Where to order a death certificate in New York City

You order a death certificate from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), which keeps records for all five boroughs. You cannot order directly from a hospital, funeral home, or doctor's office — those places will direct you to DOHMH. The department has three ways to order: in person at their office in lower Manhattan, by mail, or online through their VitalChek portal.

The in-person office is located at 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013, in the Manhattan borough. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed weekends and city holidays. If you go in person, bring a photo ID and cash or card. You can walk in without an appointment, though wait times vary by day and time of day.

By mail, you send a completed process form (VS-4, the "process for Certified Copy of Death Record") along with a copy of your ID and payment to the same address. Processing takes about two to four weeks from the date DOHMH receives your envelope. Online ordering through VitalChek (vitalchek.com) is the fastest route for most people — you can order 24/7, and they ship the certificate to you within three to five business days after processing.

Key Takeaways

  • The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the only place that issues death certificates for all five boroughs, and you must order from them directly.
  • You can order in person at 125 Worth Street in Manhattan, by mail with form VS-4, or online through VitalChek; online is usually fastest at three to five business days.
  • You need a photo ID and payment (fees vary by number of copies ordered, typically $15 to $30 per certified copy), and the death must have occurred in New York City.
  • If you do not know the exact date of death or the person's full name as it appeared on their birth certificate, DOHMH can search their records, but this may add time to your order.
  • Certified copies are required for legal matters like probate, insurance claims, and changing titles or deeds; photocopies or uncertified versions will not work.

What information you need before you order

DOHMH needs the full name of the deceased person exactly as it appeared on their birth certificate, the date of death, and the borough where the death occurred. If you do not have the exact date, you can provide an approximate date (within a few months) and DOHMH will search their records. The search takes longer — usually an additional week — but it is possible.

If the person's name changed after birth (through marriage, legal name change, or other means), you may need to provide both the birth name and the name used at death. Have this information ready before you start your order, whether online or by mail, because it speeds up processing.

Fees and how many copies to order

A single certified copy costs $15 if you order in person or by mail, or $20 if you order online through VitalChek (the extra $5 covers their processing fee). Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $5 more per copy, whether in person, by mail, or online.

Order more than one copy if you need them. You will likely need certified copies for a will, life insurance claims, Social Security, bank accounts, property deeds, and other legal or financial matters. Ordering five copies at once is often cheaper and faster than ordering one copy now and coming back later for more. The cost difference is small — five copies in person costs $35 total, versus $15 for one copy.

Ordering by mail: step-by-step

read or request form VS-4 from the DOHMH website (nyc.gov/health). Fill in the deceased person's full name, date of death, borough of death, and your relationship to them. Include a photocopy of your ID (front and back), a check or money order for the correct amount, and your return address.

Mail the envelope to: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Vital Records Section, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013. Do not send cash by mail. Processing takes two to four weeks from receipt. You can call 311 (or 212-788-4520 from outside the city) to ask whether your order has arrived, but they cannot tell you the status of processing — you will receive your certificate by mail when it is ready.

Ordering online through VitalChek

Go to vitalchek.com and select New York as the state and New York City as the location. You will create an account, enter the deceased person's information, choose how many copies you want, and pay by credit or debit card. VitalChek processes the order and sends it to DOHMH. Once DOHMH processes it (usually one to two business days), VitalChek ships the certificate to your address via UPS or standard mail, depending on the shipping option you choose.

VitalChek charges $20 per certified copy plus a processing fee (around $7 to $10) and shipping costs. The total for one copy is usually $30 to $35. This is more expensive than ordering in person or by mail, but the turnaround is faster — three to five business days total from order to delivery. If you need the certificate urgently, this is the fastest legal route.

Ordering in person at the DOHMH office

Bring a photo ID, the deceased person's full name, date of death, and borough of death. Walk into 125 Worth Street during business hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Tell the staff member you need a certified copy of a death certificate. They will ask you to fill out form VS-4 on the spot if you have not already.

Pay cash or card for the number of copies you want. You will receive your certified copies before you leave — usually within 30 minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is. This is the only method that gives you the certificate the same day. If you live in or can travel to Manhattan, this is the fastest and cheapest option.

What to do if the death is recent or not yet recorded

If the death occurred very recently (within the last few days), the record may not yet be in DOHMH's system. Deaths are reported to DOHMH by hospitals, nursing homes, funeral homes, or medical examiners, and it takes a few days for the paperwork to be processed and entered into the database. If you try to order and DOHMH cannot find the record, wait a few days and try again.

If the death occurred outside New York City, you cannot order from DOHMH. You must order from the vital records office in the state or county where the death occurred. If you are unsure where the death was recorded, call 311 and ask for guidance, or contact the National Center for Health Statistics (cdc.gov/nchs) for help locating the correct office.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can someone else order a death certificate for me?

Yes. The person ordering does not have to be a family member, but they do need to show a photo ID and have a relationship to the deceased or a legal reason to request the certificate (such as being an executor of the estate). If you are ordering on behalf of someone else, bring a letter from that person authorizing you to order, along with both your ID and theirs.

What if I need the certificate urgently, like within 24 hours?

The only way to get a death certificate within 24 hours is to go in person to 125 Worth Street during business hours. If it is after hours or a weekend, you cannot get one faster. VitalChek's fastest option is three to five business days. Plan ahead if you know you will need the certificate soon.

Do I need a certified copy, or will a photocopy work?

For legal and financial matters — probate, insurance claims, bank accounts, property transfers, Social Security — you need a certified copy with the official seal and signature. A photocopy or uncertified version will not be accepted. Always order certified copies unless you are only using the certificate for personal reference.

What if the person's name on the death certificate is different from what I expected?

The death certificate shows the name as it appeared on the person's birth certificate, not necessarily the name they used in life. If the name does not match what you expected, contact DOHMH at 311 or 212-788-4520 to confirm you have the right record. If there is an error on the certificate itself, you will need to file a correction request with DOHMH, which is a separate process.

Can I order a death certificate if I am not a family member?

Yes, but you need a reason. DOHMH will issue a certified copy to anyone with a legitimate interest — this includes executors, attorneys, creditors, and others handling the deceased person's affairs. You may be asked to explain your relationship or reason for requesting the certificate. Bring documentation of your role if you have it.