Vital Records & Certificates in East Lansing, MichiganIngham County Clerk

East Lansing’s identity as a major university town creates unique documentation needs for the diverse academic community. MSU students frequently require certified records for study abroad programs, graduate school applications, and international research opportunities. Faculty members need documentation for sabbaticals and visiting scholar positions worldwide, while local families require certificates for school enrollment and various life transitions in this dynamic educational environment.

Birth certificates for East Lansing residents are processed through the Ingham County Clerk at 341 S Jefferson Street in Mason. Many local births occur at Sparrow Hospital or McLaren Greater Lansing, requiring certified documentation for university enrollment or international student visa applications. Michigan charges $34 for birth certificate copies, with additional copies ordered simultaneously costing $16 each. The process generally requires 5-7 business days, though university students often need expedited processing for study abroad deadlines or graduate school applications requiring immediate documentation.

Couples planning celebrations at venues like the MSU Union, Kellogg Hotel and Conference Center, or outdoor ceremonies at the MSU Horticulture Gardens must obtain licenses from the Ingham County Clerk in Mason. Michigan requires a three-day waiting period, though this may be waived by judicial order. University couples often coordinate their ceremonies with academic calendars, and licenses remain valid for 33 days at a cost of $20-$30.

Death certificates for East Lansing residents are issued through the Ingham County Clerk’s office in Mason. University families and retirees often require multiple copies for pension claims, insurance settlements, and estate proceedings. Michigan vital records fees are $34 for the first copy, with subsequent copies costing $16 each when ordered together.

Certified divorce decrees are obtained through the Ingham County Circuit Court for proceedings completed locally. University employees and students may need these documents for employment verification, benefits enrollment, or remarriage. Court record copies typically cost $10-15, with case numbers significantly speeding the retrieval process from county archives.

The Ingham County Clerk’s office operates from the courthouse at 341 S Jefferson Street in Mason, approximately 15 miles south of East Lansing via Highway US-127. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with metered street parking available downtown Mason. Credit cards, cash, and checks are accepted. From campus, take Grand River Avenue west to US-127 south, then exit at Kalamazoo Street toward downtown Mason – total drive time averages 25-30 minutes.

From East Lansing, take US-127 south approximately 15 miles to the Kalamazoo Street exit in Mason. Head east to downtown and locate the Ingham County courthouse at 341 S Jefferson Street.