Obtaining a Certified Death Certificate or Death Transcript

General Instructions

• Use this application only to submit your request by U.S. Postal mail.
• Use this application only if the death occurred in Tompkins County. Contact the New York State Health Department for deaths occurring in another County.
• Do not use this application for genealogy requests. Please visit or genealogy page.
• Only the spouse, parent or child of the deceased may obtain a death certificate copy.    
• Other persons must submit a New York State court order or documentation demonstrating that the death certificate copy is required to establish a lawful right or claim (see below).    
• Other persons must submit a New York State court order or documentation demonstrating that the death certificate copy is required to establish a lawful right or claim (see below).
• Print application and submit according to "How to get..." (below).
• There is a $20 fee for each certified copy.

How to get a mail order copy

• Click here to download a request form (pdf, 8K.)
• Print and complete the form
• Send with the following:
  • Indentification*
  • Applicable fee(s): $20
  *Acceptable forms of ID: Driver’s license, Non-driver’s license, Passport, Naturalization Papers, Military ID, Employer’s Photo ID, Two utility bills, showing applicant’s name and address, Police report of lost or stolen ID
• Send to:
  Tompkins County Health Department
  Attn: Vital Records
  55 Brown Road
  Ithaca, NY  14850

What is a lawful right or claim?

If the applicant is not the spouse, parent or child 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 (or attorney representing estate of the deceased) verifying that to process the claim they require from the applicant a copy of the requested death record.