New York City and New York State government agencies can request certificates or verifications by mail.

You must:

• Complete a Birth Certificate Application or Get the Death Certificate Application.
• Include a letter on official letterhead saying why you need the information

Office of the Public Administrator

The New York City Office of the Public Administrator can request death records to resolve estate cases.

Requests for unverified death certificate will be sent to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) by NYC Health Department (DOHMH). Applicants will then be contacted by OCME for verification.

For more information, contact the Office of Vital Records at nycdohvr@health.nyc.gov

Federal and State agencies can request certificates or verifications by mail.

The request must include:

• A letter on official letterhead saying why you need the information
• $15 check or money order

The Social Security Administration must also pay $15 for a certified copy of the record.