Get Birth Records in Dearborn

Dearborn birth records are issued by the Wayne County Clerk in Detroit. Dearborn is a city of over 104,000 people in Wayne County, located just west of Detroit. Like all Wayne County cities, Dearborn does not issue birth certificates through its city clerk. The Wayne County Clerk handles all birth record requests for Dearborn births. If you were born in Dearborn or need a birth certificate for someone who was, you need to contact Wayne County, not the city. This page covers how to make that request, what the process involves, and what qualifications apply.

Where to Get Dearborn Birth Records

The Wayne County Clerk at 400 Monroe Street in Detroit is where you get a Dearborn birth certificate. The clerk's office has two counters for vital records. Dearborn births are handled at Suite 610, which is for Wayne County births outside of Detroit city proper. Suite 605 handles births that occurred within Detroit's city limits. If you were born in Dearborn, go to Suite 610.

The Dearborn City Clerk is a different office. It handles city business such as permits and business licenses. City hall cannot provide birth certificates. If you contact the Dearborn City Clerk about a birth record, they will tell you to go to Wayne County. Go directly to Wayne County to save yourself that step.

The office closes for lunch from noon to 1:00 PM every day. If you arrive near that window, you may have to wait. Thursday hours extend to 7:00 PM, which is the only evening option during the week. The Wayne County Clerk's website at waynecountymi.gov has the current details and request forms.

The Wayne County Clerk's birth certificates page shows the full request process, applicable fees, and all contact information for the Detroit office that handles Dearborn birth records.

How to Request Dearborn Birth Certificates

The Wayne County Clerk accepts in-person requests, mail requests, and online orders through VitalChek. In-person visits are the fastest. Go to Suite 610 at 400 Monroe Street in Detroit, bring your photo ID and payment, fill out a form at the counter, and staff will process your request. Most in-person requests are handled the same day.

For mail requests, send a completed request form, a copy of your government-issued photo ID, a check or money order payable to the Wayne County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to 400 Monroe Street, Suite 610, Detroit, MI 48226. Download the form from the Wayne County website before sending. Processing time for mail requests varies based on office volume, so allow extra time if you have a deadline.

Online orders go through VitalChek's Wayne County page. You pay the county fee plus a VitalChek service charge. The certificate is mailed after processing. This is useful if you can't make the trip to Detroit. You can also order a state copy through the Michigan MDHHS at michigan.gov/mdhhs or via VitalChek's Michigan state records page.

Dearborn Birth Certificate Fees

Wayne County charges $25 for the first certified copy of a birth certificate. Seniors age 65 or older requesting their own birth record pay $15. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs less than the first. Confirm exact current fees with the Wayne County Clerk before you send payment, as amounts can change.

For mail orders, use a check or money order made out to the Wayne County Clerk. Do not send cash. At the in-person counter, the office may accept cash, check, or card. Call (313) 967-6938 to confirm before your visit. For VitalChek online orders, you pay the county fee plus a VitalChek service fee using a credit or debit card.

State copies through the Michigan MDHHS cost $34 for the first and $16 for each additional. County copies are less expensive for most Dearborn residents. One or two copies will cost less going through Wayne County than through the state. If you are ordering many copies or doing so from out of state, the online and state options may be worth the extra cost.

Who Can Request a Dearborn Birth Record

Michigan law under MCL 333.2882 limits who can receive a certified birth certificate. The eligible list includes the person named on the record if they are 18 or older, a parent or legal guardian, an authorized legal representative, and anyone holding a valid court order. A government-issued photo ID is required for all requests.

If you are requesting a record for someone else, bring documentation showing your relationship or legal authority. Parents requesting a minor child's record need to bring their own photo ID. A legal representative needs authorization documents. The Wayne County Clerk's office can clarify what you need for your specific situation. The broader Michigan vital records law is at MCL 333.2813.

Records more than 100 years old are generally accessible to the public for genealogical research under Michigan law. If you are researching Dearborn family history and need an older record, contact the Wayne County Clerk to ask about the process for accessing historical vital records. Staff can help you determine which records are available and what you need to request them.

Nearby Cities in Wayne County

Dearborn is surrounded by other large Wayne County cities. Their residents all use the Wayne County Clerk at 400 Monroe Street in Detroit for birth certificates.

• Detroit - Wayne County, northeast of Dearborn
• Livonia - Wayne County, north of Dearborn
• Canton Township - Wayne County, west of Dearborn

Westland is also in Wayne County near Dearborn but does not have a dedicated page on this site. Westland residents use the same Wayne County Clerk office for their birth certificate requests.

Wayne County Birth Records

Dearborn is in Wayne County. All birth certificates for Dearborn come from the Wayne County Clerk's office in Detroit. The county page has the full details on the request process, fee schedule, VitalChek options, and everything else you need to get a Wayne County birth record.

View Wayne County Birth Records