Letter of Exemplification

Letter of Exemplification certifies that the attached NYC-issued birth or death record is an authentic and certified copy.

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What is a Letter of Exemplification?

Exemplification of Birth or Death Record (letter of exemplification) is a separate page that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene affixes to New York City-issued birth and death certificates.

If you were born outside New York City, including in another state or New York State, please visit the CDC website for information on obtaining a copy of your birth certificate.

Exemplification means "an attested copy of a document, under official seal." A Letter of Exemplification certifies that the attached NYC-issued birth or death record is an authentic and certified copy.

If you require a Letter of Exemplification, request a new long-form or vault copy of your birth or death record.

The fastest way to obtain vital records for New York City is through the online platform. Vitalchek is the sole authorized vendor by the Health Department to process NYC-issued vital records orders.

When you order a birth or death certificate, clearly state your request, and the Health Department will assess whether a Letter of Exemplification is necessary.

If you intend to use your birth certificate in a foreign country, you may need to authenticate it through an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication.

More information can be found here.

Why is a Letter of Exemplification so Essential?

The Letter of Exemplification is essential for obtaining an apostille for your NYC birth certificate. It plays a crucial role for various reasons:

1. Verifies Authenticity for Apostille Requirements:

The Hague Convention, an international treaty that simplifies document authentication for foreign use, has specific requirements for apostilles. One of these requirements is that the document being apostilled is a true and certified copy issued by a competent authority.

The Letter of Exemplification is an official statement from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. It confirms that the attached birth certificate is a genuine copy obtained from their official records. So that you know, this verification is necessary for the apostille issuing authority to accept and process your request.

2. Not Included with Standard Certified Copies:

A short copy of your birth certificate is valid for domestic purposes but does not contain the Letter of Exemplification. This additional document is required explicitly for the Hague Convention's requirements for apostille issuance. Therefore, requesting a certified copy "with a Letter of Exemplification" is essential for the apostille process.

You can obtain a Letter of Exemplification for your NYC birth certificate alongside the certified, long-form copy from Vitalchek.

They are only issued as part of the same request; you must get them together.

Only persons listed on the birth certificate can order it— - no third party can order any vital documents for you.