The NYC Health Department works to protect and promote the health of New Yorkers from all backgrounds. We provide services at low- to no-cost and in multiple languages, regardless of financial or immigration status.
You have the right to services in your preferred language. This page provides information on our primary services. For more information about these services in your preferred language, call 311.
If you have any questions or concerns about our interpretation services or translations, email the Health Department’s Language Access Coordinator, Anton Kuzmin, at languageaccess@health.nyc.gov.
To use Google Translate to read our website, click on Translate in the top right-hand corner of any page and select your language.
Google Translate is an automated function that may not always provide an accurate translation.
When visiting the Health Department or another City agency, show an I Speak card (PDF) to a staff member and they will find an interpreter for you. Language services are free at all NYC offices and clinics.
The Health Department issues and makes changes to birth certificates and death certificates. The Health Department’s Citywide Immunization Registry also issues immunization records.
Birth Certificates
The Health Department issues birth certificates for all people who are born in New York City. You may apply for a New York City birth certificate if:
More Information: Birth Certificates
Death Certificates
The Health Department issues death certificates for all people who die in New York City. The Health Department also fulfills requests to correct death certificates. Requests to order death certificates can take three to four weeks to be processed.
More Information: Death Certificates
Vaccine Records
New Yorkers born after 1995 can get records of their vaccines for school or other purposes. You can request your record by mail or fax, or in some cases, you can search for it online.
More Information: Vaccine Records
The Health Department clinics offer low- to no-cost immunization and sexual health services and no-cost Tuberculosis (TB) services. For more information, visit clinics.
Sexual Health Clinics
The NYC Sexual Health Clinics provide low- to no-cost services for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Anyone who is 12 or older can receive walk-in services, regardless of immigration status.
More Information: Sexual Health Clinics
Vaccine Clinics
Vaccine clinics offer the following services:
More Information: Immunization Clinics
Tuberculosis (TB) Clinics
Anyone at risk for TB can get a free evaluation and treatment at a TB Clinic.
More Information:TB Clinics
You and your family may qualify for low- or no-cost health insurance and health care options regardless of immigration status and ability to pay. Learn about health insurance and health care options for immigrants (PDF).
The Health Department’s Certified Application Counselors can help you understand your health insurance options and enroll in Medicaid, Child Health Plus, the Essential Plan or a private plan.
More Information: Health Insurance: Enrollment Counselors
Find a certificated counselor by borough:
Manhattan
Brooklyn
Queens
Bronx
Staten Island
The Health Department licenses, regulates and inspects child care programs to protect children’s health and safety. Use the NYC Child Care Connect service (available in English) to search for permitted child care programs, including child care centers, school-based child care and summer camps. You can also compare your center to others across the city or sign up for free text and email messages to receive updates about your child care provider.
Nurse-Family Partnership
Nurse-Family Partnership is a nurse home visiting program for women who are pregnant with their first baby. Nurse visits continue until the baby is 2 years old. These visits can improve the health, well-being and self-sufficiency of low-income first-time mothers and their children.
More Information: NYC Nurse-Family Partnership
Newborn Home Visiting Program
The Newborn Home Visiting Program supports first-time mothers and their newborns the first few weeks after birth. A public health professional can help with breastfeeding, provide health and safety tips and connect families to resources.
More Information: Newborn Home Visiting Program
Children with Developmental Delays or Disabilities
The Early Intervention Program provides support for families with children younger than 3 years old who have developmental delays or disabilities.
Some children may benefit from Developmental Monitoring, a program designed to see how children are developing and how much progress they are making.
Services are free for families, regardless of income or immigration status.
More Information: Early Intervention
Quit Smoking
Smoking kills about 12,000 New Yorkers every year. If you smoke, quitting smoking is the single most important thing you can do for your health. NYC Quits provides you with the information and resources you need to quit smoking, or to support someone who is quitting.
More information: NYC Quits
Pet Licenses and Shots
The Health Department issues dog licenses and responds to dog bites and to cases of animals with rabies. In New York City, all puppies and kittens should get their first rabies shot between 3 and 4 months of age. The New York City Health Code also requires that all dog owners license their dogs and attach the license tag to their dog's collars while in public.
More Information:Dog Licenses
Restaurant Safety and Letter Grading
Restaurant operators, mobile food vendors and soup kitchen/summer feeding workers can get training and take certification courses.
If you own a food service operation or facility, the Health Department will inspect it at least once a year to check if you are meeting all required food safety rules.
More Information: Letter Grading for Restaurants
West Nile Virus and Mosquito Control
The Health Department monitors mosquito populations and applies pesticides during the summer. These methods reduce the number of mosquitoes and lessen the risk of mosquito-borne diseases, such as West Nile Virus.
During mosquito season (April through September), the City schedules pesticide application events in all five boroughs.
Neighborhood Health Action Centers
The Health Department’s Neighborhood Health Action Centers bring more health and community services to New Yorkers.
You can go to an Action Center for:
More Information: Neighborhood Health Action Centers
Farmers Markets and Health Bucks
Health Bucks are $2 coupons that can be used to buy fresh fruits and vegetables at all farmers markets in NYC. All farmers markets that accept Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits will give one Health Buck to each customer for every $5 spent using Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT).
More information:
Mental Health Services
The Health Department helps people with mental health or substance use problems get access to treatment and care. To find a mental health professional, visit NYC Well or call your health insurance plan. In an emergency, call 911.
Texting Services
You can get real-time updates and relevant information on a variety of health topics through our texting services. These services are available in English and Spanish.
More information: Texting Services.
Health Publications
You can get publications available from the Health Department. Publications include information guides and factsheets, as well as research and statistical reports.
All publications are in PDF format. If you would like a publication in print, or need help finding a publication, call 311.
More information: Health Publications