Access to New York State vital records is an important and serious issue at the NYG&B and for our community. Many of you are aware of the extremely long wait times for obtaining both genealogical and certified vital records from the New York State Department of Health (DOH). The New York Governor’s proposed FY 2026 budget attempts to address this longstanding issue in part. However, the consequences for your current and future requests will be negatively impacted in many cases. Read on to understand the issues and how you can take action.
The New York State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26 Executive Budget Proposal includes a bill that would amend the current public health law regarding access to and fees for New York State vital records. We have put together this resource page to inform New Yorkers, genealogical and historical organizations, and the wider family history community about the bill’s impact and provide tangible next steps to make your voice heard on this issue.
Overview
The New York State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025-26 Executive Budget Proposal includes a bill that would amend the current public health law regarding access to and fees for New York State vital records. Under the proposed bill (Summary: Part U—Digitize Genealogical Records Bill; See section U of https://www.budget.ny.gov/pubs/archive/fy26/ex/artvii/hmh-bill.pdf):
- The requirement for the DOH to maintain indices of submitted birth and death records would be eliminated [typewritten, printed, photographic or magnetically stored index of all births and deaths registered].
- The DOH Commissioner would determine “the means and methods by which certain genealogical records may be released to an application” such as
- Birth records at 125 years old when the person is known to be deceased
- Death records at least 75 years old
- Marriage (and dissolution of marriage) records at least 100 years old (when both parties are known to be deceased).
- Fees for certificates of births and deaths would increase from $30 to $45.
- The DOH would be allowed to impose a $50 per hour fee for retrieving and processing requests for records used in genealogical research and increase the priority processing fee from $15 to $30.
How to Take Action
On February 11, 2025, the New York State Senate is holding a Joint Legislative Public Hearing on 2025 Executive Budget Proposal: Topic Health/Medicaid to open this proposal to public review, in which individuals and organizations may submit in-person testimony and/or written testimony about the Executive Budget proposal and make their voices heard.
The NYG&B has submitted a request to testify in person at the hearing on February 11, 2025, and is also submitting written testimony.
We encourage both individuals and organizations to share their views and submit written testimony as well. We have put together the following steps below for you to take action in time for the February 11 public hearing.
For Individuals
- Sign a community-wide letter that will be submitted by the NYG&B as written testimony on behalf of the family history community at large. This letter specifically asks (1) that the current time frames for publicly available vital records be kept in place (births at 75 years; deaths at 50 years; marriages at 50 years) and (2) if these time frames can’t be maintained, then the list of those who can obtain vital records be expanded, mirroring those in New York City. Please sign on to the community letter by Monday, February 10, 2025, so we may submit as written testimony for the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing.
- Submit your own written testimony that shares your personal story on how the proposed bill would affect you and your ability to conduct family history research, using the following suggested template/language:
Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I am writing to you today as a concerned citizen to provide testimony on how the proposed bill regarding "Part U – Digitize Genealogical Records" in the FY 2026 Executive Budget would impact my ability to access genealogical/community/historical records.
[1-2 paragraphs explaining why this is personally important to you and sharing your story, including which counties in New York you have ancestors/conduct research in.]
This issue is urgent, and your leadership is a necessary component to ensure continued access to New York State vital records for myself and the family history community. Your consideration of these matters is very much appreciated, and I thank you for the opportunity to speak.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
How to submit your written testimony: Email your personal written testimony to both wamchair@nyassembly.gov and financechair@nysenate.gov using the subject line “Written Testimony for Joint Legislative Public Hearing Health/Medicaid Regarding Access to NYS Vital Records” no later than February 11, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST.
If you are a New York State resident, please Cc Governor Kathy Hochul at Governor.Hochul@exec.ny.gov, your New York State Senator and Assembly Member (find them at https://elections.ny.gov/new-york-state-elected-officials), and president@nygbs.org.
If you are outside of New York State, please Cc president@nygbs.org.
For Organizations
Please submit written testimony that shares how the proposed bill would affect your organization’s mission and what impact this will have on the ability of your members/constituents to conduct research, using the following suggested template/language:
Hello, my name is [Your Name] and I am writing to you today as [Your Title and Name of Organization] to provide testimony on how the proposed bill regarding "Part U – Digitize Genealogical Records" in the FY 2026 Executive Budget would impact our members’ ability to access genealogical/community/historical records.
[State Your Organization’s Mission]
[1-2 paragraphs explaining why this is important to your organization, how this will affect your members, and include which counties in New York your organization encompasses or focuses on.]
This issue is urgent, and your leadership is a necessary component to ensure continued access to New York State vital records that are imperative for our members and the wider community. Your consideration of these matters is very much appreciated, and I thank you for the opportunity to speak.
Sincerely,
[Your Name, Title, Organization]
How to submit your written testimony: Email your written testimony to both wamchair@nyassembly.gov and financechair@nysenate.gov using the subject line “Written Testimony for Joint Legislative Public Hearing Health/Medicaid Regarding Access to NYS Vital Records” no later than February 11, 2025, at 5 p.m. EST.
If your organization is in New York State, please Cc Governor Kathy Hochul at Governor.Hochul@exec.ny.gov, your New York State Senator and Assembly Member (find them at https://elections.ny.gov/new-york-state-elected-officials), and president@nygbs.org.
If your organization is outside of New York State, please Cc president@nygbs.org.
If you have additional questions about what your organizational written testimony should contain or are in need of further guidance, please email the NYG&B at president@nygbs.org.