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Home > City Departments > City Clerk > Birth, Death & Marriage Records for the City of Buffalo ONLY > Birth Certificate Request

Birth Certificate Request - FOR THE CITY OF BUFFALO ONLY

Application for Birth Certificate, Death Certificate or Marriage 

Please E-mail us your suggestions or Comments

  • Office hours:  Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 4:30pm

Fees: If no record is on file, a NO RECORD CERTIFICATION will be issued and the fee will NOT be refunded.


Requesting a record in Person: You must provide government issued photo ID and meet eligibility requirements depending on the type of document you are seeking. The fee is $10 per certificate payable by money order, credit card MasterCard® or Visa®. or cash. Note: Wallet-sized photo birth certificates are available (only in person) for $25. The same criteria applies as for a hardcopy birth certificate.

Requesting a record Via Internet: Orders can be processed with a credit card at www.vitalchek.com

Requesting a record Via Mail: Orders are processed within 7-10 days from receipt of mail request and the following information must be included:

  • Enclose a written request with the following information:  name on birth certificate, date of birth, father's name and mother's maiden name
  • Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope
  • Money order payable to the City Clerk ($10 per certificate)
  • Copy of government issued photo ID 
  • Proof of address if your address on your ID is not current and send to:
    • Vital Records
      1302 City Hall
      65 Niagara Square
      Buffalo NY 14202

We do not send records to third parties or PO Boxes.

Who is eligible to obtain a birth certificate copy?

 - The person named on the birth certificate.
 - A parent of the person named on the birth certificate (requesting parent's name must be on birth certificate)
 - Only by order of a New York State Court or a Government agency for a legal or proper purpose may a spouse, child or other
   persons obtain a copy of a birth certificate.

Fee for certified copy is $10.00 per certificate.
Fee for photo birth certificate is $25.00 (in person request only)

Identification Requirements - application must be submitted with copies of EITHER A or B:

A.  One (1) of the following forms of valid photo ID:

     - Drivers license with photo
     - Non-driver photo ID card
     - Passport
     - Other government issued photo ID

                                       OR

B.  Five (5) of the following showing the applicant's name and address:

     - Utility bills (gas, electric, phone, cable)
     - Paycheck stubs
     - Social Services card
     - Social Security card
     - Health Insurance card
     - Mortgage/Rental lease statement

Important Notes:

Failure to include necessary identification will result in rejection of your application.

A copy of Passport is required if request is made from a foreign country that requires a U.S. Passport for travel.