New York ranks 51st out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#49 (tie)of 51
Speed#51of 51
Ease of ordering#39 (tie)of 51
Birth certificates #51 of 51
Cost
$30 per copy by mail; $45 per copy online or by phone (includes priority handling); New York City: $15 per copy from NYC Health, plus a processing fee
Processing time
Online: 5–10 business days; mail: 10–12 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office
Time until the copy is in hand
About 11–13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (outside New York City) or the local registrar; New York City births and deaths come from NYC Health
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1881 (outside New York City)
Marriage records #51 of 51
Cost
$30 per copy by mail; $45 per copy online or by phone (includes priority handling); New York City marriages: $15 first copy, $10 each extra, from the City Clerk
Processing time
Online: 5–10 business days; mail: 10–12 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office
Time until the copy is in hand
About 11–13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (outside New York City) or the town or city clerk; New York City marriages come from the City Clerk
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1881 (outside New York City); also from the town or city clerk
Divorce records #26 of 51
Cost
$30 per copy by mail; $45 per copy online or by phone (includes priority handling)
Processing time
Online: 5–10 business days; mail: 10–12 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office
Time until the copy is in hand
About 11–13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (divorce certificate) or the County Clerk in the county where the divorce was granted
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State divorce certificates from January 1963; full decrees from the County Clerk
Death certificates #51 of 51
Cost
$30 per copy by mail; $45 per copy online or by phone (includes priority handling); New York City: $15 per copy from NYC Health, plus a processing fee
Processing time
Online: 5–10 business days; mail: 10–12 weeks; in person: no walk-in at the state office
Time until the copy is in hand
About 11–13 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office (outside New York City) or the local registrar; New York City births and deaths come from NYC Health
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order New York birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a New York birth certificate?
It depends on where the birth happened. For births outside New York City, the New York State Department of Health charges $30 per copy by mail or $45 per copy online or by phone through VitalChek, plus VitalChek’s $8 per order. For births in New York City (the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island), order from the NYC Health Department, not the state: $15 per copy plus a processing fee.
New York birth records: ordering details
Who can order
State (outside NYC): the person named on the certificate, or a parent whose name is on it. A spouse, child or anyone else needs a New York State court order. NYC: the person named, if 18 or older, or a parent listed on the certificate. Online orders are only for people named on the record. Relatives can request the birth certificate of a deceased person by mail.
Fee
State: $30 per copy by mail. $45 per copy online or by phone, which includes a $15 per-copy priority handling fee, plus VitalChek’s $8 processing charge per order. The fee is kept if no record is found. NYC: $15 per copy, plus a processing fee of $9.30 online, $7.50 by premium mail or $2.75 in person. Non-premium mail orders cost $15 per copy with no processing fee. Extras: UPS delivery is $15.50 per order for state orders and $21 for NYC online orders.
How to order
State, online or by phone:VitalChek or 1-877-854-4481. State, by mail: form DOH-4380 with ID copies and a personal check, postal money order or certified check payable to “NYS Department of Health”, to New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Records are also available from the local registrar where the birth happened. NYC: online through VitalChek via NYC Health; by mail with the Premium Birth Certificate Application to NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Attention: Premium Birth Certificate Request, 125 Worth Street, CN-4, Room 119, New York, NY 10013; or in person by appointment only, Mon–Fri 9 a.m.–3:30 p.m.
ID needed
State: a copy of one photo ID (driver’s license, state non-driver ID, passport or U.S. military ID), or two documents showing your name and address, such as a utility bill or a government letter dated within six months. Applications without proper ID are denied. NYC: a current photo ID.
Processing time
State: online and phone orders are processed within 5–10 business days. Regular mail orders take 10–12 weeks. The state notes significant current delays. NYC: online orders take 2–3 weeks, plus up to 2 weeks for regular mail delivery. Allow 2 more weeks for long-form certificates or births from 1910–1919. Premium mail orders take about 2–3 weeks, and non-premium mail orders 8–12 weeks. Estimate: 11–13 weeks door to door for a state mail order.
Older and local records
The state has births from 1881 for all of New York except NYC. Albany, Buffalo and Yonkers births before 1914 are with those cities’ local registrars. NYC Health issues births from 1910 on; for NYC births before 1910, contact the NYC Municipal Archives. Genealogy copies from the state are available for births on file at least 75 years when the person is deceased ($22 for a 1–3 year search).
Tip: Born in one of the five boroughs? Order from NYC Health, not the state. The state doesn’t hold NYC birth records, and NYC Health charges $15 a copy plus a processing fee.
For deaths outside New York City, the New York State Department of Health charges $30 per copy by mail or $45 per copy online or by phone through VitalChek, plus $8 per order. For deaths in New York City, order from the NYC Health Department: $15 per copy plus a processing fee.
New York death records: ordering details
Who can order
State: the spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased. Anyone else needs a documented lawful right or claim, a documented medical need or a New York State court order. NYC: the spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, informant or person in charge of the disposition can get the certificate with the cause of death. Nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, great-grandchildren and grandnieces or grandnephews can get it without the cause of death. A funeral director can also order for up to one year after the death.
Fee
State: $30 per copy by mail; $45 per copy online or by phone (includes $15 priority handling) plus VitalChek’s $8 per order. NYC: $15 per copy, plus $9.30 online, $7.50 premium mail or $2.75 in person. Extras: UPS $15.50 (state) or $21 (NYC online).
How to order
State, online or by phone:VitalChek or 1-877-854-4481. State, by mail: form DOH-4376 to New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602, or contact the local registrar where the death happened. NYC: online through VitalChek via NYC Health; by mail to NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Attention: Premium Death Certificate Request, 125 Worth Street, CN-4, Room 119, New York, NY 10013; or in person by appointment.
ID needed
State: a copy of one photo ID or two documents showing your name and address. NYC: a current photo ID.
Processing time
State: online and phone orders within 5–10 business days; mail orders 10–12 weeks. NYC: online 2–3 weeks plus mail delivery, with 2 more weeks for deaths from 1951–1970; premium mail about 2–3 weeks.
Older and local records
The state has deaths from 1881 for all of New York except NYC. NYC Health issues deaths from 1951 on; for earlier NYC deaths (including 1950), contact the NYC Municipal Archives. State genealogy copies are available for deaths on file at least 50 years.
Tip: If a funeral home handled the arrangements, ask the funeral director to order copies. It’s usually the quickest route.
If the license was bought outside New York City, order from the New York State Department of Health ($30 by mail, $45 online or by phone plus $8 per order) or from the town or city clerk who issued the license. If the license was issued in New York City, order from the NYC City Clerk, not the state: $15 for the first short-form copy and $10 for each extra copy.
New York marriage records: ordering details
Certified copy vs. verification
NYC short form: for most domestic purposes, $15 first copy, $10 each extra. NYC extended form: needed for foreign use, $35 first copy, $30 each extra.
Who can order
State: either spouse. Anyone else needs a documented judicial or other proper purpose, or a New York State court order. NYC: records under 50 years old go to the spouses, someone with notarized written permission from them, an attorney who needs the record as evidence, someone presenting both spouses’ death certificates, or someone with a judicial or other proper purpose.
Fee
State: $30 per copy by mail; $45 per copy online or by phone plus VitalChek’s $8 per order. Town or city clerk: contact the clerk. NYC City Clerk: $15 first short-form copy, $10 each extra; extended form $35 first copy, $30 each extra.
How to order
State, online:VitalChek or 1-877-854-4481. By mail: form DOH-4382 to the Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. NYC by mail: the Mail Request for Marriage Records (form CC2002B) with an ID copy and a money order or certified check payable to “The City Clerk of New York”, to City Clerk of New York, 141 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Record Room. NYC in person: by appointment only through Project Cupid. No walk-ins. Records from 1950–1995 are at the Manhattan office, 141 Worth Street; 1996 on, at any borough office.
ID needed
State: a copy of one photo ID or two documents showing your name and address. NYC: a valid, unexpired ID such as a driver’s license, non-driver ID, IDNYC, U.S. military ID or passport. Photocopies by mail only.
Processing time
State: online 5–10 business days; mail 10–12 weeks. NYC City Clerk: by mail, 4–6 weeks; in person, the same day if all documents are in order.
Older records
The state has marriages from 1881 for licenses bought outside NYC. Albany, Buffalo and Yonkers marriages before 1914 are with those cities’ city clerks. NYC City Clerk records start in 1950; for NYC marriages from 1866–1949, contact the NYC Municipal Archives.
Tip: Request the extended NYC form if you need the certificate for a foreign government or consulate. If you don’t pick a form, you’ll get the short form.
New York has two kinds of divorce record. The divorce certificate comes from the New York State Department of Health for divorces from January 1, 1963 on, including NYC: $30 by mail, or $45 online or by phone plus $8 per order. The full divorce decree comes from the County Clerk.
New York divorce records: ordering details
Certificate vs. decree
Divorce certificate: basic facts about the spouses and the date and place the marriage ended. Filed with the state for divorces granted on or after January 1, 1963. Divorce decree: prepared by the court, with the terms of the divorce and the judge’s signature. Filed with the County Clerk, usually in the county where the plaintiff lived.
Who can order
State divorce certificate: either spouse, or someone with a New York State court order. Decree: set by the County Clerk.
Fee
State certificate: $30 per copy by mail; $45 per copy online or by phone (includes $15 priority handling) plus VitalChek’s $8 per order. UPS $15.50 extra. Decree: varies by county; contact the County Clerk.
How to order
State certificate, online or by phone:VitalChek or 1-877-854-4481. By mail: form DOH-4378 with ID copies and payment to “NYS Department of Health”, to Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Decree: contact the County Clerk in the county where the divorce was filed.
ID needed
State: a copy of one photo ID or two documents showing your name and address. Decree: contact the County Clerk.
Processing time
State: online 5–10 business days; mail 10–12 weeks, with significant current delays noted. County Clerk: varies.
Older records
For divorces granted before January 1, 1963, the decree from the County Clerk is the only record available.
Tip: Need only proof that the divorce happened? Order the state certificate. If you need the terms of the divorce, get the decree from the County Clerk.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other New York records people search for
Official New York sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official New York sites for other records
Court case lookup
UCS eCourts WebCivil, WebCrim and other court lookups.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About New York public records
As a resident of the great state of New York, you have a statutory right to inspect the public records using the state's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). There are no limitations on which members of the public can request records. This ensures that the various governmental bodies in the state operate in a transparent manner and can be kept accountable by the citizens of New York.
Vital Records
New York birth, death, marriage and divorce records are handled primarily by the Vital Records Office at the New York State Department of Health (DOH). The Vital Records Office provides eligible applicants with copies of birth and death certificates in New York State outside of New York City (1881-present), marriage licenses obtained in New York State outside of New York City (1880-present) and divorce certificates for all of New York State (1963-present).
Birth and Death Certificates for NYC
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene maintains birth and death certificates for the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Kings, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island). Only the person themself or the parent of the person on the birth certificate is eligible to obtain a copy of the birth certificate. Only by order of a New York State Court may a spouse, child, or other persons obtain a copy of a birth certificate. For death records, the spouse, parents, and children or siblings of the deceased are eligible to obtain a death certificate copy. Other persons who have a documented lawful right or claim, documented medical need, or a New York State Court Order are also eligible to obtain a death certificate copy.
Marriage Licenses and Certificates
To obtain a marriage certificate copy for a person who obtained the marriage license in New York outside of New York City, contact the DOH. The DOH does not file and cannot issue copies of marriage certificates for persons who obtained the marriage license in any of the five boroughs of New York City; visit the New York City Marriage Bureau web page instead. Spouses and other persons who have either a documented judicial purpose (or other proper purpose) or a New York State Court Order are eligible to obtain a marriage certificate copy for an administrative fee.
Divorce Decrees and Certificates
There are two types of divorce records in the state of New York. The first is the divorce decree, which was the method of documenting marriages before January 1, 1963. These decrees were signed by a judge and filed with the County Clerk of the County where the decrees were issued. For information about obtaining a copy of a divorce decree, contact the appropriate County Clerk. Second, there is the divorce certificate, which has been filed with the DOH for divorces granted on or after January 1, 1963. The divorce certificate contains information about the spouses and the date and place the marriage ended. For this information, contact the DOH. Either spouses or other persons with a New York State court order are eligible to obtain a certificate copy for an administrative fee.
*Note: Access to vital records are requested for an administrative fee, and they can be ordered via the internet, telephone, or mail requests. Internet or telephone requests are processed within five to ten business days, while mail requests are processed within two to four weeks from when they are received.
Information on parolees
You can search for individuals who are on parole by visiting the New York State Division of Parole. They are the entity in the state that is responsible for public information on parolees.
Election Results
The state of New York has been making election results and data available to the public since 1994. You can discover this information by visiting the New York State Board of Elections. They are also responsible for storing and providing access to campaign finance disclosure reports and expenditure records.
Unclaimed Property
You can search to see if you have any unclaimed property that is currently in possession of your state's local government by visiting the Office of Unclaimed Funds.
How to request public information in New York
There is no uniform procedure for you to follow in requesting records from New York agencies because each agency has its own procedures for handling records requests. See N.Y. Pub. Off. Law 87.1(b), 88.1. If in doubt, you should contact the agency whose records you desire to find out what method they use for making a request.
Once a request has been made, the records access manager has five days to refuse or comply with your request. If you want a copy of the records, you may need to pay a fee. Note that the law only applies to existing records. The law does not require a FOIA custodian to create a record in response to your request.
What to do if your request is denied
You have several options open to you should the records access manager deny your request. First, try to work with the records access manager. If the agency is relying on an exemption, ask the records access manager to release the nonexempt portions of the record with the exempt portions removed or redacted.
If you are unable to make headway with the records access manager and your records request remains denied, you have thirty days to appeal to the head of the agency. The agency has ten days to comply with your request, or explain their denial in writing. If you receive a denial at this point (including if the agency does not respond), you can always file a lawsuit with the New York state court to enforce compliance with your request. In some cases the court may even award you attorney's fees.
