State Vital Records in New York
The New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in New York. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.
Administering agency
New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section
State Vital Records in New York: key facts
- Administering office
- New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section.
- Contact
- Phone 855-322-1022.
- Mail orders
- New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602.
- Certificate fee
- $30 for the first certified copy.
- Processing time
- 10-12 weeks.
- Who may order
- Spouse, child, parent of deceased; Lawful representative of estate; Person with court order; Person with documented lawful right or claim.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.
- Public record
- Death records become public 50 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1881. Does NOT have records for New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) - contact NYC Department of Health.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in New York — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
- Online: Order online with MasterCard, Visa, Discover, AmEx, or ACH
- By phone: Call Vital Records Call Center at 855-322-1022
- By mail: Mail request with personal check, postal money order, or certified check
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Documentation of lawful right or claim if not immediate family
- Allow the office's processing time (10-12 weeks).
New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section
Phone: 855-322-1022
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call Vital Records Call Center at 855-322-1022. by mail: Mail request with personal check, postal money order, or certified check. Mail orders go to New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602.
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID; Documentation of lawful right or claim if not immediate family. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in New York primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section