Livingston County Birth Certificates
Livingston County birth records are managed by the County Clerk's office at 200 E. Grand River in Howell, Michigan. The county has kept birth records since 1867 and accepts requests online, in person, and by mail. Online orders placed through the county website are processed daily. If you need a certified birth certificate from Livingston County, this page explains the process, what you need to bring or send, and how to reach the clerk's office.
Livingston County Overview
Livingston County Clerk Office
The Livingston County Clerk is at 200 E. Grand River in Howell. The office handles birth records and other vital records for the county. The phone number is (517) 546-0500 and the fax is (517) 546-4354. You can also reach the office by email at countyclerk@livgov.com. Staff can answer questions about what records are available, how to place a request, and what documents you need to include.
The county has held birth records since 1867 and marriage licenses since 1836. If you are looking for an older birth record for genealogy research, the county may have it if the birth took place in Livingston County after 1867. For births before that date, or for records that were never registered at the county, the State of Michigan at MDHHS Vital Records may be able to help.
The Circuit Court Clerk is located at a separate address: 204 S. Highlander Way, Howell, MI 48843, phone (517) 546-9816. The Circuit Court handles court-related records. Birth and other vital records go through the County Clerk, not the Circuit Court.
| Office | Livingston County Clerk |
|---|---|
| Address | 200 E. Grand River Howell, MI 48843 |
| Phone | (517) 546-0500 |
| Fax | (517) 546-4354 |
| countyclerk@livgov.com | |
| Website | Livingston County Birth Records |
Requesting Livingston County Birth Certificates
Livingston County offers three ways to request a birth certificate: online through the county website, in person at the clerk's office, or by mail. Online orders are processed daily, which makes this one of the more convenient options compared to some other Michigan counties. Orders placed online are paid by credit card. Visit the Livingston County birth records page to start an online order.
In-person requests are handled at 200 E. Grand River in Howell. Bring a valid photo ID and payment. Staff will search the records and process your request. Most in-person requests are handled the same day. If you are a senior age 65 or older requesting your own birth record, mention it at the counter to get the reduced fee.
Mail requests require a written request with the full name on the birth certificate, the date of birth, and the parents' names. Include a copy of your photo ID and payment by check or money order. Make the check out to the Livingston County Clerk. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mail to 200 E. Grand River, Howell, MI 48843. Processing times for mail requests vary. If you have a deadline, online ordering may be a better choice.
The Livingston County Clerk page has links to current forms and ordering instructions. Check there for any updates to the process before submitting your request.
Fees and Eligibility for Livingston County Birth Records
Livingston County charges $25 for the first certified copy of a birth record and $10 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. Seniors age 65 or older who are requesting their own birth record may qualify for a reduced fee. Check with the clerk's office at the time of your request to confirm the current senior rate.
Access to birth records is controlled by Michigan law under MCL 333.2882. The law limits who can receive a certified copy. Eligible requesters include the person named on the certificate, a parent, a legal guardian with court papers, a legal representative, and an heir of a deceased person with proof of lineage. Records that are 100 years old or older are public and open to anyone.
Note: Livingston County's first-copy fee of $25 is higher than the $15 common in many other Michigan counties. Budget accordingly when planning your request.
Michigan MDHHS and Livingston County Birth Records
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services manages vital records at the state level. Their office is an alternative to the county for ordering a birth certificate. You can order through the state's online system at michigan.gov order a record online or call the MDHHS office directly. The main vital records page at michigan.gov MDHHS has full instructions.
State orders can also go through the VitalChek Michigan statewide portal. VitalChek adds a service fee. The state's fees are governed by MCL 333.2888. If you are unsure whether to order through Livingston County or the state, consider that the county may have older records that the state does not hold separately, and county processing can sometimes be faster.
The Michigan MDHHS online ordering page shows steps for requesting certified birth records statewide, including records for Livingston County residents.
Cities in Livingston County
Howell is the county seat of Livingston County. The county sits southeast of Lansing and includes several growing communities. All birth records for cities and townships in the county are managed by the County Clerk's office in Howell.
No cities in Livingston County currently meet the population threshold for individual city pages on this site. For birth record requests, contact the county clerk in Howell.
Nearby Counties
Livingston County is in southeast Michigan. If you need to verify which county a birth was recorded in, check the township or city. The county line matters for determining which clerk holds the record.