New York Birth Records
New York birth records can be searched through the state Department of Health or at local clerk offices in each of the 62 counties. The state has kept birth records since 1881 for areas outside New York City. NYC runs its own system through the city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You can order a birth certificate online, by mail, or in person at the right office. If you need a copy for legal use, travel, or family research, knowing which office holds the file is the first step. This guide walks you through every option for finding and getting New York birth records.
New York Birth Records Overview
Where to Find New York Birth Records
The New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section is the main source for birth records in New York. They hold files from 1881 to the present for all areas outside New York City. The mailing address is Vital Records Section, PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. You can also walk in at 800 North Pearl Street, 2nd Floor, Menands, NY 12204. The office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Call the toll-free line at (855) 322-1022 if you have questions about your request.
There is one big split in how New York handles birth records. The state DOH does not hold records for births that took place in New York City. The five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island fall under the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Their office is at 125 Worth Street, CN4, Room 133, New York, NY 10013. You can call 311 from inside NYC or dial 212-788-4520 from outside the city. Parents get one free birth certificate for a newborn about four weeks after birth. Each extra copy costs $15 plus processing fees.
The state DOH also does not hold birth records from the cities of Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers for dates before January 1, 1914. Those older records sit with the local registrar in each city. For the period 1881 through 1897, the DOH does have records for the NYC boroughs of Queens and Richmond.
The screenshot below shows the NYS Department of Health Vital Records main page where you can start your search for New York birth records.
This portal lets you access forms, fee info, and ordering instructions for birth certificates from the state.
How to Get New York Birth Records
You can order a New York birth certificate in three ways: online, by mail, or by phone. Online and phone orders go through VitalChek, the only vendor the state has authorized. Online orders cost $45 per copy plus a vendor processing fee. Mail orders cost $30 per copy. You pay by personal check, postal money order, or certified check made payable to the NYS Department of Health. Orders from other countries must use a check drawn on a U.S. bank or an international money order.
Not everyone can get a copy. Under New York Public Health Law, the person named on the birth certificate can request it. A parent listed on the certificate can too. A spouse, child, or someone with a New York State court order may also get a copy. You need to show valid ID. The state accepts a driver's license, state-issued photo ID, passport, or U.S. military photo ID. If you lack photo ID, two documents showing your name and address will work, like a utility bill or a letter from a government agency dated in the last six months.
Here is the NYS birth certificate ordering page where you can find forms and current instructions.
The Department is currently seeing delays in processing times, so plan ahead if you need a birth certificate for a deadline.
Note: The mail-in application form is DOH-4380, available at health.ny.gov. A separate application is needed for each record you request.
New York City Birth Records
NYC birth records work differently. The city DOH issues certificates for all five boroughs. You can order online through VitalChek, by mail, or in person. In-person visits need an appointment booked online. Emergency appointments are available for travel, healthcare, or work needs. Call 311 to set one up.
Two types of birth certificates are available from NYC. The short form costs $15 and works for most domestic uses. The long form, also called a vault certificate, has more details. You need the long form for international purposes like dual citizenship or getting an apostille. Falsifying information on a birth certificate request is a misdemeanor in New York City. Fines can reach $2,000 per violation.
The NYC Department of Health birth certificates page is shown below.
This page covers ordering options, fees, and eligibility rules for NYC birth certificates across all boroughs.
Birth Records for Genealogy Research
The NYS Department of Health provides uncertified copies of birth certificates for genealogy if the record is at least 75 years old and the person named is known to be deceased. The standard genealogy fee is $22.00 for a one to three year search. Extended search fees go up from there: $42.00 for 4 to 10 years, and as high as $202.00 for 81 to 90 years. Processing a genealogy request can take eight months or longer.
Direct-line descendants can request records before the 75-year mark. You need to show proof of your relationship and proof of death. Three exceptions apply to what the DOH can provide: they do not have NYC records, they lack records from Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers before 1914, and borough-specific rules apply for 1881 through 1897.
The New York State Archives holds microfiche indexes to birth records through 1937. The indexes do not cover New York City boroughs. The Archives sits in Room 11D40 of the Cultural Education Center in Albany. No appointment is needed. There is a one-hour limit on microfiche readers when others are waiting. Staff can deliver genealogy applications to the DOH by interagency mail, which saves you a step.
Below is the NYS genealogy records page for birth records research.
Genealogists who visit the NYS Archives in person can use the indexes and then drop off their applications on the 11th floor.
New York State Archives and Birth Records
The New York State Archives is part of the Office of Cultural Education within the State Education Department. It holds many records that can help fill gaps in vital records research. State Census records from 1915 and 1925 include birth information. Military records, land records, and court records may also provide useful data. The Research Room is in the Cultural Education Center on the Empire State Plaza in Albany, typically open Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
The Archives also holds records from state hospitals, prisons, and other institutions. These can sometimes be the only source for birth information when official records are missing. Digital collections are available online through the Archives website, so you do not always need to visit in person. Educational workshops on genealogical research are held regularly.
The Archives indexes are free to use and cover birth records for most of the state through 1937.
This research guide from the NYS Archives covers how to use their collections for genealogy and vital records work.
New York Birth Records Laws
Article 41 of the New York Public Health Law governs vital statistics in the state. Title III covers registration of births under Sections 4130 through 4138-e. Section 4130 requires the attending physician, midwife, or person in charge of an institution to file a birth certificate within five days of birth. Section 4138 covers who can get copies and the rules around confidentiality.
Birth records in New York are not subject to the Freedom of Information Law. Access is limited to the person named on the certificate, their parents, or someone with a court order. Section 4174 sets the fees for copies. Municipal clerks who hold vital records must follow the same privacy rules. Violations can lead to penalties.
The Public Health Law has been amended several times to cover adoption records, gender designation changes, and surrogacy agreements under the Child Parent Security Act.
Birth Certificate Corrections in New York
The NYS DOH provides forms for correcting birth certificates. Different forms handle different types of changes. Form DOH-297 covers parent or child name spellings, the parent's last name, date of birth, or gender at birth. Form DOH-51 adds a given name to a child's record. Form DOH-4092 adds a father's name when the parents were married but the name was left off. Forms DOH-1862 and DOH-1927 handle surname changes from Family Court orders or from a parent's marriage after birth. Supporting documents are needed for every correction. If a hospital made a mistake and the child is under 12 months old, contact the hospital first. The Vital Records Call Center at (855) 322-1022 can answer questions about the correction process.
Adoption and New York Birth Records
Adoption and birth records are confidential in New York and are sealed by court order. The NYS Adoption Information Registry can help adoptees get non-identifying information about their birth parents. It also enables reunions between registered adoptees and birth parents or biological siblings. Both sides must register for a reunion to happen. Registration is free and voluntary. The Registry also gives birth parents a place to file medical information that can be shared with registered adoptees.
Adopted persons born in New York can also apply for a pre-adoption birth certificate, which shows the name at birth and birth parents' names if available.
Apostille for New York Birth Records
If you need a New York birth certificate for use in another country, you may need an apostille from the New York Department of State. An apostille is required for countries that are part of the Hague Apostille Convention. The fee is $10.00 per document. Processing takes about four to six weeks by mail. Walk-in service is available in Albany and New York City for same-day or next-day processing. The Albany office is at P.O. Box 22001, Albany, NY 12201-2001. The NYC office is at 123 William Street, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10038.
Your birth certificate must be a certified copy with original signatures and seals. If a local registrar signed the certificate, you need County Clerk authentication first before the Department of State will issue the apostille. Send a completed Apostille Request Form, payment by check or money order payable to the NYS Department of State, and a self-addressed stamped envelope for return.
The Department of State handles apostilles for all types of vital records, not just birth certificates.
Order New York Birth Records Online
VitalChek is the only authorized online vendor for New York State birth certificates. They handle orders for both NYS DOH and NYC DOH. Online orders are typically processed within 24 hours on weekdays. UPS express shipping is available for an extra fee. You can pay with Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or ACH electronic check. Phone orders can be placed at 877-854-4481. The service provides order tracking so you can check your status at any time. VitalChek verifies your identity before processing.
This is the fastest way to get a certified copy of a New York birth certificate if you need it in a hurry.
Browse New York Birth Records by County
New York has 62 counties, each with its own local registrar offices that handle birth records. Pick a county below to find contact info and resources for birth records in that area.
Birth Records in Major New York Cities
Most cities in New York file birth records at the town or city clerk level. Pick a city below to find which office handles birth records for that area.