How to Get a Death Certificate in New York
How to Get a Death Certificate in New York
New York has a split system for death certificates. Deaths outside New York City are handled by the NYS Department of Health in Albany ($30 per copy). Deaths within the five boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) are handled by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene ($15 per copy plus processing fees). The NYS DOH does not have records for NYC deaths. This is the most important thing to know before you start.
Order at least 10 to 15 certified copies, because every financial institution, insurer, and court filing requires its own original.
Where to Get a New York Death Certificate
Option 1: NYS Department of Health (Deaths Outside NYC)
The NYS DOH Vital Records Section maintains death records for all deaths registered outside New York City from 1881 to the present.
Contact information:
- Address: Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602
- Phone/Online orders: (855) 322-1022 (VitalChek vendor)
- Website: health.ny.gov/vital_records
Option 2: NYC DOHMH (Deaths in the Five Boroughs)
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Bureau of Vital Statistics handles death certificates for deaths after 1950 in NYC. For deaths before 1951 in NYC, contact the NYC Department of Records, Municipal Archives.
Contact information:
- In-person: 125 Worth Street, Room 119, CN-4, New York, NY 10013 (appointment required)
- Phone: 311 (within NYC) or (212) NEW-YORK from outside
- Email: nycdohvr@health.nyc.gov
- Online orders: Available through VitalChek
Option 3: Local Registrar
Death records are also available from the local Registrar of Vital Statistics in the municipality where the death occurred. Fees and processing times vary by locality.
Option 4: Funeral Director
The funeral director who handled arrangements can order death certificates for you up to one year after the death. This is often the fastest option for recent deaths.
Who Can Request a Certified Copy
NYS DOH (Outside NYC)
- Spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased
- Any person with a documented lawful right or claim
- Any person with a documented medical need
- Any person with a New York State Court Order
NYC DOHMH (Five Boroughs)
With cause of death (entitled persons): Spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, informant listed on the certificate, or person in charge of disposition.
Without cause of death (standard certificate only): Niece, nephew, aunt, uncle, great-grandchild, grandniece, grandnephew.
All other requestors must submit documentary evidence of their right to obtain the certificate.
How Many Copies to Order
A typical estate requires 10 to 15 certified copies. Here is where each one goes:
- Surrogate's Court filing (probate or administration): 1 copy
- Small estate (voluntary administration): 1 certified copy (SCPA ss 1304)
- Each bank or financial institution: 1 copy per institution
- Life insurance claim: 1 copy per policy
- Social Security Administration: 1 copy
- Each retirement account: 1 copy per account
- Real property transfer (each county): 1 copy per county
- DMV vehicle title transfer: 1 copy
- Employer/HR benefits: 1 copy
- IRS / tax purposes: 1 copy
2026 New York Death Certificate Fee Schedule
NYS DOH (Outside NYC)
| Method | Cost Per Copy | Processing Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online/Phone (VitalChek) | $30.00 | ~$8.00 VitalChek fee per transaction | Varies |
| $30.00 | None | 10-12 weeks |
Payment (mail): Personal check, postal money order, or certified check payable to "NYS Department of Health." Do not send cash.
NYC DOHMH (Five Boroughs)
| Method | Certificate Cost | Processing Fee | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online (VitalChek) | $15.00 | $8.30 per order | ~2 weeks plus mail delivery |
| $15.00 | $40.00 per order (nonrefundable) | ~12 weeks | |
| In-person (appointment required) | $15.00 | $2.75 per order | Same day |
Optional UPS Express delivery (mail orders): Additional $21.00 (does not expedite processing).
How to Order: Step by Step
Method 1: Online Through VitalChek
Both NYS DOH and NYC DOHMH use VitalChek as their authorized online vendor. Go to VitalChek.com or call (855) 322-1022 for NYS DOH orders. You will need the deceased's full legal name, date of death, and place of death. Be sure to select the correct jurisdiction -- NYS DOH for deaths outside NYC, NYC DOHMH for deaths within the five boroughs.
Method 2: By Mail
NYS DOH: Download the mail application from health.ny.gov/vital_records. Mail to: Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Standard processing: 10 to 12 weeks.
NYC DOHMH: Download the application from nyc.gov/health. Mail with payment. Standard processing: approximately 12 weeks.
Method 3: In Person at NYC DOHMH
Visit 125 Worth Street, Room 119, CN-4, New York, NY 10013. Appointment required. Same-day service. Emergency appointments available for travel, healthcare, government, military, housing, or employment emergencies -- call 311 or email nycdohvr@health.nyc.gov.
Method 4: Local Registrar
Contact the local registrar in the city, town, or village where the death occurred. Processing times and fees vary.
Identification Requirements
NYS DOH
Submit a copy of one of: driver's license, state-issued non-driver photo ID, passport, or U.S. military photo ID. Or two documents showing name and address: utility bill, or letter from a government agency dated within the last 6 months.
NYC DOHMH
Similar requirements. See the Death Certificate Application (Form VR 66) for details.
How Death Certificates Are Completed in New York
New York uses the eVital system for electronic death registration. The process involves multiple parties:
- The funeral director initiates the death record, entering personal and demographic information.
- The attending physician or nurse practitioner certifies the cause and manner of death. The statute requires certification "forthwith" (PBH ss 4141(4)(a)).
- In cases without medical attendance, the county coroner or medical examiner certifies the cause of death (10 NYCRR ss 37.2). In NYC, the OCME handles all such cases across all five boroughs.
- The local registrar reviews the record and issues the burial or removal permit.
- The NYS DOH receives the electronic record for the permanent state file.
Correcting Errors on a New York Death Certificate
NYS DOH (Outside NYC)
- Non-medical corrections: File Form DOH-299 (Application for Correction of Certificate of Death).
- Medical or disposition corrections: File Form DOH-1999.
- Submit to: Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602.
NYC DOHMH (Five Boroughs)
- File the Application for the Correction of a NYC Death Certificate.
- Fee: $40.00 nonrefundable processing fee plus $15.00 per corrected copy.
- Cannot be ordered online; must be submitted by mail or in-person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can request a New York death certificate?
For NYS DOH: spouse, parent, child, sibling, or any person with a documented lawful right or claim. For NYC DOHMH: entitled persons (spouse, partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild) receive the full certificate including cause of death. Extended family members receive a standard certificate without cause of death.
How long does it take to get a death certificate in New York?
NYC DOHMH in-person with appointment: same day. Online orders: approximately 2 weeks plus mail delivery. NYS DOH by mail: 10 to 12 weeks. Local registrars vary but often provide faster service for recent deaths. The funeral director is usually the fastest source within the first year.
What is the cost of a New York death certificate in 2026?
NYS DOH (outside NYC): $30.00 per copy. NYC DOHMH (five boroughs): $15.00 per copy plus processing fees ($2.75 in person, $8.30 online, $40.00 by mail per order).
Can I get a death certificate if I am not a family member?
You must demonstrate a documented lawful right or claim (NYS DOH) or submit documentary evidence of your right (NYC DOHMH). Court orders are accepted by both offices.
What to Do Next
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This guide reflects New York vital records procedures as of April 2026. Fees and processing times may change. For the current schedule, visit health.ny.gov/vital_records or nyc.gov/health.
Sources: N.Y. PBH ss 4140, 4141 (Vital Statistics); 10 NYCRR ss 37.2; health.ny.gov/vital_records; nyc.gov/site/doh/services/birth-death-records-death.page