Where do I obtain a birth certificate copy for someone born in New York City?
The New York State Department of Health does not file and cannot issue copies of New York City birth certificates.
For births in one of the five (5) boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Kings, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island), please visit the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Birth Certificates .
Please note that the borough of Kings is sometimes referred to as Brooklyn and the borough of Staten Island is sometimes referred to as Richmond.
The Health Department issues birth certificates for all people who are born in New York City. You may apply for a New York City birth certificate if:
You were born in New York City (Borough of Queens, city of Elmhurst)
You are listed on the birth certificate (as parent or registrant/infant)
You are 18 or older
If you were born outside of New York City, including elsewhere in New York State, the CDC has information on how you can order a certificate.
For more help ordering a birth certificate, you can chat online with an operator, Monday – Friday, 9 AM – 4:30 PM.
You can try to order one online here:
Birth Certificates | Obtain Birth Record Copy - VitalChek
To order a BC in person:
Go to 125 Worth Street in Lower Manhattan. Use the Lafayette Street entrance, which is handicapped accessible, and go to room 144 We are open Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 3:30 PM. We are currently undergoing a renovation, and lines are longer than usual. Ordering online is the fastest, most efficient way to get your birth certificate. If you prefer to order in-person, lines are shortest in the morning. You should come prepared with identification. See requirements below.
Fees: Please bring a money order or personal check made payable in US dollars to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. You may also pay by credit card, debit card or by electronic fund transfer (EFT) using your checking account and routing number. Cash is not accepted.
The cost for an in-person birth certificate order is $15.00 for each copy plus a $2.75 one-time fee for identity verification. For example, if you order 2 copies of a certificate, your total cost is ($15 + $15 + $2.75) $32.75.
For international use other than a US passport, please specify a long form request when you order your birth certificate in person.
BY mail:
http://www1.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/vr/birth1.pdf
What if they can't find it?
If a certificate isn't found, the Office of Vital Records (OVR) may issue a "Record Not Found" statement and the customer will be charged $15 for the search and refunded the cost of any additional certificates ordered. If the customer returns the "Record Not Found" statement by mail or in person with the additional information requested within 3 months from the issue date, OVR will conduct an additional search at no cost.
Contact:
Please call 311 or 212 NEW-YORK (212-639-9675) if you are calling from outside NYC.
You can also email the Office of Vital Records Services at
nycdohvr@health.nyc.gov
if you have questions or need instructions.
