Where to Request a Death Certificate in NYC

You can request a death certificate from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), which maintains all vital records for deaths that occurred in the five boroughs. You have three options: order in person at their office in Manhattan, order by mail, or order online through their official website. Each method takes different amounts of time and costs different fees.

The in-person office is located at 125 Worth Street, Room 133, in lower Manhattan. It is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and closed on weekends and city holidays. If you order by mail or online, you will need to provide specific information about the person who died and pay a processing fee.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the only office that issues death certificates for deaths in New York City, and you can order in person, by mail, or online.
  • You will need the full name of the deceased, the date of death, and the borough where the death occurred to place an order.
  • In-person orders at 125 Worth Street take about 15 minutes and cost $15 for the first certificate; mail and online orders take 2 to 4 weeks.
  • You can order multiple certified copies at once, which is useful because banks, insurance companies, and courts often require originals.
  • If the death occurred before 1949 or outside the five boroughs, you will need to contact a different office or the state vital records bureau.

Information You Need Before You Order

Gather these details before you contact the DOHMH: the full legal name of the deceased person, the date of death, the borough where the death occurred (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx, or Staten Island), and the person's date of birth if you have it. If you do not have all this information, the office can sometimes search their records, but it will take longer.

You will also need to know your relationship to the deceased — the DOHMH asks this on the order form. You do not need to be a family member to order a death certificate; friends, employers, and others with a legitimate reason can request one, though the office may ask follow-up questions about why you need it.

Ordering in Person at the DOHMH Office

Walk into the office at 125 Worth Street, Room 133, and bring a photo ID. Tell the staff member you need a death certificate. They will give you a form to fill out with the deceased person's name, date of death, and borough. The form takes about five minutes to complete.

Payment is cash or card. A single certified copy costs $15. If you need multiple copies, order them all at once — each additional copy costs $15. The office will give you the certificates on the spot, usually within 15 minutes. This is the fastest way to get a death certificate if you are in or near Manhattan.

Ordering by Mail

read the death certificate request form from the NYC DOHMH website or call 311 and ask them to mail you one. Fill out the form with the deceased person's full name, date of death, borough of death, and your relationship to the deceased. Include a photocopy of your ID and a check or money order for $15 per certificate.

Mail the completed form, ID copy, and payment to: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Vital Records Section, 125 Worth Street, Room 133, New York, NY 10013. Processing takes 2 to 4 weeks from the date they receive your request. If you need the certificate faster, use the in-person or online method instead.

Ordering Online Through the DOHMH Website

Visit the NYC DOHMH vital records page and select "Order a Death Certificate." You will enter the deceased person's full name, date of death, borough, and your relationship to them. The online form also asks for your email address and phone number so the office can contact you if they need more information.

Payment is by credit or debit card. The fee is $15 per certificate. After you submit the order, the DOHMH will mail the certificate to the address you provide. This method takes 2 to 4 weeks. You will receive a confirmation email with a reference number you can use to check the status of your order.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most common mistake is ordering only one copy when you actually need several. Banks, insurance companies, courts, and government agencies often require original certified copies, and they do not return them. If you need to settle an estate, file for life insurance, or handle legal matters, order at least three copies at once. It is much cheaper to order extras now than to place a second order later.

Another mistake is providing incomplete information. If you list the wrong borough or spell the name differently than it appears on the death certificate, the office may not find the record and your order will be delayed. Double-check the spelling of the deceased person's full legal name and confirm the correct borough before you submit your request.

Do not assume the death certificate will arrive at your home automatically. If you order by mail or online, you must provide a mailing address. The DOHMH will not hold certificates at their office for pickup unless you specifically request that option when you order.

What to Do If the Death Occurred Before 1949 or Outside NYC

If the person died in New York City before 1949, contact the NYC Municipal Archives at 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007, or call 212-788-8550. They maintain older vital records that the DOHMH does not issue.

If the death occurred outside New York City but within New York State, contact the New York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section, at 800-458-1188 or visit their website. If the death occurred in another state, you will need to contact that state's vital records office. The CDC website has a directory of vital records offices by state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a death certificate cost?

A single certified copy costs $15. Each additional copy ordered at the same time also costs $15. If you order by mail, add the cost of postage and a check or money order. There are no extra fees for online orders beyond the $15 per certificate.

Can I get a death certificate the same day?

Yes, if you go in person to 125 Worth Street. The office will give you the certificate within 15 minutes. Mail and online orders take 2 to 4 weeks. If you need it urgently, the in-person method is your only option.

Do I need to be related to the deceased to order a death certificate?

No. Anyone can order a death certificate if they have a legitimate reason. The DOHMH may ask why you need it, but they do not restrict orders to family members only. Employers, attorneys, and others can request one.

What if I do not know the exact date of death?

Provide the approximate date or the month and year. The DOHMH staff can search their records using the person's name and borough. Searching takes longer than a standard order, but they can usually find the record if you give them the right name and location.

Can I order a death certificate for someone who died in another country?

No. The NYC DOHMH only issues certificates for deaths that occurred in the five boroughs. If the death occurred outside the United States, you will need to contact the vital records office in that country or state.