Obtaining Vital Records in New York State

NOTARY911 doesn’t provide or help to obtain New York birth certificates or letters of exemplification.

Finding New York State Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

For residents of New York State, obtaining vital records such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, and divorce decrees can sometimes feel like a bureaucratic odyssey. However, with the proper knowledge and resources, navigating this process can be streamlined and efficient.

This blog post is your roadmap to demystifying the documentation maze and securing your desired vital records within New York State.

In New York State, there are two separate systems for recording births and deaths – one serving New York City’s five boroughs and the other serving all other municipalities in the state.

New York State Vital Records

While birth, marriage, and death records—known as vital records—are essential pillars of family history research, navigating New York’s bureaucracy presents a unique and often confusing challenge compared to many states with organized, centralized repositories.

In New York State, there are two separate systems for recording births and deaths – one serving New York City’s five boroughs and the other serving all other municipalities in the state.

The first key lies in understanding where to look. Your quest hinges on the time and place of the event you’re researching.

How To Order:

• After 1880: You have three options:

  • Contact the local Registrar of Vital Statistics where the event occurred – each of 57 New York counties (outside New York City) has such an office. The local Registrar will sign the document – essential information if you must apostille it to use in a foreign country.

  • Contact the New York State Department of Health’s Vital Records Section – most New York State births, marriage, and death certificates (outside New York City) are registered there. The fee is $30.00

  • Order online through Vitalcheck – only birth, marriage, and death certificates issued after 1907. The fee is $58.00.

• Before 1880: For birth, marriage, or death records issued before 1880 or those in major cities like Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers before 1914, consult the local Registrar of Vital Statistics.

Finding New York City Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

Birth and Death Records

The New York City Health Department issues birth and death certificates to people born or dying within five New York City boroughs. You can also file for correction of those certificates there.

How to Order

• Online through VitalChek. According to the NYC Health Department, it is the fastest way to obtain it.

• By Mail – mailed requests take longer to process than online and in-person requests. The address:

  NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  125 Worth Street, Room CN-4, Room 119
  New York, NY 10013

• In Person. All in-person orders require an appointment. Before applying in person, you must schedule an appointment online.

  If you cannot schedule an in-person appointment to obtain a birth or death certificate, or if no appointments are available, and you require immediate health care coverage, government services, military, housing, or employment assistance, you need to call 311 or (212)-639-9675 if you are calling from outside of New York City. In your email, include a scanned copy of your current photo ID and documents demonstrating your emergency (paid plane ticket, etc). The address for in-person appointments:

  Office of Vital Records, 125 Worth Street, Manhattan

Finding Divorce Decrees

The New York State Department of Health has the Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage for all divorces or civil annulments in New York State since 1963 (including those issued in New York City).

There are two types of divorce records.

• A divorce decree is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions of a divorce. This document is prepared by the court and signed by a judge before being filed with the County Clerk where the plaintiff resides. To obtain a copy of a divorce decree, one must contact the County Clerk. It’s important to note that if the divorce was granted before January 1, 1963, the divorce decree is the only available document.

• Divorce Certificate – This document contains basic information about the spouses and the date and place the marriage ended. It is filed with the New York State Department of Health for divorces granted on or after January 1, 1963.