New York Death Records

If you’re looking for New York death records, you can obtain them from the Vital Records Section of the Department of Health. Records are also available from the Local Registrar of the municipality with the death occurred. Another option for accessing this type of information is to go online and visit a commercial site which can access an online database and provide you with a copy of a death record for a fee.

Who Can Order a New York Death Record

New York death records are available to the deceased’s spouse, child, or parent. These records may also be made available to a person who has a documented medical need for the information or a legal right to obtain it. A death record may also be released pursuant to a New York state court order.

 

The person requesting the death record must provide a valid form of photo ID, such as a driver’s license, passport or US military identification papers. The requester must also produce two telephone or utility bills showing his or her name and address or one bill and a letter from a government agency dated within the last six months.

How to Obtain a New York Death Record

The Vital Records office can provide death records in New York State (outside of the city) for the period from 1881-present. Walk-in services are available at:

800 North Pearl Street
2nd Floor – Room 200
Menands, NY 12204

The Vital Records customer service desk is open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Visitor parking is available.

If you’re using public transportation to get to the office, take the Second Avenue #6 bus and plan to disembark at the intersection of Wolfert Avenue and North Pearl Street. You would then walk two blocks north on North Pearl Street to reach the Vital Records office.

Walk-in customers have the option of requesting a record with regular or priority handling. Regular handling orders are processed within two weeks and mailed to you. Priority handling requests are usually processed the same day (if the order is placed before 3:30 p.m.) and the certified copy can be picked up in person.

Fees for New York Death Records

The cost for a regular handling certified copy of a New York death record is $30.00 per copy. Priority handling requests cost $45.00 per copy.

The fee is nonrefundable and payable in advance. If no records found on file, you will receive a No Record Certification. The Vital Records office cannot verify in advance whether particular death records is on file or not.

Payment may be made by check, money order or cash. The Customer Service office cannot accept credit or debit cards. If you wish to order using a credit card, you have the option of ordering a death record online or by phone.