New York Birth & Death Vital Records

State Bird: Eastern Bluebird
State Flower: Rose
State Name Language of Origin: English
State Name Meaning: Named after the Duke of York
Admission to Union: July 26, 1788
Source: Wikipedia

New York vital records began to be registered in 1880. Prior to 1880, some larger cities recorded such statistics and briefly, after 1847, town school districts collected this information. New York birth records can be obtained from the local registrar of the municipality where the event occurred, as can New York death records. The Department of Health does not file and cannot issue copies of New York City birth or death certificates. Births and deaths in any of the five boroughs of New York City can be obtained at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vr/vrbappl.shtml). For a fee, birth and death certificates may be obtained online, by telephone, or by mail--but only by individuals or parents actually listed on the certificate who have valid identification. Others must obtain a court order, have a lawful, documented right of claim, or medical necessity.

For more information on New York vital records, visit New York Marriage & Divorce Vital Records

New York Vital Records Offices

Record Type: Birth Certificates
Vital Records Section
Certification Unit
800 N Pearl St
Menands, NY 12204
Phone: 518-474-3038
Fax: 877-854-4607
Website

Business Hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM
Note: For records from New York City information, see that profile. Records may be ordered online from a vendor website www.vitalchek.com.
Record Access Requirements: May only obtain your own or a dependent child's records, without notarized release. They will not return records to a PO Box or an "in care of."
Search Note: Requester must show or include valid identification or 2 items showing proof of address (utility or telephone bill, etc.)

Records Available: Death Records
Vital Records Section
Certification Unit
800 N Pearl St
Menands, NY 12204
Phone: 518-474-3038
Fax: 518-474-9168
Website

Business Hours: 8:30AM-4:30PM
Note: For New York City, see the separate entry. Records may be ordered online from website via VitalChek.
Record Access Requirements: One must show cause why record is needed on letterhead, if not member of the immediate family.
Note: Requester must show or include valid identification or 2 items showing proof of address (utility or telephone bill, etc.)

Records Available: New York City Birth Certificates, Death Records
125 Worth St, Box 4, Rm 133
New York, NY 10013
Phone: 212-788-4520
Fax: 212-962-6105
Website

Business Hours: 9AM-4PM
Note: Records may be ordered online from an approved vendor at www.vitalchek.com. The fax number if calling outside NYC is 800-908-9146.
Records Available: Vital Records
State Archives & Records Administration
Empire State Plaza
Cultural Education Center #11D40
Albany, NY 12230
Phone: 518-474-8955
Fax: 518-473-9985
Website

Business Hours: 9AM-5PM