City guide · Detroit, Michigan · Details last checked Nov 1, 2026

Detroit, Michigan document errands: printing, fax, notary, passports and certified copies (2026)

Where to print, notarize, apply for a passport and get certified copies in Detroit, Michigan, using only official and provider pages. Each fact links to its source. Some facts are statewide or national rather than local. We label those.

Printing, copying, scanning and fax

Detroit Public Library (DPL)

• Printing and copying: available at all library locations. Black and white is $0.10 a page and color is $0.50 a page, whether you copy, print from a library computer or print wirelessly ^[1][2]. Bring change or $1 bills for the self-service machines. With a DPL card you can add money to your library account by credit or debit card to pay for prints, but cards don't work for photocopying ^[2]. The library says it may not be able to handle large jobs of 50 or more pages ^[1].
• MobilePrint: print from a phone, tablet or computer through the Princh app at $0.10 black and white and $0.50 color; jobs are deleted after 24 hours ^[8].
• Scanning: scan to email is free ^[1][2].
• Fax: not available at the library ^[1][2].
• Computers (sources differ): computer use is free with a DPL card that isn't expired or blocked. One page says a guest pass costs $1 for desktop computers, and the same page has a COVID-19 update saying guest passes are free during the COVID emergency ^[1]. The library's computer usage page lists computer guest passes at no charge ^[2]. Ask staff before you go.
• Where: the Main Library is at 5201 Woodward Ave. ^[9]; phone (313) 481-1300 ^[10]. The Census Geocoder places it in Detroit city ^[11]. The library says the Hubbard Branch is closed for interior painting ^[1].

• The UPS Store: it lists 5 locations in Detroit: 4501 Woodward Ave., Ste. 101-B (Midtown); 269 Walker St. (Rivertown Business Center); 18701 Grand River; 535 Griswold St., Suite 111; and 7715 E. Seven Mile Rd. Its city page says its stores offer packing, shipping, printing, shredding, notarizing, faxing and mailbox services ^[12]. We didn't find prices; The UPS Store's site says products, services, prices and hours may vary by location ^[13]. The Census Geocoder places all five stores in Detroit city ^[11].

See printing prices and fax prices.

Notary in Detroit

• Wayne County Clerk: the clerk's office notarizes by appointment, with a limit of 10 notarial acknowledgments per person per appointment. The cost is $10 per page notarized ^[14].
• Detroit Public Library: we didn't find notary service on the library's services or computer pages ^[15][1].
• The UPS Store: its Detroit page lists notarizing ^[12]. We didn't find prices.
• How notaries are commissioned (statewide): the Michigan Department of State commissions notaries. Applicants file a $10,000 surety bond with the county clerk and take the oath of office there. A commission lasts 6 to 7 years and ends on the notary's birthday; there's no renewal, so notaries apply for a new commission each time ^[16][17]. Once commissioned, a Michigan notary can notarize anywhere in Michigan, but not outside the state ^[16].
• Fees (statewide law): a Michigan notary may charge "not more than $10.00 for any individual transaction or notarial act" and must post a sign or tell you the fee before notarizing. A separate travel fee can be agreed before the notary travels. A notary may refuse to perform a notarial act ^[18].
• No true copies (statewide): a Michigan notary can't certify that a copy is a true copy of a document ^[19][20]. A county clerk can certify true copies of documents kept in the clerk's office ^[17]. Otherwise, only the issuer or the person named on the document can make a true copy statement; a notary can notarize that person's signature ^[20].

Passports in Detroit

The U.S. Department of State's Passport Acceptance Facility Locator data lists 2 facilities in Detroit, both post offices. The Census Geocoder places both in Detroit city ^[21][11]:

• Post offices: the locator says to book appointments or see more passport times at usps.com/scheduler ^[21].
• Library: we didn't find passport service on the Detroit Public Library's services pages ^[15].
• Urgent travel: we couldn't read the State Department's page for its Detroit passport agency on Nov 1, 2026, because it blocked our check, so we don't list agency details here.
• Post office fees (national): a $35.00 acceptance fee and a $15.00 photo fee "if needed" ^[22].
• Faster return delivery (national): two official pages list different prices. USPS lists "$22.05—1- to 3- day delivery service for faster return shipping to you from the State Department" ^[22]. The State Department's fee page lists 1–3 business day return delivery at $26.87, for passport books only ^[23]. We couldn't re-read the State Department page on Nov 1, 2026, because it blocked our check. Confirm the fee with the acceptance facility before you pay.

See the passport checklist and passport photo prices.

Birth, death, marriage, court and recorded-document copies

Birth and death certificates (Wayne County Clerk)

• Where: the clerk's Birth & Death Records Division, 400 Monroe Street, Suite 605, for Detroit records; records from elsewhere in Wayne County are handled at Suite 610. In-person service is by appointment only, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. and Thursday 8:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., closed for lunch from noon to 1:00 p.m. ^[4][5]. The Census Geocoder places 400 Monroe Street in Detroit city ^[11].
• Phone numbers and hours (sources differ): the county's birth and death pages list (313) 967-6938 ^[4][5], and the death page's FAQ lists 313-202-7190 ^[5]. The City of Detroit's page lists 313 224-0270 and hours of 8:00 am to 4:30 pm ^[3]. Call before you go.
• County fees: $24 for the first certified birth certificate and $7 for each additional copy of the same record. If you're 65 or older and buying your own birth certificate, it's $2 for the first copy and $3 for each extra ^[4]. Death certificates are $24.00 for a certified copy and $7.00 for each additional copy of the same record ^[5]. The state charges more; see the statewide section below.
• Who can order: birth certificates aren't public records. Only the person named, a parent named on the record, or a legal guardian or representative can request one, with a valid state-issued ID ^[4]. Death certificates are public records and anyone can get one ^[5].
• How to pay: birth certificate mail requests need a money order or certified check payable to the Wayne County Clerk, with no personal checks ^[4]. For death certificates, pay by money order, cashier's check or certified check by mail, or cash in person ^[5]. Online orders go through VitalChek, which adds its own fee ^[4].
• By mail (two sets of instructions): the county's birth page says to send a written request with a copy of your driver's license or state ID to the Wayne County Clerk's Office, c/o City of Detroit Birth & Death Records Division, 400 Monroe Street, Suite 605, Detroit, MI 48226 ^[4]. The Detroit birth certificate application linked from that page (form dated Sept 2023) instead goes to Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: Detroit Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913-5130. It lists the same $24, $7, $2 and $3 fees plus an $8.00 VitalChek processing fee, paid by credit card or a check payable to VitalChek ^[24]. Follow one set of instructions completely, and call the clerk if you're unsure.
• Older birth records: the application says births before October 1978 with no father listed are kept by the State of Michigan and aren't available from the county's Detroit office ^[24].
• Corrections: changes to a Michigan birth certificate go through the State of Michigan ^[4].
• Upcoming closures: the clerk's General Office lists closings on November 3 (Election Day), November 11, November 26 and 27, and December 24, 25 and 31, 2026, and January 1, 2027 ^[25].

Birth and death certificates from the state (statewide)

• State fees (statewide): the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) lists a $34 search fee for a standard record, or $42 for an apostille or exemplified record for use outside the U.S. Online orders add a $14 processing fee ^[26]. State law sets $34.00 for a search with 1 certified copy, $16.00 for each additional identical copy ordered at the same time, $12.00 for each additional year searched and $12.00 for an expedited search ^[27]. If you're 65 or older and ordering your own birth record, the state charges $14.00 for one certified copy ^[26][27]. Search fees aren't refunded ^[26].
• Local fees (statewide law): a local government may set local registrar fees at or below the state amounts. A charter county with more than 1,500,000 people may set higher fees, but not more than the cost of the service ^[27]. County fees on this page can differ from the state's.
• How to order from the state (statewide): by mail, online or by phone at 866-443-9897 through VitalChek (the state's only authorized online provider, with an extra fee), at the drop box in the main lobby of 333 S. Grand Ave., Lansing (Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–5:30 p.m.), or in person by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Will Call orders placed through VitalChek are processed within 2–5 business days for pickup in Lansing. The state takes checks or money orders payable to the State of Michigan, credit cards and cash. Questions: 517-335-8666 ^[26].
• Processing times (statewide): MDHHS currently lists 8–10 weeks for expedited and 10–12 weeks for regular birth, death, marriage and divorce orders, and 8–10 weeks (expedited) or 12–16 weeks (regular) for authenticated or apostilled records ^[26].
• Who can order a birth record (statewide): the person named on the record, parents named on it, a legal heir, a court-appointed guardian, someone with a power of attorney that specifically grants access to vital records, or a licensed attorney for the person or parents. Records more than 100 years old aren't restricted ^[26].

Marriage licenses (Wayne County Clerk)

• Marriage license fee (statewide law): Michigan law sets a $20.00 license fee, plus $10.00 more if both of you live outside Michigan. A charter county with more than 1,500,000 people may set a different fee by ordinance ^[28]. Check the county fee below.
• Waiting period (statewide law): the license can't be handed over within 3 days, counting the day you apply. The county clerk may release it right away for good cause, for a fee set by the county board. The license is void if you don't marry within 33 days after you apply ^[29].
• Where to apply: you get a Michigan marriage license from the clerk of the county where you live, and the Wayne County resident must be present. If neither of you lives in Michigan, apply in the county where you'll marry ^[6].
• Wayne County fees: $30.00 if one or both of you live in Wayne County, or $40.00 if both of you live out of state. Pay in cash, by money order or by debit or credit card when you apply; personal checks aren't accepted ^[6]. These differ from the amounts in the state law above, which lets a charter county with more than 1,500,000 people set a different fee ^[28]. The county page doesn't say which rule its fee is based on.
• How: fill out the eVitals application, then schedule an appointment at the One-Stop Shop Vital Statistics Records Office, 400 Monroe St., Suite 610 (same hours as above). If the next appointment is after your wedding date, call 313-967-6938 ^[6].
• What to bring: a valid driver's license or state ID showing where you live, and a certified copy of your birth certificate with parental information (the page lists other documents it accepts if you don't have one). Foreign birth certificates must be translated by a certified translator, with the translator's signature notarized by a different notary ^[6].
• Valid in Michigan only: the county says the license is valid only in Michigan ^[6].
• Copies: $24.00 for one certified copy and $7.00 for each additional copy bought at the same time; a search for an uncertified copy is $11.50 whether or not the record is found. Order online, in person by appointment, or by mail to the Wayne County Clerk, Marriage Certification Dept., 400 Monroe St., Suite 610, Detroit, MI 48226 ^[6].

Recorded documents (Wayne County Register of Deeds)

• New fees: a new fee schedule took effect January 1, 2026, the office's first fee increase since 1996. Recording a deed, mortgage or other document not otherwise listed is $26.00 regardless of pages, plus the $4.00 state survey and remonumentation fee where it applies, for $30.00 per document ^[30].
• Appointments: required since October 1, 2025. The first appointments are at 8:00 a.m. and the last at 3:50 p.m. A 20-minute appointment covers up to five documents; 45-minute slots are for 5 to 25 documents. One person per appointment. Help scheduling: 313-224-5860 ^[30].
• Online copies: for documents recorded after 1986, set up an account with a credit card, then pay $6 for 15 minutes of searching (or $24 for 60 minutes) and $2 a page for copies ^[30].
• Address: we didn't find the office's street address on its main page ^[30].

Court records (Wayne County Clerk Records Division)

• What's there: civil court records, including divorces, from 1942 to the present, and criminal records from 1942 to 1983 for cases outside Detroit. For Detroit criminal records, or any after 1983, contact the Criminal Justice Center records room at (313) 224-2502 ^[31].
• Fees: uncertified copies are $2.00 a page. Certified or authenticated copies are $10.00 for the certification plus $1.00 a page, on top of the $2.00-a-page copy fee. Credit and debit payments add $2.50 ^[31].
• How: in person at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, Room LL-61, 2 Woodward Ave.; by mail (money orders only); or by email to wcrecordroom@waynecountymi.gov after paying online. Certified copies are mailed because of the raised seal. Phone 313-224-5530 ^[31]. The Census Geocoder places 2 Woodward Ave. in Detroit city ^[11].
• Criminal record requests: copies can go to you by mail, fax, in person or email, but certified copies are mailed only ^[32].

Apostilles and authentications (statewide)

• Fee (statewide): $1 per document from the Michigan Department of State's Office of the Great Seal, paid by check or money order payable to the State of Michigan. Don't send cash ^[19][20]. The request form lists the fee as $1.00 per authentication, not per page, and asks for the country where the document will be used (not the USA) ^[33].
• What it can authenticate (statewide): documents notarized by a Michigan notary, and certified copies of birth, marriage, divorce or death records from the State Registrar or a Michigan county clerk. Documents from court clerks, or sent by fax, aren't accepted ^[19]. Court and register of deeds documents must be notarized first ^[20]. City clerk records: the service page accepts them from city clerks in Wayne, Macomb and Oakland counties ^[19], and one FAQ answer agrees, but another FAQ answer says city registrars in Wayne County only ^[20]. If yours is from a city clerk, confirm with the Office of the Great Seal.
• Where and how (statewide): by mail to the Office of the Great Seal, 7064 Crowner Drive, Lansing, MI 48918, with the request form, the fee and a self-addressed stamped envelope; or in person by appointment on Mondays or Wednesdays, 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. Phone (888) 767-6424 ^[19]. The office is in the Richard H. Austin Building, 430 W. Allegan, 1st floor, Lansing ^[34].
• How long (statewide, sources differ): the service page and FAQs say turnaround is 1–2 weeks ^[19][20], but the request form says to allow 4–6 weeks after the office receives it ^[33]. There's no expedited service ^[20][33]. Confirm with the office if you have a deadline.

• Detroit note: the Office of the Great Seal accepts certified vital records from Michigan county clerks ^[19], which includes the Wayne County Clerk copies above. Court documents must be notarized before they can be authenticated ^[20].

More on certified copies: how to get a certified copy.

Money orders

USPS money order fees are national: $2.65 for $0.01 to $500.00, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000.00. Pay with cash or a debit card, not a credit card. The limit is $1,000 per domestic money order ^[35]. Other sellers: money order guide.

Shredding

• Free shredding events: we didn't find an official City of Detroit or Wayne County shredding event for 2026.
• The UPS Store: its Detroit page lists shredding ^[12]. We didn't find prices.

For paid per-pound shredding, see where to shred documents.

Questions

Sources

Sources last checked Oct 29 or Nov 1, 2026, as marked on each, except the locator data file.

1. Detroit Public Library, "Computers and Technology Services": detroitpubliclibrary.org/services/computer-classes (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
2. Detroit Public Library, "Computer Usage": detroitpubliclibrary.org/computer-usage (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
3. City of Detroit, Detroit Health Department, "Birth and Death Certificates": detroitmi.gov/departments/detroit-health-department/programs-and-services/birth-and-death-certificates (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
4. Wayne County Clerk, "Birth Certificates": waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Clerk/General-Office/Birth-Certificates (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
5. Wayne County Clerk, "Death Certificates": waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Clerk/General-Office/Death-Certificates (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
6. Wayne County Clerk, "Marriage Licenses": waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Clerk/General-Office/Marriage-Licenses (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
7. U.S. Census Bureau, "2020 Place by County relationship file, Michigan": www2.census.gov/geo/docs/reference/codes2020/place_by_cou/st26_mi_place_by_county2020.txt (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
8. Detroit Public Library, "MobilePrint": detroitpubliclibrary.org/services/mobileprint (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
9. Detroit Public Library, "Locations": detroitpubliclibrary.org/locations (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
10. Detroit Public Library, "Contact": detroitpubliclibrary.org/contact (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
11. U.S. Census Bureau, "Census Geocoder (address to geography lookup)": geocoding.geo.census.gov/geocoder (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
12. The UPS Store, "The UPS Store Locations in Detroit, Michigan": locations.theupsstore.com/mi/detroit (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
13. The UPS Store, "Notary Services Nationwide": theupsstore.com/store-services/notary-services (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
14. Wayne County Clerk, "Notary Public": waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Clerk/General-Office/Notary-Public (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
15. Detroit Public Library, "Services": detroitpubliclibrary.org/services (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
16. Michigan Department of State, "Notary services": michigan.gov/sos/notary-services (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
17. Michigan Department of State, "Notary FAQs": michigan.gov/sos/faqs/office-of-the-great-seal/notary (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
18. Michigan Legislature, "MCL 55.285 (Michigan Notary Public Act, notary fees)": legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-55-285 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
19. Michigan Department of State, "Document authentication and apostille": michigan.gov/sos/all-services/document-authentication-and-apostille (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
20. Michigan Department of State, "Document authentication (apostille and certificate of authority) FAQs": michigan.gov/sos/faqs/office-of-the-great-seal/document-authentication (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
21. U.S. Department of State, Passport Acceptance Facility Locator (locator data file, downloaded Oct 28, 2026, filtered to Michigan): passportfacilitylocator.travel.state.gov (last checked Oct 28, 2026)
22. USPS, "Passports": usps.com/international/passports.htm (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
23. U.S. Department of State, passport fees page (Last Updated March 19, 2026): travel.state.gov/en/passports/apply/help/fees.html (last checked Oct 29, 2026)
24. Wayne County Clerk, "City of Detroit, MI Birth Certificate Application (PDF, form dated Sept 2023)": waynecountymi.gov/files/assets/mainsite/v/1/clerk/documents/records/mi_detroit_birth_applications2024.pdf (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
25. Wayne County Clerk, "General Office": waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Clerk/General-Office (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
26. Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, "Order Birth, Death, Marriage, and Divorce Records": michigan.gov/mdhhs/doing-business/vitalrecords/order-a-copy-of-a-vital-record (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
27. Michigan Legislature, "MCL 333.2891 (vital record search fees)": legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=MCL-333-2891 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
28. Michigan Legislature, "MCL 551.103 (marriage license fee)": legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-551-103 (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
29. Michigan Legislature, "MCL 551.103a (marriage license waiting period)": legislature.mi.gov/Laws/MCL?objectName=mcl-551-103a (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
30. Wayne County Register of Deeds, "Register of Deeds": waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Register-of-Deeds (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
31. Wayne County Clerk, "Records": waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Clerk/Records (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
32. Wayne County Clerk, "Record Requests": waynecountymi.gov/Government/Elected-Officials/Clerk/Criminal-Court-Services/Record-Requests (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
33. Michigan Department of State, Office of the Great Seal, "Authentication Request Form (PDF)": michigan.gov/sos/-/media/Project/Websites/sos/Notary/OGS_AUTHENTICATION_REQUEST_FORM.pdf (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
34. Michigan Department of State, "Office of the Great Seal": michigan.gov/sos/notary-services/great-seal (last checked Nov 1, 2026)
35. USPS, "Money Orders": usps.com/shop/money-orders.htm (last checked Nov 1, 2026)

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