Earlier this year, House Bills 4077 and 4078 were signed into law (Public Acts 3 and 4 of 2026, respectively), modernizing and streamlining Michigan’s death certificate certification and filing process. Their aim is to reduce administrative burden, define the legal responsibility for attending physicians and medical examiners, and support grieving families.
On or before March 16, 2027, physicians are required to submit medical certifications of death using a secure, web-based system provided by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Michigan Electronic Death Registration System (EDRS) allows funeral homes, medical certifiers, medical examiners, and registrars’ offices to complete death certificates online more securely, quickly, and with fewer errors than with paper filing, 24 hours a day. To use the EDRS, physicians must:
- Complete the required training (available online at no charge).
- Access the system online, which requires an internet browser and internet connection.
- Have a MiLogin Business account.
Administrative staff can assist with entering information. View step-by-step EDRS instructions.
In addition to providing a secure, user-friendly, web-based environment that supports online collaboration, from the creation of records to the production of certified copies, Michigan’s EDRS is intended to help minimize red tape and expedite essential tasks. A web-based system offers increased security, decreased errors, and more efficient reporting than filing on paper. Ideally, physicians should experience significantly reduced paperwork and administrative hurdles, thereby enabling them to certify deaths within the 48 hours required by law more efficiently and securely. The streamlined process is designed to ease physicians’ workload and ensure families receive timely access to necessary documents for burial, estate planning, and insurance purposes.
Jeff Duncan, PhD, State Registrar and Director, Division for Vital Records and Health Statistics, MDHHS, has written an article, Updates to the Medical Professional’s Role in Death Registration, about the importance of the Michigan EDRS and key changes to the amended statute. Timely knowledge of cause of death data assists in the identification of and response to deadly outbreaks of disease. Having recent and frequently updated information on the rates and demographic breakdown of causes of death allows for more responsive health program planning and policy implementation. Physicians can help in this public health effort by writing accurate cause of death statements and using EDRS to file death records.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to contact Stacey Hettiger, Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS) Senior Director of Advocacy and Payor Relations, at shettiger@msms.org or 517-336-5766. You may also reach out directly to Dr. Duncan at duncanj11@michigan.gov.