HarlemOnline.com - Birth Certificates

Birth Certificates

Birth certificates from 1910 to the present are available through the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. For earlier records, contact the Municipal Archives at 311 or 212-NEW-YORK if outside of New York City. Their address is 31 Chambers Street, Room 103, New York, NY 10007. You may also access the Municipal Archives' Web site at www.nyc.gov/doris.

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has five ways that you can apply for a copy of your birth certificate:

● Internet	● Telephone	● Mail
● In Person	● Fax

INTERNET

Apply via the Internet on a secure server and use your credit card.

To place an order, the credit card you are using must be in your name.

A credit card may be used only to order birth certificates for you and your children, provided you are named on the birth certificates. To request a birth certificate for any other person, including any child where your name does not appear on the birth certificate, you must order in person or by mail.

The cost is $15 per certified copy, plus a $5.50 mailing and service charge per order. If you would like delivery by a carrier who will provide service within 2-3 days, there is an additional $12.50 shipping and handling charge. If not, please allow up to one week for your request to be processed. When you click on the hyper-link below to order a birth certificate via the Internet, you will be transferred to the secure Web site of VitalChek. Your purchase will appear on your credit card as a charge from VitalChek. It may appear on the bill as "VCN" or "NYC Vital Records."

Click Here To Apply Online

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TELEPHONE

Automated telephone service and operator-assisted service are available. The automated voice ordering system, is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Please note that the waiting time to speak with a live operator can be as long as 20 minutes.

To place an order, the credit card you are using must be in your name. A credit card may be used only to order birth certificates for you and your children, provided you are named on the birth certificates. To request a birth certificate for any other person, including any child where your name does not appear on the birth certificate, you must order in person or by mail.

The cost is $15 per certified copy, plus a $5.50 mailing and service charge per order. If you want delivery by a carrier who will provide service within 2 - 3 days, there will be an additional $12.50 shipping and handling charge. If not, please allow up to one week for your request to be processed and mailed.

Our telephone number is (212) 788-4520. Please follow the prompts to reach the credit card ordering option.

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MAIL

Send a completed Birth Certificate Application Form or a letter stating the following information:

Along with the letter, please include:

• Check or money order payable to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; the cost is $15 per certificate.
• Stamped, self-addressed envelope.
• A copy of a signed, valid photo ID of the person named on the certificate. If photo ID is unavailable, submit two proofs of name and address, such as a utility bill or an entitlement award letter from a government agency.
• If you are applying for a certificate on behalf of someone else, you must provide us with an original, notarized letter signed by that person authorizing release of their certificate to you. You must also bring with you that person's photo ID as well as your own.

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IN PERSON

Located at:
125 Worth Street, Room 133
(please use entrances on Centre and Lafayette Streets)
New York, NY 10013

Our hours are:
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
The lines are shortest from 9 - 10:30 AM and from 3 - 4:30 PM.

How you can reach us:

• #4, 5, or 6 Train to Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall
• J, or M Train to Chambers Street
• #1, or 2 Train to Chambers Street
• A or C Train to Chambers Street
• E Train to Canal Street
• M1 or M22 Bus to Worth Street

What information you should be prepared to provide:

When using our walk-in service please go to Room 133. The cost is $15 for each certified copy. You may pay the cashiers using cash, check or a money order.

Certificates will be released upon presentation of a signed, valid photo ID, such as a passport, driver's license, or employee ID.

If you are applying for a certificate on behalf of someone else, you must provide us with an original, notarized letter signed by that person authorizing release of their certificate to you. You must also bring with you that person's photo ID as well as your own.

Birth Certificate Application Form

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FAX

Fax a completed application or a letter stating the following information:

• Full name as listed on the birth certificate
• Sex (male or female)
• Date of birth
• Mother's maiden name (her name prior to first marriage)
• Father's full name (if available)
• Hospital or street where birth occurred and the borough
• Your relationship to the person named on the birth certificate
• Reason why you are requesting the certificate
• Credit card # (Mastercard, Visa, American Express and Discover)
• Expiration date of the credit card
• Daytime telephone number
• Your billing address
• Number of copies you want to order

To place an order, the credit card you are using must be in your name. A credit card may be used only to order birth certificates for you and your children, provided you are named on the birth certificates. To request a birth certificate for any other person, including any child where your name does not appear on the birth certificate, you must order in person or by mail.

The cost is $15 per certified copy, plus a $5.50 mailing and service charge per order. If you want delivery by a carrier who will provide service within 2-3 days, there will be an additional $12.50 shipping and handling charge. If not, please allow up to two weeks for your request to be processed.

Send fax to:
(212) 962-6105 if calling from the 5 boroughs, NYC
(800) 908-9146 if calling from outside NYC

Birth Certificate Application Form
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