Vital Statistics
Department Overview
The Office of Vital Statistics records all births and deaths occurring within the City of Binghamton since 1884. As these records are highly confidential, there are restrictions on who may obtain these documents. For more information on who is legally authorized to obtain a record, along with application requirements, please read below, or visit the New York State Department of Health website.
Please note that there are only two ways to obtain a birth or death record: in person, or through the mail. Requests sent via mail will be processed within three to five business days.
HOURS OF OPERATION: Due to limited staffing, the Office of Vital Statistics is closed for lunch every day from 1:00pm to 2:00pm.
Birth Certificates
Eligibility Requirements
The following individuals are eligible to obtain a birth certificate:
- The person named on the birth certificate.
- Either parent named on the birth certificate.
- An individual named by order of a New York State Court as being legally authorized to obtain a birth certificate belonging to a spouse, child or other persons.
Information Requirements
An individual who meets the eligibility requirements listed above must provide the following information in order to obtain a birth certificate.
- Full name (First, Middle, Last). Initials are not accepted.
- Date of birth.
- Mother’s maiden name (First, Middle, Last).
- Father’s name (First, Middle, Last).
- Reason. Please include a statement as to why you are requesting this record.
- Identification. Below is a list of acceptable forms of identification:
- Current driver’s license or non-drivers license with current address.
- Sheriff’s identification with current address.
- Benefit card with photograph, plus a utility bill in the original envelope, postmarked within the past 30 days.
- Two different utility bills in the original envelopes, postmarked within the past 30 days.
- Payment. Birth certificates are available at a cost of $10 each, payable by cash, money order or cashier’s check, made payable to “Vital Records”.
Death Certificates
Eligibility Requirements
The following individuals are eligible to obtain a death certificate:
- The spouse, parent or child of the deceased.
- Other persons who have a:
- Documented lawful right or claim.
- Documented medical need.
- New York State Court Order.
Information Requirements
An individual who meets the eligibility requirements listed above must provide the following information in order to obtain a death certificate.
- Full name of deceased (First, Middle, Last).
- Date of death.
- Reason. Please include a statement as to why you are requesting this record.
- Payment. Death certificates are available at a cost of $10 each, payable by cash, money order or cashier’s check, made payable to “Vital Records”.
Genealogical Records
Since the Office of Vital Statics has records on file dating back to 1884, individuals conducting genealogical searches are able to obtain birth and death records of deceased family members. Documents requested for this purpose will be stamped with the statement, “For Genealogy Purposes Only”. Many of these records are not computerized, and require a physical search. For this reason, if the year of death is unknown, a single search will involve looking through records within a three-year time period.
The fee for a search, whether we find the requested document or not, is $22, payable by cash, money order or cashier’s check, made payable to “Vital Records”. You may request multiple searches.
Death Certificates for Genealogy
In order to obtain a death certificate for genealogical purposes, the record must be on file for at least 50 years. To obtain the record, you must be a direct descendent of the deceased.
Birth Certificates for Genealogy
In order to obtain a birth certificate for genealogical purposes, the record must be on file for at least 75 years. To obtain the record, you must be able to prove your relationship to the deceased, and you must have a certified copy of the death certificate.
