Overview

Apostilles are an internationally recognized way to verifying the authenticity of one country’s official document to another country. In New York State, the Department of State issues apostilles on official documents. The NY Department of State requires the document be authenticated at the city and county levels before an Apostille can be issued. That means that your marriage certificate, birth certificate and/or death certificate must have the original signature of the City Clerk and the County Clerk along with a raised seal.

Access to certified copies of vital records is restricted by Public Health Law Section 4174, Section 4139 and Domestic Relations Law Section 20. To obtain any of these certified documents you must provide one of the following forms of photo ID which has your date of birth, signature and valid expiration date: 

• U.S. Driver's License 
• Non-driver photo ID card (DMV issued identification)
• Passport 
• U.S. Military ID (Active, Reserve or Retired personnel)

ALL APPLICANTS MUST BE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER.

BIRTH CERTIFICATE

 
Only the person and/or their parent (s) listed on the birth record may obtain a certified copy of the birth record by completing the Birth Certificate Application.
If the parent, grandparent or great grandparent is deceased a person with a NYS court order can obtain a certified copy of the Birth Certificate. 
 

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

The Bride or Groom can request his/her own marriage certificate.
If the Bride and Groom are deceased, the applicant must complete a Marriage Certificate Application, provide a copy of their death certificates along with documentation demonstrating the relationship and the applicant must provide proper identification and a notarized Affidavit of Request for Certified Marriage Certificate.

DEATH CERTIFICATE

Grandparent, great grandparent requests must have a completed Death Certificate Application.  You must also have a completed notarized Affidavit of Request for Certified Death Certificate along with documentation demonstrating your relationship and you must provide proper identification. 
 
FEE
Certified Copy Fee: $10 (each) 

• Marriage Transcript 
• Birth Certificate
• Death Certificate

Payment in cash, credit or debit cards: Discover, Master Card and Visa are accepted

Once your documents have been signed and certified by the City Clerk you must then take the documents to the Westchester County Clerk for their authentication. Once that is done you must then take your completed documents to the New York State Department of State for apostille. The New York City office for the NYS Department of State is 123 William Street, New York, NY 10038 and the phone number is (212) 417-5747.

NOTE: SUBMITTING A FALSE AFFIDAVIT MAY RESULT IN PROSECUTION FOR PERJURY