If you were born outside of NYC, you cannot apply in person for a birth certificate at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

If you were born in the U.S. (including Puerto Rico), you have other options for getting your birth certificate:

• You can order your birth certificate online through Vitalcheck, as long as you can answer questions about yourself and your parents, have a credit card and are over 18. If you are under 18, your parent can order it for you.
• You can also check out this list. It has addresses, phone numbers and websites, by state, of the offices that keep birth certificates. You can write to an office or learn more on its website.

You can get your birth certificate by contacting your home country's consulate.
Find a consulate

You can get a Social Security card if you are a lawfully admitted non-citizen. You will need to show some documents to prove your immigration status.
Learn more

If you cannot get a Social Security card because of your immigration status, you can still get a non-driver State ID. You can get a letter from the Social Security Administration that explains why you cannot get a Social Security card. This letter will take the place of an actual Social Security card. Call 1-800-772-1213 for help getting this letter.

You can get a non-driver State ID if you can show proof of identity, valid immigration documentation and New York State residence. You can use documents that show your immigration status to accumulate the 4 points of proof.
Learn which documents are worth points

If you are currently in foster care, your agency caseworker or your foster parent can help you get your non-driver State ID. They MUST come with you to the DMV and bring form MV-45B* (in PDF), their government ID, a letter verifying your identity on their official letterhead and their own New York State photo ID.

You will still need your birth certificate and Social Security card to get a non-driver State ID. No other documents are required.
Learn how to get these IDs

If you have a criminal record, a representative of a government agency (such as the NYC Department of Probation or the NYC Department of Correction) can help you get identification.

You can get information about how to apply for a birth certificate, Social Security card and non-driver State ID from your Probation Officer.

Applications and informational brochures are available at every Probation Office.

If you are under 16, you MUST have your parent or guardian come with you to the DMV to get a non-driver State ID. They will need to bring their own State ID and will need to fill out form MV-45* (in PDF). No other documents are required.

If you are between 16 and 21 and are having trouble adding up your 4 points of proof, your parent or guardian can help you by filling out the same form.

You will still need your birth certificate and Social Security card to get your non-driver State ID.
Learn how to get these IDs

*Form MV-45: Your parent or legal guardian can use this form to verify your identity and residence. It must be signed in front of a DMV representative.

Form MV-45B: Your caseworker or foster parent can use this form to verify your identity. It must be signed in front of a DMV representative