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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
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I need a copy of a marriage license /or certificate.
If the marriage was from 1930 to present,
apply to: Office of
the City Clerk.
If the marriage was before 1930, apply to:
Municipal Archives .
If the marriage was outside the five Boroughs of
New York City, apply to: New
York State Department of Health, Vital Records
Section, Empire State Plaza, Tower Building, Albany,
New York, N.Y. 12337. Fee: $15.00. Information: (518)
474-3075.
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How do we get married in New York City?
The City Clerk issues marriage licenses. Please visit
their website at http://www.cityclerk.nyc.gov for complete information.
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I need a copy of a divorce record.
Divorce records may be obtained from the County Clerk
in the County where the divorce decree was granted.
For information on how to obtain a copy of a divorce
record:
(646) 386-5955 - New
York County, Manhattan
(718) 643-5894 - Kings County Brooklyn
(718) 298-0601 - Queens County
(718) 590-3638 - Bronx
(718) 390-5389 - Staten Island
(The Office of the County Clerk does not have a
web site.)
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I need information regarding a court case.
For court-related information for the Surrogate, Civil,
Criminal and Supreme Courts, please send email to questions@courts.state.ny.us.
Also, 1-800-COURT NY can be used for further assistance.
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I need a Birth and/or Death record.
Apply to the Municipal
Archives for records of births reported before
1910, and deaths reported before
1949, in the five Boroughs of New York City.
For birth records after
1909 and death records after
1948, for all five boroughs of New York City.
Apply to: New
York City Department of Health's Vital Records Division.
For records outside the five Boroughs of New York
City. Apply to: New
York State Department of Health, Vital Records Section,
Empire State Plaza, Tower Building, Albany, New York,
N.Y. 12337. Fee: $15.00. Information: (518) 474-3075.
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I applied for a copy of my ancestor's birth certificate
from the Municipal Archives and I received a "not
found" notice. I know my ancestor was born. What
can I do?
Approximately 25% of all births prior to 1910 were
not reported to the city.
Births often took place at home and the doctor or midwife
sometimes failed to report the event to the appropriate
civil office. If the search results are negative, you
will receive a "not found" notice.
You may wish to research church records or the federal
and state censuses as an alternative resource. The federal
census is available from the National
Archives .
If you are certain of the date of birth, you are welcome
to apply for a re-search; it is also helpful if you
can provide the exact place of birth.
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I Need to Add, Correction /or Change a name on a
Birth or Death Certificate.
For information on how to add, correct or change a
name on a birth or death certificate call, write to
the New York City Department of Health, Corrections
Unit/Bureau of Vital Records, 125 Worth Street, New
York, NY 10013, (212) 788-4540, 4541, or 4542. or
visit their website at:
http://nyc.gov/html/doh.
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May I access records of former City employees?
In general, the Municipal Archives does not keep personnel
files of former employees below the rank of deputy commissioner.
Personnel files of City employees, past and present,
belong to the agency or other entity for which that
employee worked. Access to these files must be requested
of the owning entity
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Does the Municipal Archives have immigration and
naturalization records?
No, these are maintained by the National Archives.
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| Is the City Hall Library part of the public
library system?
The City Hall Library was part of the New York Public
Library until 1969 and is now a division of the Department
of Records and Information Services.
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What kind of research can you do for me?
The City Hall Library is a library serving as the official depository for
publications by New York City government agencies. The Library can provide "quick
reference" assistance to telephone, fax, e-mail and letter inquiries.
Those needing to do detailed research are encouraged to visit. Librarians
will assist on-site users in the use of the catalog and other finding aids
in order to locate library materials.
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Do library materials circulate?
Most library materials do not circulate. We serve as
a reference-only library to the general public, allowing
only government employees to borrow a spare copy (if
any) for government business, generally for a week.
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Do you provide a copy service?
We are not staffed to perform this function. A self-service cash-operated
(25 cents per copy) copier is available. It accepts only quarter coins or
$1 bills in good condition. We do not provide change for other currency. Magnetic
cards are not used for copy payment. The microform reader/printer takes quarters
only.
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Is it true that the Municipal Archives has photographs of every house in the city, taken around 1940?
How can I see them and/or order copies?
Yes, between 1939 and 1940, New York City photographed every house and building
in the five Boroughs for property tax assessment purposes. The photographs
are not currently available on-line, but you view them on microfilm at the
Municipal Archives during their regular opening hours .
You can order copies of these photographs at the Municipal Archives, or
by mail .
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