What types of
records are available from the Tompkins County Health Department
for genealogy research?
Generally, the Tompkins County Health Department
provides uncertified copies of the following types of records
for genealogy research purposes:
- Birth certificates - if on file for at least
75 years and the person whose name is on the birth certificate
is known to be deceased. Also, no information shall be released
from a record of birth which has been placed in a confidential
file pursuant to Public Health Law Section 4138.
- Death certificates - if on file for at least
50 years.
Birth and death records for all areas of Tompkins
County are from 1880 to present with the exception of the following:
Village of Dryden: 1887
- present
Village of Freeville: 1894 - present
Town of Ithaca Births: 1886 - present
Town of Ithaca Deaths: 1893 - present
Town of Ulysses: 1922 - present
Village of Trumansburg: 1914 - present
Are the time periods ever waived?
The time periods are waived for direct-line ancestors.
A direct line ancestor is a person in the direct line of descent,
i.e., the child, grandchild, great grandchild of the person whose
record is requested. The direct-line ancestor applicant
must provide the following:
- Proof of their relationship to the person whose
record they are requesting.
- Proof of the death of the person whose birth
certificate they are requesting.
A person who has been designated to act on
behalf of a descendant of the person whose record is being requested
may also obtain the above. However, a party acting on behalf of
a descendant must provide documentation that the descendant authorized
the party to make such application.
What
is the fee for a genealogy copy?
The standard fee for a genealogy copy is $11.
This includes a copy of the certificate, a three-year search of
the index, the retrieval and re-filing of the records and either
a copy of the record or a no record report. When more than
a three-year search is requested, the fee is higher.
| Period Searched |
Fee |
| 1 to 3 years |
$11 |
| 4 to 10 years |
$21 |
| 11 to 20 years |
$31 |
| 21 to 30 years |
$41 |
| 31 to 40 years |
$51 |
| 41 to 50 years |
$61 |
| 51 to 60 years |
$71 |
| 61 to 70 years |
$81 |
| 71 to 80 years |
$91 |
| 81 to 90 years |
$101 |
The fee applies separately to each record requested.
For example, the fee for a request consisting of one birth record
(1-year search), plus one death record (25-year search), is a
total of $52. Please note that a refund is made if the record
is found in under the specified search period.
How long will
it take?
Processing a genealogy request may take from four
(4) to six (6) months.
How do I place
an order for a genealogy copy?
Mail your completed application to:
Tompkins County Health Department
Attn: Vital Records
401 Harris B. Dates Drive
Ithaca, NY 14850
Click here for a Print
Application
Other
Potential Genealogical Sources:
Click here
