Rules for Obtaining Copies of Vital Records
Section 4173 of the Public Health Law and Part 35 of the State Commissioner's Administrative Rules and Regulations set forth the conditions under which vital records copies may be issued by local registrars:
- A VERIFIED TRANSCRIPT OF BIRTH MAY BE ISSUED ONLY TO THE INDIVIDUAL NAMED ON THE RECORD IF 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, A PARENT OR OTHER LAWFUL REPRESENTATIVE (GUARDIAN OR ATTORNEY) OF THE PERSON, AND TO NO ONE ELSE, UNLESS THEY HAVE A COURT ORDER.
- COPIES OF DEATH RECORDS MAY BE ISSUED ONLY TO PERSONS WITH A JUDICIAL OR OTHER PROPER PURPOSE, SUCH AS THE SETTLING OF ESTATES, INHERITANCE RIGHTS, INSURANCE BENEFITS, ETC. IDLE CURIOSITY AND COMMERCIALISM ARE NOT PROPER PURPOSES.
- COPIES OF FETAL DEATH RECORDS MAY ONLY BE ISSUED TO THE PARENTS NAMED ON THE CERTIFICATE AND NO ONE ELSE UNLESS THEY HAVE A COURT ORDER. THESE CERTIFICATES CAN ONLY BE OBTAINED THROUGH THE STATE DEPARTMENT IN ALBANY.
In order to obtain copies of vital records, you also need to
present a valid driver's license or a copy of your license if you are
mailing in the form. The fee charged for copies of vital records, effective
10/17/91, is $10.00. If a search is made and the record cannot be located,
the registrar should issue a "No Record Certification" and charge a $10.00
fee.