New York - How to obtain a Birth Certificate

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Procedure

By Mail

Priority Handling

1. Get an application form in Portable Document Format by downloading from the link: Birth Certificate Mail-in Application. Adobe Reader (version 5.0 or later) will allow you to enter your information directly into the form and then print it out ready to sign and mail with check or money order.
2. Complete the form.
3. Print the form after you complete it, then sign and mail with check or money order. You may also print the form and complete it by typing or printing, then sign and mail with check or money order.
4. Send requests for priority handling only to the following address:
   New York State Department of Health
   Vital Records Certification Unit
   800 North Pearl Street
   Menands, NY 12204
   

Note: Submitting the application to the Vital Records Processing Center by overnight delivery is recommended. Completed requests will be returned by first class mail unless a prepaid return mailer for overnight delivery is provided with the request.

Regular handling

1. Get an application form in Portable Document Format by downloading from the link: Birth Certificate Mail-in Application. Adobe Reader (version 5.0 or later) will allow you to enter your information directly into the form and then print it out ready to sign and mail with check or money order.
2. Complete the form.
3. Print the form after you complete it, then sign and mail with check or money order. You may also print the form and complete it by typing or printing, then sign and mail with check or money order.
4. Send requests to the following address:
   New York State Department of Health
   Vital Records Certification Unit
   P.O. Box 2602
   Albany, NY 12220-2602
   

Apply Online or Telephone

• The New York State Department of Health does not accept credit cards or on-line orders for vital records. However, for your convenience, you can process on-line requests through VitalChek Network, Inc., an independent company that we have partnered with in order to provide this service. VitalChek can be reached either through its website, VitalChek, or by phone at 1-877-854-4481. An additional fee is charged by VitalChek for using this service.
• Internet or telephone requests receive priority handling and are processed within five (5) to ten (10) business days of receipt.
• It's the easiest and most efficient method for ordering official birth certificates and other vital records because there is less room for error when you enter the information yourself. Our simple forms have built-in editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.
• VitalChek is an official service, authorized by N.Y. State Vital Records, to securely order certified New York vital records, like birth certificates. Other online services may not be authorized by N.Y. State Vital Records, and may charge additional fees without providing approved services or guaranteeing confidentiality of your data.
• As a government-approved organization for 25 years, VitalChek safely delivers millions of vital records every year and is Americas No.1 resource for ordering certified vital records across the nation. VitalChek makes purchasing your familys most important documents, such as New York birth certificates, simple, fast and secure:
  • Simple step-by-step ordering with easy to use editing features to help ensure the accuracy of your order.
  • Fast online ordering, processing & delivery options to help get your certificate as quickly as possible.
  • Secure ordering processes that are designed to help protect your identity online.
• VitalChek offers the convenience of ordering New York birth certificates for yourself or your family from the privacy of your home or office, 24-hours a day, 7 days a week, with no hidden fees or unexplained charges. No traffic, no standing in line, no parking, no hassles.
• Order by telephone - Call VitalChek Toll Free at 1-877-854-4481.

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Required Documents

Application must be submitted with copies of either

• One (1) of the following forms of valid photo-ID: Driver license
  • State issued non-driver photo-ID card
  • Passport
  • U.S. Military issued photo-ID
• Two (2) of the following showing the applicant's name and address:
  • Utility or telephone bills
  • Letter from a government agency dated within the last six (6) months

Important Notes

• Failure to include necessary identification will result in rejection of your application.
• Copy of Passport required in addition to the above ID if request is made from a foreign country that requires a U.S. Passport for travel.

Office Locations & Contacts

Priority handling

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
800 North Pearl Street
Menands, NY 12204

Regular handling

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

Certificates may also be obtained from your local county. Use the contact information below to inquire.

Albany County : 32 N Russell Road Albany, NY 12206-1324
Phone:(518) 447-7000 Website

Allegany County : 7 Court Street, Rm 3 Belmont, NY 14813
Phone: 585-268-9270 Fax 585-268-5881 Website

Bronx County : 851 Grand Concourse Bronx, NY 10451
Phone: (718) 590-3500 Website

Broome County : 44 Hawley Street PO Box 1766 Binghamton, NY 13902-1766
Phone: 607.778.2255 / 607.778.2256 Fax: 607.778.2243 Website

Cattaraugus County : 303 Court Street Little Valley, NY 14755
Phone: 716-938-9111 Website

Cayuga County : 152 Genesee St. Auburn, NY 13021
Phone: (315) 253-1271 Website

Chautauqua County : 3 North Erie Mayville, NY 14757-1007
Phone: 716?753?4331 Website

Chemung County : 203 Lake St. Elmira, New York 14901
Phone: 607-737-2920 [http://www.chemun

Eligibility

• The person named on the birth certificate.
• A parent of the person named on the birth certificate (requesting parent's name must be on 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.

Fees

By mail

• Certified copy: $30.00 per copy
• For priority handling: $15.00 per copy (additional)

Online/By Phone

• Certified copy: $45.00 per copy

Validity

Explain the time until which the certificate/document is valid.
e.g. Birth Certificate Valid Forever

Documents to Use

Please attach documents which can be used by people who would like to follow this procedure.    

Sample Documents

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Processing Time

By mail (Regular handling)

10 to 12 weeks from when they are received.

By mail (Priority handling)

2 to 4 weeks from when they are received.

Online

5 to 10 business working days

Instructions

• The New York State Division of Vital Records (New York State Vital Records) issues certified copies of New York birth certificates for events which occurred in the State of New York (except the five (5) boroughs of New York City) and New Hyde Park.
• Birth Certificates are available for events that occurred within the State of New York (except New York City), from 1907 to June 4, 2008.
• New York State Vital Records does not file and cannot issue copies of New York City birth certificates. For births that occurred in one of the five (5) boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Kings, Queens, the Bronx and Staten Island) or New Hyde Park, you will need to order from New York City Department of Health.
• Choose any one method for ordering certificates Internet, Phone, and Mail
• For Priority Handling: There is an additional fee of $15.00 per birth certificate copy. (Total per copy is $45.00)
• Internet and telephone orders require a major credit card. These orders receive priority handling and the fee is $30.00 + $15.00 priority handling fee for a total of $45.00 per birth certificate copy. There is an additional $7.25 vendor processing fee which is charged per transaction (not per copy).
• Payment of mail order copies may be made by check or money order payable to "The New York State Department of Health" - Do not send cash.
• Payment of mail order copies submitted from foreign countries must be made by a check drawn on a United States bank or by international money order - Do not send cash.

Required Information

• Name as listed on birth certificate
• Date of birth
• City or town of birth/County of birth
• Name of hospital where birth occurred (if known)
• Fathers full name, if adopted, list adoptive fathers name.
• Mothers full maiden name, if adopted, list adoptive mothers maiden name.
• Birth certificate number (if known)
• Local registration number (if known)
• Purpose for which the record is required
• Relationship to person whose record is required
• If attorney, give name and relationship of your client to person whose record is required:
• A photocopy of the current government-issued photo id of the person making the application, i.e. current driver's license
• Name and address of the applicant
• Telephone number

Need for the Document

You may need a birth certificate when enrolling in school, applying for a social security card or for certain legal proceedings. This can prove frustrating when you do not have a copy immediately on hand. If you want to obtain your birth certificate or if you would like to have an additional copy of your birth certificate you can obtain one with following the procedure given below.