New York Birth Certificate Search
In New York, birth certificates are considered essential documents that provide proof of a person's identity and age. These documents are typically required for various purposes, including obtaining a driver's license, enrolling in school, applying for a passport, getting married, and accessing government benefits.
New York birth certificates are preserved by the State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and local registrars, the official custodians of birth certificates in the state. These offices maintain and distribute the records per Section 35.2 of the New York Administrative Rules and Regulations.
Local registrars record births within their jurisdictions and issue certified copies of New York birth records for vital events. On the other hand, the New York Department of Health maintains a central repository of all vital records, including birth certificates. The Department provides certified copies of birth certificates to authorized individuals, such as those named on the certificates, their parents, spouses, children, and legal representatives.
What is a Birth Certificate in New York?
A New York birth certificate is a vital record of a child's birth. It contains information about a birth event, including the child's name and the date/place of birth. It may also feature the child’s weight, the attending physician or midwife, and the parent’s names.
Are Birth Certificates Public Record in New York?
No. Birth certificates are not public records in New York. Section 4174 of the New York Public Health Law establishes that birth certificates under 75 years old are confidential and not subject to public inspection. However, certain individuals and entities can access the documents. They include:
- The person named on the birth record (if 18 years or older)
- The parents or legal guardians of the person named on the certificate
- Authorized representatives of the person named on the certificate
- Individuals or organizations with a court order or other legal authority
On the other hand, New York birth and death certificates over 75 years old are public records and can be obtained by anyone.
How to Get a Birth Certificate in New York
In New York State, birth certificates are issued by the local registrar or the State Department of Health. The office responsible for issuing birth certificates depends on the birth location. For births that occur within the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island), inquirers can obtain a birth certificate from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the local registrar for New York City. On the other hand, the New York State Department of Health maintains birth records for individuals born outside New York City from 1881 to the present. The office can issue birth certificates for births that occurred anywhere within New York State, outside of New York City.
The local registrar's office issuing birth certificates in New York is typically located in the city or town where the birth occurred. These offices maintain birth records for individuals born in that locality and issue birth certificates upon request.
How to Order a Birth Certificate Online in New York
Interested members of the public can order a New York birth certificate online through the official website of the New York State Department of Health. Once on the website, users will be redirected to third-party website, where they will be prompted to fill out an application with the information required to facilitate the search.
Requesters can expect to receive a birth certificate within a few weeks of making a request. For expedited service, the requestor may be required to pay additional fees, payable by money order, card or cheque.
In some cases, these certificates will be available through the website of the local county health department in the jurisdiction where the event occurred or the designated online vendor of the vital records office.
Where Can I Get My Birth Certificate in Person in New York?
To obtain a New York birth certificate in person, visit the local offices of the Department of Health or a city or town clerk's office in the jurisdiction where the birth occurred. All requests require that the requestor provide valid government-issued identification and provide all information needed to facilitate/process the search.
Where the inquirer is not the owner of the certificate, they must submit documentation to prove their relationship with the owner like a marriage certificate or court order.
One must also pay the required fee for the birth certificate. The fee varies based on the type of certificate requested and the delivery method. After payment, the requester will receive the birth certificate on the same day or may be asked to return to pick it up. The certificate may also be mailed to the individual's address.
Certain local offices may have specific requirements or procedures for obtaining a birth certificate in person.
How Do I Get My Original Birth Certificate in New York?
In New York, original birth certificates remain on file permanently at the vital records offices, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the local Registrar of Vital Statistics Office.
Individuals who were adopted in New York may also obtain a certified copy of their original (pre-adoption) birth certificate once they reach the age of 18 due to the passage of the Adoptee Rights Act in 2020. The law allows adoptees to get a copy of their original birth certificate without a court order. Before the enactment of this law, adoptees could only obtain a redacted version of their original birth certificates, which excluded the names of their birth parents.
To obtain a pre-adoption birth certificate, adoptees must apply to the NYSDOH and provide proof of their identity, as well as proof of their relationship to the individual named on the birth certificate. However, if an adoption agency facilitated the adoption process, they could assist with obtaining the original birth certificate.
How to Order a Replacement Birth Certificate in New York
The Public Health Law, Section 4138, supports the amendment and replacement of birth certificates in New York if errors or discrepancies exist or if a birth certificate must be updated to reflect a legal name change or other modification. Therefore, individuals or their authorized representatives can request an amendment or replacement from the NYSDOH.
Individuals who wish to amend or correct their birth certificates must provide documentation to support the requested change(s). Acceptable forms of documentation include court orders, adoption records, and other legal documents. Once the requested changes have been verified, the NYSDOH will issue a new birth certificate reflecting the corrected information.
It is important to note that no fee is charged to make the amendment request, and the NYSDOH will provide a single amended birth certificate at no cost. Additionally, if one year has elapsed since the amendment, another copy of the corrected certificate can be obtained free of charge. Likewise, correcting errors on birth certificates requires no charge. However, obtaining a certified copy of the updated record costs $30.
What are the Documents Required to Get a Birth Certificate in New York?
The requirements for making a birth certificate request may vary slightly depending on the custodian. However, the following documents are usually required:
Completed application form: The first step in requesting any New York birth certificate is to complete the relevant application form. This form is typically available online, in person, or by mail from the appropriate record custodian's office. The form usually requires information such as a registrant's name, birth date, birthplace, and parent(s) names of the person whose birth certificate is requested.
Proof of identity: A valid photo ID, and if the requester differs from the person whose birth certificate is requested, additional documentation may be necessary, such as a power of attorney or court order.
Proof of relationship: If the requester is not the registrant on a birth certificate, proof of relationship is typically required. This may include a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or adoption papers.
What Do I Need to Get My Child's Birth Certificate?
To obtain a child's birth certificate in New York, a parent must submit an application and documentation to the appropriate authorities. A parent can contact the local registrar of the municipality where the child was born or the New York State Department of Health to determine the specific requirements for obtaining the birth certificate.
Parents typically need to provide proof of their identity and evidence of their relationship with the child. They must also provide information about the child, such as the c full name, date of birth, and place of birth. If the parents were unwedded at the time of the child's birth, additional documentation might be required, such as a paternity acknowledgment form or court order establishing paternity.
Once the necessary information and documents are provided, the parents must pay a fee to obtain their child's birth certificate. The price varies depending on the municipality and the type of certificate requested.
How Do I Find My Birth Certificate Number in New York?
The birth certificate number is a unique identifier assigned to every individual's birth certificate in New York. The first place to check for a birth certificate number is on the physical copy of the birth certificate. Alternatively, one can contact the appropriate agency, like the county clerk's office or the New York Department of Health. Since the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is responsible for issuing birth certificates in New York City, inquirers may also contact this agency by phone or in-person to request assistance finding the birth certificate number.
Requesters must be prepared to provide the certificate owner's information, such as a full name and date of birth, plus their ID to prove a relationship or legal authority to access the record.
How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a Birth Certificate?
The cost of obtaining a birth certificate in New York varies depending on the county where the birth occurred and the issuing agency. Nonetheless, there is a standard fee for the first copy of a birth certificate, with additional costs for extra copies and processing.
In New York City, for example, the cost of obtaining a birth certificate is $15 per certificate plus an additional fee for processing (if the request is submitted online or in person). Also, in Albany County, a birth certificate costs $15. Meanwhile, obtaining a birth certificate from the New York State Department of Health online costs $45 per copy with an $8 vendor processing fee per transaction. Mail requests cost $30 per copy.
What is the Fastest Way to Get a Birth Certificate in New York?
One of the fastest options for obtaining a New York birth certificate is through the state vital records website. Online, inquirers can order the birth certificate remotely and it will be delivered to them within 5-10 business days.
Alternatively, inquirers can make in-person queries to the custodian’s office Many offices offer same-day service for in-person requests; some may provide expedited services for an additional fee.
Individuals may obtain a birth certificate through the New York State Department of Health's Emergency Preparedness and Response Section in cases of emergency or urgent need, such as for travel or medical purposes. This option is typically reserved for extreme situations and may require additional documentation and proof of need.
What is a Long-Form Birth Certificate in New York?
In New York, a long-form birth certificate is a certified copy of a person's original birth certificate.
The long-form birth certificate is often required for official purposes, such as applying for a passport or enrolling in school. It is also helpful for genealogical research, as it contains information about a New York citizen and their family history.
Long Form vs. Short Form Birth Certificate
New York has two types of birth certificates: long form and short form. The primary difference between both is the amount of information they contain.
A short form birth certificate is also known as a "birth certificate card". It features the name of the individual, their birthplace, date of birth, and their parent’s names. Usually, it is wallet-sized card that can be used for everyday purposes like obtaining a driver's license, enrolling in school, or applying for a passport.
On the other hand, a long-form birth certificate ( or certified copy) contains more information about a birth. It features the baby’s weight and length at birth, the attending physician's name, and the birthplaces of the child's parents. It is often required for legal and administrative purposes such as applying for a passport, registering for a marriage license, or proving citizenship.
