Genealogy

Information from records of births and deaths that occurred in Troy NY are available for genealogical purposes. Vital records registration began in the City of Troy in November of 1881. Information from these records is provided in the form of an uncertified copy.

An uncertified copy of a birth or death record for genealogical purposes can be obtained from the Vital Records office either in person or by mail.

Genealogical Services Application

You may request an uncertified copy of a birth or death certificate by completing our Genealogical Services Application (PDF).

Application Fee

There is a $22 fee for each uncertified copy.

We accept cash, check or a money order as payment. We do not accept payment by credit or debit card. Please make checks payable to the City of Troy.

Birth Record

Information may be released for genealogy research subject to the following requirements:

  • No information shall be released from a sealed birth certificate
  • The birth certificate has been on file for at least 75 years
  • The person whose name is on the birth certificate is known to be deceased. (proof of death required)

Information required to obtain birth records:

  1. Name at birth
  2. Date of Birth (or range of years)
  3. Place of Birth (in Troy NY)
  4. Father's First and Last Names (if known)
  5. Mother's First and Maiden Names (if known)

Death Record

Information may be released for genealogy research subject to the following requirements:

  • The death certificate has been on file for at least 50 years.
  • Information required to obtain death records.

Information required to obtain death records

  1. Name of deceased
  2. Date of Death (or range of years)
  3. Place of Death (in Troy NY)
  4. Father's First and Last Name (if known)
  5. Mother's First and Maiden Name (if known)

Attention — Time periods specified for genealogy records are waived if the applicant is a descendant, or has been designated to act on behalf of the descendant, of the person whose record is being requested. (Birth records must be on file for 75 years, death records must be on file for 50 years). A descendant is a person in the direct line of descent such as a son, daughter, grandchild etc. The applicant must provide proof that they are a direct line ancestor when a waiver of the waiting period is requested.

Request by Mail

You may request an uncertified copy of a birth or death certificate by mailing a completed Genealogical Services Application (PDF) along with the fee to:

City of Troy
Attention: Vital Records
433 River Street
Troy, NY 12180

Please make checks payable to the City of Troy.

Searcher

Record searches, copy retrieval and reproduction may only be conducted by the Registrar, Deputy Registrar and authorized employees of the Vital Records Department. No other members of the public, such as historians, genealogists, other employees of municipal government etc. may search, copy or in any way handle vital records indexes or records. This prohibition includes all vital records including those covered by the time period authorized for genealogical research.

Feel free to contact us with any questions. We are available Monday through Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pm and can be reached at 518-279-7309 or 518-279-7192.