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A certified New York death 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 death registration. Deaths 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-4376 with a $30 fee per copy; NYC typically charges $15 per certificate plus application/processing fees (commonly $40). 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 requests are often faster. For NYC death certificates intended for apostille, a Letter of Exemplification is required before NY County Clerk certification and Department of State apostille.
A certified New York death 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 death occurred. This document serves as legal proof of death registration.
Common uses include: estate settlement, insurance claims, Social Security benefits, pension claims, property transfers, closing bank accounts, international document authentication (apostille), legal proceedings, and genealogical research.
New York restricts access to death 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) | Deaths outside NYC | Several weeks | Form DOH-4376, $30/copy |
| NYC DOHMH | NYC 5 boroughs | 6-12 weeks | $15/copy + fees (~$40) |
| VitalChek (Online) | Convenience | Varies by jurisdiction | Service fees apply |
| County Office | In-person | Often faster | By appointment |
If death occurred in NYC's 5 boroughs, use NYC DOHMH. Otherwise, use NYS DOH.
Download form DOH-4376 for state applications, or use NYC's online/paper application.
Fill out all required fields including deceased's full name, date of death, place of death, and your relationship.
Prepare photo ID copy and proof of relationship or legal interest in the record.
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 by appointment.
Allow several weeks for state mail-in, 6-12 weeks for NYC, or schedule in-person appointment for faster service.
| County | Notes |
|---|---|
| New York County (Manhattan) | NYC DOHMH / City Clerk · in-person by appointment or mail |
| Kings County (Brooklyn) | NYC DOHMH & VitalChek · in-person, mail, online |
| Monroe County (Rochester) | County Vital Records · typical $30 per certified record |
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.