If you were born in New York State, but not in one of the five boroughs of New York City, you can get a copy of your birth certificate from the New York State Department of Health. You can obtain your copy over the Internet, by phone, fax, telephone, or mail. If you were born in New York City you will need to request your birth certificate from the New York City Department of Health. Please see Getting Your Birth Certificate If You Were Born in NYC.
- New York State makes birth certificates available over the Internet, by phone, and fax through a company called VitalChek Network, Inc.
- There is $15 fee for each certified copy.
- VitalChek charges a processing fee of $8.95 per transaction which includes all certified copies requested.
- You can have your document delivered by FedEx for an additional fee of $13 per transaction;
- You can pay by credit card.
- You will receive your birth certificate in 10 to 12 business days if you request FedEx delivery and in 20 to 22 business days if you request regular delivery.
- An applicant may only order his or her own certificate or one for a child if the parent ordering it is listed on the record.
Obtaining Your Birth Certificate Over the Internet
- To order your birth certificate online, go to the VitalChek Web Site.
- click on New York State on the map, then click on the New York State Vital Records link.
- Follow the directions.
Obtaining Your Birth Certificate by Telephone
To order a certified copy of your birth certificate by phone, call VitalChek at this toll free number: (877) 854-4481.Obtaining Your Birth Certificate by Fax
- Go to http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/vr/applications/bthfaxapp.htm
- Print a copy of the form (Hint: Select the form, and then copy and paste it into your word processing program).
- Print out the form and then type or neatly print your information onto it.
- You will need proof of identification. They can be either one of the following: driver's license, non-driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Passport, or employment identification; or two of the following showing the applicant's name and address: utility or telephone bill, letter from a government agency dated within the last six months.
- Fax your completed application and your proof of identification to: (877) 854-4607.
Obtaining Your Birth Certificate by Mail
- You may obtain a certified copy of your birth certificate directly from the New York State Department of Health-Vital Records Section.
- The fee is $15 per copy.
- Go to the New York State Health Department Web Site to print out a copy of the application (Hint: Select the form, and then copy and paste it into your word processing program).
- Print out the form and then type or neatly print your information onto it.
- You will need proof of identification. They can be either one of the following: driver's license, non-driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles, Passport, or employment identification; or two of the following showing the applicant's name and address: utility or telephone bill, letter from a government agency dated within the last six months.
- To choose priority handling, send your request through an overnight delivery service to: Certification Unit, Vital Records Section, 733 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207. Your request will be processed within fifteen business days from the day it is received. If you want your document sent to you via overnight mail you must enclose a prepaid return mailer for overnight delivery.
- To choose regular delivery, send your request by first class or two-day priority mail to: Certification Unit, Vital Records Section, PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Your request will be processed within eight weeks from the day it is received.
