County Clerk

Birth Certificates

Birth records are recorded and filed in the County Clerk's office. Each record must be reviewed and checked upon its receipt from the local hospitals and/or midwife to determine if all the legal requirements and standards have been met. Upon the acceptance of the document they are imaged and logged into our files. It has been our practice to image the documents as soon as time permits, as parents and some agencies request copies as soon as we have them available.

Birth records are not public record and, thus, not accessible to anyone other than the parent, legal guardian, or the subject of the record. Consequently, it is incumbent upon our office to assure the privacy of these records by requiring pictured ID or other forms of identification for individuals requesting copies of birth records, either in person or by mail.

Over the years, we have noticed that there were several ways in which we could assist individuals with the application process for obtaining their or their child's birth record. We supply a Spanish application for those struggling with the English language and we have provided applications and instructions to new parents through a pamphlet printed in both English and Spanish. These applications are provided to each Ottawa County hospital to assist them in providing correct information to those new parents who are often so excited about their new arrival they pay little attention when a sheet of paper with an application is handed to them. We have found our pamphlet has been helpful in making sure that information stays with them.

Applying for Birth Certificate by Mail

  • Complete the Application for Certified Copy of Birth (requires Acrobat Reader).
  • All Birth Certificates require a photo copy of your driver's license or other picture I.D.
  • Applications and a clear & large photo ID copy can be faxed (616) 846-8138 using Visa or MasterCard only as payment.
  • Certified copy fee for a Birth Certificate is $10. Additional copies of the same Birth Certificate requested the same day are $4.
  • Cash/Check/Money Order/Visa or MasterCard can be used to Purchase a Birth Record.
  • If mailed send completed applications and appropriate fee, payable to:
Ottawa County Clerk 414 Washington Avenue - Room 301 Grand Haven, MI 49417