Do I need a notary for the birth certificate application?

No. The applicant signs and dates the application without a notary. If delivery is to a P.O. Box or third party, include a notarized statement signed by the applicant.

How do I submit the birth certificate application?

Mail the signed application with payment and copies of required identification to the Vital Records Section address for the handling option selected. The form lists separate addresses for regular and priority handling.

Who can use this application?

The person named on the birth certificate or that person's parent may apply. The birth must have occurred in New York State outside New York City; the form is not for genealogy requests.

What identification and payment should I include?

Include copies of one listed valid photo ID or two listed documents showing the applicant's name and address. Send a check or money order payable to the New York State Department of Health; do not send cash.

Elma, NY · Erie County

No notary required

Mail-in Application for Copy of Birth Certificate

This application lets an eligible person or a parent request a copy of a birth certificate for a birth that occurred in New York State outside New York City.

What this form is

Use this New York State Department of Health application to request a copy of a birth certificate by mail. The applicant must be the person named on the certificate or that person's parent, and the birth must have occurred outside New York City. The form asks for birth and parent details, the applicant's relationship and contact information, the number and purpose of copies, and the handling option.

Who needs it

A person named on a birth certificate or that person's parent can use this application to request a copy for a birth outside New York City.

How to submit it

Mail the signed application, payment, and copies of required identification to the New York State Department of Health Vital Records Section at the address for the handling option selected. Regular handling goes to the Albany P.O. Box; priority handling goes to the Menands address.

About notarization

The applicant signs and dates this application without a notary; a notarized statement signed by the applicant is required if delivery is to a P.O. Box or third party.

How to submit this form

1
Download the Application
Download the mail-in application and its instruction page.
2
Complete and Sign
Enter the requested birth, applicant, copy, and mailing details, then sign and date the application.
3
Gather Identification and Payment
Include copies of the required identification and a check or money order; add a notarized statement if delivery is to a P.O. Box or third party.
4
Mail the Request
Send the application and included materials to the Vital Records Section address listed for your selected handling option.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a notary for the birth certificate application?: No. The applicant signs and dates the application without a notary. If delivery is to a P.O. Box or third party, include a notarized statement signed by the applicant.
How do I submit the birth certificate application?: Mail the signed application with payment and copies of required identification to the Vital Records Section address for the handling option selected. The form lists separate addresses for regular and priority handling.
Who can use this application?: The person named on the birth certificate or that person's parent may apply. The birth must have occurred in New York State outside New York City; the form is not for genealogy requests.
What identification and payment should I include?: Include copies of one listed valid photo ID or two listed documents showing the applicant's name and address. Send a check or money order payable to the New York State Department of Health; do not send cash.

Need something notarized?

This Mail-in Application for Copy of Birth Certificate doesn’t need a notary — but if you have another Elma form that does, a commissioned online notary can help.