Death Certificates

Overview

Vital Records has death records (since 1881) for all of New York State except New York City. It does not have these records for New York City (the boroughs of Manhattan, Kings (Brooklyn), Queens, Bronx, and Richmond (Staten Island)).

Death records are also available from the local Registrar of Vital Statistics where the event occurred.

Requirements

Who is eligible to get a copy of a death certificate?

• The spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased
• Other people who have a:
  • documented lawful right or claim
  • documented medical need
  • New York State Court Order

If you are not the spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased you must document a lawful right or claim. For example, you may need a death certificate to claim a benefit. You would need an official letter from the agency saying you need the death record to process the claim.

What identification needs to be submitted by the applicant?

Application must be submitted with copies of either A or B:

1. One of the following forms of valid photo-ID:
   • Driver's license
   • State-issued, nondriver photo-ID card
   • Passport
   • U.S. Military-issued, photo-ID

OR

2. Two of the following showing the applicant's name and address:
   • Utility or telephone bill
   • Letter from a government agency dated within the last six months

Please submit a copy of your U.S. passport in addition to the above ID if you are applying from a foreign country that requires a passport for travel.

Common Denial Reasons:

• Applications without proper ID
• Failure to submit a copy of their U.S. passport in addition to the required identifications when applying from a foreign country that requires a passport for travel

Fees

We are currently experiencing significant delays in order processing.

ORDER TYPE	FEES (per copy)
Online or Phone orders	$45 + $8 vendor processing fee per transaction (not per copy)
Walk-in orders	$45
Mail orders	$30

Mail forms to:

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

Walk-in Services ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

Third Party Pickup

We do not encourage third party pickups. If you are unable to come to our office yourself, we recommend that you order your certificate by mail or via internet or telephone. More information about third party pickup.

Payment Options:

• Online / Phone – MasterCard/Visa, Discover, American Express, ACH (Electronic Check)
• Mail – Personal Check, Postal Money Order, or Certified Check made payable to NYS Department of Health. Payment for orders from foreign countries must be made by a check drawn on a United States bank or by international money order - Do not send cash
• Walk-Ins - Cash, check or money order. No credit or debit cards

Death Certificate Corrections

There are many reasons to request a correction or amendment to a death certificate from a simple typographical error to changing confidential medical information. Completing the application and supplying the correct supporting documents are critical steps to ensure that the correction or amendment is done in a timely manner.

Refer to the linked document below for answers to basic questions about the death certificate correction process, including timelines and who can submit on your behalf, which form to submit, required supporting documentary evidence for the requested change, how to submit a correction, and other frequently asked questions.

• Death Record Corrections/Amendments (PDF)- Last Updated January 2021

Correction Forms

• DOH-299 Application for Correction of Certificate of Death (PDF)
  Use this form for any change other than disposition or medical corrections. Refer to the DOH-299i for specific instructions.
• DOH-1999 Medical/Burial Death Corrections Report (PDF)
  Use this form for disposition or medical corrections.