US state guide
New York birth certificates and apostilles for European citizenship
Almost every citizenship-by-descent application starts with certified New York records. Here is how to order the right version, get the apostille and avoid the mistakes that cause rejections.
Order a certified long-form certificate
- OfficeNew York State Department of Health, Vital Records (Vital Records Certification Unit)
- Long formLONG FORM (also known as FULL COPY or VAULT COPY)
- How to orderonline, mail
- Fee per birth certificate$30
Order birth, marriage and death records for every generation in your chain, not just your own.
Get the apostille
- Issued byNew York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services
- Fee per document$10
- How to applymail, in person
- Watch outNYS DOH certificates signed by the Director of Vital Statistics/NYS Registrar need no County Clerk step; local registrar copies need County Clerk certification; NYC (5 boroughs) records come from NYC DOHMH with a Letter of Exemplification and must be certified by the New York County Clerk first
Prepare it for your country
Greece
Certified long-form records, each with an apostille, then an official Greek translation.
Translate only after the apostille is attached, by a certified translator or the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs translation service.
Greek citizenship guide →Ireland
Original civil (state-issued) certificates for you, your parent and your Irish-born grandparent.
US documents are in English, so no translation is needed. Check the current Foreign Births Register document guide before ordering apostilles.
Irish citizenship guide →Poland
Certified long-form records with apostilles, translated into Polish by a sworn translator.
Polish authorities require translations by a Polish sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły), done after the apostille.
Polish citizenship guide →Fees and procedures come from official New York websites and change often. Last reviewed: October 2026.
Consulates that serve New York
FAQ
How do I get a long-form birth certificate in New York?
Order a certified copy from New York State Department of Health, Vital Records (Vital Records Certification Unit) (online, mail). Note: LONG FORM (also known as FULL COPY or VAULT COPY). Ask for the full version that lists both parents, because short-form or abstract copies are usually rejected for citizenship applications.
How do I get an apostille in New York?
Apostilles for New York documents are issued by New York State Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, currently $10 per document. NYS DOH certificates signed by the Director of Vital Statistics/NYS Registrar need no County Clerk step; local registrar copies need County Clerk certification; NYC (5 boroughs) records come from NYC DOHMH with a Letter of Exemplification and must be certified by the New York County Clerk first Check the official page for current fees and processing times.
Do I translate before or after the apostille?
After. The apostille certifies the signature on the original document, so the translation must cover the document and the apostille together.
Which countries' citizenship can these New York documents be used for?
The same apostilled New York records are the starting point for Greek, Irish and Polish citizenship by descent, among others. Each country adds its own translation and registration rules.
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