Frequently Asked Questions

Are appointments required to do research?

All are welcome at the Municipal Library and Archives. The research rooms at the NYC Department of Records & Information Services (DORIS) are open to the public Monday to Friday, 9:00 am-12:00 pm and 1:00 pm-4:00pm. The agency is closed on holidays. Appointments are strongly encouraged so the reference staff can ensure the records you are researching will be available.

How do I create a research account?

Select "Create Account" at the bottom of the NYC Municipal Library & Archives Request System page. NYC employees, please use the staff log-in on the right side of the screen.

How do I make an appointment?

To schedule a new appointment to view library or archival materials, begin by submitting a request on the New Request tab of your research account. When you submit your request, you will be asked to select the date and time of your appointment. Requests will be reviewed by reference staff. If your appointment is confirmed, you will receive an email notification with details. If the material you requested is in our Industry City facility in Brooklyn, you will be directed to the reading room at that location. An archivist may consult with you using the email research@records.nyc.gov before confirming the requested archival material is available.

To make an appointment to view undigitized vital records on microfilm, select "New Vital Records Appointment" on the Appointments tab. Please note:

• Microfilm of non-digitized vital records collections will be available for browsing during your appointment. It is not necessary to make specific microfilm requests before your appointment.
• Pending vital record orders cannot be picked up during the appointment time.

• Orders for copies of vital records made during appointments will be fulfilled. Orders must be placed at least 30 minutes before the appointment time ends. If there is a delay, the order will be mailed to you.

What are the guidelines for doing research in the reading room(s)?

Smoking, eating, and drinking are prohibited in the reference and research areas. Cell phones must be on silent mode. Please leave all coats, bags, briefcases, and personal articles in the designated lockers upon check-in. You may bring a laptop, cell phone, and pencil and paper for taking notes. Ink, markers, and highlighters are not permitted. More detailed information is available in "User Policies" under the "Account Info" tab of your research account.

Is photography permitted in the reading room(s)?

Flash-free photography is permitted. Permission must be obtained prior to the use of personal scanners. Please note, some material may not be photographed due to legal or privacy restrictions.

Do you have computers available for public use?

A computer is available for public use at 31 Chambers Street, room 111.

Do your reading room(s) have Wi-Fi and outlets?

Wi-Fi is available in all reading rooms. There are limited outlets in the reading rooms at 31 Chambers Street. Outlets are available at each table in Industry City, Brooklyn.

Can I check out material from the library?

No, all material is non-circulating.

How do I request reproductions of library and archival material?

You can request reproductions through the "New Request" tab in your research account. Before submitting the request, toggle to the "New Reproductions Request" option. If there is a fee, staff will contact you with pricing information before any digitization begins. Please note, some materials may not be reproduced due to their fragile condition or legal restrictions.

How do I order a certified property card?

Certified copies are $18 and can be ordered online. Copies of property cards are often necessary to obtain a "Letter of No Objection" from the Department of Buildings.

How do I request reproductions of Vital Records?

Visit Historical Vital Records or use our online form for mail orders. If the date of birth, death, or marriage and/or the certificate number is not known, fill in the information that is known. Your order must contain a name, year range, and borough range. You can search online indexes, courtesy of genealogy organizations:

• Italian Genealogical Group
• German Genealogical Group
• Ancestry (Please note: citations often link all names listed on a vital record to one certificate number. Please be sure the certificate number you provide corresponds to the individual named in the request.)

The NYC Municipal Archives can provide the following documentation based on your requests and research needs:

• Certified Vital Record: A true copy of a vital record in the custody of the New York City Municipal Archives, issued by the Department of Records and Information Services. Printed on certificate paper without a wet signature and without a raised seal.
• Letter of Exemplification: A true copy of a vital record in the custody of the New York City Municipal Archives, issued by the Department of Records and Information Services, and a letter re-stating the specific borough, year, and certificate number of the vital record. The copy of the vital record will have the raised seal of the Department of Records and Information Services. The letter will have a wet signature and a raised seal.
• No Amendment/Correction Letter: A letter stating the Archive's policy that prohibits editing, correcting, and/or amending the historical records in its custody. The letter will have a wet signature and a raised seal.

What is the difference between Health Department marriage certificates and City Clerk marriage license records?

Couples who married between 1908 and 1937 may have filed records with both the Department of Health and City Clerk. In these instances, two records will exist: the license and the single certificate. All orders for a Marriage Search will include a search in both indices.

Department of Health Marriage Certificates were issued until 1938. They were filled out by the person performing the wedding ceremony. These certificates contain limited information.

City Clerk Marriage Licenses were issued beginning in 1908 in compliance with New York State Law. The City Clerk marriage record series typically includes the:

• Affidavit filled out by the couple.
• License issued by the Clerk, (includes parents' country of birth and bride's occupation)
• Certificate filled out by the person performing the wedding ceremony.

What if I need a vital record for legal procedures (e.g. dual citizenship, apostille process, veteran benefits)?

Request a Letter of Exemplification. This option provides:

• A true copy of a vital record in the custody of the New York City Municipal Archives, issued by the Department of Records and Information Services with a raised seal.
• A letter re-stating the specific borough, year, and certificate number of the vital record with a raised seal and a wet signature.

If ordering online, you must select Mail Shipment as your Delivery Method in order to receive a raised seal and wet signature.

For additional information on the Apostille process, contact the New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services.

How do I request a correction of, or amendment to, information on a birth, death or marriage record?

Birth records prior to 1910, death records prior to 1951, and marriage records prior to 1950 cannot be amended or corrected. Please visit Historical Vital Records to order a 'no amend' letter.

Why did I receive a Not Found Letter?

There was not a vital record that matched the information in the search request. (Approximately 25 percent of all births prior to 1910 were not reported to New York City government.) Church records or the federal and state censuses are alternative resources.

Why did I only receive part of my order?

Requests are fulfilled by certificate type, not by order.