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Death certificates

Death certificates in New York

In New York, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $30 from the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records. Each copy costs the same. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.

Last checked on the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.

How to order in New York

Ordering a certified copy of a death certificate in New York
OfficeNew York State Department of Health, Vital Records
First certified copy$30
Each extra copy, same order$30

Mail orders cost $30 per copy. Online and phone orders cost $45 per copy plus a vendor fee per order. Deaths in New York City are handled by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, not the state.

Who can orderThe spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the person who died. Others need a documented lawful right or claim, a documented medical need, or a New York State court order.
ID you needOne valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport, or two documents showing your name and address, such as a utility bill.
Ways to orderOnline, by mail or in person.

The state takes online orders only through VitalChek, a private company, which adds its own fee. By mail or in person costs only the state fee.

At the local Registrar of Vital Statistics where the death occurred. The state office takes mail and online orders. For deaths in New York City, contact the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

How long it takesThe office says it is having significant delays and gives no set time.

Do funeral homes order the first copies?

Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.

For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.

Questions people ask

How much is a death certificate in New York?
$30 for the first certified copy from the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records, and $30 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Mail orders cost $30 per copy. Online and phone orders cost $45 per copy plus a vendor fee per order. Deaths in New York City are handled by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, not the state.
Who can order a death certificate in New York?
The spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the person who died. Others need a documented lawful right or claim, a documented medical need, or a New York State court order.
How do I order a death certificate in New York?
You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. One valid photo ID, such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport, or two documents showing your name and address, such as a utility bill.

Sources

  1. New York State Department of Health, Vital Records: www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/death.htm
  2. New York State Department of Health, Vital Records: healthweb-back.health.ny.gov/vital_records/death.htm
  3. CDC/NCHS: Funeral Directors' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting, 2019
  4. FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule (cash advance items)