New York Vital Records: Difference between revisions

From FamilySearch Wiki
VisualWikitext
(link)
 
(192 intermediate revisions by 36 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
''[[United States|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[New York|New York]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[New_York_Vital_Records|Vital Records]]''
{{NY-sidebar}}
 
{{breadcrumb
'''Introduction to Vital Records'''
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
 
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
[[United States Vital Records|Vital Records]] consist of [[United States Birth Records|births]], adoptions, [[United States Marriage Records|marriages]], divorces, and [[United States Death Records|deaths]] recorded on registers, certificates, and documents. [[Locating United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]]&nbsp;has&nbsp;additional research guidance&nbsp;on researching and using vital records. In New York, New York City keeps vital records separately from New York State. Learn more about New York City Vital Records and how to order them [[New York City, New York#Vital_Records|here]]. Records from New York State can be obtained from the [http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/ New York State Department of Health].<br>
| link3=[[New York, United States Genealogy|New York]]
 
| link4=
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="0" class="FCK__ShowTableBorders"
| link5=[[New York Vital Records|Vital Records]]
}}
<div style="width:23%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
== New York Vital Records Dates ==
{| class="wikitable" width="40%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
| width="15%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
| width="10%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="center" | '''[[New York Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]'''
| width="10%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="center" | '''[[New York Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]'''
| width="10%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="center" | '''[[New York Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]'''
|-
|-
| width="44%" | __TOC__
| width="15%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''New York City*'''<ref>New York City consists of five boroughs: Manhattan (New York County), Brooklyn (Kings County ), The Bronx (Bronx County), Staten Island (Richmond County), and Queens (Queens County)</ref><ref>[https://a860-collectionguides.nyc.gov/repositories/2/resources/74 Dates per NYC Dept of Records]</ref>
| valign="middle" | <center>'''&nbsp; [[Image:Vital Records Collage.JPG|center|250px|Vital Records Collage.JPG]]&nbsp;&nbsp; '''<br></center>  
| width="10%" align="center" | 1847, 1853
=== Vital Records Reference Dates  ===
| width="10%" align="center" | 1829
 
| width="10%" align="center" | 1812
Vital Records for New York State (other than New York City) start the following years: <br>  
<center></center>
{| width="100%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" align="center" | <br>
| width="15%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''City/Town/Village**'''
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[New York Vital Records#Birth_Records|Births]]
| width="10%" align="center" | 1847
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[New York Vital Records#Marriage_Records|Marriages]]
| width="10%" align="center" | 1847
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | [[New York Vital Records#Death_Records|Deaths]]
| width="10%" align="center" | 1847
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Earliest
| width="15%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''State***'''
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1847<br>
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1847<br>
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1847<br>
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | Statewide Registration
| width="15%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''General Compliance'''
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1913
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1880  
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1890
|-
|-
| width="16.6%" bgcolor="#ffffcc" align="center" | General Compliance
| colspan="4"|*Most of NYC records started 1866. Their records are not part of state collections<br>**City, town, village dates vary<br>***3 other cities<ref>New York State Department of Health. [https://www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/genealogy.htm Genealogy Records and Resources] Albany (Albany County), Buffalo (Erie County), and Yonkers (Westchester County) were not included in the state collection until 1914. Contact the Local Registrar for birth and death record requests or the City Clerk for marriage record requests. (Addresses included)</ref> were not included in the state collections until 1914
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1890
| width="16.6%" align="center" | <br>  
| width="16.6%" align="center" | 1890
|}
|}
<div style="clear:left"></div>
== Online Resources ==
'''''Note:''' Cities of [https://www.albanyny.gov/160/City-Clerk Albany] ([[Albany County, New York Genealogy#Vital_Records|Albany County]]); [https://www.buffalony.gov/276/City-Clerk Buffalo] ([[Erie County, New York Genealogy#Vital_Records|Erie County]]); and [https://www.yonkersny.gov/163/Certificates-Licenses-Permits Yonkers] ([[Westchester County, New York Genealogy#Vital_Records|Weschester County]]) were not included in the state records and indexes until 1914.''<br>
===Birth===
*'''1640-1962''' {{RecordSearch|1680842|New York Births and Christenings, 1640-1962}} at FamilySearch — index
*'''1704-1962''' {{RecordSearch|2443988|New York Church and Civil Births and Baptisms, 1704-1962}} at FamilySearch — [[New York, Church and Civil Births and Baptisms - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
*'''1881-1942''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10827/new-york-birth-index-1881-1942?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=jan20historicalrecords&utm_content=jan20historicalrecords New York, Birth Index, 1881–1942] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1881-1942''' [https://archive.org/details/nybirthindex New York State Birth Index, 1881-1942] at Reclaim the Records — index
*'''1881-1942''' {{RecordSearch|4460198|New York, Birth Indexes outside of New York City, 1881-1942}} at FamilySearch — [[New York, Birth Indexes outside of New York City - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images
===Marriage===
*'''Pre-1699''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=2081 American Marriages Before 1699] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''Pre-1784''' [https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/140531-names-of-persons-for-whom-marriage-licenses-were-issued-by-the-secretary-of-the-province-of-new-york-previous-to-1784?offset=1 Names of persons for whom marriage licenses were issued by the secretary of the province of New York, previous to 1784] at FamilySearch — eBook; ''Also at: [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=12892 Ancestry]($)''
*'''1600s-1900s''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=new%20york US Marriages – New York] at Findmypast — index ($)
*'''1600-1784''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4205 New York Marriages Index, 1600-1784] at Ancestry — index ($)
*'''1639-1962''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-records/united-states-marriages?state=new%20york US Marriages – New York] at Findmypast — index & images ($)
*'''1686-1980''' {{RecordSearch|1680847|New York Marriages, 1686-1980}} at FamilySearch — [[New York Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1847-1936''' {{RecordSearch|1618491|New York, County Marriages, 1847-1848; 1908-1936}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, County Marriages - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1881-1952''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20846/new-york-state-marriages-1881-1952?s=275764761 New York State Marriages, 1881-1952] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
*'''1881-1967''' [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61632 New York State Marriage Index, 1881-1967] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1908-1935''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20627/new-york-marriages-1908-1935?s=275764761 New York Marriages, 1908-1935] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)
===Death===
*'''1758-1862''' [http://search.findmypast.co.uk/search-world-Records/new-york-deaths-and-burials-1758-1862?utm_source=fmp&utm_medium=email&utm_content=575799-A-29-A&utm_campaign=fridays&dclid=CPa8h_yrpMgCFUswaQodXNUPkg New York Deaths and Burials 1758-1862] at Findmypast — index ($)
*'''1795-1952''' {{RecordSearch|1680846|New York Deaths and Burials, 1795-1952}} at FamilySearch — [[New York Deaths and Burials - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1801-1890''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=8920 New York, Death Newspaper Extracts, 1801-1890 (Barber Collection)] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1824-1962''' {{RecordSearch|2373798|New York, Church and Civil Deaths, 1824-1962}} at FamilySearch — [[New York, Church and Civil Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1852-1956''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61535 New York Death Index, 1852-1956] at Ancestry — index & images ($)
*'''1880-1955''' [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/new-york-state-death-index-browse New York State Death Index] at Findmypast — index ($)
*'''1880-1956''' {{RecordSearch|2803479|New York State Death Index, 1880-1956}} at FamilySearch — [[New York, State Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index & images; ''Also at: [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10701/new-york-state-death-index-1880-1956 MyHeritage]($)''
*'''1957-1963''' {{RecordSearch|2285574|New York State Health Department Genealogical Research Death Index, 1957-1963}} at FamilySearch — [[New York, State Health Department, Genealogical Research Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index only
*'''1957-1969''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10315/new-york-state-deaths-1957-1969 New York State Deaths, 1957-1969] at MyHeritage — index ($)


|}
===Divorce===
*See [[New York Divorce Records|New York Divorce Records]] for more resources.


== New York Birth, Marriage and Death Records Online  ==
===New York City===


{{Indexing badge
''Birth''<br>
| layout = horizontal
*'''1846-1909''' {{RecordSearch|2240282|New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, New York City Births - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
| link = https://indexing.familysearch.org/projtab/viewProject.jsf?url=US_New_York-Marriages_1908-1935_Part_B/ProjectHelp1.html
*'''1855-1949''' [https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/ Historical Vital Records of NYC] at New York City Municipal Archives; ongoing project digitizing original birth, marriage, and death records — index & images
| name = US, New York - Marriage Licenses 1908 - 1935 PartB
*'''1858-1909''' [http://www.germangenealogygroup.com/records-search/births.php German Genealogy Group] Birth records from 1858 to 1909 for the five boroughs of New York City (Bronx, Kings, Manhattan, Queens and Richmond).
}}  
*'''1866-1909''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61779/ New York, New York, U.S., Index to Birth Certificates, 1866-1909] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1878-1909''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9089/ New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Birth Index, 1878-1909] at Ancestry - index ($); ''Also at [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10735/new-york-city-birth-index-1878-1909?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=sep19historicalrecords&utm_content=sep19historicalrecords MyHeritage]'' index ($)
*'''1879-1909''' [http://www.stevemorse.org/vital/nybirthigg.html New York City Birth Index] at SteveMorse.org — index & images
*'''1910-1965''' [https://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61457 New York, New York, U.S., Birth Index, 1910-1965] at Ancestry - index & images ($)
<br>
''Marriage''<br>
*'''1829-1940''' {{RecordSearch|2143225|New York, New York City Marriage Records, 1829-1940}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, New York City Marriage Records - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]] — index
*'''1855-1949''' [https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/ Historical Vital Records of NYC] at New York City Municipal Archives; ongoing project digitizing original birth, marriage, and death records — index & images
*'''1864-1937''' [http://www.stevemorse.org/vital/nymarriages.html?index=groom New York City Marriage Indexes, 1864-1937 - Groom] at SteveMorse.org — index & images; '''''Also at:''''' [http://www.germangenealogygroup.com/records-search/grooms.php New York City Grooms Index] German Genealogy Group - index
*'''1864-1937''' [http://www.stevemorse.org/vital/nymarriages.html?index=bride New York City Marriage Indexes, 1864-1937 - Bride] at SteveMorse.org — index & images; '''''Also at:''''' [http://www.germangenealogygroup.com/records-search/brides.php New York City Brides Index] at German Genealogy Group - index
*'''1866-1937''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9105/ New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Marriage Index, 1866-1937] at Ancestry - index ($); ''Also at [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10876/new-york-city-marriage-index-1866-1937?s=275764761 MyHeritage] ($)''
*'''1907-2018''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61406 New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1908-1910, 1938-1940''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61788/ New York, New York, Index to Marriage Licenses, 1908-1910, 1938-1940] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1950-2017''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10540/new-york-city-marriages-1950-2017?s=275764761 New York City Marriages, 1950-2017] at MyHeritage - index ($)
*'''1950-1995''' {{RecordSearch|2727138|New York, New York City Marriage Licenses Index, 1950-1995}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, New York City Marriage Licenses Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
<br>
''Death''<br>
*'''1795-1949''' {{RecordSearch|2240477|New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, New York City Municipal Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1814-1816''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4256 New York City, Compiled Death Index, 1814-1816] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''1855-1949''' [https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/ Historical Vital Records of NYC] at New York City Municipal Archives; ongoing project digitizing ''original'' birth, marriage, and death records — index & images
*'''1862-1948''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=9131 New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948] at Ancestry - index ($); ''Also at [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10734/new-york-city-death-index-1862-1948?utm_source=organic_blog&utm_medium=blog&utm_campaign=supersearch&tr_funnel=supersearch&tr_country=US&tr_creative=sep19historicalrecords&utm_content=sep19historicalrecords MyHeritage]'' ($)
*'''1862-1948''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/61778/ New York, New York, U.S., Index to Death Certificates, 1862-1948] at Ancestry - index ($); '''''Also at:''''' [https://www.germangenealogygroup.com/records-search/deaths.php German Genealogy Group] — index;
*'''1866-1948''' [https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/9131/ New York, New York, U.S., Extracted Death Index, 1862-1948] at MyHeritage — index ($)
*'''1949-1965''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=61461 New York, New York, U.S., Death Index, 1949-1965] at Ancestry - index & images ($)


The following is a list of online resources useful for locating New York Vital Records. Most online resources for New York Vital Records are indexes. The official New York state vital records index is held on microfiche at select libraries in New York. According to state law this index cannot be copied. Therefore it cannot be put online and cannot be viewed out of state. After locating a person in an index always consult the original record to [[Contradictions and discrepancies|confirm the information]] in the index. '''<br>'''  
== Get Copies ==
''Please note that New York State does not hold New York City vital records.''<br>
{| class="wikitable" width="65%"
|-
|colspan=2|''Restrictions:''<br>
*Birth records 75 years, death records 50 years, marriage records 50 years<ref>[https://www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/genealogy.htm Vital Records/Genealogy] at State Department of Health</ref>
**Restrictions waived if the applicant provides documentation of direct line descent
**Persons to whom the record relates must be deceased
|-
| width="33%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" | '''New York State'''
| width="32%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" | '''New York City'''
|-
| width="33%" valign="top" height="25" align="left" |
''Steps:''<br>
#Search [[New York Vital Records#Online Resources|indexes in Online Resources]]
#Note date, place, and certificate number
#Order copies from Dept of Health or from that town, village, city<br>
'''New York State Department of Health'''<br>
Vital Records Section<br>
New York State Bureau of Vital Records<br>
800 North Pearl<br>
Albany, NY 12204<br>
Phone: 855-322-1022<br>
Email: [mailto:dohweb@health.ny.gov dohweb@health.ny.gov]<br>
[https://www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/ Website]
*The State Department of Health issues certified copies of ''restricted'' records when requirements are met
*Uncertified copies available of vital records for genealogical purposes<ref>[https://www.archives.nysed.gov/research/birth-marriage-death-records Sources of Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates]</ref>
**[https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-4380.pdf Birth], [https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-4376.pdf Death], [https://www.health.ny.gov/forms/doh-4382.pdf Marriage] order forms
**Orders may take 8 months or longer. Local registrars may respond more quickly<ref>New York State Department of Health. [https://www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/genealogy.htm Vital Records Genealogy] accessed September 2024</ref>


*[http://userdb.rootsweb.ancestry.com/regional.html#New York/ New York Databases] listed on [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/ Rootsweb.com] - Free
'''New York State Archives'''<br>
*USGenWeb.org [http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nygenweb/ New York Site] - Free
New York State Education Department<br>
*Search for New York Collections on [https://www.familysearch.org/ FamilySearch.org] under [https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/list#page=1&region=UNITED_STATES United States] - Free
Cultural Education Center<br>
*Linkpendium Links for [http://www.linkpendium.com/genealogy/USA/NY/ New York Genealogy and History], including individual Counties&nbsp;-&nbsp;Free/$
Albany, NY 12230<br>
*Search the [http://www.ancestry.com/search/locality/dbpage.aspx?tp=2&p=35&categoryFilterID=34&showPaging=true New York Birth, Marriage &amp; Death] Records at Ancestry.com - $
Phone: (518) 474-6926<br>
*[http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary 1,100 Vital Records of Northeastern New York 1835-1850] on [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/ New York Family History] - $<ref>Fred Q. Bowman and Thomas J. Lynch, "1,100 Vital Records of Northeastern New York 1835-1850," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' '''Surnames A-C:''' Vol. 118, No. 3 (Jul. 1987):135-142; '''Surnames C-H:''' Vol. 118, No. 4 (Oct. 1987):203-209; '''Surnames H-P:''' Vol. 119, No. 1 (Jan. 1988):35-43; '''Surnames P-T:''' Vol. 119, No. 2 (Apr. 1988):91-98; '''Surnames V-Z:''' Vol. 119, No. 3 (Jul. 1988):166-170. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|161380|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 118-119}}. Indexes vital records published in Essex and Washington county newspapers.</ref>  
Email: archinfo@nysed.gov<br>
*Order [http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm New York Certificates] online - $
[https://www.archives.nysed.gov/research/featured-topics Website]
<div style="width: 147%; float: left;">
* The New York State Archives only holds indexes to birth, marriage, and death certificates<ref>[https://www.archives.nysed.gov/research/birth-marriage-death-records Birth, Marriage, and Death Records] at New York State Archives</ref>
*[http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/genealogy/vitrec.htm New York State Library] Information on obtaining vital records in New York state
*[http://www.rootsweb.com/~nysuffol/vroi.html Suffolk County GenWeb] Information on ordering vital records in New York state
*[http://www.italiangen.org/VRECLIST.stm Italian Genealogical Group] Index of many of the vital records of New York City and Long Island
*[http://newyork-genealogy.com/New-York-Vital-Records.cfm New York Genealogy--Vital Records] Organizes vital record sources by locality in New York


If you are aware of other online databases, please feel free to add them.  
'''City/Town/Village Records'''<br>
</div>
Contact the clerk or registrar of the locality to obtain a copy of unrestricted certificates.<ref>Local registrars of vital statistics (town, village, city, or consolidated county district) hold registers of births, marriages, and deaths or for recent decades, duplicate certificates. Per New York State Department of Health. Called 855-322-1022 on 10/15/2024. No online list of local registrars available.</ref>
*Search indexes in [[New York Vital Records#Online Resources|Online Resources]] above to learn the locality where an event occurred.
*Search the Internet for contact information for a local registrar.
''See also:''<br>
*''New York State Towns, Villages, and Cities : A Guide to Genealogical Sources,'' by Gordon L. Remington. {{FSC|1047758|item|disp=FS Catalog book 974.7 D27r}}; {{WorldCat|50121406|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}};


== Overview  ==
| width="32%" valign="top" height="25" align="left" |
'''New York City Municipal Archives (NYCMA)''' <br>(births, marriages, deaths)<br>
31 Chambers Street<br>
New York, New York 10007<br>
[https://a860-collectionguides.nyc.gov/repositories/2/resources/74 Website]
* [https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/ NYC Historical Vital Records Project] at New York City Municipal Archives
* [https://dorisorders.nyc.gov/dorisorders/ui/order-vital-records Order Vital Records] at NYC Department Records and Information Services


Among the laws of the Colony of New York set down in 1664 (following the capture of New York from the Dutch) was the requirement that "The Minister or Town Clark of every parrish shall well and truly and plainly Record all Births Marriages and Burials that shall happen within his Respective parrish, in a Book to be provided by the Churchwardener for that purpose." <ref>''The Colonial Laws of New York from the Year 1664 to the Revolution,'' (Albany, NY: James B. Lyon, State Printer, 1894), p. 19. Digital version at [http://books.google.com/books?id=QKAAAAIAA Google Books]. </ref> Though most communities in New York interpreted this law to mean that the churches were responsible for keeping vital records, there were some marriages licenses recorded by civil authorities. (See Records of Marriages below.)
'''NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene'''<br> (births and deaths) <br>
Records Access Officer<br>
Gotham Center<br>
42-09 28th Street, Floor 14th, CN31<br>
Long Island City, NY 11101<br>
Phone: 212-639-9675<br>
[https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/birth-death-records.page Website]<br>
*[https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/birth-death-records-ordering.page Order Records]


After the American Revolution, any attempt by civil authorities to record vital events in the State of New York stopped. A meeting of the National Medical Convention in Philadelphia held in 1847 changed all that when a resolution was passed to encourage statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths via legislation from the individual states. New York jumped on board with the resolution and passed a law requiring the registration of vital events. Unfortunately, the resulting law was convoluted. The trustees of each school district (there were over 10,000 school districts in New York at the time) were required to review the records of the local midwives and doctors and compile births, marriages and deaths and report them to the local town or city clerk. The town and city clerks were compile and submit a report to the county clerk who then reported to the Secretary State. The Secretary of State was then required to submit a report to the State Legislature. Though most communities registered vital events for 1847, the practice quickly fell into disfavor and few towns and cities compiled vital records after 1850.<ref>The Historical Records Survey, ''Guide to Public Vital Records in New York State (Including New York City),'' (Albany, NY: Works Projects Administration, 1942), v. 1, pp. vii-viii.</ref>
'''City Clerk of New York'''<br>(marriages) <br>
Attn: Record Room<br>
141 Worth Street<br>
New York, NY 10013<br>
[https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/content/ Website]
* [https://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov/assets/cityclerk/downloads/pdf/mail_in_request_form%20final.pdf Order Form]


In the years following the failed 1847 law, some of the cities in New York did start keeping their own vital records. The vital records for this time period are held by the cities that created them and copies are not on file with the state. The cities that kept early vital records included:
''See also:''<br>
*[[New York City Vital Records|New York City Vital Records]]
|-
|}


{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
== Coverage and Compliance ==
''Statewide:'' (except New York City)<br>
*'''1847-1849:''' Several laws were passed in the New York State Legislature requiring the creation of birth, marriage, and death records by municipalities in the state. Compliance stopped a few years after.
*'''1880-1881:''' New York began statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths, under supervision of the State and local boards of health.
**Compliance with the law was incomplete until 1913 or even later, resulting with incomplete records.<ref>[https://www.archives.nysed.gov/research/birth-marriage-death-records Birth, Marriage, and Death Records] at New York State Archives</ref>
*See [[New_York_Law_and_Legislation#Laws_for_Recording_Birth_and_Death_Records|New York Law and Legislation]] for more information.
<br>
''New York City:''<br>
*'''1847-1913:''' These laws transformed vital record keeping practices in New York City and in municipalities whose vital records are now held by the New York City Municipal Archives.
*'''1866:''' New York State Legislature created the New York City Metropolitan Board of Health, marking the beginning of birth, marriage, and death certificates issued in the City of New York and in the City of Brooklyn (Brooklyn had begun issuing death certificates in 1862). Compliance unknown<ref>[https://a860-collectionguides.nyc.gov/repositories/2/resources/74 New York State and New York City, 1847-1949</ref>
<br>
'''New York Cities That Kept Early Vital Records:'''<br>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
| New York <br>  
|'''City'''
| (1847 for births, and 1801 for deaths)
|'''Birth and<br>Death Years'''
|-
|-
| Brooklyn
| [[New_York_City,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|New York]]
| (1866 for births and 1847 for deaths)
| 1847 for births,<br>1801 for deaths
|-
|-
| Albany
| [[Brooklyn_Borough,_New_York_Genealogy#Repositories|Brooklyn]]
| (1870)
|1866 for births,<br>1847 for deaths
|-
|-
| Buffalo
| [[Albany,_Albany_County,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|Albany]]
| (1878)
| 1870
|-
|-
| Syracuse
| [[Erie_County,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|Buffalo, Erie County]]
| (1873)
| 1878
|-
|-
| Rochester
| [[Syracuse,_Onondaga_County,_New_York_Genealogy|Syracuse]]
| (1875)
| 1873
|-
|-
| Utica
| [[Rochester,_Monroe_County,_New_York_Genealogy|Rochester]]
| (1873)
| 1875
|-
|-
| Yonkers  
| [[Utica,_Oneida_County,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|Utica]]
| (1875)
| 1873
|-
| [[Westchester_County,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|Yonkers, Westchester County]]
| 1875
|}
|}


In 1880, New York created a State Board of Health which was given the responsibility of overseeing the registration of vital statistics. The State Board of Health established a Vital Records division. New York then passed a law that required births, marriages, and deaths be reported to the town, village, or city clerk within three days of their occurrence. The local clerks were then to create a copy of each vital record and forward the originals to the State Board of Health. An 1888 addendum established penalties for those who failed to report vital events. Because Albany, Buffalo, Yonkers, New York, and Brooklyn were already keeping their own vital records when the 1880 Law was passed, they were considered exempt. ''Guide to Public Vital Records in New York State (Including New York City),'' (Albany, NY: Works Projects Administration, 1942), v. 1, pp. xi.&lt;/ref&gt;
== Information in the Records ==
=== Birth Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''New York Birth Records May Include*'''
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Child'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Date/Place'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Birthplace'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Children Born/Living'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residence/Occupation'''  
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Midwife/Doctor'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information
|}


<br>  
''New York State''<br>
Births and deaths are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place, then a copy is sent to the New York State Bureau of Vital Records<br>
*'''1847:''' School District Clerks reported to town clerks, who reported to county clerks, who then reported to Secretary of State<ref>Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: introduction, viii. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|273783}}.</ref>
*'''1853:''' Law required physicians and midwives to keep registers<br>
*'''1880:''' State began collecting records from towns, villages, cities
**Exceptions:
***New York City not included in any state collections
***Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers were separate until 1914
<br>
''New York City''<br>
*'''1847:''' Towns, villages, cities in NYC area recorded and reported to counties at the time.
*'''1853:''' Health Inspector of NYC required to collect and report births, marriages, and deaths<ref>Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 2.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: v. 2 Marriages Introduction, ix. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|811281}}.</ref>
*'''1866:''' Metropolitan Board of Health created to receive reports of births and deaths.<ref>Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: Introduction pp. ix-x, images 10-11 of 283. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|273783}}. </ref>
**'''1847-1849, 1853-1917, 1866-1909:''' [https://a860-collectionguides.nyc.gov/repositories/2/archival_objects/900702 Collections Guide - Birth records] at NYC Municipal Archives<br>
<br>
''Delayed Birth Records''<br>
[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|Delayed birth records]] were created in the 1940s for adults without birth certificates, in order to be eligible for [[United_States_Social_Security_Administration_Records|Social Security]] benefits.<br>
<br>
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:New_York|New York Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find New York Birth Records|How to Find New York Birth Records]]
*[[How to Find New York City Birth Records|How to Find New York City Birth Records]]
*[[United_States_Delayed_Birth_Records|United States Delayed Birth Records]]
*[[How to Find Birth Information in the United States|How to Find Birth Information in the United States]]
*[[United States Birth Records|United States Birth Records]]
*[[United States, How to Use Birth Records|United States How to Use Birth Records]]
<div style="clear:both"></div>


== Records of Births and Deaths ==
=== Marriage Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''New York Marriage Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Names of Bride/Groom**'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Marriage'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Presiding Official'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Times Married'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Dates/Places of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residences/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
|-
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
|-
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information<br>** May be previous married name of bride
|-
|}
Before the state began registering vital statistics in 1881, some marriages were recorded by justices of the peace and some by school districts. They include licenses, affidavits, and certificates of marriage.
*For a brief period (1908-1936) the city and town licenses provide information not in the Department of Health certificates, such as:<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20010707143113/http://www.nygbs.org/Info/articles/NYC_marriages.html ''City Clerk's Marriage Licenses, New York City, 1908–1937: One of 20th Century Genealogy's Best Primary Sources''], by Leslie Corn, M.A. Originally published in The New York Genealogy and Biography Newsletter, Spring 1999. Archived page. In New York City, these licenses were issued by the Clerk's office in each borough. Exception: Bronx licenses were issued in Manhattan until the creation of Bronx County in 1914. <br>The article includes steps to locate the records and more.</ref>


Statewide registration of vital statistics began in 1880 and was usually complied with by 1890 for deaths and by 1915 for births. In some areas of Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley, some births, marriages, and deaths were recorded in town records as early as about 1665. For example, Amenia, Dutchess County, has vital records beginning in 1749. Few towns complied with this early law, however. "Governor Andros, when asked by London in 1677 to report the number of births, marriages, and deaths in the colony for the past seven years, replied 'noe account can bee given' of any of these events, because 'Ministers have been soe scarse, and Religions many.'" Lack of an established church explains why New York's vital records are inferior to those of neighboring New England.<ref>"New York's Vital Records Law of 1665," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' Vol. 132, No. 3 (Jul. 2001):170. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|161380|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 132}}.</ref><br>
#Town of birth—in the United States or abroad
#Parents' country of birth
#Former spouses living or dead
#If divorced, when and where divorce or divorces were granted
*These records remain in the custody of the town or county clerks, except where they have been transferred to a county/state/city archives
<br>
''New York State''<br>
Marriages are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place, then a copy is sent to the New York State Bureau of Vital Records. Most counties have copies.
*'''1847:''' Law requiring localities to keep and report vital records passed but often disregarded after 3-4 years.<ref>Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 2.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: v. 2 Marriages Introduction, viii. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|811281}}.</ref>
*'''1880:''' State began collecting records from towns, villages, cities
**Exceptions:
***New York City was not part of state collections
***Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers separate until 1914
<br>
''New York City''<br>
*'''1847:''' Localities within present NYC collected marriage information and reported to counties
*'''1853:''' Health Inspector of NYC required to collect and report births, marriages, and deaths<ref> Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 2.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942; v. 2 Marriages, Introduction, ix. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|811281}}.</ref>
*'''1898:''' City Clerk of NYC receives report of NYC marriages.<ref>Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: Introduction pp ix-x, images 10-11 of 283. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|273783}}.</ref>
**'''1829-1949, 1866-1949:''' [https://a860-collectionguides.nyc.gov/repositories/2/archival_objects/900704 Collections Guide - Marriage records] at NYC Municipal Archives


Births, marriages, and deaths were also recorded for a short time in most counties from 1847 to about 1850. The state legislature passed a law in 1847 requiring school district clerks to send information to the Secretary of State. The law was difficult to enforce, and most school districts stopped doing this by 1852. Historical societies have some of these records, but most are still in the possession of town and county clerks. The very few 1847–1850 vital records that were once on deposit in the New York State Archives have been returned to the towns that deposited them at the archives.<ref>Roger D. Joslyn, "Town of Ramapo Births in 1847," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' Vol. 132, No. 3 (Jul. 2001):168-170. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|161380|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 132}}.</ref>


<br>  
'''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].''' When an eloping, New York couples would get married in alternate places instead of New York City.<br> These include:<ref name="Eakle1">Arlene H. Eakle, "Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).</ref>


<br>You can learn more about the history and availability of vital records in ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City)''. <ref>''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City)'', three Volumes. (Albany, New York: Historical Records Survey, 1942; ({{FHL|173798|item}} 974.7 V23h; film 928101]; fiche 6046676).</ref> The Family History Library has vital records for a few counties, mostly from 1847–1850 and marriages from 1908 to the 1930s.
**[[Niagara County, New York Genealogy|Niagara Falls, New York]]
**[[St. Lawrence County, New York Genealogy|Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence, New York]]
**[[Erie County, New York Genealogy|Buffalo, Erie, New York]]
**[[Essex County, New York Genealogy|Crown Point, Essex, New York]]
**Niagara Falls, [[Ontario Genealogy|Ontario]], Canada
**[[Cecil County, Maryland Genealogy|Elkton, Cecil, Maryland]]
**[[Prince William County, Virginia|Prince William County, Virginia]]
<br>
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:New York|New York Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find New York Marriage Records|How to Find New York Marriage Records]]
*[[How to Find New York City Marriage Records|How to Find New York City Marriage Records]]
*[[United States Marriage Records|United States Marriage Records]]
*[[United States, How to Use Marriage Records|United States How to Use Marriage Records]]
*[[New York_Divorce_Records|New York Divorce Records]]
<div style="clear:both"></div>


Births and deaths are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place. A copy is sent to the New York Bureau of Vital Statistics. If you know the birth or death place, write to the town, village, or city clerk to obtain a copy of the certificate or record. <br>  
=== Death Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''New York Death Records May Include:*'''
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Decedent'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Occupation'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Age/Date of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''State/Country of Birth'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Length of Residence'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Spouse'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Places of Parents'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Physician'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cause of Death'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Informant'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cemetery'''
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less information
|}
''New York State''<br>
Births and deaths are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place, then a copy is sent to the New York State Bureau of Vital Records<br>
*'''1847:''' School District Clerks reported to town clerks, who reported to county clerks, who then reported to Secretary of State<ref>Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: introduction, viii. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|273783}}.</ref>
*'''1880:''' State began collecting records from towns, villages, cities
**Exceptions:
***New York City was not part of state collections
***Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers were separate until 1914
<br>
''New York City''<br>
Births and deaths were sent to the 5 counties before 1847 and to the Metropolitan Board of Health since 1866<br>
*'''1847:''' Towns in the now NYC area were responsible to collect vital records and forward to county officials
*'''1853:''' Health Inspector of NYC required to collect and report births, marriages, and deaths<ref> Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 2.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: v. 2 Marriages Introduction, ix. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|811281}}.</ref>
*'''1866:''' Metropolitan Board of Health created to receive reports of births and deaths.<ref>Historical Records Survey (New York). ''Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1.'' Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: Introduction pp. ix-x, images 10-11 of 283. '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|273783}}. </ref>
**'''1795, 1802-1804, 1812-1948, 1866-1948:''' [https://a860-collectionguides.nyc.gov/repositories/2/archival_objects/900706 Collections Guide - Death records] at NYC Municipal Archives
<br>
''See also:''
*[[GuidedResearch:New York|New York Guided Research]]
*[[How to Find New York Death Records|How to Find New York Death Records]]
*[[How to Find New York City Death Records|How to Find New York City Death Records]]
*[[United States Death Records|United States Death Records]]
*[[United States, How to Find Death Records|United States How to Find Death Records]]
* [[United States, How to Use Death Records|United States How to Use Death Records]]
<br>
'''Cause of Death'''<br>
*[[Historical Causes of Death|Causes of Death]] - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.
<div style="clear:both"></div>


'''Where can I find the New York Vital Records Index?'''<br>
== Additional Information ==
''See also:''<br>
*[[New_York_City_Vital_Records|New York City Vital Records]]
*[[New_York_Town_Records|New York Town Records]]
*[[United States Vital Records|United States Vital Records]] wiki page
*[[Locating United States Vital Records|Locating United States Vital Records]]
*''Guide to Public Vital Statistics in New York (including New York City)''. Albany, [New York] : Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942. Vol 1, Births; Vol 2, Marriages; Vol 3, Deaths. {{FSC|173798|item|disp=book 977.7 V2h (film 928101 items 1-3)}}; {{WorldCat|865847116|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; '''''Online at:''''' {{FSDL|273783}}, vol. 1; {{FSDL|811281}}, vol. 2; {{FSDL|814830}}, vol. 3.
* [https://nygenweb.net/ New York GenWeb]


Ten copies of the official New York state microfiche index are available to be searched in New York. This index does not cover New York City, Yonkers, Albany or Buffalo. Without this list, these copies can be difficult to locate because of misinformation and a limited web presence. The New York State Library website itself is misleading: "The Indexes are currently available upstate only at the New York State Archives, and Rochester Public Library... The National Archives and Records Administration's Northeast Region office in New York City also has the Indexes."<ref>New York State Library, URL: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/genealogy/vitrec.htm, Page location: NYSED / OCE / NYSL / Research Library / Collections / Genealogy / Vital Records. Last Updated: June 21, 2011.</ref> Again, these are '''not''' the only 3 locations. The New York State Archives website lists the following information:<ref>New York State Archives website, page location = Research: Topics: Genealogy: Vital Records, http://www.archives.nysed.gov/a/research/res_topics_gen_vitalstats.shtml. Updated March 2011.</ref><br>Copies of the microfiche index to vital records certificates held by the NYS Department of Health are located at the following locations: <span id="1313449430259S" style="display: none">&nbsp;</span>  
==Strategy==
'''Tips for Using Vital Records'''<br>
*Certificate or record is not found:
#Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
#Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
#The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See [[New York Vital Records#Burned, Lost, or Missing Records|Burned, Lost, or Missing Records]].
#The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. [[New York Vital Records#Substitute Records|Substitute Records]].
*Examine the record to determine accuracy:
#Person providing information may not remember events accurately
#Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
#Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
#Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly
*Review the informant on the document:
#Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
#See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
#Verify vital information with other sources <br>
*Marriage certificates in New York may give date and U.S. city or town of birth for bride and groom


1. New York State Archives, Cultural Education Center, Empire State Plaza, Albany 12230. Available Monday through Friday, 9:00-4:30, and Saturday, 9:30-4:30 except State holidays. No appointment is needed to use the indexes. Researchers must produce identification, sign a registration form, and comply with the rules of the research room. Several microfiche readers are available for use, however, researchers will be limited to one hour's use of a microfiche reader, if other persons are waiting to use the readers. Note: Staff will search index for a fee.<br>2. National Archives--Northeast Region, 201 Varick Street, New York, NY 10014; telephone (212) 401-1620, email newyork.archives@nara.gov; website www.archives.gov/nyc/<br>3. Rochester Public Library--115 South Avenue, Rochester, NY 14604; telephone (585) 428-8440, website www3.libraryweb.org<br>4. Onondaga County Public Library, 447 South Salina Street, Syracuse, NY 13202; telephone (315) 435-1900; website www.onlib.org. Note: Staff will conduct a basic look-up at [http://www.unyg.com/blog/index.php/2008/03/vital-records-lookups-update-to-the-update/ no charge.]<br>5. Buffalo &amp; Erie County Public Library, Grosvenor Room, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203; telephone (716) 858-8900; website www.buffalolib.org/<br>6. Steele Memorial Library—101 East Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901; telephone (607) 733-8603; website www.steele.lib.ny.us<br>7. Crandall Public Library, Center for Folklife, History &amp; Cultural Programs—251 Glen Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801; telephone (518) 792-6508; website www.crandalllibrary.org<br>8. Patchogue-Medford Library—54 E. Main Street, Patchogue, NY 11772; telephone (631) 654-4700; website www.pmlib.org<br>9. Flower Memorial Library—229 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601; telephone (315) 785-7705; website www.flowerlibrary.org<br>10. Broome County Public Library—185 Court Street, Binghamton, NY 13901; telephone (607) 778-6400; website www.bclibrary.info/index.html<br><br>
''See also:''<br>
* [[New York Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]


Finding your ancestor on the index is only the first step. You can obtain births and deaths since 1880 (except New York City) for a fee by writing to:


'''New York State Department of Health'''<br>Bureau of Vital Records<br>Empire State Plaza, Tower Building<br>Albany, New York 12237-0023<br>Telephone: 518-474-3077 or 518-474-3030 <br>Internet: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/
===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===
 
The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.<br>
There is a 50-year restriction on death records and a 75-year restriction on birth records. The state fees and restrictions apply also to records held by the local clerks.
{| style="width:50%; vertical-align:top;"
 
|-  
Birth and death records for Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers to 1914 are filed with local registrars, and the state restrictions apply.
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
 
*[[Albany County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Albany]]
Albany births and deaths 1848, births 1866 to the present, and deaths 1870 to the present can be obtained for a fee from:
*[[Niagara County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Niagara]]
 
*[[Orange County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Orange]]
'''Registrar of Vital Statistics'''<br>City Hall, Room 107<br>24 Eagle Street<br>Albany, NY 12207 <br>Internet: http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/mailrequests.htm
*[[Schoharie County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Schoharie]]
 
*[[Sullivan County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Sullivan]]
Buffalo births 1878–1914, and deaths 1852–1914, can be obtained for a fee from:
|}
 
''See also:''<br>
'''Bureau of Vital Statistics'''<br>City Hall, Room 613<br>Niagara Square<br>Buffalo, NY 14202<br>Telephone: 716-851-5848 <br>Internet: http://www.buffaloresearch.com/vital.html
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.
 
Yonkers births and deaths 1875 to the present can be obtained for a fee from:
 
'''Registrar of Vital Statistics'''<br>City Hall<br>Yonkers, NY 10701<br>Telephone: 914-964-3066 <br>Internet: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nysuffol/vroi.html
 
'''New York City'''. The New York City counties of Kings, Queens, Richmond, and New York were established in 1683. The Bronx was made a separate borough when the five boroughs were created in 1898, and in 1914 it was made a separate county as well. Between 1898 and 1914 the Bronx was part of New York County but not part of the Borough of Manhattan. For more in-depth treatment of vital records in New York City and its bouroughs [[New York City, New York#Vital_Recotfd|Click Here]].<br>
 
== Marriage Records<br>  ==
 
=== Provincial Marriage Licenses  ===
 
Marriages in colonial times were initiated either by publishing the banns in church on three successive Sundays or by obtaining a civil marriage bond and license. The Prerogative Court granted marriage licenses between 1753 and 1783. Most people published the banns since buying a license could cost a month's wages.
 
Marriage bonds, 1753–1783, that were recorded at the Secretary of State's Office in Albany appear in ''New York Marriages Previous to 1784''. <ref>''New York Marriages Previous to 1784'' (1860; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984; ({{FHL|197243|item}} book 974.7 V28n 1968; film 514675 item 1 has the 1860 edition). </ref>The book lists names of brides and grooms, date of the bond (not the marriage), bond volume, and page numbers. Many marriage bonds were destroyed in a fire in 1911. Those that survived are at the state archives. The full data from these remaining bonds is transcribed in ''Kenneth Scott's New York Marriage Bonds, 1753–1783.'' <ref>''Kenneth Scott's New York Marriage Bonds, 1753–1783'' (New York, New York: St. Nicholas Society of the City of New York, 1972; not at Family History Library). </ref>
 
About 152,000 individuals are indexed in ''Marriage Index: Selected Areas of New York, 1639–1916.'' <ref>''Marriage Index: Selected Areas of New York, 1639–1916'' ([Novato, California]: Brøderbund Software, 1996; Family History Library compact disc number 9 part 401 [does not circulate to Family History Centers]). </ref>These marriages were originally indexed by Knshp publishers. The index is especially good for the years prior to 1810 and in the Hudson and Mohawk valleys from 1810–1899.
 
14 licenses from the 1680s survive:
 
:*'''1686-1688''' - Latting, J.J. "New York Marriage Licenses," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record'', Vol. 5, No. 4 (Oct. 1874):174. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|1181533|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 5}}.<br>
 
Later records have also been found in scattered sources:
 
:*'''1691-1693''' - Latting, J.J. "New York Marriage Licenses," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' Vol. 4, No. 1 (Jan. 1873):31-32. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|1181533|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 4}}.<br>
 
:*'''1692-1706, 1756, 1758''' - O'Callaghan, E.B. "New York Marriage Licenses," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' '''1702-1703:''' Vol. 1, No. 1 (Jan. 1870):3; '''1703:''' Vol. 1, No. 2 (Apr. 1870):13; '''1703-1706:''' Vol. 2, No. 1 (Jan. 1871):25-28; '''1692-1701:''' Vol. 2, No. 3 (Jul. 1871):141-142; '''1756, 1758:''' Vol. 2, No. 4 (Oct. 1871):194-200; '''1693-1697:''' Vol. 3, No. 2 (Apr. 1872):91-94; '''1697-1702:''' Vol. 3, No. 4 (Oct. 1872):192-195. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|1181533|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 1-3}}. Internet Archive has digitized [http://www.archive.org/details/newyorkgenealogi01newya Vols. 1-2] and [http://www.archive.org/details/newyorkgenealog03newy Vol. 3] - free.<ref>WeRelate contributors, "Source:New York Genealogical and Biographical Record (New York Genealogical and Biographical Society)," in ''WeRelate,'' http://www.werelate.org/wiki/Source:New_York_Genealogical_and_Biographical_Record_%28New_York_Genealogical_and_Biographical_Society%29, accessed 17 February 2012.</ref>
 
=== County Marriage Records  ===
 
New York is one of the few states that does not have county marriage records dating back to the time when each county was formed. From 1908–1935, county clerks kept copies of marriages filed with the town clerks and also sent copies to Albany. Some counties, though, recorded marriages only to 1916 or 1926. The Family History Library has county marriage records on microfilm for all upstate counties except Albany, Dutchess, and Erie.
 
=== Town and State Marriage Records  ===
 
Town and city clerks generally began registering marriages in 1881. Copies are sent to the state capital in Albany. Between 1847 and about 1850, before the state began registering vital statistics, some marriages were recorded by justices of the peace, and some were recorded by school districts. Some justice of the peace registers have been published in the periodicals Tree Talks and The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record.
 
If you know where a marriage took place, you can write to the town, village, or city clerk to request a copy of the certificate or record. A microfiche index to marriages, 1881–1943, is available for public use at the New York State Archives. This index does not include New York City. The archives will search and abstract the index for a fee. If you do not know the exact place of marriage and are willing to wait six or seven months for a reply, you can get marriage records (including those from Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers, 1908 to the present) for a fee by writing to the State Department of Health.
 
There is a 75-year restriction on marriage information needed for genealogical purposes. The state fees and restrictions apply when obtaining records from the village, town, and city clerks. For more information, go to [http://www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/genealogy.htm Genealogy Records &amp; Research]
 
The Family History Library has not filmed the city marriages of Albany, Buffalo, or Yonkers. Albany city marriages 1848 and 1870–1917 and county marriages 1908–1936 are available at:
 
'''Albany County Hall of Records'''<br>250 South Pearl Street<br>Albany, NY 12202<br>Telephone: 518-447-4500 <br>Internet: http://www.albanycounty.com/achor/
 
Albany city marriages, 1920 to the present, are also available at the Albany City Clerk's office (24 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207; Telephone: 518-434-5081). You can get Buffalo marriages 1837–1935 by writing to the Erie County Clerk's offices. Buffalo marriages 1935 to the present and Yonkers marriages 1900 to the present can be obtained from the respective city registrars of vital statistics.
 
'''[[Gretna Greens in the United States|Gretna Greens]].''' When an '''eloping''' New York couple's marriage is not in their home county, search for it in alternate places like:<ref name="Eakle1">Arlene H. Eakle, "Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in ''Genealogy Blog'' at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).</ref>
 
:*[[Niagara County, New York|Niagara Falls, New York]]  
:*[[St. Lawrence County, New York|Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence, New York]]  
:*[[Erie County, New York|Buffalo, Erie, New York]]  
:*[[Essex County, New York|Crown Point, Essex, New York]]  
:*Niagara Falls, [[Ontario]], Canada
:*[[Cecil County, Maryland|Elkton, Cecil, Maryland]]
:*[[Prince William County, Virginia|Prince William County, Virginia]]
 
=== Published Newspaper Notices of Marriages and Deaths  ===
 
For New York City's five boroughs and some other counties, many newspaper notices of births, marriages, and deaths have been published. See [[New York Newspapers]] for a partial list. In the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog, these notices are listed under:
 
NEW YORK, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - NEWSPAPERS
 
NEW YORK, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - OBITUARIES
 
Check also under the state and county levels.
 
You will also find that many church marriage records have been published or have been microfilmed for the five boroughs. You can look for these in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under:
 
NEW YORK, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - CHURCH RECORDS
 
Examples include:
 
:*''New York City Methodist Marriages, 1785–1893'' <ref>Fisher, William Scott, compiler. ''New York City Methodist Marriages, 1785–1893''. Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1994. ({{FHL|704744|item}} book 974.71 K2fn vols. 1–2.) </ref>contains a groom index and a bride index, each of which has about 41,000 names.
 
:*''[http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=098&Da=155 Marriage Notices from the New York Evening Post, 1801-1890]'' at [http://newyorkancestors.org/ New York Ancestors] ($).<br>
 
:*''[http://newyorkancestors.org/ New York: Death Notices from the New York Evening Post, 1801-1890]'' at [http://newyorkancestors.org/ New York Ancestors] ($).<br>
 
:*[http://www.americanancestors.org/Search.aspx?Ca=098&Da=165 Marriages and Deaths in New York State from the New Canaan (CT) Era] at [http://newyorkancestors.org/ New York Ancestors] ($).<br>
 
:*'''1801''' - Stifel, Carolyn G. "Deaths from ''The Lady's Magazine and Musical Repository,'' New York, 1801," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' '''1801:''' Vol. 133, No. 4 (Oct. 2002):279-285; '''1801:''' Vol. 139, No. 4 (Oct. 2008):275-280. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|1181533|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 133, 139}}.
 
:*'''1801-1802''' - Stifel, Carolyn G. "Deaths from ''The Lady's Monitor,'' New York, 1801-1802," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' Vol. 134, No. 1 (Jan. 2003):61-66. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|161380|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 134}}.
 
:*'''1801-1803''' - Stifel, Carolyn G. "Marriages from ''The Ladies' Monitor'' and ''The Weekly Visitor or Ladies' Miscellany,'' New York City, 1801-1803," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' Vol. 140, No. 1 (Jan. 2009):55-62. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|1181533|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 140}}.
 
:*'''1802-1811''' - Stifel, Carolyn G. "Deaths and Marriages from ''The Weekly Visitor Or, Ladies' Miscellany,'' New York," ''The New York Genealogical and Biographical Record,'' Vol. 134, No. 2 (Apr. 2003):136-147; Vol. 134, No. 3 (Jul. 2003):198-206; Vol. 134, No. 4 (Oct. 2003):271-278; Vol. 135, No. 1 (Jan. 2004):56-67; Vol. 135, No. 2 (Apr. 2004):136-145; Vol. 135, No. 3 (Jul. 2004):212-219; Vol. 135, No. 4 (Oct. 2004):303-307; Vol. 136, No. 1 (Jan. 2005):30-32; Vol. 136, No. 2 (Apr. 2005):110-118; Vol. 136, No. 3 (Jul. 2005):215-221; Vol. 136, No. 4 (Oct. 2005):296-302; Vol. 140, No. 2 (Apr. 2009):127-130; Vol. 140, No. 3 (Jul. 2009):230-238; Vol. 140, No. 4 (Oct. 2009):295-307; Vol. 141, No. 1 (Jan. 2010):72-79. Digital version at [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/public-elibrary New York Family History] ($); {{FHL|161380|item|disp=FHL Book 974.7 B2n v. 134-136, 140}}.
 
== Divorce Records  ==
 
Before 1787, divorce was practically nonexistent in New York. Some petitions for divorce were made to the governor or legislature, but only a few were granted. Records of divorces granted by acts of the legislature consist both of the legislative act and petitions that were sent to the legislature. Acts of divorce are indexed in the index mentioned under the "[[New York Law and Legislation|Law and Legislation]]" page.
 
From 1787–1847, divorces were recorded in chancery court records. Chancery court divorces are at the state archives.
 
Since 1846, the supreme court has recorded divorce proceedings.&nbsp;Each county has a supreme court, roughly equivalent&nbsp;to a district court in other states.&nbsp;&nbsp;Some counties may&nbsp;share&nbsp;supreme court justices. &nbsp;Many people before 1966 found it easier to obtain a divorce out of state. Access to supreme court divorce records less than 100 years old is prohibited without judicial permission. You must obtain a court order to see a file. The actual trial records are sealed.
 
The Family History Library has microfilmed very few divorce judgments. For New York County, only the index to divorce records has been microfilmed in ''Index to Matrimonial Actions, 1784–1910'' <ref>New York County (New York). County Clerk. ''Index to Matrimonial Actions, 1784–1910''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1977. ({{FHL|235832|item}} film 1017465–67). </ref>
 
== Adoption Records  ==


The [https://www.health.ny.gov/vital_records/adoption.htm New York State Department of Health's Adoption Information Registry] provides a method for adopted children and birth parents to share information and possibly have a reunion. The Web site provides links to the needed forms, explains how to register, and notes applicable restrictions. For instance, only an adoptee who was born and adopted in New York State can register.


See also:  
===Substitute Records===
For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:
*[[New York_Substitute Records|New York Substitute Records]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Birth_Information|Substitute Records for United States Birth Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_for_United_States_Marriage_Information|Substitute Records for United States Marriage Information]]
*[[Substitute_Records_For_United_States_Death_Information|Substitute Records for United States Death Information]]


*[[Children's Aid Society]]
*[[New York Foundling Hospital]]
*[[National Orphan Train Complex]]
*[[United States Adoption Research]]<br><br>
== Substitute Records  ==
These links will take you to wiki pages describing alternate sources for birth, marriage and death records.
[[New York Church Records|Church Records]]: Depending on the denomination, church records&nbsp;may contain information about birth, marriage and death.
[[New York Cemeteries|Cemetery Records]]: Cemetery records are a rich source of birth and death information.&nbsp; These records may also reveal family relationships.
[[New York Census|Census]]: Census records are a valuable source for birth and marriage information. You may also determine approximate time of death when the individual disappear from the census. This is a good place to begin a search.
[[New York Newspapers|Newspapers]]: Besides obituaries, local newspapers may contain birth and marriage announcements and death notices.&nbsp; Also check newspaper social columns for&nbsp;additional information.&nbsp;
[[New York Periodicals|Periodicals]]: Local genealogical and historical societies often publish periodicals which may contain abstracted early birth, marriage and death information.
[[New York Military Records|Military Records]]: Military pension records can give birth, marriage and death information,&nbsp; In addition, soldiers' homes records can included this same information.
[[Image:Rockland County Surrogate Court Index.jpg|right|Rockland County Surrogate Court Index.jpg]]
[[New York Probate Records|Probate Records]]: If no death record exists, probate records may be helpful in estimating when an individual has died. Some early Probate Indexes include death date of individual. (See Rockland County Surrogate Image on the right. The Death date of the individual is found in the column next to the Surname listed.) Probate records in the 20th Century often contain the exact death date.
[[New York History|History]]: Local histories, family&nbsp;histories&nbsp;and biographies can all be sources of birth, marriage and death information. Often this information is found in county-level records or in surname searches of the Family History Library catalog.
== Tips  ==
*Information listed on vital records is given by an informant.&nbsp; Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record.&nbsp; The closer the realtionship of the informant to the subject(s) and whether or not the informant was present at the time to the event can help determine the accuracy of the information found on the record.
*If you are unabale to locate vital records recorded by governments, search for church records of christening, marriage, death or burial.&nbsp; A family Bible may have been used to record birth, marriages and deaths.
*Privacy laws may restrict your access to some vital records.&nbsp; Copies of some vital records recorded in the last 100 years may be unavailable to anyone except a direct relative.
*Search for Vital Records in&nbsp;the Family History Library Catalog by using a '''Place Search '''and then choosing '''Vital Records.'''&nbsp; Search for '''New York '''to locate records filed by the State and then search the '''name of the county '''to locate records kept by that county.
'''Wiki articles describing online collections are found at:'''<br>
*[[New York Births and Christenings (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[New York County Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)|New York County Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[New York Marriages (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
*[[New York Deaths and Burials (FamilySearch Historical Records)]]
</div>{{-}}
== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}


<references /> {{New York|New York}} {{U.S. Vital Records}}
[[Category:New_York_Vital_records]][[Category:New York, United States]][[Category:Vital Records]]
 
[[Category:New_York|Vital Records]] [[Category:Record_Types_of_the_United_States]] [[Category:United_States_Vital_Records]]

Latest revision as of 13:23, 26 June 2025

New York Wiki Topics
New York flag.png
Beginning Research
Record Types
New York Background
Cultural Groups
Local Research Resources

New York Vital Records Dates[edit | edit source]

Government Registration Births Marriages Deaths
New York City*[1][2] 1847, 1853 1829 1812
City/Town/Village** 1847 1847 1847
State*** 1880 1880 1880
General Compliance 1913 1880 1890
*Most of NYC records started 1866. Their records are not part of state collections
**City, town, village dates vary
***3 other cities[3] were not included in the state collections until 1914

Online Resources[edit | edit source]

Note: Cities of Albany (Albany County); Buffalo (Erie County); and Yonkers (Weschester County) were not included in the state records and indexes until 1914.

Birth[edit | edit source]

Marriage[edit | edit source]

Death[edit | edit source]

Divorce[edit | edit source]

New York City[edit | edit source]

Birth


Marriage


Death

Get Copies[edit | edit source]

Please note that New York State does not hold New York City vital records.

Restrictions:
  • Birth records 75 years, death records 50 years, marriage records 50 years[4]
    • Restrictions waived if the applicant provides documentation of direct line descent
    • Persons to whom the record relates must be deceased
New York State New York City

Steps:

  1. Search indexes in Online Resources
  2. Note date, place, and certificate number
  3. Order copies from Dept of Health or from that town, village, city

New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Section
New York State Bureau of Vital Records
800 North Pearl
Albany, NY 12204
Phone: 855-322-1022
Email: dohweb@health.ny.gov
Website

  • The State Department of Health issues certified copies of restricted records when requirements are met
  • Uncertified copies available of vital records for genealogical purposes[5]
    • Birth, Death, Marriage order forms
    • Orders may take 8 months or longer. Local registrars may respond more quickly[6]

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230
Phone: (518) 474-6926
Email: archinfo@nysed.gov
Website

  • The New York State Archives only holds indexes to birth, marriage, and death certificates[7]

City/Town/Village Records
Contact the clerk or registrar of the locality to obtain a copy of unrestricted certificates.[8]

  • Search indexes in Online Resources above to learn the locality where an event occurred.
  • Search the Internet for contact information for a local registrar.

See also:

New York City Municipal Archives (NYCMA)
(births, marriages, deaths)
31 Chambers Street
New York, New York 10007
Website

NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
(births and deaths)
Records Access Officer
Gotham Center
42-09 28th Street, Floor 14th, CN31
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone: 212-639-9675
Website

City Clerk of New York
(marriages)
Attn: Record Room
141 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
Website

See also:

Coverage and Compliance[edit | edit source]

Statewide: (except New York City)

  • 1847-1849: Several laws were passed in the New York State Legislature requiring the creation of birth, marriage, and death records by municipalities in the state. Compliance stopped a few years after.
  • 1880-1881: New York began statewide registration of births, marriages, and deaths, under supervision of the State and local boards of health.
    • Compliance with the law was incomplete until 1913 or even later, resulting with incomplete records.[9]
  • See New York Law and Legislation for more information.


New York City:

  • 1847-1913: These laws transformed vital record keeping practices in New York City and in municipalities whose vital records are now held by the New York City Municipal Archives.
  • 1866: New York State Legislature created the New York City Metropolitan Board of Health, marking the beginning of birth, marriage, and death certificates issued in the City of New York and in the City of Brooklyn (Brooklyn had begun issuing death certificates in 1862). Compliance unknown[10]


New York Cities That Kept Early Vital Records:

City Birth and
Death Years
New York 1847 for births,
1801 for deaths
Brooklyn 1866 for births,
1847 for deaths
Albany 1870
Buffalo, Erie County 1878
Syracuse 1873
Rochester 1875
Utica 1873
Yonkers, Westchester County 1875

Information in the Records[edit | edit source]

Birth Records[edit | edit source]

New York Birth Records May Include*
Name of Child x
Birth Date/Place x
Sex/Race x
Parents' Names x
Parents' Birthplace x
# of Children Born/Living x
Residence/Occupation x
Midwife/Doctor x
* Early records may have less information

New York State
Births and deaths are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place, then a copy is sent to the New York State Bureau of Vital Records

  • 1847: School District Clerks reported to town clerks, who reported to county clerks, who then reported to Secretary of State[11]
  • 1853: Law required physicians and midwives to keep registers
  • 1880: State began collecting records from towns, villages, cities
    • Exceptions:
      • New York City not included in any state collections
      • Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers were separate until 1914


New York City

  • 1847: Towns, villages, cities in NYC area recorded and reported to counties at the time.
  • 1853: Health Inspector of NYC required to collect and report births, marriages, and deaths[12]
  • 1866: Metropolitan Board of Health created to receive reports of births and deaths.[13]


Delayed Birth Records
Delayed birth records were created in the 1940s for adults without birth certificates, in order to be eligible for Social Security benefits.

See also:

Marriage Records[edit | edit source]

New York Marriage Records May Include:*
Names of Bride/Groom** x
Date/Place of Marriage x
Presiding Official x
# of Times Married x
Dates/Places of Birth x
Residences/Race x
Parents' Names x
* Early records may have less information
** May be previous married name of bride

Before the state began registering vital statistics in 1881, some marriages were recorded by justices of the peace and some by school districts. They include licenses, affidavits, and certificates of marriage.

  • For a brief period (1908-1936) the city and town licenses provide information not in the Department of Health certificates, such as:[14]
  1. Town of birth—in the United States or abroad
  2. Parents' country of birth
  3. Former spouses living or dead
  4. If divorced, when and where divorce or divorces were granted
  • These records remain in the custody of the town or county clerks, except where they have been transferred to a county/state/city archives


New York State
Marriages are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place, then a copy is sent to the New York State Bureau of Vital Records. Most counties have copies.

  • 1847: Law requiring localities to keep and report vital records passed but often disregarded after 3-4 years.[15]
  • 1880: State began collecting records from towns, villages, cities
    • Exceptions:
      • New York City was not part of state collections
      • Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers separate until 1914


New York City

  • 1847: Localities within present NYC collected marriage information and reported to counties
  • 1853: Health Inspector of NYC required to collect and report births, marriages, and deaths[16]
  • 1898: City Clerk of NYC receives report of NYC marriages.[17]


Gretna Greens. When an eloping, New York couples would get married in alternate places instead of New York City.
These include:[18]


See also:

Death Records[edit | edit source]

New York Death Records May Include:*
Name of Decedent x
Date/Place of Death x
Sex/Race x
Occupation x
Age/Date of Birth x
State/Country of Birth x
Length of Residence x
Name of Spouse x
Parents' Names x
Birth Places of Parents x
Physician x
Cause of Death x
Informant x
Cemetery x
* Early records may have less information

New York State
Births and deaths are recorded in the town, village, or city where the event took place, then a copy is sent to the New York State Bureau of Vital Records

  • 1847: School District Clerks reported to town clerks, who reported to county clerks, who then reported to Secretary of State[19]
  • 1880: State began collecting records from towns, villages, cities
    • Exceptions:
      • New York City was not part of state collections
      • Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers were separate until 1914


New York City
Births and deaths were sent to the 5 counties before 1847 and to the Metropolitan Board of Health since 1866

  • 1847: Towns in the now NYC area were responsible to collect vital records and forward to county officials
  • 1853: Health Inspector of NYC required to collect and report births, marriages, and deaths[20]
  • 1866: Metropolitan Board of Health created to receive reports of births and deaths.[21]


See also:


Cause of Death

  • Causes of Death - use this resource when trying to interpret a disease or medical condition listed on a death record or certificate.

Additional Information[edit | edit source]

See also:

Strategy[edit | edit source]

Tips for Using Vital Records

  • Certificate or record is not found:
  1. Couples often married in the county where bride lived or they may have eloped
  2. Search the towns and cities where the event took place. Also search surrounding counties to locate the document.
  3. The record may not exist because of record loss at the the county courthouse. See Burned, Lost, or Missing Records.
  4. The event may not have been recorded by the government at that time. Substitute Records.
  • Examine the record to determine accuracy:
  1. Person providing information may not remember events accurately
  2. Informant may not have been present at the time of the event
  3. Informant may give false information to hide age, race, religion, or illegitimacy
  4. Grieving relatives may not have remembered correctly
  • Review the informant on the document:
  1. Learn the relationship of the informant to the subject(s) of the record
  2. See if records about the informant may have clues about the family
  3. Verify vital information with other sources
  • Marriage certificates in New York may give date and U.S. city or town of birth for bride and groom

See also:


Burned, Lost, or Missing Records[edit | edit source]

The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.

See also:


Substitute Records[edit | edit source]

For other records that may give birth, marriage, or death information, see:

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ New York City consists of five boroughs: Manhattan (New York County), Brooklyn (Kings County ), The Bronx (Bronx County), Staten Island (Richmond County), and Queens (Queens County)
  2. ↑ Dates per NYC Dept of Records
  3. ↑ New York State Department of Health. Genealogy Records and Resources Albany (Albany County), Buffalo (Erie County), and Yonkers (Westchester County) were not included in the state collection until 1914. Contact the Local Registrar for birth and death record requests or the City Clerk for marriage record requests. (Addresses included)
  4. ↑ Vital Records/Genealogy at State Department of Health
  5. ↑ Sources of Birth, Marriage, and Death Certificates
  6. ↑ New York State Department of Health. Vital Records Genealogy accessed September 2024
  7. ↑ Birth, Marriage, and Death Records at New York State Archives
  8. ↑ Local registrars of vital statistics (town, village, city, or consolidated county district) hold registers of births, marriages, and deaths or for recent decades, duplicate certificates. Per New York State Department of Health. Called 855-322-1022 on 10/15/2024. No online list of local registrars available.
  9. ↑ Birth, Marriage, and Death Records at New York State Archives
  10. ↑ [https://a860-collectionguides.nyc.gov/repositories/2/resources/74 New York State and New York City, 1847-1949
  11. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: introduction, viii. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  12. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 2. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: v. 2 Marriages Introduction, ix. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  13. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: Introduction pp. ix-x, images 10-11 of 283. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  14. ↑ City Clerk's Marriage Licenses, New York City, 1908–1937: One of 20th Century Genealogy's Best Primary Sources, by Leslie Corn, M.A. Originally published in The New York Genealogy and Biography Newsletter, Spring 1999. Archived page. In New York City, these licenses were issued by the Clerk's office in each borough. Exception: Bronx licenses were issued in Manhattan until the creation of Bronx County in 1914.
    The article includes steps to locate the records and more.
  15. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 2. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: v. 2 Marriages Introduction, viii. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  16. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 2. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942; v. 2 Marriages, Introduction, ix. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  17. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: Introduction pp ix-x, images 10-11 of 283. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  18. ↑ Arlene H. Eakle, "Have you searched and searched for a marriage without finding it?" in Genealogy Blog at http://www.arleneeakle.com/wordpress/2007/02/19/have-you-searched-and-searched-for-the-marriage-without-finding-it/ (accessed 8 January 2011).
  19. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: introduction, viii. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  20. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 2. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: v. 2 Marriages Introduction, ix. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.
  21. ↑ Historical Records Survey (New York). Guide to Public Vital Statistics Records in New York State (Including New York City), Vol. 1. Albany, NY: Historical Records Survey (New York), 1942: Introduction pp. ix-x, images 10-11 of 283. Online at: FamilySearch Digital Library.

To access available information, first log into FamilySearch.

This website requires a paid subscription for full access. Some subscription websites are available for free at your local FamilySearch Center or Affiliate Library.

Retrieved from "https://integration-ru.familysearch.org/en/wiki/index.php?title=New_York_Vital_Records&oldid=6340484"