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1. What is the fee for a certified copy of a birth or death record?

Each copy is $10, or $22 for a genealogy record. Payment is accepted in the form of a certified bank’s check or money order payable to the City of Albany. Credit cards are accepted, but an additional fee of $6 is charged. Cash can only be accepted in person at our office, not through the mail.

2. Who is eligible to obtain a birth or death certificate copy?

Please review the eligibility for obtaining records in the City of Albany on our Birth Records page, Death Records page, and our Genealogy page. Requests are rejected without acceptable identification; for more information visit the Acceptable Identification page.

3. How long will it take to get the certified copy from Vital Statistics?

Vital Statistics provides immediate assistance to those making requests in person. Other requests:

• U.S. Postal Express, UPS Overnight or FedEx requests are sent immediately.
• Regular first class mail requests are usually sent out within 2 days.
• Genealogy requests may take up to 2 weeks.

Note: Processing times are approximate and may vary with current workload, as well as circumstances beyond our control.

4. Where do I obtain a birth or death record for someone born in New York City?

For events in one of the 5 boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx or Staten Island), please visit the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

5. Where do I obtain a birth or death record for someone in New York State, but not in the City of Albany or New York City?

Records may be obtained from the local registrar of the city where the event took place. You can also search for records from the New York State Department of Health.

6. How do I get a birth or death record outside of New York State?

These records are obtained through the Vital Statistics office in the state or area the event occurred. A complete listing of all state offices is available online at the National Center for Health Statistics. For more information visit the National Archives Vital Records page.

7. Where can I obtain information from my birth record if I am adopted?

NY State Department of Health Vital Records Section operates the Adoption Information Registry. This registry helps the adoptee, born in New York State, obtain available non-identifying information about their birth parents and enables the reunion of registered the adoptee with their birth parents and biological siblings. Finally, the Adoption Information Registry provides a place for birth parents to file medical information updates, which may be shared with the registered adoptee.