New York death records search
Certified New York death certificates come from the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section. Below: the fee, where to send the request, and the official site. To find a person's relatives, last address or obituary first, search their name.
- Issued by
- New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section
- Certified copy
- $30.00
- Deaths in New York City are issued by the NYC Department of Health, not the state.
- Official site
- health.ny.gov ↗
- Phone
- (855) 322-1022
- Mail requests to
- Certification Unit, Vital Records Section, 2nd floor800 North Pearl StreetMenands, NY 12204
From the CDC National Center for Health Statistics, Where to Write for Vital Records, read November 15, 2026; CDC page last reviewed November 6, 2015. Fees change, so confirm on the state's site. TrueSearch is not affiliated with the State of New York and does not issue death certificates.
How to get a New York death certificate
- Have the full name of the person who died, the date of death (or the year), and the city or county where it happened.
- Check that you qualify. Close family and the estate's executor usually can; the state's site lists who else may order.
- Order on health.ny.gov, or mail the state's application, a copy of your ID and the fee to the address above.
- Order several copies at once if you are settling an estate. Banks, insurers and pension plans each keep one.
Missing the date or the county?
The state needs to know roughly when and where the person died. If you lost touch, a people search by name shows the last known addresses and relatives tied to them, which tells you which county to ask and who in the family to call. For the date, look for an obituary.
Questions
How do I get a death certificate in New York?
Order a certified copy from the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section on its official site, by mail, or in person. Most states also let you order through the county or city office where the death happened.
How much is a New York death certificate?
The CDC's vital records directory lists $30.00 for a certified copy (Deaths in New York City are issued by the NYC Department of Health, not the state). The CDC page was last reviewed November 6, 2015, so confirm the current fee on the state's site before you pay.
Who can order a New York death certificate?
Each state sets its own rules. Certified copies usually go to close family, the executor or administrator of the estate, and people who can show a legal need. Some states sell informational copies to anyone. The state's site lists who qualifies and which ID to send.
What is the difference between a death certificate and an obituary?
A death certificate is the official state record, used to settle an estate, close accounts and claim benefits. An obituary is a notice the family publishes, usually through a funeral home or local newspaper, and it often names relatives and where the person lived.
Can I search New York death records online for free?
The New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section sells certified copies. Free online name searches, where they exist, usually cover only older deaths through the state archives or genealogy sites. To find out whether someone died recently, start with an obituary search by name and city, then order the certificate from the state.
What is the phone number for New York vital records?
The CDC directory lists (855) 322-1022 for the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section. Check hours and current fees on the state's site before you call.
Settling an estate in New York?
- New York unclaimed money search: heirs can claim money the state holds in the person's name.
- New York public records and court search
Death records in other states
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