Obtaining Copies of the Death Certificate

For Deaths Occurring Within Monroe County

Per NYS Public Health Law, only your surviving spouse, parent, child, sibling or the estate attorney is automatically entitled to obtain certified copies of the death certificate. All others must provide documentation of need for the record or present a notarized letter of permissions from an authorized person to acquire them. To obtain certified copies, they will need to contact:

Monroe County Vital Records
The Ames Building
740 East Henrietta Road 
Rochester, NY 14623
Phone: (585) 753-5141
www.monroecounty.gov/birthdeath

For Deaths Occurring Outside Monroe County

Your family will need to check their local listings for that community's Local Registrar of Vital Records at the City Clerks, Town Hall, or Village Office where the death occurred. A local funeral director can also be very helpful with this.