Access Branch County Birth Records

Branch County birth records are held by the County Clerk in Coldwater, Michigan. The office processes requests for certified birth certificates for persons born in Branch County only. There are specific payment rules, ID requirements, and mailing envelope requirements that apply here and differ from many other Michigan counties. Reading through the details before you submit a request will save time and avoid delays.

Branch County Clerk Office

The Branch County Clerk is at 31 Division Street in Coldwater. The office number is (517) 279-4306. This is the only office that handles birth certificate requests for Branch County. Records go back to 1867, covering well over 150 years of birth data for this part of south-central Michigan.

One important rule to know before you start: the Branch County Clerk processes requests for persons born in Branch County only. If you need a birth record for someone born elsewhere in Michigan, you must contact that county's clerk or order through the Michigan MDHHS Vital Records office. Do not send a request to Branch County for a birth that occurred in another county, as it will not be processed.

Branch County also has specific payment and mailing rules that differ from many other clerks. The office requires cash or money order only for mail requests. Personal checks are not accepted. You must also include a self-addressed legal-size stamped envelope (9.5 by 4 inches) and your mailing address on the envelope must match the address on your ID. These rules are strictly applied. Review the complete requirements before mailing your request to avoid having it returned.

What to Include with Your Branch County Request

The Branch County Clerk has specific requirements for mail-in requests. Getting everything right before you send your envelope avoids delays and return shipments. Here is what the office needs:

• Copy of your driver's license or state ID (front and back) or three separate pieces of identification
• Cash or money order only, payable to Branch County Clerk (no personal checks)
• Self-addressed legal-size stamped envelope (9.5 by 4 inches)
• Your mailing address on the envelope must match the address on your ID
• The non-refundable $20 search fee for a 10-year search period

The ID requirement has a specific note: you can submit a copy of your driver's license or state ID showing both the front and back, or you can provide three separate pieces of ID that together confirm your identity and address. The envelope size requirement (number 10 legal size, 9.5 by 4 inches) is specific. A standard letter envelope is not the right size. Using the wrong envelope may result in your request being returned without processing.

For in-person requests in Coldwater, bring your ID to the clerk's office. Staff will help you complete the form and confirm payment options for walk-in visits. The phone number (517) 279-4306 is available if you have questions before you arrive or before you mail your request.

Branch County Birth Record Fees

Branch County has a fee structure that differs from most Michigan counties. The first certified copy costs $20. Additional certified copies cost $5 each. Seniors aged 65 and older may request their own record for a reduced fee of $5. A non-certified copy costs $5. Microfilm copies have a flat rate of $10, with an extra $10 to certify a microfilm copy.

The $20 search fee covers a 10-year search period. It is non-refundable even if no record is found. This search fee is separate from the copy fee and applies per request. The fee structure is set under MCL 333.2888, though Branch County's local rules add some specific amounts beyond the standard state schedule. Cash or money order only for mail requests. The office does not accept personal checks.

Note: The senior reduced fee of $5 applies only when the person aged 65 or older is requesting their own birth record, not a record for another person.

Access Rules for Branch County Birth Certificates

Branch County follows Michigan state law on access restrictions. Under MCL 333.2882, birth records less than 100 years old are confidential. They may only be released to the person named on the certificate, their parents, a legal guardian, or an authorized representative with proper documentation. The clerk reviews all requests and will not release a record to someone who cannot prove eligibility.

Records that are 100 years old or older are public and can be requested by anyone. This covers births from 1926 and earlier as of 2026. Genealogical researchers working with older Branch County family lines will find these records accessible without the eligibility restrictions that apply to more recent documents.

If you are not the person named on the record and do not fall into one of the eligible categories, you must provide legal documentation showing your authority. A court order, power of attorney, or notarized authorization letter may satisfy this requirement. Requests without proper documentation are denied and fees are not refunded. You can also order through MDHHS online or VitalChek if you prefer state-level ordering.

The Michigan MDHHS Vital Records website explains eligibility rules and ordering options that apply across all Michigan counties, including Branch County.

Cities in Branch County

Branch County has no cities that meet the population threshold for a dedicated city page on this site. Residents in Coldwater and throughout the rest of the county, including Union City and Quincy, submit birth record requests to the Branch County Clerk at 31 Division Street in Coldwater. Remember that the office handles only records for persons born in Branch County.

Nearby Counties

Branch County is in the southern tier of Michigan's lower peninsula. If a birth took place in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk. Each maintains its own records separately.