Genealogy

Historical Vital Records of NYC provides access to millions of digitized birth, death and marriage records dating from 1855 to 1949.  Search, browse, download or order certified copies from the Municipal Archives’ vital records collection.   

Certified Vital Records

You can still order certified copies of vital records for legal purposes.  If you require a certificate for legal purposes, you must select "I need a Letter of Exemplification" on the order form, and the record must be mailed. If you cannot use the webform, use this order form to mail in an order for Vital Records.

• For birth records after 1909, contact the NYC Department of Health.  
• For death records after 1948, contact the NYC Department of Health.  
• For marriage records after 1949, contact the NYC City Clerk’s Office. 

Family History Resources 

In addition to New York City Vital Records, our family history resources include census records, city directories, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner records, the New Amsterdam Collection (1647-1862), Old Town records, Bodies in Transit registers (1859-1894), Almshouse ledgers (1758-1952), and Common Council and court records. Please read our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.