New York Vital Records

Birth | Death | Marriage | Divorce | Adoption

Address:
Certification Unit
Vital Records Section
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY  12220-2602
Phone: (518) 474-3075

Remarks: Check or money order should be made payable to New York State Department of Health. Personal checks are accepted. Call or visit the Web site to verify current fees.

Event: Birth

Dates: From 1881

Cost of copy: $15.00 (certified copy);  $11.00 (genealogy copy)

Comments: The New York State Department of Health provides copies of certificates for genealogy use for births that took place in New York State outside of the five boroughs of New York City (except for births occurring in Queens and Richmond counties for the years 1881 through 1897). Records on file date back to 1881, EXCEPT for records filed in Albany, Buffalo and Yonkers prior to 1914. Applications for records prior to 1914 for these cities must be made directly to the local office. Birth certificates for genealogy use are available if the certificate has been on file for at least 75 years and the person whose name is on the birth certificate is known to be dead. The time periods are waived if the applicant is a descendant (child or grandchild, not niece, nephew or cousin). The $11 fee for a genealogy copy covers a 3-year search.
Application for Genealogy Copy of Birth Record

* Some upstate cities began recording some births a few years prior to 1881: Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Yonkers. You may send your request directly to the local Registrar or Town Clerk of the city, town or village where the birth occurred.

If you are looking for births in New York City:
New York City Vital Records

Comments: The New York State Department of Health provides copies of certificates for genealogy use for deaths that took place in New York State outside of the five boroughs of New York City. Records on file date back to 1881, EXCEPT for records filed in Albany, Buffalo and Yonkers prior to 1914. Applications for records prior to 1914 for these cities must be made directly to the local office. Death certificates for genealogy use are available if the certificate has been on file for at least 50 years. The time periods are waived if the applicant is a descendant (child or grandchild, not niece, nephew or cousin). The $11 fee for a genealogy copy covers a 3-year search.
Application for Genealogy Copy of Death Record

* Some upstate cities began recording some deaths a few years prior to 1880: Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Yonkers. You may send your request directly to the local Registrar or Town Clerk of the city, town or village where the death occurred.

If you are looking for deaths in New York City:
New York City Vital Records

Dates: From 1880

Comments: The New York State Department of Health provides copies of certificates for genealogy use for marriages that took place in New York State outside of the five boroughs of New York City. Records on file date back to 1881, EXCEPT for records filed in Albany, Buffalo and Yonkers prior to 1914. Applications for records prior to 1914 for these cities must be made directly to the local office. Marriage certificates for genealogy use are available if the certificate has been on file for at least 50 years and the bride and groom are both known to be deceased. The time periods are waived if the applicant is a descendant (child or grandchild, not niece, nephew or cousin). The $11 fee for a genealogy copy covers a 3-year search.
Application for Genealogy Copy of Marriage Record

* Some upstate cities began recording some marriages a few years prior to 1880: Albany, Binghamton, Buffalo, Elmira, Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Rochester, Syracuse, Utica and Yonkers. You may send your request directly to the local Registrar or Town Clerk of the city, town or village where the marriage occurred.

If you are looking for marriages in New York City:
New York City Vital Records

Cost of copy: $15.00

Event: Adoption

New York Adoption Search & Support Resources