New York Vital Records Search

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What are New York Vital Records?

The New York State Department of Health is the government agency in charge of all vital records for the state. These records include birth, death, fetal death, marriage, and divorce certificates. The Department of Health also handles genealogy requests, Apostille certifications, and dual citizenship records.  For New York City records, residents must contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You can get certified copies of vital records by visiting the Department of Health office in person, with the local Registrar of Vital Statistics, where the event occurred, through the mail, or online. Many vital records in New York are not public records, and only certain people can get copies.

New York Birth Records

New York has been keeping birth records since 1881. The New York State Department of Health is the state's government agency in charge of birth records. Except for New York City, they keep and maintain all New York birth records. Birth records are private, and therefore, only close family members and legal representatives can get copies. Birth records are needed when you start school, engage in sports, get a driver's license, passport, apply for a government job, and other instances where you must verify your identity. When ordering certificates, you must produce a proper form of ID and pay the fee.

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Birth Records

How do I find birth records in New York?

If you live in New York State, you must contact the New York State Department of Health. You must contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene if you are a resident of New York City.

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate in New York?

You can either go through the New York State Department of Health and order them via mail, in person, or online. You can also visit the local Registrar of Vital Statistics, where the event occurred to get copies.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a birth certificate in New York?

If you order online or by phone using VitalChek, the cost is $45 plus an $8 processing fee. If you visit in person, the fee is $45, and if you order by mail, the cost is only $30.

Who can request birth records?

Birth records in New York are not public records, and only the following people can order copies of birth records:

  1. The person named on the birth certificate.
  2. A parent of the person named on the birth certificate. The requesting parent's name must be on the birth certificate.
  3. A spouse, child, or others, but only by order of a New York State court.

What information do I need when getting a copy of my New York birth certificate?

When ordering a copy of someone's birth record, you must supply the following information:

  1. Name as listed on the birth certificate.
  2. Date of birth.
  3. Birth certificate number (if known).
  4. Local registration number (if known).
  5. Town, city, or village where the birth occurred.
  6. Name of the hospital where the birth occurred.
  7. Full maiden name of the mother.
  8. Full name of the father.
  9. Reason for the request.
  10. Relationship to the person listed on the certificate.
  11. Number of copies.

As the applicant, you must also supply your personal details, a signature, and a photo ID.

Where can I find historical vital records in New York for genealogy research?

The Department of Records and Information Services has digitized most of their records, and you can find birth records dating back before 1910.

How can I correct an error on my birth record?

You must contact the New York State Department of Health by phone or email to ask about amending or correcting a birth record. They do not have information online about the process.

Can I get a refund if my New York birth record is not available?

No. Birth certificate search fees are not refundable.

New York Death Records

New York has been keeping death records since 1881. The New York State Department of Health is the government agency in charge of death records, and they issue certificates to eligible parties. If the death occurred in New York City, you must contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Death records are needed to claim life insurance, to execute a will, when getting remarried after being widowed, and other instances to prove someone's passing. The Department of Health allows you to request copies of death records through the mail, in person, or online using the VitalChek system.

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Death Records

How do I find death records in New York?

If the death occurred in New York State, contact the New York State Department of Health. If the death occurred in New York City, you must contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Are death records public in New York?

No, only authorized people may gain access to New York death records.

How much does it cost to get a copy of a death certificate in New York?

If you order through VitalChek online or by phone, the cost for a New York death certificate is $45 + $8 processing. If you visit in person, the price is $45, but if you order through the mail, the cost drops to $30.

How long does it take to get a copy of a New York death record?

If you visit in person, you can get a copy the same day. If you order online, by phone or through the mail, you must wait a few weeks. VitalChek does offer expedited processing, and you'll get it within a few days.

Who can request death records?

Death records are kept private in New York. Therefore, only certain people can get a copy. The list includes:

  1. The spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased.
  2. Other people who have a:
  3. Documented lawful right or claim.
  4. Documented medical need.
  5. New York State Court Order.

What information do I need when getting a copy of someone's New York death certificate?

When requesting death records from the New York State Department of Health, you need the following information:

  1. Name of the deceased.
  2. Date of death.
  3. Date of birth.
  4. Age at death.
  5. Social security number (if known).
  6. Mother of the deceased.
  7. Father of the deceased.
  8. Place of death.
  9. Purpose for the record.
  10. Relationship to the deceased.
  11. Death certificate number (if known).
  12. Local registration number (if known).

As the applicant, you must also provide your details, sign, and date the application and provide ID and proof of eligibility.

Where can I find historical death records in New York?

The New York Department of Records and Information Services has old records dating back before 1910 and into the 1800s. Most of their collection has been digitized.

How can I correct an error on someone's death record?

You must contact the New York State Department of Health by mail or phone to inquire about the process of correcting someone's death record. They do not provide instructions online.

Can I get a refund if my New York death record is not available?

No, all death certificate searches are non-refundable.

New York Marriage Records

The state of New York has been keeping track of marriages since 1880. The New York State Department of Health is the government agency in charge of marriage records and issuing marriage certificates upon request. Marriage records in New York are not public records, and only certain people may get copies of yours. If your marriage took place in New York City, you must contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene for copies. The Department of Health offers a variety of ways to get a marriage certificate including in person, through the mail, by phone, and online using the VitalChek service.

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Marriage Records

Are New York marriage records public?

No. They are kept private, and therefore, only certain people can get access to your marriage records.

What New York marriage records are available?

The state of New York has been keeping marriage records since 1880.

How long does it take to get a marriage certificate in New York?

If you visit the town or city clerk's office, you can get one immediately. If you order through the mail, you may have to wait a few weeks, the processing is usually delayed. If you order through VitalCheck, you can get one in 3-5 days.

How much does a New York marriage certificate cost?

A New York marriage certificate costs $45 + $8 for processing if you order through VitalChek. If you order in person, the fee is $45, and if your order by mail, the cost is only $30.

When requesting records, what information do I need?

When requesting copies of marriage records, you must supply the following information:

  1. Bride's full maiden name.
  2. Bride's date of birth.
  3. Bride's residence (at the time of marriage).
  4. Groom's full name.
  5. Groom's date of birth.
  6. Groom's residence (at time of marriage).
  7. Purpose for the request.
  8. Relationship to either party.
  9. Date of marriage.
  10. Place of marriage.
  11. Marriage certificate number (if known).
  12. Local registration number (if known).

As the applicant, you must also provide a signature, your details, proper ID, and proof of eligibility.

How do I get a copy of a New York marriage record?

You must contact the New York State Department of Health if the marriage was in New York State. If the marriage took place in New York City, you have to contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

What if I didn't get married in New York?

If you were not married in New York, then you must contact the court clerk in the county and state where you were married to get copies.

Who can get a copy of my marriage certificate?

Marriage records are private, and therefore, only the following people can get copies of yours:

  1. Spouses.
  2. Other people who have a:
  3. Documented judicial or other proper purpose.
  4. New York State Court Order.

How do I correct a marriage certificate in New York?

You may either visit the town or city clerk's office in person or contact the New York State Department of Health by phone or email to ask about the process of correcting a marriage certificate.

New York Divorce Records

The New York State Department of Health has divorce records dating back to 1963. The New York, The Department of Records and Information Services, has them much older, and the courts have all divorce records. The state offers two types of divorce records: a divorce decree and a divorce certificate. Each contains different levels of information and detail. Divorce records are not public records in New York, and only certain people can get copies. The Department of Health allows you to request records in person, through the mail, and by phone and online using VitalChek.

Frequently Asked Questions About New York Divorce Records

Can I find divorce records online in New York?

No. Divorce records in New York are kept private and must be obtained through legal channels.

How do I find old divorce records?

You can contact the New York Department of Records and Information Services for records before 1963 and the New York State Department of Health for all divorce records from 1963 to the present day.

How do I get a copy of my divorce certificate?

You can order a copy easily through the New York State Department of Health online, by phone, through the mail, and in-person at a local town/city clerk's office.

What information is needed to search for a New York divorce record?

When requesting divorce records, you will need the following information:

  1. Full maiden name of wife.
  2. Address at the time of the divorce.
  3. Husband's full name.
  4. Address at the time of the divorce.
  5. Date of divorce.
  6. Place of divorce.
  7. Purpose for the record.
  8. Relationship to the party listed on the record.
  9. Divorce certificate number (if known).
  10. Local registration number (if known).

If they can't find my divorce record, can I get a refund?

No, all search fees are non-refundable.

What if my divorce took place outside of New York?

If you were divorced outside of New York, you must contact the court clerk in the state you were divorced for information on how to get a copy of your divorce certificate.

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