Erie County Birth Records
Erie County birth records can be found through several offices depending on the date and place of birth. Buffalo, the county seat and largest city, has its own vital records office with birth records going back to 1876. The Erie County Clerk holds some older records on microfilm for 1881 to 1913. For most requests, the New York State Department of Health is the main source for Erie County birth records from 1881 forward. This page explains where to search and how to get copies for births in Erie County.
Erie County Birth Records at a Glance
Erie County Clerk Birth Records
The Erie County Clerk's Office at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo holds a limited set of birth records. They have City of Buffalo birth records on microfilm for the period 1881 to 1913. There is no index for these records, so you must search in person. The phone number is (716) 858-8785. Office hours run Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
For current birth certificates, the Erie County Clerk is not the right office. They mainly handle land records, court documents, and other filings. The microfilm collection is really just useful for historical research into Buffalo births from that narrow time window. If you need a certified copy for legal use, you should go to the Buffalo City Clerk or the state DOH.
The Erie County Clerk's official page provides information about available records and services.
Check this site for details about the microfilm birth records collection and other document services.
City of Buffalo Birth Records
The City of Buffalo Vital Records Office has birth records from 1876 to the present. The office is in Room 1302 at City Hall, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202. Call (716) 851-5432 for help. This is one of the most complete local collections in Erie County. Under Article 41 of the Public Health Law, all births in Buffalo are registered here.
Mail requests need a written letter with the full name, date of birth, father's name, and mother's maiden name. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and a money order for $10.00 payable to the City Clerk. You also need a copy of your valid ID. Walk-in service is available during regular business hours. Section 4138 of the Public Health Law limits who can request a copy to the person named, parents, spouses, children, or someone with a court order.
The state DOH does not hold Buffalo birth records from before January 1, 1914. Those older records are only at the Buffalo City Clerk's office. This is an important detail for genealogists looking at the late 1800s and early 1900s.
Below is the City of Buffalo official website where you can find vital records information.
Buffalo has its own system for birth certificates that runs separately from the county and state offices.
Note: For Buffalo births before 1914, the City Clerk is the only source since the NYS DOH does not hold those records.
State Records for Erie County Births
The NYS Department of Health maintains Erie County birth records from 1881 to the present, with the exception of Buffalo records before 1914. Mail orders cost $30. Send your request to Vital Records Section, PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. The toll-free number is (855) 322-1022.
Online ordering through VitalChek costs about $45 plus processing fees. Orders are usually processed within 24 hours on weekdays. This is the fastest way to get a certified copy. The Erie County Department of Health at 95 Franklin Street can also assist with vital records questions and direct you to the right office. Their number is (716) 858-7690.
Erie County Birth Records Genealogy
Genealogy searches for Erie County birth records follow the state rules under Section 4174 of the Public Health Law. Records at least 75 years old can be requested from the NYS DOH when proof of death is provided. Direct-line descendants can request records before that period. Processing takes eight months or more.
The New York State Archives holds microfiche birth indexes covering Erie County through 1937. The Archives is in the Cultural Education Center in Albany. No appointment is needed to use the indexes. State Census records for Erie County are available for 1855 through 1925.
The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library at 1 Lafayette Square has strong genealogical resources in the Grosvenor Room. They hold Buffalo city directories, newspapers on microfilm, and special collections on Buffalo and Western New York history. Research assistance is available. The Buffalo History Museum at One Museum Court is another option, with a research library, family papers, and local history archives. Their phone is (716) 873-9644.
The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library genealogy resources are shown below.
The Grosvenor Room is one of the best genealogy research centers in Western New York.
Erie County Court Records
The Erie County Surrogate's Court at 25 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo handles probate and estate records. Their phone is (716) 845-9300. Will and estate records can provide family relationship details useful for birth record research. Adoption records are sealed by court order under New York law.
The Surrogate's Court is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. These records can help fill in gaps when vital records are missing or incomplete for Erie County families.
Cities in Erie County
The following major cities in Erie County have their own birth records pages with local details.
Nearby Counties
Birth records for areas near Erie County may be found in these neighboring counties.