Get certified New York Death Certificates

New York does not issue death certificates for individuals who die on U.S. military bases overseas. If the deceased was a U.S. citizen, the U.S. Department of State records the death. To obtain documentation, request a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542) from the Department of State.

An official New York death certificate has security features to prevent tampering. Its appearance varies by year of issue, but it always contains key details like the deceased’s name, date and place of death, cause of death, and state registrar’s signature. Issued by the New York State Department of Health. It is printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. NYSDOH follows strict issuance guidelines to ensure authenticity.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

A New York death certificate is an essential legal document and the only official proof of death. It is required for settling estates, claiming life insurance, accessing financial accounts, applying for government benefits, and handling legal matters. Many institutions, including banks, courts, and government agencies, require a certified copy for verification.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property, Mortgage, and Real Estate Matters

Enrolling in school

The process for correcting or amending a New York Death Certificate depends on the type of correction required. When an amendment is made, the original certificate is not altered, and a new certificate is issued with the updated information.

Obtain the Necessary Form. Corrections to the personal information - To correct personal information, complete the Application for Correction of Certificate of Death Form (DOH-299) and gather supporting documents to present at your local registrar's office.

Corrections/amendments to medical information –To correct medical information on a death certificate, complete the Application for Correction of Certificate of Death (DOH-1999). After completing the form, have the Medical Certifier sign it and gather supporting documentation to submit to your local registrar.

Gather Supporting. Refer to the public instruction for death corrections PDF for guidance on what supporting documents are required to change a death record.

Submit the Application.. For In-Person submissions, visit the NYC DOHMH Office or regional offices, or send the completed form and supporting documents by mail to:

New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section, PO Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602.

Pay the Amendment Fee., The fee is $30.00 for processing the amendment. Additional certified copies of the amended certificate cost $15.00 a copy.

Processing Time:. Simple amendments are typically processed within 4 to 6 weeks. More complex amendments (involving medical or legal documentation) may take longer.

To obtain an apostille for a New York death certificate, you must request it from the New York Department of State. An apostille verifies the authenticity of the death certificate for international use. It is accepted by countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille for a New York Death Certificate, you will need to provide the following items:

1. The certified copy of the death certificate, with the original signature and seal of the current New York State Registrar;
2. A payment of $10.00 per document for the apostille service.

Submit your request to the New York Department of State at the following addresses:

In-person:

By Mail:

When submitting by mail, ensure that you include the name of the country where the apostille will be used.