Order your official New York birth certificate online quickly and securely. Whether you need a certified copy for identification, travel, or legal purposes, our service helps streamline the process. We prepare and file your application with the New York vital records office, helping ensure it is processed correctly. Start today and receive your certified copy by mail.
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Learn how to obtain a certified copy of a New York birth certificate from the NYSDOH - BVR. The current processing time is 10-12 weeks. The state fee for a birth certificate is $30.00 per copy. Requests can only be made by the person on record or a parent named on the record; all other third parties must have a court order to request the certificate.
You can order certified copies of a New York birth certificate online through VRO, in person, or by mail directly from the New York State Department of Health Bureau of Vital Records (NYSDOH BVR). Note that if the certificate you need is for a birth that occurred in New York City; you cannot apply through the state and must instead make your request through the NYC Department of Health. Before placing your order, review the costs and confirm your eligibility, requirements, and processing times to ensure a successful application.
Requesting an New York birth certificate online is quick and easy, involving two simple steps:
Starting from
$29+ state fees
Benefits of Ordering Online with VRO
required documents
Applicants must provide proof of identity to the New York State DOH when requesting certified copies of birth records. Eligibility criteria and requirements defined by the NYSDOH may vary depending on how you submit your application and who submits the request. The table below displays the information and documents required to order a birth certificate in New York:
Primary ID Requirements Options | Secondary ID Requirements Options |
|---|---|
Driver's License | Utility Bill |
If you do not have a primary ID, you may still be able to obtain a New York birth certificate by providing two secondary forms of identification as outlined by the New York State Department of Health. Acceptable secondary forms of documentation can include a letter from a government agency or a utility bill. Both documents must show your name and address.
Alternatively, a parent listed on the record can request a birth certificate on your behalf if they provide proof of identity.
Cost & fees
The total costs and fees associated with replacing a birth certificate in New York vary based on the method of application submission (in person, by mail, or online). The NYSDOH charges a $30.00 fee for a certified copy and a fee of $2.00 for each additional copy. VRO's online application assistant starts at $29.00 plus state fees.
State Fee |
|---|
$30.00 |
Rush Processing |
|---|
Not offered for mail-in requests. |
Additional Copy |
|---|
1 x $20.00 |
Processing time
The total time it takes to receive a New York birth certificate replacement varies depending on how you apply and the current wait times set by the New York State Department of Health. Standard processing takes 10-12 weeks.
Processing Time |
|---|
10 to 12 weeks |
Rush Processing Time |
|---|
Not offered for mailing requests |
Authorization
Without a court order, only the person on record or a parent named on the certificate can order certified copies of New York birth certificates. If you are requesting on behalf of the person on record and are not a parent listed on the record, you must obtain a NY State court order.. All applicants are required to provide proof of identity with the application.
Only uncertified copies of birth certificates can be obtained for genealogy research purposes if the person named on the birth certificate is known to be deceased and the certificate is at least 75 years old.
Generally, a notarized application for New York birth certificate replacements is unnecessary. However, if you are requesting that the certificate be sent to a P.O. Box or to a third party, you must provide a notarized, signed statement and a copy of your drivers license.
Tracking
When you place your order with VRO, you can track the status of your application online as we handle it. VRO verifies your documents before sending them to the New York State Department of Health-Bureau of Vital Records (NYSDOH-BVR) for processing. You can also request mail tracking through VRO to monitor your application's progress to the state health department.
If you choose to manually mail your birth certificate request to the NYSDOH-BVR, it is recommended to purchase mail tracking to ensure it arrives. Once your certificate is mailed to you from the state office, they are not responsible for lost or misdirected certificates.
frequently asked questions
If you were born overseas on a US military base, your birth would have been recorded by the US Department of State; therefore, you do not have a birth on record with the state of New York. You can request a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA or form FS-240) from the US Department of State. The CRBA serves as evidence of US citizenship and is equivalent to a US birth certificate as proof of identity and US citizenship. It provides essential documentation for various purposes, such as passport applications and access to social services.
If you need original birth certificate copies and your birth was initially recorded in another country, you must contact the hospital where the birth was initially recorded.
Certified birth certificates prove identity and citizenship and are accepted by government and commercial entities. They contain your legal name, place, birth date, and parents' names. In addition, certified birth certificates are often required for legal proceedings, family matters, school enrollment, employment, and travel.
Birth certificates are often useful or required for:
Applying for a driver's license
Applying for a new passport
Issuing or obtaining a Social Security Card
Applying for Social Security benefits
Claiming pension or insurance benefits
Genealogy research
Claiming family inheritance
Applying for a new job
Enrolling in school
Enlisting in military
Obtaining a marriage license
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:
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:
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:
In-Person Submission:
Mail Submission:
Express Courier Mail: