on your envelope.
The Washtenaw County website is where you find the current forms, hours, and contact information for requesting Ann Arbor birth records from the county clerk.
How to Request Ann Arbor Birth Certificates
The Washtenaw County Clerk accepts in-person visits and mail requests for Ann Arbor birth certificates. In person is the fastest option. Go to Suite 120 at 200 N. Main Street, show your ID, fill out the request form, pay the fee, and you get your certificate the same day.
To request by mail, send a completed request form, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, a check or money order payable to the Washtenaw County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. The mailing address is 200 N. Main Street, Suite 120, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8645. Download the request form from the county website before sending. Mail requests take longer, especially during busy periods, so plan for that if you have a deadline.
The state also issues birth certificates. Michigan MDHHS handles state-level requests at michigan.gov/mdhhs. You can also order through VitalChek's Michigan vital records page. State copies cover the same events but come from Lansing and typically cost more and take longer than county copies. For most Ann Arbor residents, the county clerk is the better route.
Ann Arbor Birth Certificate Fees
Washtenaw County charges $15 for the first certified copy of a birth certificate. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $5. These fees apply to Ann Arbor births and all other Washtenaw County births.
When mailing a request, use a check or money order payable to the Washtenaw County Clerk. Do not send cash. For in-person payments, call (734) 222-6710 ahead of time to ask what forms of payment the office accepts. Cash, check, and card are commonly accepted, but it is good to confirm before you arrive.
State copies through MDHHS are $34 for the first certificate and $16 for each additional. County copies are less expensive for most people. If you only need one or two certificates, the Washtenaw County Clerk is the cheaper option. Note that VitalChek online orders add a service fee on top of whatever the base cost is.
Who Can Get an Ann Arbor Birth Certificate
Michigan law limits who can receive a certified birth certificate. Under MCL 333.2882, eligible requestors include the person named on the record if they are 18 or older, a parent or legal guardian, an authorized legal representative, or someone with a court order. You must show valid photo ID to get a certified copy.
If you are requesting a record on behalf of a minor or another adult, bring documentation showing your relationship or legal authority. Parents requesting a child's birth certificate need ID. A legal representative needs to show their authorization. The Washtenaw County Clerk's staff can answer specific questions about what to bring for your situation. The broader framework for Michigan vital records access is in MCL 333.2813.
Genealogy researchers have broader access to older records. Under Michigan law, birth records become public after 100 years. If you are researching Ann Arbor family history and need a record from before 1924, you can likely access it with fewer restrictions. The Thursday genealogy help hours at the Washtenaw County Clerk are a good time to come in and ask about historical records access. Staff can walk you through the process and help you find what you need.
For amended records, such as when a name or other detail has been legally changed, requests go through the Michigan MDHHS rather than the local county clerk. The process for amended certificates under MCL 333.2888 involves the state vital records office.
Birth Records Context for Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan, one of the largest universities in the country. The city has a large population of students, faculty, and medical staff tied to the U of M Health System. People born at University of Michigan hospitals will have their birth recorded through Washtenaw County. If you were born at a U of M hospital and need your birth certificate, the Washtenaw County Clerk's office is where you request it.
The city's population fluctuates based on the academic year, but birth records are permanent and do not change based on residency status. Whether the birth happened at U of M Hospital, St. Joseph Mercy, or another Ann Arbor facility, the record goes into the Washtenaw County system and the state vital records system through the Michigan MDHHS. Both the county and state copies are valid certified copies for legal purposes.
Nearby Cities
Ypsilanti is a smaller city in Washtenaw County near Ann Arbor but does not meet the population threshold for a dedicated page on this site. Ypsilanti residents also use the Washtenaw County Clerk at 200 N. Main Street, Suite 120, Ann Arbor, for birth certificate requests. Other nearby cities in Washtenaw County are below the qualifying threshold as well. There are no other qualifying cities in Washtenaw County with dedicated pages here.
Washtenaw County Birth Records
Ann Arbor is the county seat of Washtenaw County, and the Washtenaw County Clerk is the office that issues all birth certificates for the city and county. The county page covers the full scope of how birth records work in Washtenaw County, including genealogy resources, fees, and request procedures.