Order your New York (NY) Birth Certificate Online

• Last name (as it would appear on the certificate)
• First name
• Sex
• Exact date of birth
• Name of hospital or address where you were born
• Why do you need the certificate
• Your mother’s name or parent’s name prior to first marriage
• Your father’s name or parent’s name prior to first marriage

Before applying for a birth certificate, it is also essential that you know that there is more than one type of certificate. You can apply for either an authorized copy or an informational copy.

The difference between the two is as follows:

• A certified or authorized copy of a birth certificate - it will have the registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored seal, as well as the registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office. This authorized copy can be used for several purposes.
• An informational copy of a birth certificate - informational copies have the following words imprinted across the face of the copy: “Informational, not a valid document to establish identity”.

An authorized copy of the birth certificate will be required if you wish to apply for a U.S. passport, get married, or get a driver’s license. When registering a child in school, it is also necessary to provide an authorized copy of the certificate. If you need to prove your identity, you will need to apply for an authorized birth certificate.

The informational copy is generally used for informational purposes only. It has all of your essential details. Bear in mind, that anyone can order an informational copy of a birth certificate if they have all the necessary details. However, only eligible people can get an authorized copy.

As of May 7, 2025, U.S. citizens and residents must have a REAL ID-compliant driving license or ID card to enter federal facilities and board commercial aircrafts. Requirements to obtain a REAL ID may include proof of identity, such as a certified copy of the birth certificate.

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Who Can Apply for a New York Birth Certificate?

The following people are able to apply for an authorized copy of a birth certificate from the state of New York:

• The certificate holder, a parent or legal guardian of the certificate holder.
• A child, grandparent, grandchild, sibling, spouse, or domestic partner of the certificate holder.
• A member of a law enforcement agency or a representative of another governmental agency, as provided by law, who is conducting official business.
• A party entitled to receive the record as a result of a court order, or an attorney or a licensed adoption agency seeking the birth record.
• An attorney representing the certificate holder or the certificate holder’s estate, or any person or agency empowered by statute or appointed by a court to act on behalf of the certificate holder or the certificate holder's estate.

If you need to get your driver’s license, apply for a passport, get married, register for school, you will need a certified copy of your birth certificate.

Remember that what differentiates this type of birth certificate copy is the official state registrar’s raised, embossed, impressed or multicolored Seal of New York, the registrar’s signature, and the date the certificate was filed with the registrar’s office.

All those born in the state of New York that need to request a certified copy of their birth certificate will need to include a clear photocopy of both sides of one of the forms of photo ID listed below along with a completed application form:

• State of N.Y. Driver’s License
• State of N.Y. ID Card
• Driver’s license issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory state-issued
• Photo State Identification Card issued by another U.S. State, jurisdiction or territory
• U.S. Passport

Once your application package is completed you will need to mail it to:

New York State (Regular Mail):
New York State Department of Health
Vital Records Section/Certification Unit
P.O. Box 2602
Albany, NY 12220-2602

New York Birth Certificate Processing Times

To prevent any delays with the processing time of your New York State Birth Certificate make sure to fill in the application with accurate details. Remember that you must include a valid copy of an official photo ID such as your driver’s license, military ID, work ID, or passport.

The New York Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics will generally take between 10-12 weeks to process your application from the moment it has been received. You can always pay an additional fee for the rush service if you need your vital record urgently (rush service times are 2-4 weeks).

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