New York, vital records
Locate New York state vital records. List of government and private entities that provide birth records, marriages and decrees, divorces and death.
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Every card below goes to the government office responsible for that record. Use the category buttons to narrow the list.
Vital records
Vital records available from the New York State Department of Health
Open official site Open official site New York Department of Health Vital Records ServicesVital records
Information on obtaining copies of birth certificates from the New York State Department of Health
Open official site Open official site Birth CertificatesVital records
Information about obtaining death certificates from the New York State Department of Health
Open official site Open official site Death CertificatesVital records
Information about obtaining marriage certificates in New York State
Open official site Open official site Marriage CertificatesVital records
Researchers can determine if the New York State Department of Health (DOH) holds vital records of interest by using the vital records microfiche index
Open official site Open official site New York State Archives Genealogy Vital RecordsVital records
Official site, a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov.
Open official site Open official site New York City Vital Records at the Municipal ArchivesState agencies
Official site, cdc.gov.
Open official site Open official site https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/index.htmState agencies
Official site, cdc.gov.
Open official site Open official site https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/index.htmState agencies
Official site, ssa.gov.
Open official site Open official site https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdfGuide
The New York State Department of Health, Vital Records, issues the Divorce Certificate for divorces granted on or after January 1, 1963, and only to either spouse or to a person holding a New York State court order. The divorce decree, the judgment signed by the justice and filed with the County Clerk, is obtained by a party or the party's attorney from the County Clerk of the county where the action was brought, and under Domestic Relations Law 235 it is closed to anyone else for 100 years unless a court orders access. The Department's page is at health.ny.gov.
Guide
These federal and national sources complement New York's state-level records. They are the authoritative sources you should cross-check when New York state records are incomplete or out-of-state activity matters.
CDC, Where to Write for Vital RecordsRecord guide
Guide
Useful local context without burying the official record links above.
At a glance
New York Vital RecordsStateNew YorkOfficial sources9Vital records6Federal3Links checkedSep. 22, 2026Using these vital record sourcesMore New York records on this site: New York public records, Free Background Checks.
Straight answers
Guide
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Does the federal government keep birth certificates?No. The CDC is explicit: 'The Federal Government does not maintain files or indexes of these records.' Every U.S. vital record is kept by the state where the event occurred.
What is the difference between a certified and informational copy?A certified copy has a raised seal and is accepted by SSA, passport offices, and courts. An informational copy is marked 'Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity' and cannot be used for legal ID.
How long does a mail request take?It varies by state, but a mail order to a state vital records office is typically 4, 8 weeks. Walk-in county clerk requests can be same-day. Online orders through VitalChek add a separate processing time on top of the state's.
Who is legally allowed to order a certified copy?Most states limit certified copies to the registrant, immediate family, and legal representatives. Informational copies are generally available to anyone after a waiting period defined by state law.
What if I was born abroad to U.S. citizen parents?You should have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, form FS-240). Replacements come from the U.S. Department of State, not from a state vital records office.
All states
Record guide
Useful local context without burying the official record links above.
At a glance
More New York records on this site: New York public records, Free Background Checks, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas.
Straight answers
Open only the answer you need.
No. The CDC is explicit: 'The Federal Government does not maintain files or indexes of these records.' Every U.S. vital record is kept by the state where the event occurred.
A certified copy has a raised seal and is accepted by SSA, passport offices, and courts. An informational copy is marked 'Informational, Not a Valid Document to Establish Identity' and cannot be used for legal ID.
It varies by state, but a mail order to a state vital records office is typically 4, 8 weeks. Walk-in county clerk requests can be same-day. Online orders through VitalChek add a separate processing time on top of the state's.
Most states limit certified copies to the registrant, immediate family, and legal representatives. Informational copies are generally available to anyone after a waiting period defined by state law.
You should have a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA, form FS-240). Replacements come from the U.S. Department of State, not from a state vital records office.
All states
Every state page lists that state's official vital record sources, each opened and verified.