Get your certified New York Birth Certificate

The New York State Department of Health charges $30.00 per certified copy of a birth certificate. Each additional copy is also $30.00 — there is no discount for ordering multiple copies in the same request. For births in New York City, the NYC DOHMH charges $15.00 per copy. VRO's online filing service starts at $29.00 plus the applicable state or city fee, and includes same-day application preparation and submission.

Ready to order? Get your New York birth certificate with transparent pricing.

Standard processing through the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) takes 10 to 12 weeks by mail. Rush processing is not available for mailed requests. For faster service, you can visit a regional office in person in Albany, New York City, Syracuse, or Rochester. The NYC DOHMH processes birth certificates for births in the five boroughs separately, with walk-in service available at 125 Worth Street in Manhattan. Through VRO, your application is prepared and submitted the same day with all required documentation, helping avoid delays from incomplete submissions.

Don't wait — start your New York birth certificate order today for faster processing.

Yes, you can order a New York birth certificate online through VRO for both NY State (NYSDOH) and New York City (NYC DOHMH) records. VRO prepares your application, includes all required documents, and submits it on your behalf. For NY State records, standard mail processing takes 10 to 12 weeks. NYC records can also be ordered in person at 125 Worth Street, Manhattan, for faster turnaround.

Start now — order your New York birth certificate online in minutes.

New York allows eligible individuals such as a parent, legal guardian, or legal representative to request a birth certificate on someone else’s behalf. If you are not the registrant, you may need to provide a notarized affidavit or sworn statement confirming your relationship and purpose. A Power of Attorney (PoA) document is also accepted as proof of legal authority.

Learn more about ordering a New York birth certificate on behalf of a family member.

New York birth certificates may have different designs and layouts depending on the year they were issued. The NYSDOH guidelines determine that certified copies will always include features such as the state seal, the individual's name, and the registrar's signature and are printed on secure paper. Official (long-form) copies are accepted for legal purposes, while informational (short-form) copies are generally for personal, commemorative reasons.

• Full Name of the Person: The full legal name of the person whose birth is being recorded.

• Date of Birth: The exact date of birth of the individual.

• Place of Birth: The city, county, and state where the birth took place.

• Parents’ Names: The full names of both parents, including the mother’s maiden name.

• State Seal: A raised, embossed, or printed multicolor or black and white seal of the issuing authority, which validates the document.

• Signature of State Registrar: The signature of the state registrar or authorized official responsible for issuing the certificate.

• Date of Issuance: The date when the state officially issued the birth certificate.

• Printed on Security Paper: Printed on specialized paper to prevent counterfeiting.

In some instances, a certified birth certificate may also include:

• Name of the Hospital where the birth was recorded.

• Name of the Physician who attended the labor.

If you lose your birth certificate:

1. Submit an application for a certified replacement copy in person, by mail, or online through VRO. You will need to complete the application, gather the required identification and documents, and pay the fees determined by the NYSDOH BVR.
   a. For in-person applications: Present the completed application and required documents to a City Clerk office. The NYSDOH does not accept walk-ins at their location.
   b. For applying by mail: Send your application, documents and a check or money order for the replacement fee to the NYSDOH at:
   New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Certification Unit
   P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602
   c. For online submissions: Complete the application and upload your documents through the VRO website (payable by credit card online).
2. The NYSDOH will mail the certified copy(s) after processing.

The process of correcting or amending New York birth certificates varies depending on what changes are required. An addendum will be created to correct or change the birth certificate while the original record remains unaltered.

Typically, amendments to birth certificates will require:

1. A completed amendment application,
2. Supporting documentation,
3. Appropriate fee(s)

Once corrected, order your updated New York birth certificate for your records.

If you need an apostille, you can order one directly through the New York Secretary of State or online via VRO's Express Apostille Service. Apostilles are issued by the New York Secretary of State and are often required when submitting a birth certificate to a foreign government as part of the 1961 Hague Convention.

To manually submit a request for an apostille, complete the following steps:

1. Obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate from the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH).
2. Complete the Apostille/Certificate of Authentication Request Form available on the New York Department of State website.
3. Prepare the required documents including the certified birth certificate and the completed request form.
4. Issue a check or money order for $10.00 per document, issued to the New York Department of State.
5. Submit the application and documents to the New York Department of State by mail (prepaid envelope for express delivery is optional), or submit in-person to the following addresses:

In-Person Submission:

Mail Submission:

Express Courier Mail:

A long-form birth certificate (also called the "full" or "certified" copy) is a complete reproduction of the original New York birth record. It includes your full legal name, date and place of birth, parents' names, birthplaces, and occupations, the attending physician or midwife, and the file date and registration number. This is the version you'll need for passports, REAL ID, Social Security, adoption, immigration, dual citizenship, and most legal purposes.

A short-form birth certificate (sometimes called a "certification" or "abstract") is a condensed version that shows only your name, date of birth, place of birth, and sex. It does not include parents' information. The short form is accepted for many everyday purposes, like enrolling in school, applying for a driver's license, or joining sports leagues, but it is not always accepted for federal documents or international travel.

When you order a New York birth certificate through VitalRecordsOnline, you receive the long-form version by default, since it is the most widely accepted. If you're unsure which version you need, check with the agency requesting the document.

Not sure which you need? Order your New York birth certificate and get the right version.

New York City residents can order a New York birth certificate online through VitalRecordsOnline, by visiting the New York State Department of Health in Albany, or by submitting a mail request.

In-person requests at the state vital records office are typically processed the same day during business hours. Online orders through VRO are reviewed within 24 hours and most customers receive their certified copy in 2 to 3 weeks.

You may also need to order a New York death certificate through our secure online service.

Same-day New York birth certificates are available for in-person requests at the New York State Department of Health in Albany. Walk-in visitors can typically receive their certified copy within a few hours during regular business hours.

For those who cannot visit in person, ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline is the next fastest option. We review your application within 24 hours and most orders arrive within 2 to 3 weeks, with expedited shipping available at checkout.

Looking for a different document? Order a New York marriage certificate through our secure online service.

Buffalo residents can obtain a New York birth certificate by ordering online through VitalRecordsOnline, or by submitting a request to the New York State Department of Health.

Online ordering through VRO is the most convenient option, letting you complete the process from home with delivery by mail. Expedited processing is available for urgent needs.

Need another vital record? Get your New York divorce certificate through our secure online service.