New York Death Records

A death record is a legal document that details the cause of a person's death and other basic information. With an average of 174,420 deaths reported annually in New York, the state has a mortality rate of 675.5 per 100,000 residents. This is significantly lower than the United State's average death rate of 793.7 per 100,000 total population.

The first major vital records law in New York, An Act Providing for the Registry of Births, Marriages, and Deaths, was passed in 1847. However, statewide registration of deaths did not begin until 1880-1881. Nonetheless, compliance was not absolute until 1913 (or even later).

Death records are commonly available as death certificates in New York, and they generally have two parts, the standard certificate of death and the confidential medical report. While the standard certificate of death holds information such as the deceased's name, date of birth, and gender, the confidential medical report generally specifies the cause of death.

In New York State, original death certificates are prepared by certified physicians, coroners, or medical examiners. Once prepared, original death certificates are typically filed with the state's vital records office or the Vital Records Office of the New York City Health Department for deaths that occur in New York City. Certified copies of a death certificate are issued from the original copy maintained by the state's vital records office. A certified death certificate in New York State has certain security features demonstrating its authenticity, and it is typically used for purposes.

How Do I Get a Certified Copy of a Death Certificate in New York?

Except for deaths that occur in New York City, the Vital Records Office of the New York State Department of Health has statewide records of deaths that have occurred since 1881. To obtain a certified copy of the state's death certificate, complete the Application for Copy of Death Certificate Form (Form DOH-4376) and prepare a copy of either of the following valid ID as an ID:

• One of the following forms of valid ID
• Passport
• Driver's license
• State-issued Non-driver photo identification card
• Any other government-issued photo ID like the U.S. military photo ID
• Two of the following bearing the applicant's name and address
• Letter from a government agency obtained and dated within the last six months
• Telephone bills
• Utility bills

• If applying from a foreign country that requires a passport to travel, a copy of the requester's U.S. passport in addition to other identification requirements

The completed application form, appropriate ID, and the applicable fee should be mailed to the Department of Health at:

Mail orders for certified copies of New York death certificates cost $30, payable to the NYS Department of Health by postal money order, personal check, and certified check. Depending on the volume of requests, it takes the Vital Records Unit between 10 to 12 weeks from the day it receives a certified death certificate request to process it. Anyone looking to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate for a death that occurred in New York City should apply to the NYC Health Department.

Are New York Death Records Public?

No, they are not. New York death records are not subject to the state's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL). Hence, they are exempt from public disclosure under this law and are only available to specific persons. The confidentiality of New York death records is protected by Section 4174 of the state's Public Health Law.

Who Can Request an Original Death Certificate in New York?

Technically, no one can request an original death certificate in New York, as it is kept permanently on the file of the state's Department of Health, Vital Records Unit. However, certified copies are usually made available upon request by eligible individuals. Considering that death records are not subject to public disclosure under the New York FOIL, only the following persons may request copies of certified death certificates in the state:

• The decedent's biological child. They must provide a copy of their birth certificate listing the names of their parents.
• The decedent's spouse if they were both married at the time of the other party's death.
• The decedent's biological sibling. They must present a copy of their birth certificate listing their parents.
• Anyone with a documented medical claim.
• Anyone authorized by a New York State court order. The court order must be original, dated within the last year, and have a raised seal.
• Anyone with a documented legal claim or right.
• The executor or administrator of the decedent's estate. They must provide original letters of testamentary or letters of administration.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Death Certificate in New York?

A typical request for a death certificate in New York is processed between 10 and 12 weeks after receipt by the Vital Records Unit of the state's Department of Health. However, there are times when orders will be significantly delayed due to a large volume of requests. Similarly, it will take longer to get a death certificate in a case where a Medical Examiner is required to investigate and determine the cause and nature of death. For instance, where any death appears to be suspicious, violent, unexplainable, or caused by criminal neglect or unlawful act, state law requires that an autopsy be performed.

Autopsy reports in New York State are available in approximately 90 days from the date the autopsy was performed. In cases requiring additional testing and the medical examiner's review, this may take longer. Until the medical examiner determines the cause of death and finalizes an autopsy report, they will not prepare the final death certificate. These factors and several others generally cause a delay in getting a death certificate for any death that occurs under an unusual circumstance. Certified copies of such death certificates will only be available after the medical examiner files the original with the state's Department of Health.

Can I View New York Death Records online for free?

Interested persons can view historic New York death records online for free using resources like Ancestry.com and Familysearch.org. Similarly, the New York State Archives hold indexes to certain historic death certificates (not death certificates) from 1880. These resources are usually helpful in verifying the death of a non-relation.

Furthermore, third-party sites like Newyorkpublicrecords.us may enable eligible persons to access death records in the state, but a nominal fee may be charged. Where the availability of a person's death record is uncertain, substitute records may be used to find some important information about the deceased. For instance, cemetery records, obituaries, probate records, newspapers, church records, tax records, and census mortality schedules are substitute records that may have information about a person's death in New York.

When Would You Require A Death Certificate in New York?

Besides their use in genealogical research, New York death certificates are used for various legal purposes. An interested person may want to obtain one for the following reasons:

• To claim insurance proceeds, death benefits, and pension benefits.
• To initiate a probate claim.
• To manage the decedent's investments and estates.
• To notify the Social Security Administration of a death, so they can stop all benefits and prevent identity fraud.
• To settle the decedent's will and estates
• To close the decedent's credit/debit cards and bank accounts

How Many Death Certificates Do I Need in New York?

The average number of death certificates needed in New York State ranges from 8 to 12, depending on the specific purposes for which they are being requested. Typically, the level of assets in the deceased's name is what dictates how many copies of a certified death certificate are needed for purchase. In addition, the need to close the deceased's bank accounts, notify government agencies of the death, process insurance claims, and many other reasons may help determine the exact number of death certificates a person needs to obtain.