Search Broome County Birth Records
Broome County birth records are held by the local registrar in the town or city where the birth happened. The county seat is Binghamton, and the City Clerk there has records going back to about 1870. Several town clerks across Broome County also maintain their own vital records. The Broome County Clerk's Office does not issue birth certificates, but staff can help direct you to the right place. Whether you need a recent certified copy or a record for genealogy research, this page covers every step to find what you need in Broome County.
Broome County Birth Records Overview
Broome County Local Birth Records
The City of Binghamton City Clerk at City Hall, 38 Hawley Street, Binghamton, NY 13901, holds birth records from about 1870 to the present. Phone is (607) 772-7001. Walk-in service is available, and the office accepts genealogy requests with proper documentation. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. This is the largest clerk's office in Broome County for vital records.
The Town of Union Clerk is another key registrar. Their office at 3111 East Main Street, Endwell, NY 13760, serves as the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the Town of Union. Certified copies of birth, death, and marriage records cost $10 each. Call (607) 786-2900, option 8, for details. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM.
The Town of Vestal Clerk at 605 Vestal Parkway West handles records for births in Vestal. Phone is (607) 785-1700.
Broome County Clerk's Office
The Broome County Clerk's Office at 60 Hawley Street, 5th Floor, Binghamton, NY 13902, does not hold birth records. Under New York law, birth certificates are filed with the local registrar, not the county clerk. The Broome County Clerk maintains land records and court documents instead. Their phone is (607) 778-2256. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. They also handle passport services.
If you call the County Clerk about a birth certificate, they will tell you which town or city clerk to contact based on where the birth took place. This is a common mix-up that slows people down. Always check the birth location first.
Broome County Birth Record Resources
The Town of Union Clerk's office processes a high volume of vital records requests for the Broome County area.
Union is one of the most populated towns in Broome County, so their records collection covers a wide range of dates and families.
The Broome County NYGenWeb page links to free genealogy resources maintained by volunteers across New York State.
This site connects researchers with cemetery records, church records, and other vital record sources that can help when official copies are hard to find.
Broome County Birth Records Through the State
The NYS Department of Health Vital Records Section holds birth records for Broome County from 1881 to the present. Mail your request with a $30 fee to PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Online orders through VitalChek cost $45 plus processing. The toll-free number is (855) 322-1022.
Genealogy requests follow the 75-year rule under Public Health Law Section 4174. You must provide proof of death for the person named on the record. Direct-line descendants can sometimes request records before that cutoff with documentation of their relationship. Expect wait times of eight months or more for genealogy orders.
The Broome County Local History and Genealogy Center at the Broome County Public Library, 185 Court Street, Binghamton, has census records, city directories, and newspapers on microfilm. Phone is (607) 778-3575. Staff can assist with research during regular library hours.
Broome County Court and Historical Records
The Broome County Surrogate's Court at 65 Hawley Street, 5th Floor, handles probate and estate records. Phone is (607) 240-5380. These records do not replace birth certificates, but they can confirm family relationships when a certificate is not available. Adoption records are sealed under state law.
The Roberson Museum and Science Center at 30 Front Street, Binghamton, maintains local history collections including photographs, maps, and historical documents. Research assistance is available by appointment. Call (607) 772-0660.
Note: Under Section 4140 of the Public Health Law, birth certificates must be filed with the local registrar within five days of the birth event.
Cities in Broome County
The following community in Broome County has its own page with local birth record details.