New York Death Certificate

Note: This information does not apply to the five boroughs of New York City (The Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island). For a death that occurred in New York City, click here.

Qualifications

The following people may request death certificates from the state of New York:

• Spouse
• Parent
• Child
• Persons who have a documented lawful right or claim
• Persons who have a documented medical need
• Persons who have a New York State Court Order

If the applicant is not the spouse, parent or child of the deceased, a lawful right or claim must be documented. An example of a lawful right or claim would be a death record needed by the applicant to claim a benefit. Documentation would consist of an official letter from the agency verifying that to process the claim they require from the applicant a copy of the requested death record.

Cost

The fee to search for a death certificate is $30.00, which includes one certified copy of the death certificate or a No Record Certification. Each additional copy of the record is also $30.00. For priority handling, there is an additional fee of $15.00 per copy. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the "New York State Department of Health." Cash is not accepted. Fees are not refundable.

Required Information

• Name of the deceased
• Social security number of the deceased
• Date of death
• Date of birth
• Age at death
• Mother's maiden name
• Father's name
• Death certificate number (if known)
• Local registration number (if known)
• Place of death
• Purpose for which record is required
• Your relationship to the deceased
• Capacity in which you are acting
• Photocopy of current, government-issued photo ID

Submitting Your Request

By Mail:
Send the completed application and the appropriate fee to:

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

If requesting priority handling, send the completed application and the appropriate fee to:

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Section
Certification Unit
800 North Pearl Street
Menands, NY 12204

In Person:
You may request a certified death certificate in person by going to the Vital Records customer service lobby, located at:

800 North Pearl Street, 2nd Floor, Room 200
Menands, NY 12204

The lobby is open from 8:30 am until 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding holidays. Requests ordered with priority handling are usually processed and available for pickup the same day (when ordered by 3:30 pm) or the next day (if ordered after 3:30 pm).

Download the Application

Click here to download the application for a certified New York state death certificate.

See our complete list of resources for New York state.