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NYC Health Department Services

Services in Your Language


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.

Google Translate

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.

Translation Services at City Facilities

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.

Birth and Death Certificates and Vaccine Records

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:

  • You were born in New York City
  • You are listed on the birth certificate (as parent or registrant/infant)
  • You are 18 or older

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

Low- to No-Cost Confidential Clinics

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:

  • Childhood vaccinations
  • Adult vaccinations
  • Seasonal flu shots

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

Health Insurance Enrollment Services

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

  • Washington Heights Health Center
    600 West 168th Street, Second Floor
    212-368-5475

  • Chelsea Health Center
    303 Ninth Avenue, First Floor
    646-483-4270

Brooklyn

  • Bushwick Health Center
    335 Central Avenue, First Floor
    347-236-7029, 646-799-1346, 347-236-9934

  • Fort Greene Health Center
    295 Flatbush Avenue Extension, Fifth Floor
    718-249-1438, 718-249-1436, 718-249-1435

  • Homecrest Health Center
    1601 Avenue S, First Floor
    646-866-4173, 646-548-3299

  • Bedford Health Center
    485 Throop Avenue, Second Floor
    718-637-5222, 718-637-5361
    Crown Heights Health Center enrollment staff will continue to provide enrollment services at our new Bedford Health Center site. Call for information or to schedule a telephone enrollment appointment.

Queens

  • Corona Health Center
    34-33 Junction Boulevard, First Floor
    Jackson Heights
    718-208-6818, 347-236-7049, 646-483-2902

  • Jamaica Health Center
    90-37 Parsons Boulevard, Fourth Floor
    Jamaica
    718-553-3853, 718-553-3846

  • Astoria Health Center
    12-26 31st Avenue, Second Floor
    Astoria
    718-208-6818, 646-483-4270

Bronx

  • Morrisania Health Center
    1309 Fulton Avenue, Third Floor
    646-483-1279, 646-983-1712

Staten Island

  • 135 Canal Street
    Second Floor
    917-217-3324
    (By appointment only)

Children’s Services

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

Other Popular Services

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:

  • Primary care, mental health care and, in some cases, dental care
  • Referrals to a network of neighborhood resources
  • Health and wellness classes, workshops and activities
  • Community space for people to work and coordinate strategies that advance neighborhood health

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

Additional Resources