New York State Birth Certificate Information

There are few records so vital as a birth certificate. Birth certificates can be necessary documentation for entering school, receiving immunizations, applying for a passport, obtaining a wedding license or receiving a driver's license. Birth certificates are state-issued documents that list the vital information surrounding a birth: time, date, city, county and state, and parents' names. Obtaining a lost New York State birth certificate can be a simple process.

Vital Records Office

• New York State birth certificates are on record at the Department of Health's Vital Records office. This office certifies birth certificates of New York State residents (with the exception of New York City), which can be used for legal purposes.

  Certified birth certificate copies are available to the person named on the certificate or his/her parent or legal guardian. Spouses, children or other interested parties may only obtain a certified copy through a New York State Court order.

Requirements for Receiving Birth Certificate

• The New York State Department of Health requires one valid photo ID as well as two pieces of supplementary identification to release a certified birth certificate for a mail- or in-person request. Valid photo ID includes state-issued ID cards, driver's licenses, passports or military-issued ID card. Additionally, those seeking their birth certificate must present two utility or telephone bills, or letters from a government agency. These documents must be dated within the past six months.

Orders and Fees

• The vital records office charges a $30 fee, as of 2010, to supply a certified birth certificate to a New York resident, plus a handling fee for rushed orders. This fee can be paid by personal check or money order for mail orders, or with cash in person.

  Additionally, the vital records office website provides links to order birth certificates. These orders are fulfilled through Vitalchek, and charges a per copy fee and processing fee. For online and telephone orders, only basic information like (birth date, parents' names and city/county born) are required for identification.

Geneology Records

• Birth certificates can be ordered for relatives and ancestors for genealogical purposes through the New York Department of Heath. These certificates are not legal documents and are to be used only for genealogy. Genealogical birth certificates are only available if they have been on file for 75 years or more and the named person is known to be deceased. If both qualifications are met, certificates will be awarded to the applicant regardless of relationship to the deceased.

  This time period of 75 years can be waived for direct descendants of the deceased. However, applicants must provide legal documentation of the lineage (marriage certificates, birth certificates, etc.) New York State vital records have been collected since 1881.

Birth Certificates for New York City

• The New York State Department of Health does not retain birth certificates for those born in one of New York City's five boroughs. These certificates must be obtained from the New York City Department of Health Vital Records office. There is a $15 fee for each certificate, with an additional $8.30 mailing charge. Birth certificates can be ordered by mail or online.