New York Marriage & Divorce Vital Records

Capitol: Albany
Most Populous City: New York City
Total Area: 54,556 sq mi
Total Population (2010): 19378102
Website: http://www.ny.gov
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 Birth & Death Vital Records

New York Vital Records Offices

Record Type: Marriage Certificates
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 information, see the separate entry. Records may be ordered online from website via VitalChek.
Record Access Requirements: Must have a notarized release from persons of record or immediate family member for investigative purposes.
Search Note: Requester must show or include valid identification or 2 items showing proof of address (utility or telephone bill, etc.)

Records Available: Marriage Certificates-New York City
Office of the City Clerk
Municipal Building
1 Centre St, Rm 252 South
New York, NY 10007
Phone: 212-669-8090
Website

Business Hours: 9AM-4:30PM (till 1PM on F)
Record Access Requirements: Current records (50 years or less) are not public information and are only available to the parties involved or their authorization or to legal representatives for litigation purposes. Otherwise, records are open.
Search Note: The form may be downloaded form the web page or call to have one mailed.

Records Available: Divorce 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: To obtain a copy of a divorce decree prior to 1963, visit the county court where the document was filed.
Record Access Requirements: If you are not a party to the divorce you must have a court order to obtain records or show legal cause.
Search Note: Requester must show or include valid identification or 2 items showing proof of address (utility or telephone bill, etc.)

Records Available: Statewide Court Records
NY State Office of Court Administration
Office History Record Search
25 Beaver St, Rm 840
New York, NY 10004
Phone: 212-428-2100
Fax: 212-428-2190
Website

Business Hours: 9AM-5PM
Note: The details below primarily refer to criminal court cases. The OCA mandates that all criminal record requests made to county Supreme Court Clerks and City Courts be forwarded to this office for processing. Direct questions to [email protected].
Record Access Requirements: Most counties provide felony case information back to 1981. Notable exceptions are New York (1987), Richmond (1987), and Kings (1987). NYS town and village court criminal disposition data contains approx. 20% of cases since 2003.
Search Note: Conviction and "pending" records are reported.

Records Available: Criminal Records
Division of Criminal Justice Services
Record Review Unit
4 Tower Place, Stuyvesant Plaza
Albany, NY 12203
Phone: 518-457-6043
Fax: 518-457-6550
Website

Business Hours: 8AM-5PM
Note: Email questions to [email protected]. Records are only released pursuant to court order, subpoena, to entities authorized by statute, or to person of record. The public must search at the county court level and via the state OCA system.
Record Access Requirements: One may obtain their own personal criminal history record review by requesting a Record Review Packet from DCJS, and following the directions for the completion and submission of a fingerprint card to DCJS, along with a fee of $50.

Records Available: Incarceration Records
New York Department of Correctional Services
Building 2 - Central Files
1220 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12226-2050
518-457-5000
Fax: 518-457-4966
Website

Business Hours: 8AM-4PM
Note: Written requests should be directed to FOIA Unit.
Search Note: Location, DIN number, conviction and sentencing information, and release dates are provided.