How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

NY State Department of Health (NYSDOH), Bureau of Vital Records (state level - Albany) OR Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (where birth occurred) / NYC DOHMH (for NYC births - separate system)

Details

What you need to know

Fee

$15 per certified copy (NYC); VitalChek/online adds service fee

Processing Time

NYSDOH mail: 6-8 weeks; VitalChek/online: expedited; local registrar: varies; NYC: VitalChek fastest; in-person appointment required

Online Option

VitalChek (both NYSDOH and NYC DOHMH)

Where to Go

For NYC births: nyc.gov/health or VitalChek. For all other NY births: NYSDOH (mail or VitalChek) or local registrar/town clerk where birth occurred

New York Notes

Important state-specific details

NEVER apply to NYSDOH for NYC-borough births - wrong system; will cause delays.
NYSDOH state fee: $30 by mail; $45 online via VitalChek.
NYC DOHMH fee: $15/copy; in-person requires appointment.
Records restricted (not fully public); most access requires showing you are the person named or a parent.
Long-form vs. short-form: for apostille or international use, request long-form ("raised seal"); for NYC marriages, "Extended" certificate.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

NYSDOH Vital Records (outside NYC) - health.ny.gov/vital_records | (855) 322-1022 | P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602; NYC DOHMH (NYC births) - nyc.gov/health | 311; NYC VitalChek order link: nyc.gov/site/doh/services/birth-death-records.page