New York Vital Records: Difference between revisions

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=== Records of Births and Deaths  ===
{{NY-sidebar}}
 
{{breadcrumb
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.
| link1=[[United States Genealogy|United States]]
 
| link2=[[United States Vital Records|U.S. Vital Records]]
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.
| link3=[[New York, United States Genealogy|New York]]
 
| link4=
Some cities had pre-1880 registration, such as :  
| link5=[[New York Vital Records|Vital Records]]
 
}}
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
<div style="width:23%; float:left; margin-right:4em; padding:0px">__TOC__</div>
|-
== New York Vital Records Dates ==
| New York <br>
{| class="wikitable" width="40%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1"
| (1847 for births, and 1801 for deaths)
|-
| Brooklyn
| (1866 for births and 1847 for deaths)
|-
|-
| Albany
| width="15%" align="center" | '''Government Registration'''
| (1870)
| 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]]'''
|-
|-
| Buffalo
| 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>
| (1878)
| width="10%" align="center" | 1847, 1853
| width="10%" align="center" | 1829
| width="10%" align="center" | 1812
|-
|-
| Syracuse
| width="15%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''City/Town/Village**'''
| (1873)
| width="10%" align="center" | 1847
| width="10%" align="center" | 1847
| width="10%" align="center" | 1847
|-
|-
| Rochester
| width="15%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''State***'''
| (1875)
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
|-
|-
| Utica
| width="15%" bgcolor="#cff2fc" align="left" | '''General Compliance'''
| (1873)
| width="10%" align="center" | 1913
| width="10%" align="center" | 1880
| width="10%" align="center" | 1890
|-
|-
| Yonkers  
| 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
| (1875)
|}
|}
<div style="clear:left"></div>


<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)'', three Volumes. (Albany, New York: Historical Records Survey, 1942; Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlehitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&callno=974.7+V23h 974.7 V23h]; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=173798&disp=Guide+to+public+vital+statistics+records++ 928101]; fiche [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=173798&disp=Guide+to+public+vital+statistics+records++ 6046676]). The Family History Library has vital records for a few counties, mostly from 1847–1850 and marriages from 1908 to the 1930s.  
== 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>


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. A microfiche index to births 1881–1918 and deaths 1880–1943 is available for public use at the state archives. The indexes do not cover New York City. The archives will search and abstract the indexes for a fee. You can obtain births and deaths since 1880 (except New York City) for a fee by writing to:
===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


'''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/  
===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 ($)
*'''1908-1935''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-20627/new-york-marriages-1908-1935?s=275764761 New York Marriages, 1908-1935] at MyHeritage — index & images ($)


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.  
===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]($)''
*'''1957-1963''' {{RecordSearch|2285574|New York State Health Department Genealogical Research Death Index, 1957-1963}} at FamilySearch — [[New York, State Health Department, Genealogical Research Death Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index only
*'''1957-1969''' [https://www.myheritage.com/research/collection-10315/new-york-state-deaths-1957-1969 New York State Deaths, 1957-1969] at MyHeritage — index ($)


Birth and death records for Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers to 1914 are filed with local registrars, and the state restrictions apply.  
===Divorce===
*See [[New York Divorce Records|New York Divorce Records]] for more resources.


Albany births and deaths 1848, births 1866 to the present, and deaths 1870 to the present can be obtained for a fee from:
===New York City===
 
'''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
 
Buffalo births 1878–1914, and deaths 1852–1914, can be obtained for a fee from:
 
'''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
 
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. Vital records may be listed in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under the borough (for example, NEW YORK, KINGS, BROOKLYN - VITAL RECORDS), or they may be under NEW YORK, NEW YORK (CITY) - VITAL RECORDS.


''Birth''<br>
*'''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
*'''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
*'''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 ($)
*'''1950-1995''' {{RecordSearch|2727138|New York, New York City Marriage Licenses Index, 1950-1995}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, New York City Marriage Licenses Index - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
<br>
<br>
''Death''<br>
*'''1795-1949''' {{RecordSearch|2240477|New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949}} at FamilySearch - [[New York, New York City Municipal Deaths - FamilySearch Historical Records|How to Use this Collection]]; index
*'''1814-1816''' [http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=4256 New York City, Compiled Death Index, 1814-1816] at Ancestry - index ($)
*'''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 ($)


== Birth Records<br> ==
== Get Copies ==
 
''Please note that New York State does not hold New York City vital records.''<br>
The Family History Library has microfilms of some New York City births to 1909, deaths to 1919, and indexes to both to 1965. The New York Public Library has the indexes to the present, but it does not search them in response to mail or telephone inquiries. Birth records to 1909 and death records to 1948 for the five boroughs of New York City are at the New York City Municipal Archives. Microfilms at the Family History Library include:
{| class="wikitable" width="65%"  
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Birth Records <br>
|colspan=2|''Restrictions:''<br>
| All Boroughs (All of New York City)
*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
|-
|-
| Birth index books
| width="33%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" | '''New York State'''
| 1881–1965
| width="32%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" | '''New York City'''
|-
|-
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=209636&disp=Births+reported+in+the+city+of+New+York%%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1322457–86]  
| width="33%" valign="top" height="25" align="left" |
| (only for Manhattan and Brooklyn from<br>1881–1897)
''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>
 
'''New York State Archives'''<br>
New York State Education Department<br>
Cultural Education Center<br>
Albany, NY 12230<br>
Phone: (518) 474-6926<br>
Email: archinfo@nysed.gov<br>
[https://www.archives.nysed.gov/research/featured-topics Website]
* 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>
 
'''City/Town/Village Records'''<br>
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)}};


=== Bronx (Bronx County) ===
| 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


{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
'''NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene'''<br> (births and deaths) <br>
|-
Records Access Officer<br>
| Birth records 1898–1909
Gotham Center<br>
| 30 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=753617&disp=Borough+of+the+Bronx+certificate+and+rec%20%20&columns=*,0,0 2022836] <br>
42-09 28th Street, Floor 14th, CN31<br>
|-
Long Island City, NY 11101<br>
| Wakefield births 1890–1895
Phone: 212-639-9675<br>
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=1398783 1398783]
[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]
| Westchester births<br>1881–1895
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=1398783 1398783]
|}


=== Brooklyn (Kings County) ===
'''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]


{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
''See also:''<br>
|-
*[[New York City Vital Records|New York City Vital Records]]
| Birth card index 1866–1897
| 34 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=55812&disp=Index+to+birth+certificates%2C+Brooklyn%%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1324701]
|-
| Birth returns 1866–1868,<br>1870–1906
| 104 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=199947&disp=Brooklyn+birth+certificates%2C+1866%2D19%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1380499]
|-
|-
| Birth register 1869
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=203967&disp=Brooklyn+death+registers%2C+1847-1853++ 1315322] item 2
|}
|}


<br>Births 1847–1851, 1880–1895 (years vary) for the towns of Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend, New Lots, and New Utrecht are found in the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under NEW YORK, KINGS, [TOWN] - VITAL RECORDS.  
== Coverage and Compliance ==
 
''Statewide:'' (except New York City)<br>
=== Manhattan (New York County)  ===
*'''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.
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
**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.
| Birth records card index<br>1830–1865
<br>
| 19 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=190302&disp=Register+of+births%2C+borough+of+Manhatt%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1378956]
''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"
|-
|-
| Birth returns card index<br>1866–1897
|'''City'''
| 153 Family History Library films beginning with [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=authordetails&authorno=308059&name=New+York+%28New+York%29%2E+Department+of+Health%2C+null&columns=*,0,0 1323501]
|'''Birth and<br>Death Years'''
|-
|-
| Birth registers 1846–1848,<br>1851–1873
| [[New_York_City,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|New York]]
| (missing Liber 3, 1854–1856, E–Z, <br>and Liber 4, 1856–1857 A–J)
| 1847 for births,<br>1801 for deaths
|-
|-
| Birth returns 1866–1897
| [[Brooklyn_Borough,_New_York_Genealogy#Repositories|Brooklyn]]
| 393 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=210570&disp=Manhattan+birth+certificates%2C+1866-1++ 1322001]
|1866 for births,<br>1847 for deaths
|-
|-
| Birth records 1898–1909
| [[Albany,_Albany_County,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|Albany]]  
| 8 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=706460&disp=State+of+New+York+certificate+and+record++ 1953076]
| 1870
|}
 
=== Queens (Queens County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Birth records 1898–1909 <br>
| [[Erie_County,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|Buffalo, Erie County]]  
| 21 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=748922&disp=Birth+records%2C+1898-1909++ 1992977]
| 1878
|}
 
<br>
 
<br>Births 1847–1898 (years vary) for the towns of College Point, Far Rockaway, Flushing, Jamaica, Long Island City, Newtown, Richmond Hill, Rockaway, and Whitestone are listed in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, QUEENS, [TOWN] - VITAL RECORDS
 
=== Staten Island (Richmond County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Birth index 1600–1900s <br>
| [[Syracuse,_Onondaga_County,_New_York_Genealogy|Syracuse]]
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=217304&disp=Index+and+genealogical+data+cards++ 539053–71]
| 1873
|-
|-
| Birth index 1847–1897
| [[Rochester,_Monroe_County,_New_York_Genealogy|Rochester]]
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=109306&disp=Index+to+births%2C+Richmond+County%2C+Ne++ 1324935–37]
| 1875
|-
|-
| Birth records 1898–1909
| [[Utica,_Oneida_County,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|Utica]]
| 10 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=712563&disp=State+of+New+York+%28Richmond+borough%29++ 1984042]
| 1873
|}
 
<br>Births 1847–1853, 1881–1897 (years vary) for the towns of Castleton, Edgewater, Middletown, Northfield, Port Richmond, Southfield, Tottenville, and Westfield are listed in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, RICHMOND, [TOWN] - VITAL RECORDS
 
== Death Records  ==
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| All Boroughs <br>
| [[Westchester_County,_New_York_Genealogy#Vital_Records|Yonkers, Westchester County]]  
| (All of New York City)
| 1875
|-
| Death index books 1888–1965
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=108651&disp=Index+to+deaths%2C+New+York+City%2C+1888%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1324914–31] (only for Manhattan and Brooklyn from 1888–1897)
|}
|}


=== Bronx (Bronx County)  ===
== Information in the Records ==
 
=== Birth Records ===  
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
|-
| Death records 1898–1919 <br>
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''New York Birth Records May Include*'''
| 91 Family History Library films beginning with film<br>[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=209640&disp=Bronx+death+certificates%2C+1898%2D1948%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1322702]
|-
|-
| Wakefield deaths 1878–1881,<br>1890–1895
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Child'''
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=1398783 1398783]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Westchester births 1887–1895
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Date/Place'''
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=filmhitlist&columns=*%2C0%2C0&filmno=1398783 1398783]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|}
 
=== Brooklyn (Kings County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Death ledger card index 1848–1866 <br>
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=333357&disp=Index+to+deaths%2C+Brooklyn%2C+Kings+Cou%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1378813–19]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Death certificate index 1862–1898
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| 78 Family History Library films beginning with film<br>[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=333357&disp=Index+to+deaths%2C+Brooklyn%2C+Kings+Cou%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1378830]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Death records 1847–1853,<br>1857–1861
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Birthplace'''
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=203967&disp=Brooklyn+death+registers%2C+1847-1853++ 1315321–22]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Death register 1847–1853,<br>1857–1858
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Children Born/Living'''
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=203967&disp=Brooklyn+death+registers%2C+1847-1853++ 447542]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Death certificates 1862–1897
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residence/Occupation'''
| 339 Family History Library films beginning with film<br>[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=204158&disp=Brooklyn+death+certificates%2C+1862-18++ 1323651]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Coroner's reports 1897–1914
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Midwife/Doctor'''  
| 16 Family History Library films beginning with film<br>[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=548234&disp=Journal+record+of+deaths%2C+1897%2D1914%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1435709]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Death certificates 1898–1920
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=205243&disp=Brooklyn+death+certificates%2C+1898-19++ 1324001–342]
|-
| Coroner's reports, death records<br>1898–1916
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=548222&disp=Brooklyn+death+records%2C+1898-1916++ 1435700-08]
|}
|}


*Deaths 1847–1851, 1880–1895 (years vary) for the towns of Flatbush, Flatlands, Gravesend, New Lots, and New Utrecht are found in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, KINGS, [TOWN] - VITAL RECORDS
''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>
=== Manhattan (New York County)  ===
*'''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>


{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
=== Marriage Records ===
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
|-
|-
| Death certificates card<br>index 1868–1890 <br>
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''New York Marriage Records May Include:*'''
| 4 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=199051&disp=Manhattan+death+certificates%2C+1866%2D1%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1324809] <br>
|-
|-
| Death registers 1795, <br>1801–1804, 1808, <br>1811–1865
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Names of Bride/Groom**'''
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=190306&disp=Manhattan+death+registers%2C+1795-1865++ 447544–68] (by first letter of<br>surname)
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Death certificates<br>1866–1919
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Marriage'''
| 1,069 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=199051&disp=Manhattan+death+certificates%2C+1866%2D1%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1323352]
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Cholera cases 1866
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Presiding Official'''
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=199051&disp=Manhattan+death+certificates%2C+1866%2D1%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1324501–502]
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Coroner inquests<br>1797–1820, 1862–1864,<br>1868–1918
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''# of Times Married'''
| 9 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=94396&disp=Records+of+coroners+office%3B+inquests+t++ 514332]
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Coroner inquests<br>1823–1898
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Dates/Places of Birth'''
| 101 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=537374&disp=Coroner%27s+inquisitions%2C+1823-1898++ 1318155]
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Coroner reports 1839
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Residences/Race'''
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=548237&disp=Coroners%27+report+of+death%2C+1839++ 1255743]
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" | x
|-
|-
| Bodies-in-transit<br>1859–1894
| width="30%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| 3 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=551768&disp=Manhattan+bodies+in+transit%2C+1859%2D18%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1671686]
| width="8%" valign="middle" align="center" |  x
|}
 
=== Queens (Queens County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Death certificates 1898–1919 <br>
| colspan = "2" |* Early records may have less information<br>** May be previous married name of bride
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=203971&disp=Queens+%28New+York%29+death+certificates%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1323384–472]
|}
 
<br>Deaths 1847–1898 (years vary) for the towns of College Point, Far Rockaway, Flushing, Jamaica, Long Island City, Newtown, Richmond Hill, Rockaway, and Whitestone are listed in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, QUEENS, [TOWN] - VITAL RECORDS
 
=== Staten Island (Richmond County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
| Death index 1600–1900s
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=217304&disp=Index+and+genealogical+data+cards++ 539053–71]
|-
| Death register card index 1847–1897
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=109225&disp=Index+to+deaths%2C+Richmond+County%2C+Ne++ 1324932–34]
|-
|-
| Death certificates 1898–1920
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=209633&disp=Richmond+County%2C+New+York+death+certif++ 1322793–81]
|}
|}
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>


Deaths 1847–1853, 1881–1897 (years vary) for the towns of Castleton, Edgewater, Middletown, Northfield, Port Richmond, Southfield, Tottenville, and Westfield are listed in the Family History Library Catalog Place Search under NEW YORK, RICHMOND, [TOWN] - VITAL RECORDS.  
#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


You can obtain New York City birth (1910 to the present) and death (1949<br>to the present) certificates for a fee from:


'''New York City Department of Health'''<br>Bureau of Vital Records<br>125 Worth Street, Room 133<br>New York, NY 10013-0046<br>Telephone: 212-788-4500 <br>Internet: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/vr/vr.shtml
'''[[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>


Mailing Address:<br>'''Division of Vital Records<br>'''City of New York, Department of Health<br>P.O. Box 3776<br>Church Street Station<br>New York, NY 10007
**[[Niagara County, New York Genealogy|Niagara Falls, New York]]
 
**[[St. Lawrence County, New York Genealogy|Ogdensburgh, St. Lawrence, New York]]
For birth records through 1909 and death records through 1948, write to:  
**[[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>


'''New York City Department of Records <br>and Information Services'''<br>Municipal Archives<br>31 Chambers Street, Room 103<br>New York, NY 10007<br>Telephone: 212-788-8580 or 212-566-5292<br>Fax: 212-385-4253 <br>Internet: http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/about/archives.shtml
=== Death Records ===
 
{| class="wikitable" width="30%" cellspacing="1" cellpadding="1" border="1" align="right"
New York City Birth and Death Records are available using a credit card. Write to the New York City Department of Health, 125 Worth Street, New York, NY 10013. A "Hotline" telephone number, 212-788-4505, is available for information and for ordering birth and death certificates using a credit card. You can order birth records from 1910 to the present or death records from 1949 to the present. Using a credit card the cost is $15.00. Five to seven business days are required for delivery. You can also order by sending a fax of the application to 212-962-6105. They can fax a copy of the application to your fax machine. The fee is also $15.00. Five to seven business days are required for delivery.
 
The records are not available for genealogical purposes and are subject to certain other restrictions.
 
All other local registrars sent copies of their records to the State Department of Health. Most New York deaths after 1962 are in the [[Social Security Death Index (SSDI)|Social Security Death Index]].
 
Kronman, Barbara. ''The Guide to New York City Public Records'', Fourth Edition. New York, New York: Public Interest Clearinghouse, 1992. (Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=640284&disp=The+guide+to+New+York+City+public+record%20%20&columns=*,0,0 974.71 A3k].) Includes chapters on city government, courts, libraries, and personal information. Shows how to obtain vital records, name change records, and naturalizations.
 
== 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'' (1860; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1984; Family History Library book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=342358&disp=Names+of+persons+for+whom+marriage+licen%20%20&columns=*,0,0 974.7 V28n] 1968; film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=342358&disp=Names+of+persons+for+whom+marriage+licen++ 514675] has the 1860 edition). 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'' (New York, New York: St. Nicholas Society of the City of New York, 1972; not at Family History Library).
 
About 152,000 individuals are indexed in ''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]). 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.
 
=== 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
 
For marriage records for Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Richmond through 1937, write:
 
'''New York City Department of Records <br>and Information Services'''<br>Municipal Archives<br>31 Chambers Street, Room 103<br>New York, NY 10007<br>Telephone: 212-788-8580 or 212-566-5292<br>Fax: 212-385-4253 <br>Internet: http://www.nyc.gov/html/records/html/about/archives.shtml
 
Pre-1938 New York City marriages, some as early as 1830, are found at the Municipal Archives. The Family History Library has microfilmed marriages of:
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| All Boroughs
| colspan="2" valign="middle" height="50" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="center" | '''New York Death Records May Include:*'''
| All of New York City <br>
|-
|-
| Groom marriage index books 1888–1937 (to Health<br>Department marriages but<br>not City Clerk marriages)
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Decedent'''
| 12 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=526478&disp=New+York+City+index+to+marriages+in+all+%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1543903] (only for Manhattan from 1888–1893, <br>and only for Manhattan and Brooklyn from 1894–1897)
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|}
 
=== Bronx (Bronx County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Bride marriage indexes 1898–1937
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Date/Place of Death'''
| 4 Family History Library films beginning with film <br>[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=712095&disp=Bronx%2C+New+York+marriage+index+to+brid%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1983782] <br>
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Health Dept. Groom index 1898–1937
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Sex/Race'''
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=693839&disp=Bronx+marriage+certificates%2C+1897%2D19%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1976292–93]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Health Dept. marriage certificates<br>1897–1938
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Occupation'''
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=693839&disp=Bronx+marriage+certificates%2C+1897%2D19%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1939720]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|}
 
=== <br> ===
 
=== Brooklyn (Kings County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Health Dept. marriage certificates<br>1866–1937 <br>
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Age/Date of Birth'''
| 203 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=653538&disp=Marriage+certificates+%28Brooklyn%2C+New%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1543711]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Manhattan <br>
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''State/Country of Birth'''
| New York County
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Marriage register 1823–1853<br>(Mariners' Church)
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Length of Residence'''
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=195827&disp=Marriage+register+of+Rev.+Henry+Chase++ 017785 item 5]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Mayor's marriage records and index<br>1830–1854
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Name of Spouse'''
| Family History Library film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=300382&disp=Marriages+performed+by+the+various+Mayor++ 017776]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Marriage register and index<br>1829–1887
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Parents' Names'''
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=551389&disp=Register+of+marriages%2C+New+York+City%2%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1671673–85]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Health Dept. marriage records and indexes 1866–1937
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Birth Places of Parents'''
| 1447 Family History Library films beginning with<br>film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=399474&disp=Manhattan+marriage+records%2C+1866%2D193%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1522995]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Marriage indexes 1898–1937
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Physician'''
| 4 Family History Library films beginning with film<br>[http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=712095&disp=Bronx%2C+New+York+marriage+index+to+brid%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1983782]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|}
 
=== <br> ===
 
=== Queens (Queens County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Health Dept. groom index 1881–1937, bride index 1905–1937, marriage certificates 1898–1937 <br>
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cause of Death'''
| 56 Family History Library films beginning with film [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=657367&disp=Marriage+records%2C+1881%2D1937%3B+index%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1908328]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Marriages 1847–1897 (years vary) for the towns of Far Rockaway, Flushing, Jamaica, and Newtown
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Informant'''
| Listed in the Family History Library Catalog Locality Search under NEW YORK, QUEENS, [TOWN] - VITAL RECORDS
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|}
 
=== Staten Island (Richmond County)  ===
 
{| class="plain FCK__ShowTableBorders"
|-
|-
| Marriage index and records<br>1600s–1900s
| width="22%" valign="middle" height="25" bgcolor="#99ccff" align="left" | '''Cemetery'''
| Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=217304&disp=Index+and+genealogical+data+cards++ 539053–71]
| width="8%" valign="middle" height="25" align="center" |  x
|-
|-
| Marriages after 1937
| colspan = "2" | * Early records may have less information
| In the borough offices of the city clerk
|}
|}
''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>


<br>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:  
== 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]


'''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/
==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


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.
''See also:''<br>
* [[New York Research Tips and Strategies]]
* [[United States Basic Search Strategies]]
* [[United States Research Tips and Strategies]]


=== 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 the "[[New York Newspapers|Newspapers]]" section of this outline for a partial list. In the Place Search of the Family History Library Catalog, these notices are listed under:
===Burned, Lost, or Missing Records===
 
The following counties had record loss. Click on the county for more information.<br>
NEW YORK, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - NEWSPAPERS
{| style="width:50%; vertical-align:top;"
 
|-
NEW YORK, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - OBITUARIES
|style="width:16%; vertical-align:top;"|
 
*[[Albany County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Albany]]
Check also under the state and county levels.
*[[Niagara County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Niagara]]
 
*[[Orange County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Orange]]
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:
*[[Schoharie County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Schoharie]]
 
*[[Sullivan County, New York Genealogy#Record Loss|Sullivan]]
NEW YORK, [COUNTY], [TOWN] - CHURCH RECORDS
|}
 
''See also:''<br>
An example is:
*[[Burned Counties Research|Burned Counties Research]] for strategies to find ancestors in spite of record loss.
 
Fisher, William Scott, compiler. ''New York City Methodist Marriages, 1785–1893''. Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1994. (Family History Library&nbsp;book [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=704744&disp=New+York+City+Methodist+marriages%2C+178%20%20&columns=*,0,0 974.71 K2fn vols. 1–2].) This contains a groom index and a bride index, each of which has about 41,000 names.
 
=== 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]]" section of this outline.
 
From 1787–1847, divorces were recorded in chancery court records. Chancery court divorces are at the state archives or for the New York City area at:
 
'''New York County Clerk's Office'''<br>Division of Old Records<br>31 Chambers Street<br>7th floor<br>New York, NY 10007<br>Telephone: 212-788-8580 or 212-566-5292<br>Fax: 212-385-4253 <br>Internet: [http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/modules.php?name=sections&op=viewarticle&artid=61 http://www.newyorkfamilyhistory.org/modules.php?name=sections&amp;op=viewarticle&amp;artid=61]  
 
Since 1846, the supreme court has recorded divorce proceedings. 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:


New York County (New York). County Clerk. ''Index to Matrimonial Actions, 1784–1910''. Salt Lake City, Utah: Genealogical Society of Utah, 1977. (Family History Library films [http://www.familysearch.org/eng/library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titledetails&titleno=235832&disp=Index+to+matrimonial+actions%2C+1784%2D1%20%20&columns=*,0,0 1017465–67].)


=== Web Sites  ===
===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]]


*[http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/genealogy/vitrec.htm http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/genealogy/vitrec.htm]
== References ==
*ht[http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nysuffol/vroi.html tp://www.rootsweb.com/~nysuffol/vroi.html]
{{reflist}}
*[http://www.italiangen.org/VRECLIST.stm www.italiangen.org/VRECLIST.stm]


[[Category:New_York]]
[[Category:New_York_Vital_records]][[Category:New York, United States]][[Category: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.

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