Getting a Death Certificate in New York
Obtaining certified death certificate copies in New York requires submitting a request to the New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section. The official fee is $30 per certified copy, with standard processing taking 6-10 weeks. Our service handles this entire process on your behalf for a flat $45 per copy fee, which includes the official state fees.
Step-by-Step Process
- Determine eligibility: In New York, only authorized persons may request death certificates. See the "Who Can Request" section below.
- Gather required documents: You will need to provide specific documentation with your request. See the "Required Documents" section below.
- Submit your request: Requests can be submitted to the New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section by mail, or in person at the state office by appointment.
- Pay the official fees: The official fee is $30 per certified copy. Payment methods accepted by the vital records office include check or money order payable to the state health department.
- Receive your copies: Certified copies are mailed to your address after processing. Standard processing takes 6-10 weeks; expedited processing available in approximately 1-2 weeks for an additional $25 fee.
Required Documents
- Completed application (DOH-296)
- Photo ID
- Proof of relationship or legal authority
- Payment
Who Can Request a New York Death Certificate
New York restricts access to death certificates to authorized individuals. Eligible requestors include:
- Spouse
- Parent
- Child
- Sibling
- Legal representative of estate
- Attorney for family
New York Vital Records Office Contact
New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section
- Address
- 800 North Pearl Street, Menands, NY 12204
- Phone
- (518) 474-3077
- Website
- Official Website
- Cost
- $30 per certified copy
- Processing Time
- 6-10 weeks (standard)
Counties in New York
Death certificates in New York can be requested for deaths that occurred in any of the state's 62 counties.
Show all 62 New York counties
- Albany
- Allegany
- Bronx
- Broome
- Cattaraugus
- Cayuga
- Chautauqua
- Chemung
- Chenango
- Clinton
- Columbia
- Cortland
- Delaware
- Dutchess
- Erie
- Essex
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Genesee
- Greene
- Hamilton
- Herkimer
- Jefferson
- Kings
- Lewis
- Livingston
- Madison
- Monroe
- Montgomery
- Nassau
- New York
- Niagara
- Oneida
- Onondaga
- Ontario
- Orange
- Orleans
- Oswego
- Otsego
- Putnam
- Queens
- Rensselaer
- Richmond
- Rockland
- St. Lawrence
- Saratoga
- Schenectady
- Schoharie
- Schuyler
- Seneca
- Steuben
- Suffolk
- Sullivan
- Tioga
- Tompkins
- Ulster
- Warren
- Washington
- Wayne
- Westchester
- Wyoming
- Yates
Let Us Handle This For You
Skip the research and paperwork. We identify the right office, submit your request in New York's required format, advance the official fees, and deliver certified copies to you.
Order New York Death CertificatesRelated: Find Funeral Homes in New York
If you are working with a funeral home in New York, our directory lists funeral homes across the state. Browse funeral homes in New York.
Frequently Asked Questions - New York
The official government fee in New York is $30 per certified copy. Through our service, you pay $45 per copy which includes the official state fee and our preparation and delivery service.
Standard processing in New York takes 6-10 weeks from the date your application is received by the vital records office. Expedited processing is available in New York for an additional $25 flat fee, with processing in approximately 1-2 weeks.
Most requests in New York go through the state vital records office at New York State Department of Health - Vital Records Section. Some counties may have local options - contact us or check the county health department website.
Death certificates are issued by the vital records office for the state where the death occurred, not where the person lived. If the death occurred in New York, you request it from New York vital records regardless of where the deceased resided.