Get BIRTH CERTIFICATE(S)

Processing time: Two weeks (delivery by regular mail can take an additional two weeks). Allow an additional two weeks for long form birth certificates, birth certificates from 1910 to 1919, death certificates from 1949 to 1970, or for any other record that requires searching.

Vital Records Indexes The State Department of Health makes available for public use microfiche copies of older indexes to birth, marriage, and death certificates. The indexes cover the entire state outside of New York City and start in June 1880 (deaths) or 1881 (marriages and births).

The release of death certificates is governed by New York State Public Health Law §4174, which protects their confidential nature. New York State is a closed state and death records are not subject to FOIL and available to individuals who are: The spouse of the deceased and you were married at the time of death.

Birth certificates, with the exception of the names of children and parents, the addresses of parents (other than county of residence and postal code), and the social security numbers of parents, are public records.

Fees ORDER TYPEFEES (per copy)Online or Phone Orders$45 + $8 vendor processing fee per transaction (not per copy)Walk-in Orders$45Mail Orders$30

VitalChek: Only Authorized Online Vendor The Health Department issues birth certificates for all people who are born in New York City. You can order a certificate online, by mail or in person. We recommend ordering online through VitalChek, which is the fastest way to receive your certificate.

To request a birth record from before 1910, order online through the NYC Department of Records and Information Services Municipal Archives website or call 311. If that agency is unable to locate your record, email nycdohvr@health.nyc.gov.

A Marriage Record older than 50 years from today's date is considered a historic record and is available to the general public. You may request a Marriage Record that is older than 50 years either by mail only as described above or by visiting our Record Room Division in our Manhattan office with the appropriate fee.