How to Get an Original Copy of a Birth Certificate in New York

To obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate in New York state, you must be the person named on the certificate, a parent named on the birth certificate or have an order from a New York state court. Uncertified copies of birth certificates for genealogy purposes have no such restrictions but the certificates must have been on file for at least 75 years and the person named on the certificate must be deceased.

Things You'll Need

• Application for certified copy of a birth certificate
• Proof of identification

Instructions

1. Obtain a birth certificate application from either the New York state or New York City departments of health. They can be picked up in person or printed from the departments' websites. Certificates from New York City's health department can also be ordered through a smartphone. The city's health department has certificates for people born in the boroughs of Manhattan, the Bronx, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island.

2. Read the directions at the bottom of the application. Print clearly as you fill out the application.

3. Make a photocopy of an acceptable form of identification, which includes a driver's license, state ID card, government ID card or employment ID card with pay stub. The identification must be current and include a photo and signature. If none of these forms is available, bills from two utilities or letters from two government agencies that show your name and address and are dated within the past 60 days may be accepted.

4. Submit your application and copy of ID by mail, online or in person. Both the state and city health departments say applying online is the fastest way to obtain a birth certificate copy. The state charges $30 for a certified copy of a birth certificate. The city's fee is $15. Additional charges for shipping may apply. Uncertified copies for genealogy purposes cost between $22 and $202 depending on when the person was born.

Tips & Warnings

• The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene notes that the boroughs of Brooklyn and Staten Island were once referred to as Kings and Richmond, which may cause confusion when trying to obtain birth records.

• Birth certificates issued in New York City before 1910 must be ordered through the city's Municipal Archives.

References

• "New York State Department of Health": Birth certificates
• "New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: Office of Vital records": Birth certificates

Resources

• New York State Department of Health": Genealogy records & resources
• "New York State Department of Health": Internet and Telephone orders
• "New York State Department of Health": Mail in application for birth certificate
• "New York City Office of Vital Records": Applying for birth certificates online
• "New York State Department of Health": Records by mail
• "New York City Department of Records": Municipal archives