Death certificate · New York
How to get a death certificate in New York
In New York, certified death certificates are issued by the New York State Department of Health — or NYC Health for deaths in the five boroughs. The first certified copy costs $30 by mail / $45 online (NYS) · $15 + order fee (NYC), with additional copies at Same per-copy fee. For deaths outside New York City, order from the NYS Department of Health. For deaths in the five boroughs, order from NYC Health. Online ordering goes through VitalChek.
Last verified July 2, 2026 · Sources: NYS DOH — Death Certificates, NYC Health — Death Certificates
- Where to order
- New York State Department of Health — or NYC Health for deaths in the five boroughs — official site
- Cost
- $30 by mail / $45 online (NYS) · $15 + order fee (NYC) first copy; Same per-copy fee.
- How to order
- For deaths outside New York City, order from the NYS Department of Health. For deaths in the five boroughs, order from NYC Health. Online ordering goes through VitalChek.
- Good to know
- New York City and the rest of the state run separate vital-records systems — order from the right one.
Two systems: New York State vs. New York City
Deaths in the five boroughs (Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, Staten Island) are handled by NYC Health; deaths anywhere else in the state go through the NYS Department of Health or the local registrar where the death occurred. The two systems have different fees, forms, and processing times — orders sent to the wrong one are returned.
Costs and processing times
Outside NYC, a copy costs $30 by mail or $45 ordered online or by phone through VitalChek (plus a per-transaction vendor fee); the state has warned of significant processing delays, so the local registrar is often faster. In NYC, each certificate is $15 plus a per-order processing fee — about $9.30 online (roughly 2 weeks), $7.50 by mail (roughly 12 weeks), or $2.75 in person at 125 Worth Street by appointment.
Who can order one in New York
Outside NYC: the spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the deceased, or anyone with a documented legal right or claim, medical need, or court order — with photo ID. In NYC, the copy with cause of death is limited to close family, the informant on the certificate, or the person in charge of disposition; extended family (niece or nephew, aunt or uncle, grandniece or grandnephew, great-grandchild) can get the version without cause of death. Funeral directors can order for up to one year after the death.
Fixing an error on a New York death certificate
Outside NYC, corrections use DOH-299 (non-medical) or DOH-1999 (medical or disposition changes). NYC corrections can't be done online — apply by mail or in person; the application fee is $40 plus $15 per corrected certificate, with processing around 12 weeks.
Common questions about death certificates in New York
- How much is a death certificate in New York?
- The first certified copy is $30 by mail / $45 online (NYS) · $15 + order fee (NYC), and additional copies ordered at the same time are Same per-copy fee. Third-party online vendors add a service fee.
- How many death certificates do I need?
- Most families order 10 or more certified copies. Each bank, insurer, brokerage, and government agency typically wants its own certified original, not a photocopy, so it's better to over-order than to wait for more later.
- Who can order a death certificate?
- Usually the next of kin, the executor, or someone with a documented legal or financial interest. The funeral home can order certified copies on the family's behalf when it files the death certificate.
General guidance, not legal advice. Fees and procedures change — confirm with the New York vital-records office.