New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section
New York · Vital Records
health.ny.gov/vital_records/death.htmState 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.
Steps to take when someone dies
- •Online: Order online through VitalChek with MasterCard, Visa, Discover, American Express, or ACH (electronic check); online orders receive priority handling
- •By phone: Call VitalChek toll-free at 1-877-854-4481; phone orders receive priority handling
- •By mail: Mail the DOH-4376 application with personal check, postal money order, or certified check payable to NYS Department of Health
- •Copy of one photo ID (driver license, state non-driver ID, passport or U.S. military ID), or of two documents showing name and address (utility or phone bill, agency letter within six months)
- •Copy of a U.S. passport in addition, if applying from a foreign country that requires a passport for travel
- •Documentation of a lawful right or claim (a court order or an official letter) if not the spouse, parent, child, or sibling
State Vital Records in New York: key facts
What New York says8
- Administering office
New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section.1
- Mail orders
New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602.1
- Certificate fee
$30 for the first certified copy; $30 for each additional copy ordered at the same time; expedited processing adds $15.1
- Processing time
10-12 weeks from the day received (mail, regular handling). Expedited: 5-10 business days of receipt (internet or telephone priority handling).1
- Who may order
Spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased, or the lawful representative of such persons; The agent designated to control disposition of the remains; A person with a documented lawful right or claim (for example, an official letter that the record is needed to process a benefit claim).1
A person with a documented medical need; A person with a New York State court order.1
- Filing deadline
The death certificate must be filed within 3 days.2
- Public record
Death records become public 50 years after the death.1
- Records available from
1881. Does not have records for New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) - contact NYC Department of Health. Records from the Cities of Albany, Buffalo and Yonkers before January 1, 1914 are held by each city's Local Registrar.1
Governing law: N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4140
Sources2
- 1.New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section
- 2.New York death-certificate filing rule (N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4140; N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4142; N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4144; N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4145; N.Y. Pub. Health Law § 4200; N.Y. Not-for-Profit Corp. Law § 1401; 10 NYCRR § 2.54; 10 NYCRR § 77.12)
New York vital records offices
New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section
Phone
Mailing address
Website
Tools for Settling an Estate in New York
Free tools for settling an estate in New York: whether probate is needed, executor and trustee pay, creditor deadlines, and inheritance taxes.
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?
In New York, certified death certificates come from the New York State Department of Health - Vital Records SectionNew York State Department of Health - Vital Records SectionVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $30New York State Department of Health - Vital Records SectionVerified Oct 15, 2026View source.
How Do I Settle an Estate?
Settling an estate in New York: the personal representative files the estate inventory within 270 days22 NYCRR 207.20Verified Sep 15, 2026View source of appointment; creditors have 7 monthsSCPA 1802, 1803, 1810, 1811; EPTL 11-1.5Verified Oct 19, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 7 months to 9 months.
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