US state guide
Michigan birth certificates and apostilles for European citizenship
Almost every citizenship-by-descent application starts with certified Michigan records. Here is how to order the right version, get the apostille and avoid the mistakes that cause rejections.
Order a certified long-form certificate
- OfficeMichigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics
- Long formMDHHS sells an 'Apostille/Exemplified Record (For use outside the USA)' that it routes for apostille itself
- How to orderonline, mail, in person
- Fee per birth certificate$34
Order birth, marriage and death records for every generation in your chain, not just your own.
Get the apostille
- Issued byMichigan Department of State - Office of the Great Seal
- Fee per document$1
- How to applymail, in person
- Watch outRecord must be a certified copy from the county clerk or Michigan state registrar (originals not accepted); alternatively order an Apostille/Exemplified record from MDHHS ($42 search fee) which handles the apostille step.
Prepare it for your country
Greece
Certified long-form records, each with an apostille, then an official Greek translation.
Translate only after the apostille is attached, by a certified translator or the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs translation service.
Greek citizenship guide →Ireland
Original civil (state-issued) certificates for you, your parent and your Irish-born grandparent.
US documents are in English, so no translation is needed. Check the current Foreign Births Register document guide before ordering apostilles.
Irish citizenship guide →Poland
Certified long-form records with apostilles, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
Polish authorities require translations by a Polish sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), done after the apostille.
Polish citizenship guide →Fees and procedures come from official Michigan websites and change often. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Consulates that serve Michigan
FAQ
How do I get a long-form birth certificate in Michigan?
Order a certified copy from Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) - Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics (online, mail, in person). Note: MDHHS sells an 'Apostille/Exemplified Record (For use outside the USA)' that it routes for apostille itself. Ask for the full version that lists both parents, because short-form or abstract copies are usually rejected for citizenship applications.
How do I get an apostille in Michigan?
Apostilles for Michigan documents are issued by Michigan Department of State - Office of the Great Seal, currently $1 per document. Record must be a certified copy from the county clerk or Michigan state registrar (originals not accepted); alternatively order an Apostille/Exemplified record from MDHHS ($42 search fee) which handles the apostille step. Check the official page for current fees and processing times.
Do I translate before or after the apostille?
After. The apostille certifies the signature on the original document, so the translation must cover the document and the apostille together.
Which countries' citizenship can these Michigan documents be used for?
The same apostilled Michigan records are the starting point for Greek, Irish and Polish citizenship by descent, among others. Each country adds its own translation and registration rules.
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