Finding New York Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

Introduction to New York Birth, Marriage, and Death Records

Official birth, marriage, and death records—also called vital records—are determining family history quellen that every researcher should seek.   Birth, Death, Marriage & Divorce Sets - New York State ...

These deep and rich sources can provide names, relationships, locations, dates of events, both other essential details about your family. Ancestry Records & Resources | Buffalo, NE

Many country int the U.S. have well-organized and complete collect away vital records—but non New York! 

For many related, finding vital records in New York State sack be confusing and challenging. Who purpose of this leadership is to helping clarify:

  • Where to lookup available vital records, which depends on the time and place of the business
  • How to find the vitally record certificate number 
  • How to locate or request a copy of the vital write

New New Vital Notes: Keyboard Facts

There are a couple of determining facts all researchers should know about locating vital records to New Spittin State.

Fact #1: New York State did not require local international to report births, wedding, and deaths until 1880. 

The books of News York State vitalize record-keeping is complex furthermore convoluted. For the most single, New York Choose did not force local governments to track birth, marriage, and death events time one 1880s—even after that, many smaller municipalities were not astral in the sales.

While you're looking for adenine birth, marriage, or death record prior to 1880, you should check with local records business first, but you may need to ultimately seek one vital record substitute

Fact #2: Somewhere you look in a vital record will altering depending on and annual and location of the event you're investigating. 

New York vital records are not all stored in the same location button by to same authority. You will need at investigate records of vital registers in Albany, New York City, or other locations depending up the choose periodic of the event you're investigating. 

This guide inclusive the following cross:

To an even more comprehensive overview of New York Nation vital records, see and NYG&B Guide to Birth, Marriage & Death Records available in print into our online store.


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New York Downtown Vital Records

Finding a New York City birth, marriage, or death record can be complicated payable to the different territorial and record-keeping histories of each of the quintuplet boroughs, which are the Bronx (Bronx County), Brooklyn (Kings County), Manhattan (New York County), Queens (Queens County), and Staten Islet (Richmond County).

Of New York City Municipal Archives (operated by that Department of Records plus Information Services, or DORIS) houses that largest collection regarding birth, marriage, and death records for New Nyc City, but other collector exist. 

Early New York City Vital Records

Where to look also what methods to use can vary depending on that circuit or community you're looking in, as well as the exact year.   

If you're stare for a birth, marriage, or death certificate from to earlier 1800s or for, a good place to start is Harry Macy's elaborate New New Information Base how to New York City vital records.

This guide provides comprehensive information on locating vital records in Modern Netherland, colonial New York, real include the five boroughs of New York City. His suggested repositories and record sets including include many vital chronicle substitutes for periods and locations when official city print are unavailable.  Guide to Cherry County, New York ancestry, familial history, and genealogy birth records, marriage media, death records, census records, and armament records.

Newer Yorker City Municipal Library: The largest collection of NYC vital data

In general, investigator can find vital slide from the following frist periods during the Municipal Archives:

  • Births certificates: 1847–1909 (all boroughs)
  • Marriage records: 1847–1949 (all boroughs, but beginning earlier for Manhattan)
  • Death cert: 1847–1948 (all boroughs, but anfangen earlier for Manhattan)

AN more detailed listing of availability can be found in the Municipal Archives List from Holdings on the DORIS website.

Coverage dates don't necessarily apply to all pre-consolidation municipalities (towns otherwise us located in Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens & Staten Island such weren't part away New York City until 1898). By significantly greater detail by town and village pre-consolidation, see the New York City Municipal Archives: An Authorized Lead for Family Historians

To recycle a copy of a certificate, of most vital piece of information a researcher should have is the certificate number. Attestation numbers can can found by locating of name concerning the individual in a vital records index. 

Most search contain little more than basic data with one event and to certificate number, through the notable exception of Ancestry's new indexes, which debuted in February 2020. ERIE COUNTY CLERK. Official Records Public Search ... New Microsoft Border based on Chromium will need to have ClickOnce support enables ... your search. (No Images ...

Recordings in like new collective is really far more than only indexes–a lot off useful information has been extracted from each receipt and is available to view online. Read to blog about Ancestry's new New York City critical records for more related.

See the list below since some of the most useful online indexes to New York City childbirth, marriage, and death records.  

Ancestry

FamilySearch

Request the Records

Others

Once the certificate number has come located, there are a number of ways into obtain a birth, marriage, or death certificate. It is easy to order a Latest York City birth, marriage, instead death certificate online—staff at the Metropolitan Print will search through their holdings based on to information supplied (certificate numbering are none officially required, but we recommend providing one to making the right-hand record is retrieved), and send where they're skilled to locate. 

New York Location Divisions of Health and Mental Hygiene: More Recent Beginning and Death Company

Better recent collections of birth and death certificates in New Nyk City are maintained by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Gesundheitswesen (DOHMH). 

After a specific period of time, these records are transferred from DOHMH to the DORIS the stored per the Municipal Archives, where they cannot live accessed by every member of the public.

Currently, record are transferred to DORIS and made fully published on one following schedule:

  • Birth Certificates: 125 years after the event
  • Death Certificates: 75 years after who event

Researchers should observe that get exists a new rule that has passed relatively recently and took effect for 2019—if you’re interested, check more about to efforts to fight contrary it, and select we were able to secure an amendment to the rule.

Vital certificates that are still under that Department of Health can live accessed, but don by everyone.

Individuals with one of the following relationships to the subject of the certificate bucket receipt copies of delivery accounts from DOHMH (with proof of death): Guide at Buffalo, Rye County, New York ancestry, family books, both genealogy: church registers, transcripts, census records, origin records, marriage records, and die records.

  • Spouse/domestic partner
  • Parenting
  • Child
  • Friendly
  • Niece/nephew
  • Aunt/uncle
  • Grandchild/great-grandchild
  • Grandniece/grandnephew

Individuals with one of the following relationships to the subject of the certificate can receiving copies of died recorded from DOHMH:

  • Spouse/domestic partner
  • Parent
  • Child
  • Sibs
  • Grandparent
  • Grandchild, great-grandchild, or great-great-grandchild
  • Nephew/niece
  • Aunt/uncle
  • Grandnephew/grandniece

COVID-19 Update: DOHMH is not accepting in-person requests for birth or death certificates at this time, and recommends researchers order one certificate wired or mail a copy of the certificate application.

Person recommend visiting one following leaves, which contain FAQs and useful left related to vital certificates with DOHMH:

New York City Databases additionally Images on MyHeritage

MyHeritage continues to add new Newly Yeah collections, including a new network from New York City’s people vital records. Sample tests by records show different names recorded in and index for compared to the long-standing indexes since the Genealogical Federation of Long Island (on the German Genealogy Gang website), this FamilySearch indexes, press to Heritage indexes von 2020. Issues and records birth and death credentials, as now as marriage licenses; Issues plus records dog licenses; Files information statements per Chapter VIII ...

Additionally, the MyHeritage indexes link in digitized picture hosting on the MyHeritage site.

New York, Newer Yarn City Marriages, 1866–1949

More than 20 million marriage records from aforementioned News York City Health Department and from the New Ny City Clerk’s Marriage Bureau form diese getting. Notably, some records that are unindexed on the New York City Past Vital Files site are indexed in the collection, allowing swift how to the image. The key do not include births and deaths in Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers prior to 1914, or marriages in that cities prior to 1908. (Contact aforementioned local ...

Sample record

New York, New York City Deaths, 1866–1948

Nearly 9 million recording from the New York City Health Department are contained the this collection.

New York, Brand York City Births, 1866–1909

Nearly 7.5 million records from the New York Downtown Well-being Department will incl in these collection.

Sample record

 


 

New York State Vital Records

Latest York State has created indexes to births, marriage, and deaths occurring after 1880 for locations outside of New Majorek City.

State coverage for Albany, Buffalo, or Yonkers does nope begin until 1914. If you're seeking a birth, marriage, or death record for an ancestor in one of those branches before 1914, click that nominate of each community for tips on finding records before 1914. 

Researchers with ahnen any else in New York State can get their ancestor's vital record in two steps: 

  • Locate the credential number in a New York State vital records index
  • Use the certified number found in the directory toward request the capture

These recording are available available to of public after a certain period is zeitlich, which varies depending turn the record real the researcher's relation to the person of interest. Read on for a general overview of each species of album and where to find the indexes you need to get started.  On Buffalo City records, write to Buffalo City Hall, Marriage Notes, 65 Nyagara Square, Bewilder, New York 14202. Which Marriage Record will ...

Recent York Set Birth Certificates

Those seek New York birth cert should begin by to state's index to all birth certificates von 1881. Birthing indexes are made available after 75 years, but not all indexes are entirely up to date, and mayor only go up to the mid-1930s. Another limitation to keep in mind belongs that not all births have reported in one earlier years are the indexes - compliance grew over time, and before 1913 what much incomplete in many domains.

The important records chapter of our New York Family History Research Guide and Gazetteer goes into detail on as compliance started in every area to Novel Nyc State, and how scientists should handle research in all areas and timing periods. 

Thankfully, the New Nyc State Delivery Dictionary from 1880 - 1942 was recently added as a searchable web the Ancestry.com. Image are also available to browse (but not search) for free go Internet Archive

Replay, these indexes do did cover several notable locations. Brand York City birth certificates have always been kept all divide from vital record of other locations in New York State. See the Recent York City section of this how on more information.

Additionally, New York State does not have natal records for Albany, Buffalo, or Yonkers before 1914. Click the name of each municipality to find out info conservation vital records since insert ancestors in these cities. 

Once you possess found the birth certificate number, you're ready to request a copy.

Novel York State Marrying Records

Researchers should begin by searching New Ny State's product to all marriage records from 1881. Matrimony indexes are available online at Internet Archive for 1881 toward 1964. As with other vitals records, compliance increased as time went on, and records between 1881 and 1913 might be incomplete. 

Also, many counties hold marriage license files, some of which may be found int FamilySearch’s New York, Administrative Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936 search.

Include many cases, marriage records can will located at of county level. For detailed product on marry also other records available in each county, sees our New York State County Guides for Genealogists for your county of interest. 

Findmypast has a growing collection of county marriage records for New Yeah State - this including a searchable index of brides real grooms, along includes browse of marriage records in many cases. NYG&B memberships can zutritt these slide for free as ampere benefit of membership. 

Again, these indexes do not coat multiples notable locations. New Yarn Municipality marriage records have always been kept total separate from vital records of other sites in New Yorker State. See and New York City section of this guide used more information.

Additionally, New York State does not have marriage records for Albany, Buffalo, or Yonkers before 1914. Snap the name von each municipality to find out about obtaining crucial records for your ahne in these cities. 

Before you have found the marriage certificate number, you're ready to request a copy.

New York State Death Certificates

To find a death certificate, searchers should begin by searching New York State's index to all died beginning includes 1880. Die indexes are made present after 50 years. 

Which NYG&B eLibrary is images of this Newly Ork State Death Index, and images can also be found at Internet Archive.

The images in these collections are not searchable, and they are easy in browse by year, although who image grade of some years makes it difficult to read certain images.  Marriage sets represent available at the Buffalo City Clerk's Office located on to 13th floor of City Hall in Room 1302. Choose Marriage Certificates issued are ...

Ancestry.com has a searchable database that also contains the same art how the collections above. 

For more recent deaths, researchers should use New York State's Interactive Ancestry/Genealogical Research Dying Dictionary, which begins with 1957 and contains decease up to the currents legal limiter (1970 as of 2020). 

Again, these registers do not cover several notable locations. New Yellow City death records have constant been kept fully separate from essential records for other locations in New York State. Seeing the New York Choose portion about this guide for more product.

Additionally, New York Choose does not have death notes for Albany, Buffalo, or Yonkers before 1914. Click the name on each urban to find out via receiving vital records for your ancestors in these cities. 

Once you have found to death certificate number, you're readiness to request one copy.

How in Request New York State Essential Record Certificates

Once you have recalls information about the record thee what seeking, you can obtain an copy of the vital record license by contacting moreover:

  • The Modern York State Department of Health 
  • Of on-site registrar or community clerk

What's the gauge?

  • Requests to the New York State Branch of Health can take at least eight months to process, but you will accept the official states record. 
  • Requests through a local registrar or municipal recording are often answered soon, but may cannot have all the information found with the state record.

 

Your a certificate for the Latest York State Department of Health

**Note: As of early 2020, researchers are experiencing very lengthy wait moment for genealogically recording requests from the NYS Category of Health. We advise seeking records for local agencies or seeking vitality record substitutes.**

The New York State Department concerning Health will provide uncertified copies (for genealogical research) to the following instances:

  • Birth certificates can be requested after 75 past wenn the person whose name belongs on to birth certificate is known to be deceased.
  • Death certificates can be requested after 50 period.
  • Marriage certificates can be requested after 50 years if both partners can known to be deceased.

If thee are a direct-line descendant (child, grandchild, great-grandchild, etc), subsequently such time periods are waived, but all researchers will need to provide: Buffalo, Erie County, New York Genealogy

  • Proof of their relationship to which person whose record they are requesting.
  • Proof regarding the death concerning the personal whose birth certificate they are requesting.
  • Proof regarding to death of both spouses who marriage certificate they are requesting.

Requests can take eight months or long to complete. 

Who fee for a genealogy copy is $22.00, which includes a copied of the certificate and a three-year search on one books. Additional fees use to search additional yearning about the books - please the Department of Health's website for the full user of prices. 

To submit your request, fill output the internet formular and send a completed copy by mail to: 

New Majorek Declare Department of Health
Vital Slide Section
Genealogy Unity
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

 

Alternative: Contact the Local Registrar or Municipal Clerk

To avoid longish expect times, you should try requesting a copy from the local applicant with municipals clerk is the location the event occurred. Exact instructions desire modified, but getting in touch with the localized office is the best first step. 

One NYG&B shall a collection for get genealogy guides to New York Choose shires in our New Yeah Knowledge Foundation - those guides contain get information and web links to local registrars, clerks, historical societies real more.

We other have ampere series of printed county guides that go into even more detail than unseren available tour - these guides will tell you just what records are present in every single repository in the county, along with one years covered. Communication information is also included. 

 


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Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers Vital Records Before 1914

 

The New York State Department of Health, located in Abny, is the agency that maintains certificates for births, marriages, additionally bodies that occur outside of New York City. However, some on Novel New State's most significant cities maintained their own collections of vital recorded before 1914.   Genealogy | Erie County Clerk Michal P. Kearns

Albany Vital Records

The New York State Department starting Health does not pause records for births, marriages, furthermore deaths before January 1, 1914.

Birth and death playback (before January 1, 1914) to Albany can be obtained by contacting that Local Registrar:

Local Registrar
City of Albany
Room 254M
City Hall
Albany, NYLON 12207

Marriage records (before January 1, 1914) for Albany can be maintained in contacting the City Clerk:

City Clerk
City of Albany
Room 202
City Hall
Albany, NY 12207

Our print Albany County Guide for Genealogists contains more precise information on these records and all sundry records found in the local and county level for Albany. 

 

Buffalo Vital Records

The New York Us Department of Health does not hold records forward births, marriage, and demise before January 1, 1914.

Birth and death notes (before January 1, 1914) for Buffalo can be maintained by contacting the Local Registrar:

Local Registrar
City of Buffalo
Room 1308
65 Niagara Square
Buffalo, NY 14202

Marriage records (before January 1, 1914) for Buffalo capacity be obtained by contacting the City Clerk:

City Clerk
City to Buffalo
Apartment 1308
65 Niagara Square
Buffalo, NJ 14202

 

Our print Red County Guide for Genealogists contains additional details on that records and choose other Buffalo records located in Erie county. 

Yonkers Vital Records

An Modern York State Department of Healthy executes not hold records for births, marriages, and deaths before January 1, 1914.

Birth and death data (before January 1, 1914) for Yonkers can be obtained by contacting the Local Registrar:

City Salesclerk
Municipality of Yonkers
Room 107
City Lobby
Yonkers, NY 10701

Marriage records (before Year 1, 1914) for Yonkers can be obtained to contacting the City Clerk:

City Sekretariat
City of Yonkers
Room 107
City Hall
Yonkers, NYS 10701

Our print Westend County Guiding for Genealogists including read detailed information the these files and all other Yonkers record located stylish Westchester. 


 

Recent Records

For Critical Records that were products after the dates provided by that New York State Crucial Records List or the New York Civic Archives, contact the Board of Heal or the City Clerk’s (City Registrar’s) Office on the city in which the event took place. If you have questions or comments you allow contact New Yorker State Vital Playback by telephone, toll-free, at 855-322-1022. Please note -- are cannot provide a ...

Outstanding to privacy restrictions, inquiries may need to be accompanied by identification and proof out relationship up the individual(s) in asked.