Michigan schools require proof of immunization at enrollment, and your child's health records need to transfer with them. Here's exactly what Michigan requires, how to access the state's immunization registry, and how to make the whole handoff work from the first week.
Last verified: September 7, 2026
Michigan Compiled Laws §380.1177 requires every child enrolling in a Michigan public school to present an immunization record showing all doses required under MCL §333.9215. The school's nurse or administrator reviews the record to verify compliance before enrollment is finalized. If your child's record is incomplete at the time of enrollment, Michigan allows a grace period: schools may conditionally enroll a student for up to 30 days while the family obtains documentation.
Michigan school districts are required to request records from a student's former school upon enrollment. Once you enroll your child, notify the new school of the previous district's contact information so they can initiate the request. Keep your own certified copies of cumulative records, health screenings, and immunization history — you'll need them at the new pediatrician's office before the school transfer is complete.
Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services; MCL §380.1177 — Michigan Compiled Laws, accessed August 27, 2026
Michigan's statewide immunization registry is MCIR — the Michigan Care Improvement Registry. Most Michigan providers report vaccine doses to MCIR, and the registry allows parents to access their child's records directly through the MCIR public portal. If you're missing records from before your move, contact your local Michigan health department or pediatrician — they can search MCIR and generate an official printout for school enrollment.
For doses administered in another state before your move, request a complete signed immunization record from your former pediatrician. Michigan schools and providers can add out-of-state doses to your child's MCIR record retroactively if you provide dated documentation — a signed letter on office letterhead or a printed immunization summary from your previous state's registry typically suffices.
Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services — MCIR; MCL §333.9215, accessed August 27, 2026
When establishing care with a Michigan pediatrician, bring:
Your new Michigan pediatrician will enter doses going forward into MCIR. Bring your prior state's immunization record and ask them to enter any historical doses not yet in MCIR — this is routine and Michigan providers are accustomed to completing MCIR records for incoming families.
Michigan requires vision and hearing screenings for students entering kindergarten and first grade. These screenings are typically conducted by the school nurse, but if your child had screenings done at their previous location, bring the results — most Michigan districts accept recent out-of-state screening results rather than requiring repeat testing. Contact your new school's health office to confirm their policy before scheduling new screenings.
Michigan requires a dental screening for all children entering kindergarten. If your child had a dental visit within the past 12 months, a dated note from your former dentist or a copy of the dental record typically satisfies this requirement. If you haven't yet established care with a Michigan dentist, notify the school — a waiver or extension is available while you secure a dental appointment.
Source: Michigan Department of Health and Human Services — School Health; MCL §333.9215, accessed August 27, 2026
Michigan law requires that families requesting a non-medical immunization waiver complete a waiver education module before the waiver is approved. Families wishing to waive immunization requirements must submit a waiver form along with evidence of completing the state's online education module through the local health department. This applies only to families requesting waivers — it does not affect families presenting a complete immunization record.
Source: MDHHS — Immunization Waiver Information; MCL §333.9215, accessed August 27, 2026
Request a complete medical record summary and signed immunization history from every current provider — pediatrician, specialists, dentist, orthodontist. Ask for records in a format you can hand to a new provider: a printed summary, a signed letter, or a digital copy you can share. Don't leave any provider without a dated copy of the immunization record.
Enroll in the new Michigan school and provide your child's immunization history. If records are incomplete, ask about the 30-day conditional enrollment window. Notify the school of your previous district's contact information so they can request cumulative records. Visit your local Michigan health department to check MCIR for any Michigan-administered doses already on file.
Schedule an appointment with a new Michigan pediatrician and bring your full record package. The pediatrician will add any historical doses to MCIR and begin reporting future doses. This appointment also covers any required vision, hearing, or dental screening referrals your new school district may need.
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