How to Obtain a Birth Certificate From New York

You can obtain a new birth certificate in New York City.

New York is one of the most heavily populated states in America; therefore, the state offers a variety of ways to order a birth certificate. The office you order from depends on where you live. If you stay in the five boroughs, you must order or visit an office in New York, N.Y. If you live in another city in the state of New York, you must order yours from offices in Albany and Menands, N.Y. No matter where you must order your birth certificate from, you have three options via the Internet, mail and walk-in.

Things You'll Need

• Valid photo ID (driver’s license, state issued ID card, passport or U.S. Military ID)
• 2 proofs of name and address on the following documents: utility or phone bills or letter from a government agency (within the last six months)
• $30 to $52.25 depending on method of ordering

Instructions

New York State Certified Copy Telephone Orders (Excluding New York City)

1. Call VitalChek at 877-854-4481

2. Follow the automated system providing the information that is required.

3. Pay with a major credit card. Regardless of the type of shipping, you will pay a $7.25 processing fee and $30 for the document. If you would like priority handling, that is an extra $15, and if you would like it delivered by UPS, add an additional $12 to your order.

New York State Certified Copy Internet Orders (Including New York City)

1. Go to the VitalChek website (See Resources), click on “Birth Certificates” and start your order.

2. Answer a series of questions, including basic information about you and your location, your mother and father’s name and whether you want any additional certificates.

3. Decide whether you want UPS to deliver your birth certificate for a $12 fee or regular mail. The total cost of your certificate is being tallied by a widget on the right side of the website. UPS will generally ship after five to 10 days of processing and includes delivery insurance for your birth certificate. Regular mail will be delivered after 10 days of processing and is not insured.

4. Pay with a major credit card and be sure to have the three-digit security code on the back of your card ready.

New York State Certified Copy Mail Orders (Excluding New York City)

1. Print the Mail-in the Application for Copy of Birth Certificate (See Resources). This application can only be used for what it says, and it can only be mailed in.

2. Decide whether you want priority or regular handling. The birth certificate will cost you $30 and the priority will add $15 to that. The certificate will be mailed after two to three weeks of processing time under priority handling. Overnight delivery is preferred for receiving the request, and if you want it returned quickly, a prepaid overnight envelope should be included. Regular mail will be sent out after six to eight weeks of processing time. Send your requests to following addresses:

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

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

3. Mail your completed application with a check or money order made out for $30 (regular handling) or $45 (priority handling) with copies of your photo ID and your proof of name and address.

New York State Certified Copy Walk-in services (Excluding New York City)

1. Arrive at 800 N. Pearl Street, Second floor, Room 200 in Menands, N.Y. The service lobby hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 .m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday and are closed on holidays.

2. Decide whether you want priority or regular Handling, which is the difference of $30 and $45. Orders processed with regular handling will be mailed after two weeks, but orders with priority will be ready the same or next day for pickup.

3. Pay with cash, check or money order only. Credit cards are not accepted in the service lobby.

New York City (5 Boroughs) Birth Certificates Walk-in Orders

1. Download and fill out a application to order a birth certificate to avoid delays (See Resources).

2. Visit the Office of Vital Records at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene in Manhattan at 125 Worth St. in Room133. The office is open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Bring your application and a current photo ID. If that is an issue, other options include an inmate ID with release papers, two documents that show your name and address dated within 60 days including utility bill, phone bill or letter from a government agency, and an original letter from an agency such as the police department explaining why you don’t have your ID. Even a notarized letter from your landlord verifying your information, a utility bill from your landlord and current photo ID will work.

3. If you are ordering a birth certificate for someone else, a notarized letter giving you permission to order it is required as well as a copy of your current ID along with theirs.

New York City (5 Boroughs) Birth Certificates Mail Orders

1. Download and fill out an application for New York City birth certificates (See Resources).

2. Call 212-639-9675 to order the application if you are unable to download it.

3. Mail your application, a $15 check or money order, copy of a valid ID and a self addressed stamped envelope to
   Office of Vital Records
   125 Worth Street, CN 4, Room 133
   New York, NY 10013
   You will receive your birth certificate in approximately four weeks.

References

• New York State: Birth Certificates
• NYC: Office of Vital Statistics

Resources

• VitalChek: Order New York Birth Certificate online including New York City
• New York State: Mail-In Application for Copy of Birth Certificate - N.Y. State (excluding N.Y. City)
• NYC: Application for Mail-in or Walk-in - New York City (5 Boroughs)