Vital Records Division

Birth Certificates

Birth records for those born in Ottawa County, Michigan are recorded and filed in the Ottawa County Clerk's office. Birth certificates take approximately two to three weeks to process after the day the infant is born. Birth records are not public record and not accessible to anyone other than the parent, legal guardian, or the subject of the record. All requests require a valid government issued photo ID such as a driver's license.

How to Obtain a Certified Birth Certificate

Birth certificates can be requested in person, by mail, by fax or ordered online through this website.

• Online
  • Fee is $15; additional copies of the same birth certificate requested the same day are $6 each. A convenience fee also applies to your order total.
  • Order certified copies of birth records online.
• In Person
  • At any of the Ottawa County Clerk locations (see right-side column).
  • Must present a valid driver's license or other government issued photo ID.
  • Fee is $15; additional copies of the same record are $6. Method of payment includes cash, check, money order or Visa, MasterCard or Discover.
• By Mail
  • Complete the Certified Birth Certificate Application (PDF).
  • Include a CLEAR photo copy of a valid driver's license or other government issued photo ID.
  • Fee is $15; additional copies of the same record are $6. Method of payment includes checks/money orders payable to OTTAWA COUNTY CLERK.
  • Send the completed application and fee to the Fillmore Street location only:
    
    Ottawa County Clerk
    12220 Fillmore Street, Room 130
    West Olive, MI 49460
• By Email
  • Complete the Certified Birth Certificate Application (PDF)
  • Include a CLEAR photo copy of a valid driver's license or other government issued photo ID.
  • Scan the completed application and clear image of a valid driver’s license or government issued photo ID and send to the following email address: countyclerk@miottawa.org.
  • Fee is $15; additional copies of the same record are $6. Please contact the County Clerk at (616) 994-4531 for payment method after you submit.
• By Fax
  • Complete the Certified Birth Certificate Application (PDF).
  • Include a CLEAR image of a valid driver's license or other government issued photo ID.
  • Fax the above to (616) 994-4538.
  • Please contact the County Clerk at (616) 994-4531 for payment. Fee is $15; additional copies of the same record are $6.

Search for Birth Certificates Online

Filing a Home Birth

Home Births will be processed directly by the State of Michigan during the Covid-19 situation. Please call 616-494-5567 or email our office for more information.

Other State of Michigan Forms

• Authenticated Copies - Records Containing an Apostille

Changes to a Birth Record

To change a birth record, add a father or verify a change as been made to a birth record please visit State of Michigan - Department of Community Health