When To Use A Certified Copy Or A Photocopy
You will need to purchase a certified copy of the death certificate for tasks such as:
- Notifying the Social Security Administration and other government agencies
- Closing or transferring credit cards and bank accounts
- Claiming a persons life insurance or pension
You may only need a photocopy for other tasks, such as canceling a subscription. Check with the agency or organization handling each account.
New York State Department Of Health Can Provide Copies Of Birth Certificates For Individuals Born Outside Of New York Citys Five Boroughs
Who is eligible to obtain a birth certificate copy?
- The person named on the birth certificate
- A parent of the person named on the birth certificate whose name appears on the birth certificate
- A spouse, child or other person who has an order from a New York State Court to obtain a copy of a birth certificate
*For births in the five boroughs of New York City, contact the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
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How Do I Get My Birth Certificate Copy From New York State
Getting an authorized copy of your birth certificate is now a much easier process, as you are no longer required to go in person to a vital records office. If you live in a different state other than New York, but you were born in this state, applying for your birth certificate online will save you a lot of time and hassle.
If you were born in New York State, it is likely that the original copy of your birth certificate is at a vital records office. New York State has vital records offices, they are located in: Suffolk County, Nassau County, Westchester County, Erie County, and, Monroe County.
New York City and its five boroughs have vital records offices, as well as the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Yonkers, Syracuse.
If you need to get an authorized copy, you can do so by applying online and completing all mandatory sections on the application form.
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Access Adoption Records Through Consent
In some states, you may be able to access identifying information through a mutual consent registry. Using these registries, all involved in an adoption can declare what information may be disclosed. Some states may require the consent of both the birth parents and adoptive parents for the release of records. However, the release of information varies by state.
If your state does not maintain a mutual consent registry, there are other ways to obtain records through consent. Public or private agencies can locate birth parents in some states. When an agency contacts birth parents, they can find out identifying information through:
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Confidential Intermediary System The court gives permission to a court-certified confidential intermediary. This permission grants them access to sealed adoption records. They can also contact the birth parents to obtain consent for the release of identifying information.
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Affidavit System Birth parents can officially file their consent or refusal to be identified or contacted.
Use the Child Welfare Information Gateway to find out about how your state allows access to your adoption records.
Where Can I Find Birth Records In New York
The Office of Vital Records in New York maintains records of births in the state from 1881 to the present except for births that occurred in New York City. Therefore, records of the boroughs of Manhattan, Kings , Queens, Bronx, and Richmond cannot be obtained from the New York State Department of Healthâs Office of Vital Record. The Health Department in New York City issues birth certificates for all persons born in New York City. Birth records in New York State may also be obtained in person from local Registrars of Vital Statistics where the births occur.
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Where To Get A Birth Certificate In New York
You can get a certified copy of your birth certificate online or by visiting the birth certificate office where the person on record was born. Ordering your birth certificate online is the easiest way to order birth records.
You might be asking yourself, Are there any vital records offices who can provide me with a birth certificate near me? You will find the answer of that question inthe first vital records office public database online.
Note: Due to the spread of the COVID-19, some vital record agencies are closed or they are only processing by mail or online applications.Check the current status here.
Not Born In New York State
To change the name of someone who was not born in New York State you can use any document that proves when and where the person was born. An official birth certificate should be on file in the place of birth. These records are filed permanently in a State vital statistics office or in a city, county, or other local office. To get a certified copy of the birth certificate, write or go to the vital statistics office in the state or area where you were born. The National Center for Health Statistics has a list of state agencies that keep vital records on their website.
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Which Method Should You Choose
Two Ways to Get a Birth Certificate in New YorkThe Old-Fashioned Way:For birth certificates in New York City :online applicationone
- Drivers license or non-drivers ID from any U.S. state or territory
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Employee ID w/ photo, verifiable employer, & recent paystub
- Student ID and current transcript from accredited, verifiable institution
- Inmate photo ID w/ release papers
- MTA reduced-fare Metro Card
The document must be unexpired and bear your photo as well as your signatureFor New York state birth certificates outside NYC:ororandThe New Way:FastBirthCertificates.com
Proof Requirements For New York State Vehicle Registrations Or Title Certificates
To register a vehicle or get a title, you need to prove your
- date of birth by providing one acceptable document from the list below 1, and
- name by providing one or more documents that total 6 points
A NYS license, permit, or ID that is current or expired for less than 2 years meets both requirements.
Please note that
- your signature must be on at least one of your documents
- your documents must be the original or certified by the issuing agency
- if another person gives DMV your registration or title application, that person must provide
- a photocopy of your NYS driver license, permit or non-driver ID, and
- that persons own original license, permit or non-driver ID
Also, that you cannot provide
- more than one of the same type of proof 2
- an expired document, unless noted in the list below
- documents that have been altered in any way 3
These requirements do not apply to interstate in-transit permits 4 or snowmobiles registered in another state that you want to register for use in New York. 5
Acceptable documents for proof of name and date of birth
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New York Birth Certificate Cost
Anyone can apply for their New York State birth certificate at any time. When requesting a certified or an informational copy of a birth certificate, applicants must cover the cost of each copy they request. The fee for a certified copy of your birth certificate is $30 per copy.
If you require an extra copy or your New York State birth certificate, you may request them by paying the fee of $30 for each copy you need. Keep in mind the benefit of applying for a birth certificate online. You can obtain it without having to visit the vital records office not wait in long lines.
Divorce Decrees And Certificates
A divorce decree is an official document from the court that grants the termination of a marriage. It includes specific details of the divorce.
A divorce certificate is issued by a state vital records office. It shows that a divorce occurred but not all the same information as a divorce decree. You can save time and money by determining which document you need before requesting a copy.
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Who Is Eligible To Get A Copy Of A Birth Certificate
- The person named on the birth certificate.
- A parent of the person named on the birth certificate. The requesting parent’s name must be on the birth certificate.
- A spouse, child or others, but only by order of a New York State court.
What identification needs to be submitted by the applicant?
Application must be submitted with copies of either A or B:
Please submit a copy of your U.S. passport in addition to the above ID if you are applying from a foreign country that requires a passport for travel.
Can Anyone Get A Copy Of A Birth Certificate In New York
A New York birth record is only available to a person named on the record or a parent of the person named on the birth record. Note that the name of the requesting parent must be on the record for the requesting parent to obtain the birth record. A spouse, child, or any other person may also access a birth record by obtaining a New York State court order.
A requester may apply for a New York City birth record if the individual is:
- Above the age of 18
- Listed on record as a parent or a child
- Born in New York City
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Ordering Vital Records In New York
Before starting the process to request a certified copy of a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or death certificate, it is important to understand that you will have to provide some sensitive information in order to obtain your records. It is also important to know about the requirements, processing times, and other relevant information for the New York government agency. Read below to understand more about some of the most frequently asked questions.
Before you start the process to order a certified copy of a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or death certificate, you should know some important information about the requirements, processing times, and other useful information required by the state of New York.
Processing times differ between offices, but you should expect to receive your vital records in New York 12 to 14 business weeks.
In order to complete the online application, the New York Health Department requires applicants to prove their identity by including a photocopy of their ID. It varies depending on the type of certificate, but commonly people can use the drivers license or a state photo ID. Check other acceptable IDs per certificate needed: New York Birth Certificate Requirements New York Marriage Certificate Requirements New York Death Certificate Requirements
Suffolk County Birth Certificate Types
These are the specific types of birth certificate copies that can be issued in Suffolk County, New York:
- Long-form copy of a Suffolk County, birth certificate: a government-issued copy of the original document, the only type that can be used for legal purposes. Also known as Birth certificate long form, or certified copy of a birth certificate.
- Short-form copy of a Suffolk County, birth certificate: an abstract of the birth record that only shows the individual’s basic information. Also known as informational copy. It cannot be used for legal purposes.
Long-form authorized copies are the only certificates that can be provided to prove identity, nationality, and age and are necessary for several bureaucratic processes such as applying for a U.S. passport or Social Security number.
Official copies carry the registrars raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, as well as the registrars signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrars office.
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How To Request An Apostille For A Suffolk County Birth Certificate
If you need to use your birth certificate outside the U.S territory, your document should bear an apostille to grant it legal validity abroad.
This can be obtained by mail. Simply send your official birth certificate, together with the apostille fee to the Secretary of States office in a self-addressed postage-paid envelope. Make sure to have Certificate of Authentication Request at hand. Certain counties may have additional requirements.
New York Authentications Unit address:
NYS Department of StateAlbany NY 12201-2001
Early New York City Vital Records
Where to look and what methods to use can vary depending on the county or borough youre looking in, as well as the exact year.
If youre looking for a birth, marriage, or death certificate from the early 1800s or before, a good place to start is Harry Macys detailed New York Knowledge Base guide to New York City vital records.
This guide provides comprehensive information on locating vital records in New Netherland, colonial New York, and in the five boroughs of New York City. His suggested repositories and record sets also include many vital record substitutes for periods and locations when official city copies are unavailable.
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Getting Your Birth Certificate Apostille
PLEASE NOTE: NOTARIZED DOCUMENTS ACCEPTABLE FOR APOSTILLE ARE DOCUMENTS NOTARIZED BY A NYS NOTARY PUBLIC WHICH MUST CONTAIN A PROPERLY EXECUTED NOTARIZATION WHICH INCLUDES THE JURAT IN ORDER TO BE ACCEPTABLE FOR AN APOSTILLE.
New York counties served: Albany,Allegany, Bronx, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung,Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie,Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Genesee, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer,Jefferson, Kings , Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe,Montgomery, Nassau, New York City, New York , Niagara, Oneida,Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Otsego, Putnam, Queens,Rensselaer, Richmond , Rockland, Saratoga,Schenectady, Schoharie, Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, St. Lawrence,Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington,Wayne, Westchester, Wyoming, Yates
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New York City Birth Certificate Processing Times
When you are completing your application, be careful with all the details you enter, as all information must be accurate. You will have to include a valid copy of an official photo ID such as your drivers license, military ID, work ID, or passport, etc. As well as the payment to cover the processing fees.
The New York City Health Department usually takes between 4-6 weeks to process your application from the moment it has been received.
Although it is not currently possible to obtain an NYC birth certificate the same day, you can pay an additional fee for the rush service if you need the certificate urgently.
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New York State Marriage Records
Researchers should begin by searching New York States index to all marriage records from 1881. Marriage indexes are available online at Internet Archive for 1881 to 1964. As with other vital records, compliance increased as time went on, and records between 1881 and 1913 may be incomplete.
Also, many counties hold marriage license files, some of which may be found in FamilySearchs New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848 1908-1936 database.
In many cases, marriage records can be located at the county level. For detailed information on marriage and other records available in each county, see our New York State County Guides for Genealogists for your county of interest.
Findmypast has a growing collection of county marriage records for New York State this includes a searchable index of brides and grooms, along with images of marriage records in many cases. NYG& B members can access these records for free as a benefit of membership.
Again, these indexes do not cover several notable locations. New York City marriage records have always been kept completely separate from vital records of other locations in New York State. See the New York City section of this guide for more information.
Additionally, New York State does not have marriage records for Albany, Buffalo, or Yonkers before 1914. Click the name of each municipality to find out about obtaining vital records for your ancestors in these cities.
Documents Required To Order A Birth Certificate Online
In order to complete the online application, the Health Department requires applicants to prove their identity by including a photocopy of their ID. It varies depending on the state, but commonly people can use the drivers license or a state ID.Check the acceptable IDs of the state you need your vital record here.
If you have lost all your IDs,we prepare a quick guide to know what to do in those cases.
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