Ingham County Birth Records

Ingham County birth records are managed by the Ingham County Clerk, which has two offices: the main location in Mason and a branch office in Lansing. Birth records go back to 1867. You can order certified copies online through the county's self-service portal, in person at either office, by mail, or by email to clerk@ingham.org.

Ingham County Clerk Vital Records Office

The Ingham County Clerk handles birth records for all births that occurred in Ingham County. Ingham County is home to Michigan's state capital, Lansing. The county clerk's office has two locations: the Mason Courthouse at 341 S. Jefferson in Mason, and the Veterans Memorial Courthouse at 313 W. Kalamazoo in Lansing.

Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, though both close for lunch from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM. You can visit either location to request birth records. The Mason office handles home birth registration, but for that specific service you must arrive by 4:00 PM for same-day processing.

The county's vital records page is at clerk.ingham.org and has full details on ordering options. The birth certificates page at clerk.ingham.org/vital_records_birth_certificates.php covers the specific steps and requirements for birth record requests. The screenshot below is from the Ingham County vital records page.

Visit the Ingham County vital records page for the most current information on fees and ordering procedures.

How to Order Ingham County Birth Certificates

Ingham County offers more ways to order birth records than most Michigan counties. You can order online through the county self-service portal, in person at either office, by mail, or by email. Each method has the same basic requirements but differs in processing time.

The online self-service portal is convenient and available through the county's website. You upload your photo ID as part of the online process. This is probably the easiest option for most people, especially those in Lansing who prefer not to visit the office in person.

In-person visits give you the fastest results. Visit either the Mason Courthouse or the Veterans Memorial Courthouse in Lansing. Bring a valid photo ID and be prepared to fill out a request form. Keep in mind the lunch closure from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM when planning your visit. If your ID has expired or you do not have one, ask the clerk about alternate ID options; Ingham County accepts a wide range of alternate documents.

Email requests are accepted at clerk@ingham.org. You need to attach the completed request form and a copy of your ID. This works well if you are in a hurry but cannot visit in person. Mail requests go to P.O. Box 179, Mason, MI 48854. Payment by check, money order, or credit/debit card is accepted for mail orders.

The birth certificates ordering page at clerk.ingham.org/vital_records_birth_certificates.php has the forms and current instructions. The screenshot below is from that page.

Note: If you need expedited shipping, Ingham County charges $45 for that service, which covers priority postage and handling.

Ingham County Birth Record Fees

Ingham County has the highest birth certificate fee among the counties covered here. The first certified copy costs $30. Each additional copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $15. These fees are set by the county and apply to all ordering methods.

Persons age 65 or older who request their own birth record may qualify for a reduced fee under MCL 333.2891(8). Ask about the senior discount when you order. This reduction applies only when the person named on the certificate is the one making the request.

If you need your record quickly and require priority mailing, add $45 to your order for expedited postage. Standard mail delivery is available without extra charge. For those who can pick up in person, there is no shipping fee at all.

You can compare the county fee with the state-level fee, which is $34 for the first copy through the Michigan MDHHS. Ordering from Ingham County costs less than going through the state. The state office at michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords is an option if the county cannot fulfill your request for some reason.

Who Can Request Ingham County Birth Records

Ingham County follows Michigan state law on access to birth records. Under MCL 333.2882, certified copies of birth records less than 100 years old can only be issued to certain eligible people.

Those who qualify include the individual named on the certificate, a parent named on the record, a legal guardian with current Letters of Guardianship dated within 30 days of the request, a licensed attorney with a letter on firm letterhead and a State Bar P-Number, and anyone if the individual named on the record is deceased (with a death certificate proving the death). A court order also grants access.

Ingham County provides an extended list of alternate identification documents for those who do not have a standard government-issued photo ID. Accepted alternates include a marriage license, a divorce judgment, a certified birth record where the requestor is the parent or subject, tax returns or W-2 forms, pay stubs, a voter card, vehicle registration, health insurance card, utility bills, and school records, among others. Call (517) 676-7201 or email clerk@ingham.org to ask about the full list before you submit your request.

Under MCL 333.2888, vital records are not subject to FOIA. You cannot use a public records request to get around these restrictions. Records 100 or more years old are public and available to anyone.

Home Birth Registration in Ingham County

If a child was born at home in Ingham County, the birth must be registered within one year of the birth date. This is a state requirement under Michigan vital records law. Ingham County handles home birth registration only at the Mason office, not at the Lansing branch.

To register a home birth, the parent must come to the Mason Courthouse at 341 S. Jefferson before 4:00 PM on a business day. You need to bring: a parent with valid photo ID, the child (who must be less than one year old), a completed Live Birth Certificate Worksheet, proof of pregnancy, proof of live birth, and proof that the birth occurred in Ingham County. All of these documents are required. Missing any one of them will delay the registration.

The Live Birth Certificate Worksheet must be filled out completely. Do not leave fields blank. Staff at the Mason office can answer questions about the process, but they cannot prepare the worksheet for you. Contact the office in advance at (517) 676-7201 or clerk@ingham.org if you have questions about what counts as proof of birth or pregnancy.

Once the birth is registered, you can then order a certified birth certificate through any of the standard ordering methods. The birth will be in the Michigan Vital Records System and can also be accessed through the state's online ordering system or through VitalChek.

Note: For home births, the 1-year window is firm under Michigan law. Missing it complicates the registration process significantly, so act promptly if a home birth has not yet been registered.

Cities in Ingham County

Ingham County includes Lansing, the state capital of Michigan, as its county seat. Lansing is the largest city in the county. All birth records for the county go through the Ingham County Clerk, regardless of which city the birth occurred in.

Other communities in Ingham County include East Lansing, Meridian Township, Delhi Township, and Mason. Birth records for all of these areas are maintained by the Ingham County Clerk.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Ingham County. If a birth occurred in a neighboring county, contact that county's clerk office. Each county maintains only the birth records for births that took place within its own boundaries.