How to Order a New York Birth Certificate
Registering for school, obtaining a passport and applying for a driver's license are just a few of the many reasons why you would need to order a copy of your birth certificate. If you were born outside of New York City, the New York State Department of Health keeps your birth records. If you were born in one of the five boroughs of New York City, you have to order your birth records from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. Both agencies allow birth records to be ordered either by mail or over the Internet.
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Instructions
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Ordering by Mail
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Obtain birth certificate request application. For births that occurred outside New York City, you can obtain an application by going to the New York State Department of Health website and clicking on the "Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Records" link on the right side of the page. For births that occurred in New York City, go to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website and click on the "Birth Certificate Information" link.
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Complete the application. Both New York State and New York City have the respective request forms in a PDF format that will allow you to complete them online and print them for mailing. You can also print a blank application and write in the information.
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Gather and photocopy the necessary documents. For requests made to the State of New York for all births outside of New York City, you will need to include a copy of one form of photo identification and two utility bills, or letters from a government agency, that show your address. For requests made to New York City, you have to include a copy of your photo identification.
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Mail your application along with the required documents and applicable fee. For New York State, mail your application and a check or money order for $30 to:
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Section
Certification Unit
800 North Pearl Street
Menands, NY 12204
For New York City, send your application, a $15 check or money order, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to:
Office of Vital Records
125 Worth Street, CN 4, Room 133
New York, NY 10013
Allow 4 to 6 weeks for New York State to process your request. New York City tries to process its requests within 30 days.
Internet Ordering
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Go to the VitalChek website. Both New York State and New York City have partnered with a private company, VitalChek, to fulfill Internet requests for copies of birth certificates.
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Provide information requested on the VitalChek website. You will be asked to enter your name, date of birth, city and state of birth, the names of your parents, and other personal information.
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Submit payment using a debit or credit card. For New York State birth certificates, you will need to pay $30 for the certificate and $7.25 for a processing fee. The fees for New York City birth certificates are $15 for the certificate and $8.30 for processing.
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Fax or mail identity verification document to VitalCheck. To confirm your identity, after payment is submitted you will be given an identity verification document to print and have notarized. You can fax it back to VitalChek at 866-233-5182.
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Tips & Warnings
To expedite the process in New York City, you can submit your application in person by bringing the required documents and application fee to the Office of Vital Records, room 133.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit birth marriage and death image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
