Onondaga County

Note: Only the spouse, child, parent, sibling, domestic partner, or designated agent in charge of the disposition of the deceased, the legal representative of one of these parties, or somebody with a documented legal need may request a copy of the death certificate. See step 6 for legal need instructions.

*Proof of Relationship with the deceased is required for children and siblings of the deceased. Proof of relationship can be established by providing: a birth certificate with parents’ names or an obituary that lists the entitled party as surviving child or sibling. If the child is a minor, their parent or guardian is able to request a certificate on their behalf.

To Order a Death Certificate:

1. Complete, print and sign a request form. Electronic signatures are not accepted.
2. Review the form: Please be sure to complete the applicant and mailing address portions. We require the deceased’s name and date of death, but we may ask for more information to confirm which certificate you need. Please specify whether cause of death is required on the death certificate.
3. Payment: Checks and money orders are payable to: Office of Vital Statistics. The fee is $30.00 for the first certified copy and $15.00 for each additional copy of the same certificate when ordered at the same time. If you pay by check, you must include your phone number on the check. If the check was written by someone other than the applicant, we require a copy of the check writer’s ID.
4. Identification: We require identification which shows your photo, signature, and mailing address. Please make sure the copy is readable, large and clear. Examples of acceptable identification include:
   • Photo driver license with signature
   • Non-driver photo ID with signature
   • Passport with signature
   • Military ID with signature
   • Employer’s photo ID with signature
   • Photo social services card with signature
5. If your ID does not show your current mailing address, we can accept two (2) of the following:
   • Utility or phone bill from the past 6 months, showing your name and current address
   • Mail from a government agency from the past 6 months, showing your name and current address
6. If you cannot provide any ID or utility bills showing your current address, or if you need us to mail this certificate to a third-party, please fill out the Notarized Permission to Release Vital Records form.
   • This policy does not apply to law firms or other agencies who are requesting the record for legal or other official purposes.
7. Mail the request to:
   • Office of Vital Statistics
     421 Montgomery Street
     Rm 20 Basement Civic Center
     Syracuse, NY 13202
8. Letter of legal need: If you are not an entitled party to order the death certificate, and have a legal need for the death certificate, you must submit a letter from the company, office or agency that needs the document. A letter of legal need must be:
   • On letterhead (of company, office, or agency)
   • Addressed to you
   • Specific. It must state that the company or agency requires a copy of the death certificate.
   • Included in addition to a completed application, ID, and payment.

Expedited Orders (Domestic Shipping Only)

• Priority Mail (USPS delivery 2-3 business days) Add $20.00
• Next Business Day (UPS delivery) Add $25.00
• All other orders are sent by USPS First-Class Mail. Certificates typically arrive within 1 – 2 weeks, but delivery may take up to 1 month.