New York Birth Records

New York State started maintaining birth records in 1880 and New York City began keeping its birth records from 1910. Since then, the state's birth records system has evolved, offering different types of birth certificates designed for various needs.

Generally, birth records in New York are long-form birth records and short-form birth records. The long-form birth certificate is the most detailed and official version of a birth record. It is sometimes called the official birth certificate or a complete copy of the original birth record. The long-form birth record typically contains the full name of the person born, the date and place of birth, the names of both parents, the signature of the attending physician, the file number, and the date the birth certificate was officially filed. Long-form birth records are essential for legal matters such as applying for a passport, changing a legal name, or establishing lineage for inheritance.

The short-form birth certificate is a simplified version of the birth record that summarizes the most essential information. It contains information such as the registrant's full name, date of birth, place of birth, and basic parental data. The short-form birth certificate is useful for general identification and record keeping. It is not accepted for legal purposes that require the detained birth record.

Birth records may also be authorized or informational in New York. The authorized copy of the birth certificate is also the long-form birth record. It features security elements such as a raised or embossed seal and the registrar's signature, making it legally valid for official transactions. The informational copy of birth records is the short-form birth certificate, suitable for situations where legal validation of a person is not required.

How To Order a New York Birth Certificate?

Birth records from 1881 to date from the New York State except New York City are accessible at the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Division of Vital Records. To order a birth record, mail the Application for a Copy of Birth Certificate, fees, and a government-approved photo ID to:

You may obtain birth records from 1910 to the present for births occurring within New York City from the New York City Department of Health. Complete and notarize the Application to Request an NYC Birth Certificate form and include a current signed photo identification. There is a $15 fee per certificate requested. In-person requests require scheduling an appointment online. Persons ordering the record in person may pay an additional $2.50 as a processing fee. Mail requesters may send their application to:

Birth records are also accessible at the local city or town clerk's office. These records usually date back to 1881, before the state officially began keeping its birth records. While the cost to access the record varies per city, expect to pay around $10 to $15 to obtain the records. Similarly, you may access older birth records before1881 at the New York State Archives.

Are Birth Records Public in New York?

New York treats its recent birth records as confidential. For individuals born within the last 100 years, only certain eligible persons may obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate. However, once a birth is over 100 years old, the record becomes a public record. Researchers and the general public may then access historical birth records.

Who Can Order A Birth Certificate in New York?

According to New York's legal framework, specifically Chapter 45 Article 41 Title 7 of the Consolidated Laws of New York, access to certified birth records is restricted to protect personal privacy. Per state law, only certain eligible individuals are permitted to order a certified copy of a birth certificate. Persons eligible to order a birth certificate in New York include:

• The individual named on the birth certificate, if they are 18 years or older
• The parents listed on the birth certificate
• The legal guardian or custodian of the record holder
• Authorized legal representatives
• Persons with a court order

How Long Does it Take to Get A New York Birth Certificate?

The time frame to receive your requested New York birth certificate depends on where you apply and the method chosen to process the record. When you order a birth certificate through the NYSDOH and the NYC Health Department, you can typically expect the processing to take 10 - 12 weeks. Applicants who opt for expedited services may expect to receive birth certificates within 2 - 4 weeks.

You may also order birth records at the city or town clerk's offices where the record holder was born. Processing times vary per city or county. Generally, expect to wait between 7-10 days, excluding mailing time, for mail requests. Persons requesting the record in person may receive the document on the same day.

Where Can I Find New York Birth Records Free?

Although non-authorized individuals or the general public cannot obtain certified copies of recent New York birth certificates due to privacy laws, they can access free informational copies, especially for older records, through the following sources:

• The National Vital Records Archives: Provides free access to older records, usually those over 100 years old.
• The New York State Department of Health: The NYSDOH is the official repository for birth records outside New York City and grants free access to birth records over 100 years old.
• Publicrecord.us: Third-party websites like publicrecords.us aggregate public records, including New York birth records. The website often provides access to publicly available birth records information. However, the completeness and accuracy may vary.

When Would I Need My New York Birth Records?

A New York birth record establishes an individual's legal identity. It serves as proof of your full legal name, date of birth, place of birth, and parental information. Generally, you may need your New York birth certificate under the following situations:

• Applying for a U.S. passport
• Getting a driver's license or state-issued ID
• Securing a Social Security card
• Enrolling in school or applying for student loans
• Registering for government benefits
• Handling estates or inheritance matters
• Verifying identity during employment purposes
• Establishing citizenship or identity legal disputes

How Much is A Replacement Birth Certificate in New York?

A replacement New York birth certificate is typically needed if your original document is lost, stolen, destroyed, or significantly damaged. Replacing a New York birth record is the same as ordering a birth record from the NYSDOH or the NYC Department of Health. You may also submit a written application to the city or town clerk to replace the record. Requesting a replacement record requires presenting a valid ID and paying the fees. Generally, replacement records cost $15 from the NYSDOH and the NYC Department of Health. The fee varies per city or town.

When Can the Public Access New York Birth Certificates?

In New York, birth certificates for individuals born less than 100 years ago are confidential and unavailable to the general public. Only eligible individuals may obtain certified copies of New York birth records. However, per Chapter 45 Article 41 Title 7 of the Consolidated Laws of New York, records over 100 years old are considered public records and may be accessed by anyone.

How To Correct an Error on a New York Birth Certificate?

You may correct clerical or typographical errors on a New York birth certificate. The state permits correcting:

• Misspellings in registrants' names
• Date errors in the time of birth
• Adding a previously omitted middle name
• Errors in the place of birth information

To correct your birth record issued outside New York City, complete the appropriate birth certificate correction form. Include the original documents to support the correction. While correcting the error is free, there is a $30 fee to obtain a certified copy of the corrected record. Mail the application to:

Similarly, persons with birth records issued within New York City may correct errors by completing the Birth Certificate Correction Application form. There is a non-refundable fee of $40 to correct your birth record. In addition, there is a $15 fee to obtain a copy of the corrected birth record. Send the completed form to:

Does New York Provide Non-binary Birth Certificates?

Yes. New York's system now provides a third option for gender designation on birth certificates. Individuals who identify as non-binary may choose to have their gender marker updated from male" or "female" to "X". Per the New York Gender Recognition Act, New Yorkers 17 years or older may now apply to change their gender designation. The state does not require medical documentation or a court order to change the gender designation on a birth certificate.