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A certified New York birth certificate is an official document issued by the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) or NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) that proves birth registration. Births occurring in the five NYC boroughs (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island) must be ordered from NYC DOHMH, not Albany. State mail-in applications use form DOH-4380 with a $30 fee per copy; NYC typically charges $15 per certificate plus application/processing fees. VitalChek is an official online ordering partner for both state and NYC records. Processing times vary: state mail-in commonly takes several weeks, NYC processing can range 6-12 weeks, while in-person county/city requests are often faster. For NYC birth certificates intended for apostille, a Letter of Exemplification is required before NY County Clerk certification and Department of State apostille.
A certified New York birth certificate is an official vital record issued by either the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) or the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), depending on where the birth occurred. This document serves as legal proof of birth registration and identity.
Common uses include: passport applications, school enrollment, driver's license applications, marriage license applications, Social Security benefits, international document authentication (apostille), employment verification, and legal proceedings.
New York restricts access to birth certificates to protect privacy. Eligible applicants include:
If you answered "no" to all, you may not be eligible to request this record.
| Route | Best For | Typical Timeline | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYS DOH (Mail) | Births outside NYC | Several weeks | Form DOH-4380, $30/copy |
| NYC DOHMH | NYC 5 boroughs | 6-12 weeks | $15/copy + fees |
| VitalChek (Online) | Convenience | Varies by jurisdiction | Service fees apply |
| County Office | In-person, same-day | Often immediate | Varies by county |
If birth occurred in NYC's 5 boroughs, use NYC DOHMH. Otherwise, use NYS DOH.
Download form DOH-4380 for state applications, or use NYC's online/paper application.
Fill out all required fields including registrant's full name, date of birth, place of birth, and parent names.
Prepare photo ID copy and proof of relationship if you're not the registrant.
For NYS DOH: check/money order to "NYS DOH" ($30/copy). For NYC: follow payment instructions ($15/copy + fees).
Mail to appropriate office, submit online via VitalChek, or visit in-person.
Allow several weeks for state mail-in, 6-12 weeks for NYC, or same-day for in-person county requests.
| County | Notes |
|---|---|
| New York County (Manhattan) | City Clerk / NYC DOHMH · in-person or mail |
| Kings County (Brooklyn) | DOHMH/City & VitalChek · in-person, mail, online |
| Monroe County (Rochester) | County Vital Records · typical fee $30 per copy |
Reviewed by: Amelia Rivera, Document Processing Specialist
Methodology: Information compiled from official New York State Department of Health, NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and NY Department of State sources. All fees, forms, and procedures verified against current official publications.
Based on official sources: NYS DOH Vital Records program, NYC DOHMH vital records services, NY.gov official guidance, and NY Department of State apostille requirements.