New York death certificate apostille
Get an Apostille for a New York Deth Certificate
Need to present a New York death certificate abroad? Certain situations—such as settling an estate, claiming life insurance, transferring property, or completing immigration formalities—may require a death certificate to be officially recognized in another country.
To be accepted internationally, the document must be authenticated with a New York apostille or legalized through the relevant foreign embassy.
We handle the entire process quickly and accurately, ensuring the death certificate is fully prepared for legal recognition overseas without hassle.
Have multiple documents from different states? No need to search each state.New York apostille requirements for death certificates
Obtaining an apostille or embassy legalization for a New York death certificate can feel confusing. New York issues different versions of death certificates depending on where they were filed and the year of issuance, and not all qualify for an apostille. Some require additional steps, such as county clerk authentication, before they can be legalized for international use.
Here’s what you need to know:
NYC death certificates (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) (issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene) require a Letter of Exemplification to qualify for an apostille. Without this letter, the certificate will be rejected.
The issue date on the certificate and the Exemplification Letter must match.
Old certificates are acceptable only if they have a Letter of Exemplification with a matching date.
Death certificates from outside NYC (issued by local town or city registrars) generally qualify for an apostille if they are original, certified copies. However, they must often be authenticated by the county clerk before being sent to the New York Department of State.
Some counties require newly issued certificates, while others may accept older ones. We handle the county authentication on your behalf. To avoid delays, email us a copy of the certificate for a free document evaluation. We’ll confirm if it’s eligible and advise on the next steps.
Letters of Exemplification are not issued for death certificates that occured outside the five boroughs of New York City.
Where to get a certified copy eligible for an apostille?
New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island): Department of Health and Mental Hygiene or www.vitalchek.com
IMPORTANT: when you answer the question “What will you be using this certificate for?”, please select “Apostille/authentication”. Then VitalChek will send you a death certificate with a letter of exemplification.
Other counties: You need to contact the City/Town Clerk where the death occurred or the NYS Department of Health.
If you have an original death certificate, you can email a copy for a free document evaluation.
Get a New York apostille
Send the original death certificate (and a Letter of Exemplification if the death occurred in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens or Staten Island) by mail along with the Order Form and we will be happy to assist you with obtaining a New York apostille. The authentication by the county clerk (if required) is included in the price. Please note that county clerk authentication might require additional processing time.
In the State of New York, as in all U.S. states, an apostille is a separate page attached to the document by an eyelet. It is signed by a Deputy Secretary of State (facsimile signature) and has a blue Seal of the Department of State of the State of New York.
New York apostille: $175
Processing time: app. 5 bus. days + mail
Please complete the Order Form and mail it with your original document(s) to
If you are sending your document(s) from a foreign country, please use FedEx, DHL, UPS or TNT, and email the tracking number so that we can watch for your package.
No hidden fees.
Our guarantee: If we are unable to get your documents apostilled or legalized, we will issue a 100% refund, we do not keep any service fees.
Free document evaluation
Want to double check before shipping your document? Email a copy for a free evaluation.
What is a "certified copy" of a death certificate?
A certified copy is an official copy of the document issued by a vital records office and guaranteed to be a true and exact copy of the original document kept on file in this office. Upon request, the Vital Records office of the respective Department of Health will issue a certified copy of a vital record. In most cases, certified copies bear the Seal of the Department of Health, the signature of the state official (e.g. the commissioner of Health or the State Registrar) and the statement that the document is in fact a true and correct copy of the original document kept in the files of Vital Records office.
Where do I get a certified copy of the death certificate for death that occurred in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island?
If the death was registered within the five boroughs of New York City, you first option is to apply in person or mail the request to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene at 125 Worth Street, New York, NY, 10013.
Your second option is to use a private online service called VitalChek that is the only agent authorized by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to assist you with the retrieval of death certificates. When ordering, you must specify that the purpose of your request is APOSTILLE/AUTHENTICATION. Then, most likely, you will get a certified copy of the death certificate with a Letter of Exemplification. VitalCheck works OK, they also mail documents to foreign countries.
What is a Letter of exemplification?
A Letter of exemplification is a page attached to a New York City death certificate. It is hand-signed by a Deputy City Registrar and attests that the attached death certificate is a true copy of the actual record.
Exemplification letters can only be attached to the NYC death certificates at the time a certified copy is issued. You cannot request a Letter of exemplification separately.
Is it true that I need an Exemplification letter in order to get a death certificate legalized by an apostille or by a foreign embassy?
Yes.
New! Effective February 11, 2025 death certificates (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) must be accompanied by a Letter of Exemplification.
Where do I get a certified copy of a death certificate if the death occurred outside New York City?
If the death was registered outside the five bouroughs of New York City, you have three options:
Option 1: You can request a certified copy from the New York State Department of Health in Albany
Request the expedited processing. Regular processing takes forever (10-12 weeks). For additional $15 you will get a certified copy within two weeks.
Option 2: You can request a certified copy from the local registrar in the county where the death was registered. Please note that these death certificates have to be authenticated on the country level before they are legalized by an apostille.
Option 3: Use a private online service called VitalChek (www.vitalchek.com)
