Where To Apply

A resource to help New York adoptees determine where to apply in New York for a copy of their own original birth certificates. If you are a descendant of an adopted person, complete this form as if you are the adopted person.

Where Were You Born?*
- Bronx (Bronx County)
- Brooklyn (Kings County)
- Manhattan (New York County)
- Queens (Queens County)
- Staten Island (Richmond County)
- None of these
Where to Apply
New York City Department of Health

Since you were born in one of the five boroughs of New York City, you must apply for a copy of the original birth certificate with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Update! New York City is now accepting online applications for pre-adoption (original) birth certificates.
Apply Online

The city currently has instructions here (please scroll to the bottom of the page where it says “Order a Pre-adoption Birth Certificate”). Paper mail-in application forms and instructions are available here. Forms can be mailed to:

Office of Vital Records
ATTN: Sealed Record Request
125 Worth St., CN-4
New York, NY 10013-4090
New York State Department of Health

Since you were born in New York but not in one of the five boroughs of New York City, you must apply for a copy of the original birth certificate with the New York State Department of Health. More information is here, including a FAQ that should answer additional questions.

The online application is available here. Paper forms that are mailed in or dropped off at the state department of health will likely take much longer to process, resulting in a longer wait time for you to receive the OBC.

More Info/Apply Online
Note: If you were born outside of the United States (an intercountry adoptee) or in a state other than New York, you may be able to obtain information, but only if your adoption was finalized in New York. Please see this FAQ for more information.
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Email this Information to you?*
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- No thanks, I’m good
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New York City Department of Health

New York State Department of Health

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