General Instructions
- Use this application to submit your request only for record of a death that occurred in Tompkins County. Send completed form plus fee by postal mail or in-person at the TCHD office.
- For record of a death that occurred in another county in NYS, contact the New York State Health Department.
- Do not use this application for genealogy requests. Please visit or genealogy page.
- Only the spouse, parent, sibling, 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).
- Download application (PDF, 67KB) and submit according to
"How to get..." (below).
FEE per one transaction:*
- $30 for the first certified copy
- $15 for each additional copy
- Do Not send cash.
*One transaction refers to one customer ordering a single record at any one time.
How to get a mail order copy
- Click here to download a request form in PDF format (67KB).
- Adobe® Reader® (version 5.0 or later) will allow you to enter your information directly into the form and then print it out ready to sign and mail with check or money order.
- We recommend that you save the form to a location where you will be able to find it, before you start to enter your information.
- When completing the form, please be aware that you will not be able to save the form with any information you have entered.
- You must print the form after you complete it, then sign and mail with check or money order.
- You may also print the form and complete it by typing or printing, then sign and mail with check or money order.
- Send with the following:
- Indentification — Provide one (1) of the following: 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)
- Applicable fee(s): $30
- 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, sibling, 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.
FEE per one transaction*:
$30 for the first certified copy
$15 for each additional copy
(do not send cash.)
*One transaction refers to one customer ordering a single record at any one time.
For deaths which occured within Tompkins County, click here for the form used to submit your request by Postal mail.
For deaths which occurred outside Tompkins County, click here to link to the NYSDOH.
One (1) of the following forms of Identification:
•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
