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New York vital records

The New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records is the vital records office for New York.1 It issues certified birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates and divorce records2345. Local offices also issue certified copies.2

Last checked against official sources.

On this page
  1. Records and where to get them
  2. Local offices
  3. Access rules and the law
  4. The state office
  5. Questions people ask
  6. Sources

Born or died in the five boroughs of New York City? New York City keeps its own birth and death records, separate from New York State. Use the New York City vital records pages instead.

Current notices from the office

  • Significant processing delays2

Records and where to get them

RecordWho issues itYears heldFirst copyShortest published time
Birth certificateNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records11881 to today2$302–
Death certificateNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records61881 to today3$303–
Marriage certificateNew York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section71881 to today4$304–
Divorce recordsNew York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section81963 to today9$309–

Birth certificate

Older records
Albany, Buffalo and Yonkers records before 1914: those cities' local registrars10
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, at a local office, by phone

How to get a New York birth certificate

Death certificate

Older records
Albany, Buffalo and Yonkers records before 1914: those cities' local registrars10
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, at a local office, by phone

How to get a New York death certificate

Marriage certificate

Who holds it
Town or city clerk where the license was purchased also issues copies4
Older records
Town or city clerk where the license was issued4
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, at a local office, by phone

How to get a New York marriage certificate

Divorce records

Who holds it
Divorce decree: County Clerk (usually county where the plaintiff resided)9
Older records
County Clerk (decree only before 1963)9
Ways to order
Online through VitalChek Network, Inc., by mail, at a local office, by phone

How to get New York divorce records

Local offices

Local offices issue certified copies
Yes2
Which offices
Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (city, town, village or county district) for births and deaths; town or city clerk for marriages; County Clerk for divorce decrees11
Any office for any county
No: use the office for the place the event happened2

Access rules and the law

Who may get certified copies
Closed records: only people the law names may get certified copies12

Laws and rules the office cites

  • N.Y. Public Health Law § 4174 (certified copies)12
  • N.Y. Public Health Law § 413912
  • N.Y. Domestic Relations Law § 20 (marriage records)12
  • N.Y. Domestic Relations Law § 20-c (revised marriage certificate on name/gender change)4

The state office

Office
New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records1
Mailing address
New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602
2
Walk-in address
800 North Pearl Street
10

Questions people ask

How much do birth and death certificates cost in New York?

A certified birth certificate costs $30 for the first copy and a death certificate $30.23

What is the phone number of the New York vital records office?

New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Records: (855) 322-1022.5

Where do I get a marriage certificate in New York?

New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section. Town or city clerk where the license was purchased also issues copies.74

Where do I get divorce records in New York?

New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section. Divorce decree: County Clerk (usually county where the plaintiff resided).89

Sources

Every fact on this page comes from these official sources, checked on November 5, 2026. Tap a source number next to a fact to read the exact words.

  1. Doh 4380 (PDF)New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated September 1, 2019
  2. Birth Certificates - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  3. Death Certificates - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  4. Marriage Certificates - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated August 1, 2025
  5. Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  6. Doh 4376 (PDF)New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated November 1, 2013
  7. Doh 4382 (PDF)New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated July 1, 2011
  8. Doh 4378 (PDF)New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated July 1, 2011
  9. Divorce Certificates - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  10. Genealogy Records & Resources - New York State Department of HealthNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023
  11. NYS Vital Records - Birth AmendmentsNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated July 1, 2013
  12. Dual Citizenship and Vital RecordsNew York State Department of Health, Bureau of Vital Recordsdated January 1, 2023