VITAL STATISTICS / GENEALOGY

Who is eligible to obtain a copy of a birth certificate?

• The person named on the birth certificate
• A parent of the person named on the birth certificate (requesting parent's name must be on the birth certificate)
• Only by order of a New York State Court may a spouse, child or other persons obtain a copy of a birth certificate

Where can I get a copy of my birth certificate?

Copies of birth records are available from the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the town or city in which the child was born, or from the Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health. Please note that it does not matter where the parents lived at the time of the birth of the child. Births are registered in the city or town where the birth took place. In Livonia, the Registrar of Vital Statistics is the Town Clerk.

How much does it cost to obtain a copy of my birth certificate?

The fee for obtaining a copy of the birth record from the Town Clerk is $10 and the Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health charges $30.

How do I request a copy of my birth certificate?

Eligible people may request a copy of a birth certificate from the Livonia Town Clerk by mail as follows:

• Download the Application to Local Registrar for Copy of Birth Record form.
• Remit the completed form and the $10 fee to: Livonia Town Clerk, PO Box 43, Livonia, NY 14487
• Along with the above information, please send a photocopy of a form of valid ID and a notarized letter requesting the birth certificate

Eligible people may request a copy of a marriage certificate from the Livonia Town Clerk in person as follows:

• Complete an application form available from the clerk
• Remit the $10 fee (cash or check)
• Present identification

• All records start in 1881. We have no records prior to 1881.
• Birth records - must be on file for at least 75 years and the person to whom the record relates is known to the applicant to be deceased.
• Death records - must be on file for at least 50 years.
• Marriage records - must be on file for at least 50 years and both parties to the marriage are known to the applicant to be deceased.

• The fee schedule is per spelling of a name. Fee varies depending on requested number of years to be searched.
• 1-3 years is $22; 4-10 years is $42; 11-20 years us $62; 21-30 years is $82; 31-40 years is $102; 41-50 years is $122; 51-60 years us $142; 61-70 years us $162.

These records are permanent records and must be protected from excessive handling in order to help preserve them. Moisture and acids present on everyone's skin will deteriorate the paper and ink, therefore, we wear special gloves when handling the records. In addition, old records can contain microbes (molds, etc.) which can cause illness if inhaled. Records Management Officers must wear special masks to guard against this type of infection.

Who is eligible to obtain a copy of a death certificate?

• A person with a NYS Court Order issued showing a necessity
• The CURRENT spouse, parent or child of the deceased or their lawful representative
• A person requiring the record for a documented legal right or claim
• A person with a documented medical need
• A government agency for official purposes
  Please note that an attorney may only obtain a copy of a death certificate if they are representing someone authorized to get a copy.

Where can I get a copy of a death certificate?

Copies of death records are available from the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the town, village or city in which the death occurred, or from the Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health. Please note that it does not matter where the deceased lived at the time of death. Deaths are registered in the city, village or town where the death occurred. In Livonia, the Registrar of Vital Statistics for the town and village is the Town Clerk.

How much does it cost to obtain a copy of a death certificate?

The fee for obtaining a copy of the death certificate from the Town Clerk is $10 and the Vital Records Section of the New York State Department of Health charges $30.

How do I request a copy of a death certificate?

Eligible people may request a copy of a birth certificate from the Livonia Town Clerk by mail as follows:

• Download the Application to Local Registrar for Copy of Death Record form.
• Remit the completed form and the $10 fee to: Livonia Town Clerk, PO Box 43, Livonia, NY 14487
• Along with the above information, please send a photocopy of a form of valid ID and a notarized letter requesting the death certificate.

Eligible people may request a copy of a death certificate from the Livonia Town Clerk in person as follows:

• Complete an application form available from the clerk
• Remit the $10 fee (cash or check)
• Present identification

To obtain an uncertified copy of a death record for genealogical purposes, the person's death record must have been on file for at least 50 years. The 50 year requirement is waived for direct-line ancestors of the deceased, however, proof of the relationship must be provided.

To request a copy from the Department of Health, click here: www.health.state.ny.us/vital_records/genealogy.htm.

To request a copy from the Livonia Town Clerk, follow the directions above for requesting a copy of a death certificate.