Death Certificate Request

Death Certificate Request - for the City of Buffalo Only

Death records begin 1852 to present including the VA Medical Center. All Death Certificates issued are certified with an official raised seal. For Requesting Genealogical Records, Click Here. Service Hours: Monday through Friday, 9:00am - 4:00pm

• REQUESTING A RECORD IN PERSON: You must provide government issued photo ID.  The fee is $10 per certificate payable by money order, MasterCard®, Visa® or cash.
• REQUESTING A RECORD VIA INTERNET: For your convenience you may process online requests through vitalchek.com. VitalChek charges a small additional fee. PLEASE NOTE: Genealogical Records &/or Dual Citizenship Records may NOT be ordered from vitalchek.com.
  
  
• REQUESTING A RECORD VIA MAIL: Orders are processed within 7-10 days from receipt of mail request.  The following information must be included:

• Enclose a written request with the following information: name on death certificate, date of death, place where death occurred, contact phone number
• Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope 
• Money order payable to the City Clerk ($10 per certificate)
• Copy of valid 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

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

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

Death certificates are NOT subject to the provisions of the Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) and are NOT open to public inspection.

Attorney Copies: Requests for death certificate copies by lawyers must be submitted on letterhead with check payable to City Clerk with a self addressed stamped envelope.

What is a lawful right or claim?

• If the applicant is not the spouse, parent, child or sibling of the decedent, a lawful right or claim must be documented. An example of a lawful right or claim would be a death record needed by the applicant to claim a benefit. Documentation would consist of an official letter from the agency verifying that to process the claim they require from the applicant a copy of the requested death record.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO OBTAIN A DEATH CERTIFICATE COPY?

• The informant, surviving spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased – child and sibling must prove relationship with birth certificate.

IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS - application must be submitted with copies of EITHER A or B:

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

• Driver’s license with photo
• Non-driver photo ID card
• Passport
• Nexus Pass
• Pistol Permit
• Other government issued photo ID
  
   OR

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

A utility bill (gas, electric, phone, cable)

Current 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.

Questions? Contact Us Here