Vital records office in New York
How to obtain certified copies of birth, death, marriage, and divorce certificates from New York for immigration filings, USCIS evidence, school enrollment, or any other purpose.
New York (Except New York City)
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Birth
Event: Birth Cost of copy: $30.00 Address: Certification Unit Vital Records Section/2nd floor 800 North Pearl Street Menands, NY 12204 Remarks: State office has records since 1880. For records before 1914 in Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers, or before 1880 in any other city, write to Registrar of Vital Statistics in city where event occurred. For the rest of the State, except New York City, write to State office. Personal check or money order should be made payable to New York State Department of Health . Payment of mail order copies submitted from foreign countries must be made by a check drawn on a United States bank or by an international money order. To verify current fees, the telephone number is 1-855-322-1022. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the New York State Department of Health website . For all types of State and local issued copies, the applicant is required to provide government issued photo identification. Death
Event: Death Cost of copy: $30.00 Address: Certification Unit Vital Records Section/2nd floor 800 North Pearl Street Menands, NY 12204 Remarks: State office has records since 1881. For records before 1914 in Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers, or before 1880 in any other city, write to Registrar of Vital Statistics in city where event occurred. For the rest of the State, except New York City, write to State office. Personal check or money order should be made payable to New York State Department of Health . Payment of mail order copies submitted from foreign countries must be made by a check drawn on a United States bank or by an international money order. To verify current fees, the telephone number is 1-855-322-1022. This will be a recorded message. Information on how to obtain certified copies is also available via the New York State Department of Health website . For all types of State and local issued copies, the applicant is required to provide government issued photo identification. Marriage
Event: Marriage (State) Cost of copy: $30.00 Address: Certification Unit Vital Records Section/2nd floor 800 North Pearl Street Menands, NY 12204 Remarks: Records from 1881 to present.
Event: Marriage (City) Cost of copy: $5.00 Address: See remarks Remarks: For records from 1880-1907 and licenses issued in the cities of Albany, Buffalo, or Yonkers, apply to–Albany: City Clerk, City Hall, Albany, NY 12207; Buffalo: City Clerk, City Hall, Buffalo, NY 14202; Yonkers: Registrar of Vital Statistics, Health Center Building, Yonkers, NY 10701. Divorce
Event: Divorce (State) Cost of copy: $30.00 Address: Certification Unit Vital Records Section/2nd floor 800 North Pearl Street Menands, NY 12204 Remarks: Records since January 1963.
Event: Divorce (County) Cost of copy: Varies Address: See remarks Remarks: County Clerk
New York vital records office details
- CDC W2W (Where to Write) page: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w/new_york.htm
Why immigrants need certified vital records
USCIS, courts, schools, and many other US agencies require certified vital records (not photocopies) for:
- I-130 family petition — birth certificate proves family relationship
- I-485 adjustment of status — birth certificate of applicant and beneficiaries
- N-400 naturalization — marriage certificate if applying under spouse-of-USC 3-year rule
- Apostille — for use of US documents in foreign countries (your home country may require US apostille)
- School enrollment — proof of date of birth
- Real ID applications — proof of identity
Apostille and authentication
If you need to use a New York vital record OUTSIDE the United States (e.g., for use at your home country’s consulate), you typically need an apostille from the New York Secretary of State’s office. See /procedures/apostille-document/ for the process.
Related procedural information
- Consulate of your country in the US — your home country’s transcription/legalization of US records
- Translate documents for USCIS — certified-translation standard
- Apostille (document legalization) — for use abroad
- USCIS Form I-130 — family petition — uses vital records as evidence
- USCIS Form N-400 — naturalization — vital records for marriage-based 3-year rule
Last verified: 2026-05-27. General procedural information — not legal advice. Fees and processing times change; verify with the New York office.
Order vital records in New York
Birth, death, and marriage certificates are issued by each state. Use your state's official guide:
- New York — how to order birth, death & marriage certificates (official CDC guide)
Birth certificate copy: about $30.00 (verify current fee)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I get a US birth certificate from New York?
How do I get a marriage certificate from New York?
What if my certificate is in Spanish or another language?
Can I order vital records for someone else?
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General information, not legal advice. MigrantUSA is an independent publisher and is not a law firm; using this site does not create an attorney-client relationship, and this content is not a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney about your specific situation. US federal, state, and local government procedures, fees, and forms change. Always verify current details directly with the relevant agency before acting. For immigration, tax, or other legal matters specific to your situation, consult a licensed attorney or BIA-accredited representative.