NEWYORK.STATERECORDS.ORG IS A PRIVATELY OWNED WEBSITE THAT IS NOT OWNED OR OPERATED BY ANY STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY.
close banner
New York State Records
state records colored logo
LOGIN
CONTACT

New York Death Certificate Search

Since 1881, the Vital Records Office of the New York State Department of Health has kept New York death records, excluding those of New York City. These records are also maintained by the Registrar of Vital Statistics in the area where the event took place and also have access to death data. Death certificates in New York City are issued by the Health Department's Office of Vital Records for those who have passed away in one of the city's five boroughs (Brooklyn, the Bronx, Manhattan, Queens, or Staten Island) since 1949.

A New York death certificate has vital administrative and epidemiologic purposes in addition to indicating to the decedent's family a cause of death. These documents are used to settle a decedent's inheritance, apply for insurance, or get other pensions or benefits. Before cremation or burial rites can be performed, death certification is frequently required. Mortality data gathered from a death and birth certificate can be utilized at state and federal levels to monitor illness patterns, establish public health policies, and distribute funding for healthcare and research.

Are Death Certificates Public in New York?

No. Death certificates are not public records in New York State, which is a closed state and not subject to the Freedom Of Information Law. New York State Public Health Law 4174 regulates the publication of death certificates and safeguards their confidentiality. According to Section 35.4, copies of a death certificate or certified transcript are not subject to public disclosure. Records older than 50 years are the only exception to this rule, as death records become public after 50 years. Public death records are made accessible by the New York State Archives:

The following people are eligible to obtain a copy of a death record in New York:

  • The parent, child, or sibling of the deceased person
  • The legal representative of any eligible person
  • Other individuals who possess:
    • Confirmed and documented legal claim
    • New York State order
    • Established medical need

Other extended family members may request a death certificate that does not include the cause of death medical report. However, only eligible persons will be able to obtain a certified copy of the record.

What is a Death Certificate in New York?

A New York death certificate is a legal document that is issued declaring the date of death or created to declare the date, location, and manner of a person's passing as recorded in a death register. A death certificate is necessary for officially documenting a deceased person's cause of death.

The standard New York death certificate contains three primary types of information including:

  • Personal information (such as name, social security number, race, and occupation)
  • Method/place of disposition of the body (such as funeral home, burial vs. cremation, cemetery site)
  • Death information (e.g., date and time, cause, manner)

A funeral director also needs the cause of death certificate, otherwise known as the medical certificate of cause of death, before they take care of a deceased individual. This document is required to both register the cause of death and request a death certificate.

Can I View Death Certificates Online for Free in New York?

No. The Health Code Article §207.13 lists the fee for a death certificate and transcript per §4179 of the New York State Public Health Law, which also states the exceptions to this law.

Individuals may order death certificates online for a fee of $45 with an additional fee of $8 (to cover processing) per transaction using the designated third-party online vendor of the state Vital Records Office.

In New York City (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island), the Office of Vital Records offers certified copies of death certificates for $15.

How to Conduct a Free Death Certificate Search in New York

The New York state government makes no provisions for offering free death certificate search services to members of the public. However, individuals can search the New York State Archives online for vital records for documents older than 50 years. They can be accessed for free and are organized by county. The availability of these records allows for the completion of academic and genealogical research.

Where to Get a Death Certificate in New York

Individuals who wish to get a death certificate in New York State may obtain it by sending a request to the following offices:

  • The New York State Department of Health Vital Records Office: This office is responsible for issuing death certificates for all of New York State apart from New York City.
  • The New York City Department of Health Vital Records Office: This department is responsible for issuing death certificates for deceased individuals in New York City. The office serves the boroughs of Manhattan, Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Bronx, and Richmond (Staten Island)
  • The local Registrar of Vital Statistics in the area where the death event occurred also has access to death records. The office can also provide access to health statistics and all vital record information pertaining to the jurisdiction.

How to Get a Death Certificate in New York

To get a death certificate in New York, requesters may follow these steps:

  • In-person: To do this, the person requesting the certificate can go to the local Registrar of Vital Statistics in the jurisdiction where the death occurred.
  • Online: The steps below can be used to obtain a death certificate while making use of the state's third-party partner online:
    • Click on "Order Online" in the DOH death certificate page.
    • Click on the "Get Started Now" icon at the top left of the website
    • Select "Death Certificate"
    • Select the State of Death and then County/City or Borough
    • Input "Date of Death"
    • Select the reason for requesting the death certificate
    • Pay the application fee
    • Input personal information in the provided boxes
  • By Mail: An individual may request a death certificate in the state of New York by mailing the completed death certificate application form, along with the required fees to:

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

What Information is on a Death Certificate in New York?

The information typically included on a New York State death certificate includes:

  • Personal information:
    • Marital status of the decedent
    • Name of spouse
    • Name of parents
    • Length of residence in the state or county
  • Demographics/statistics:
    • Name of the decedent
    • Sex
    • Date of birth
    • Place of birth
    • Social security number
    • Education
    • Decedent's race
    • Occupation of the decedent
  • Method or place of disposition of the body such as:
    • Funeral home
    • Burial vs. cremation
    • Cemetery site
  • Death information
    • Date of death
    • Time of death
    • Cause of death
    • Manner of death
    • Date of issuance

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in New York State?

The time between application and obtaining a death certificate in New York State varies depending on the manner in which the request was made. The processing period for a New York State death certificate is as follows:

  • Requests made over the phone or via the internet: These are given priority handling and are completed between 5 to 10 business days after they are received. There is an extra UPS fee of $15.50 if an applicant decides to have the copy sent by UPS overnight delivery.
  • Mail orders: Orders for priority handling are handled in two to four weeks after receiving them. Requestors are advised to deliver the application to the Vital Records Processing Center overnight. Except when a prepaid return mailer for overnight delivery is enclosed with the request, completed requests will be sent back through first-class mail.
  • Standard mail orders: Mail with standard handling are processed within ten to 12 weeks of receipt.

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in New York State?

At least 5-10 copies. However, the actual number will depend on whether a lawyer is handling the estate or if it is being handled privately. A lawyer handling the entire estate will only require one original death certificate in addition to the one the client keeps, as they can generate a widely recognized copy called a "Death Certificate Verification Form". Handling the estate individually necessitates an additional set of death certificates. If the deceased had assets at multiple different financial institutions, their next of kin might need between 5 and 10 death certificates.