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 keeps all death records for people who died in the five boroughs. You have three ways to request one: in person at their office in Manhattan, by mail, or online through their website.

The in-person office is located at 125 Worth Street, Room 133, New York, NY 10013, in lower Manhattan. They are open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and closed on weekends and city holidays. If you go in person, bring a photo ID and cash or a money order—they do not accept credit cards or checks at the counter.

If you cannot go in person, you can mail a request or file one online at vitalrecords.health.ny.gov. The online option is usually the fastest and most convenient, though you will need to pay by credit card or debit card.

Key Takeaways

  • The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is the only office that issues death certificates for deaths that occurred in New York City.
  • You can request a certificate in person at 125 Worth Street in Manhattan, by mail, or online at vitalrecords.health.ny.gov.
  • A certified copy costs $15 and typically takes 5 to 10 business days by mail or 1 to 3 business days online.
  • You will need to provide the full name of the deceased, date of death, and your relationship to them, plus a reason for requesting the certificate.
  • If you do not know the exact date of death or the person's full name, the DOHMH can search their records for a small additional fee.

What Information You Need to Provide

Before you request a certificate, gather the following details about the deceased: their full legal name, date of death, and place of death (the hospital or address). You will also need to state your relationship to the deceased and your reason for requesting the certificate.

Common reasons include settling an estate, claiming life insurance, changing a marriage or birth certificate, or explore for survivor benefits. The DOHMH does not restrict who can request a death certificate—anyone can order one—but you must state your reason.

If you do not have the exact date of death or the full legal name, you can still request a search. The DOHMH will look through their records for a fee of $15 per search, in addition to the cost of the certificate itself if they find it.

Ordering Online at vitalrecords.health.ny.gov

The online system is the fastest way to get a death certificate. Go to vitalrecords.health.ny.gov, select "Death Certificate" from the menu, and fill in the deceased's name, date of death, and your relationship to them. You will also choose how many certified copies you want—most people order 3 to 5 copies because you often need them for multiple purposes.

Enter your payment information (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, or Discover) and submit. The system will confirm your order when ready. You can then track your request online using the confirmation number they give you.

Processing time is typically 1 to 3 business days, and the certificate will be mailed to the address you provide. Shipping is included in the $15 per copy fee. If you need the certificate urgently, there is no expedited option through the online system, but the standard timeline is still much faster than mail-in requests.

Requesting by Mail

To request by mail, read the process form from the DOHMH website or call 311 to request one be mailed to you. Fill out the form completely with the deceased's full name, date of death, and your information. Include a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for $15 per copy, made payable to "NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene."

Mail the completed form to: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Vital Records Section, 125 Worth Street, Room 133, New York, NY 10013.

Processing by mail typically takes 5 to 10 business days from the date the DOHMH receives your request, not from the date you mail it. Include a return envelope with your address and postage if you want the certificate mailed back to you. Without a return envelope, you will need to pick it up in person.

Requesting in Person at the DOHMH Office

Walk into the office at 125 Worth Street, Room 133, between 9 a.m. and 4:45 p.m. on a weekday. Bring your photo ID, the deceased's full name and date of death, and cash or a money order for $15 per copy. You can request up to 10 copies at once.

The office is usually busy in the morning and early afternoon. If you go late in the day (after 3 p.m.), you may wait less time. You will receive your certificates the same day you request them, which makes this the fastest option if you can get to lower Manhattan.

The office is accessible by subway: the 4, 5, and 6 trains stop at Brooklyn Bridge–City Hall, and the A and C trains stop at Chambers Street. Street parking is difficult in this area, so public transit is recommended.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Do not assume you need the person's Social Security number—you do not. The DOHMH only needs the full name, date of death, and place of death. If you provide a wrong date or misspelled name, your request will be delayed while they search or contact you for clarification.

Do not order just one copy if you think you will need more later. Ordering multiple copies at once costs the same per copy as ordering them separately, but you avoid the hassle of requesting again. Most people need at least 3 copies for banks, insurance companies, and government agencies.

Do not send cash by mail—use a check or money order instead. Do not send your original photo ID; send a copy. And do not expect to pick up a mail-in request at the office unless you specifically arranged that when you submitted your request.

What Happens If the Death Was Not in NYC

If the person died outside New York City, you cannot get the certificate from the DOHMH. You will need to contact the vital records office in the state or county where the death occurred. Each state has its own vital records agency with different fees, processing times, and procedures.

To find the right office, search online for "[state name] vital records" or call 311 in New York and ask for a referral. Some states allow online requests, while others require mail or in-person visits. If you are unsure which state to contact, the funeral home that handled the arrangements usually has this information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a death certificate cost?

A certified copy costs $15 in New York City. You can order multiple copies at the same time for $15 each. There is no difference in price between ordering online, by mail, or in person.

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

Yes. The DOHMH does not restrict who can request a death certificate. You just need to state your relationship to the deceased and your reason for requesting it. Reasons might include being an executor of an estate, a creditor, or a researcher.

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

You can request a search of the DOHMH records. Provide the name and approximate year of death, and they will search for a fee of $15 per search. If they find the record, you then pay $15 for the certified copy. If they do not find it, the search fee is not refunded.

How long does it take to get a death certificate?

Online requests typically take 1 to 3 business days. Mail-in requests take 5 to 10 business days from the date the DOHMH receives them. In-person requests are completed the same day. There is no expedited option.

Can I request a death certificate for someone who died a long time ago?

Yes. The DOHMH keeps death records going back to 1949 for all five boroughs. For deaths before 1949, contact the New York City Municipal Archives. Deaths that occurred in other states require contacting that state's vital records office.