Search Lansing Birth Records
Lansing birth records are handled by the Ingham County Clerk, which serves Michigan's state capital and Ingham County seat. Lansing has over 112,000 residents and is the center of state government in Michigan. All birth certificates for people born in Lansing are issued through the county clerk, not the city. The Ingham County Clerk has two office locations, including a branch right in downtown Lansing, making it easy to get records without leaving the city. This page covers what you need to know about requesting Lansing birth records.
Lansing Overview
Where to Get Lansing Birth Records
The Ingham County Clerk has two locations. The main office is in Mason, the Ingham County seat, at 341 S. Jefferson Street. The Lansing branch is at Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo in downtown Lansing. Both locations can handle birth certificate requests. The Lansing branch is often more convenient for city residents since it is right downtown.
The Lansing City Clerk is a separate office and handles city business, not birth certificates. If you contact the city clerk about a birth record, they will direct you to the Ingham County Clerk. It is a common point of confusion, but the county is always the right place to start for birth certificates in Michigan. The Lansing city government has an FAQ page at lansingmi.gov/197/FAQs that addresses this and other common questions.
| Main Office | Ingham County Clerk 341 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI 48854 |
|---|---|
| Lansing Branch | Veterans Memorial Courthouse 313 W. Kalamazoo, Lansing, MI 48933 |
| Phone | (517) 676-7201 |
| clerk@ingham.org | |
| Website | clerk.ingham.org - Vital Records |
You can reach the clerk by phone or email before your visit to confirm hours, what to bring, and which location best fits your needs. The email address clerk@ingham.org is responsive and a good option if you have questions that don't require a phone call.
The Lansing city FAQ page clarifies that birth certificates are not issued by the city. It points residents to the Ingham County Clerk for all birth record requests.
The Ingham County Clerk's vital records page at clerk.ingham.org has the full details on how to request birth records, what forms to use, and where to send mail requests.
How to Request Lansing Birth Certificates
The Ingham County Clerk accepts birth certificate requests in person and by mail. For Lansing residents, visiting the branch at 313 W. Kalamazoo is the most convenient option. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID, a completed request form, and payment. The clerk processes most in-person requests the same day.
For mail requests, send your completed form, a copy of your photo ID, a check or money order payable to the Ingham County Clerk, and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Download the request form from clerk.ingham.org before you send your package. Mail requests to the main office at 341 S. Jefferson, Mason, MI 48854 unless the Lansing branch specifically accepts mail. Call (517) 676-7201 to confirm.
You can also request a Lansing birth certificate from the state of Michigan. The Michigan MDHHS issues certified copies at michigan.gov/mdhhs. Online orders go through VitalChek's Michigan state page. State copies are an option if you want everything handled remotely, though they cost more and take longer than county copies.
Lansing Birth Record Fees
Ingham County charges $30 for the first certified copy of a birth certificate. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $15. These fees are higher than some other Michigan counties. Confirm the current amounts with the Ingham County Clerk before you go or send payment.
Pay by check or money order when mailing. Make it payable to the Ingham County Clerk. For in-person visits, call ahead to ask what the office accepts. Do not send cash by mail. If you have a question about fees before your visit, email clerk@ingham.org or call (517) 676-7201.
State copies through MDHHS are $34 for the first and $16 for each additional. For Lansing births, the county fee is slightly cheaper for the first copy. If you need several copies, compare the county and state costs to decide which route saves you more. VitalChek online orders add a service fee on top of whatever base cost applies.
Who Can Get a Lansing Birth Certificate
Michigan law under MCL 333.2882 controls who can receive a certified birth certificate. Qualified requestors are the person named on the record if they are 18 or older, a parent or legal guardian, an authorized legal representative, or a person with a valid court order. You must show a government-issued photo ID.
If you are requesting a record for someone else, bring proof of your relationship or your legal authority to act on their behalf. Parents can request their child's record. Attorneys and representatives need to show their authorization documents. Staff at the Ingham County Clerk can tell you exactly what to bring. The law governing how Michigan keeps and shares vital records is found in MCL 333.2813.
Records that are more than 100 years old are generally open to the public for genealogical purposes under Michigan law. If you are researching Lansing family history and need records from the early 1900s or before, contact the Ingham County Clerk to ask about historical access. Staff are familiar with genealogy requests and can point you to the right process.
Amended birth certificates, such as after a legal name change, go through the Michigan MDHHS rather than the county clerk. The law covering amended records is MCL 333.2888. Contact the state vital records office at michigan.gov/mdhhs for amended record requests.
Nearby Cities
Ingham County has no other qualifying cities with dedicated pages on this site. East Lansing and Okemos are near Lansing but fall below the population threshold. Their residents also use the Ingham County Clerk for birth certificate requests. The same office locations and procedures apply to anyone born in Ingham County, regardless of which city or township they are from.
Ingham County Birth Records
Lansing is in Ingham County, and the Ingham County Clerk handles all birth certificates for the city. The county page covers everything about birth records in Ingham County, including both office locations, fees, mail request instructions, and the full request process. Visit the Ingham County birth records page for complete information.