You can research, download, and print digitized historical vital records dating 1855 to 1949 on the Historical Vital Records of New York City website.

If you need a certified copy of an historic vital record, you must place an order and choose mail delivery.

Visit the Historical Vital Records of New York City website.

You can order vital records, letters of exemplification, and No Amendment/Correction letters online or by mail.

The cost of each certified copy of a vital record is $18. Letters of exemplification and No Amendment/Correction letters are $12 per copy.

Online

You can place an order and make a payment with your credit or debit card, or by e-check. There is a nonrefundable service fee of $3.50 when using a credit or debit card.

Order a copy of a historical vital record.

By Mail

You can submit an application by mail. You can pay by check or money order made payable to NYC Department of Records and Information Services.

Mail your application, payment and a stamped, self-addressed return envelope to:

31 Chambers Street, Room 103 
New York, NY 10007

The application form is available online. Download the application for a certified copy of a Vital Record.

You can also request an application be mailed to you.

The current processing time is:

• 1-2 weeks for non-certified PDF copies
• 8-10 weeks for certified copies

If you ordered multiple certificates, they may have different processing times and may be mailed separately.

You will receive a "Not Found" letter if the Municipal Archives was unable to find the record you requested.

Please note that the fee paid is for the search and issuance of search results and is not refundable.

Birth Certificate Not Found

Approximately 25 percent of all births prior to 1910 were not reported to New York City. 

Church records or the federal and state censuses are alternative resources. The federal census is available from the National Archives.

Find Federal Census data on the National Archives' website.

You can get answers to frequently asked questions online.

You can also send an email to the Department of Records and Information Services if you have questions about refunds or credit card processing errors.

View answers to frequently asked questions.

Email the Department of Records and Information Services.