Vital Records Information
Birth Certificates
The Clerk's office maintains copies of all Birth Certificates for persons born within the Town of Cornwall boundaries. Records date from June 9, 1881 to present. Requests can be made in-person or by mail. Both short and long from certificates are available (long form is required for passport use); both forms cost $10 each. As per NYS law, Birth Certificates are considered closed to the general public for 75 years. This means that only the person named on the certificate or the parents of that person are eligible for a copy of the record. For requests behind 75 years, please refer to the genealogy section.
Requests in Person
During regular business hours or by appointment. Please bring a photo I.D.
Requests by Mail
- Send us a letter stating the applicant's name at birth, date of birth, mother's full maiden name and father's full name. Please state full middle name, no initials.
- Place of birth (hospital, town, county)
- State the purpose for which you require the birth certificate (passport, drivers license, social security, etc.)
- The number of copies you require.
- Your current full name and relationship to person whose record is required (self or child)
- This letter must be signed and notarized.
- Include a copy of your current drivers license, with proof of current address if different from drivers license (copy of utility bill is required for proof of different address, in addition to your driver's license)
- Enclose a money order payable to the Cornwall Town Clerk ($10 per copy of birth certificate)
- Provide a daytime phone number in case we have questions, as well as your full mailing address to which you would like your certificate(s) mailed.
- Mail to: Cornwall Town Clerk, 183 Main Street, Cornwall, NY 12518
Death Certificates
This office holds death certificates for those who died within the town boundaries from January 2, 1881 to present. The cost is $10 per copy. Per New York State Law, Death Certificates are closed to the general public for 50 years. Only the current spouse, the parents of the deceased, child or sibling of the decedent is eligible to receive copies. For copies after 50 years, please refer to the genealogy section.
Requests in Person
During regular business hours or by appointment. Please bring a photo I.D.
Requests by Mail
- Send us a letter stating the decedent's name, date of death, date of birth, mother's full maiden name and father's full name.
- Place of death (hospital, town, county)
- State the purpose for which you require the certificate (insurance, estate, etc).
- The number of copies you require.
- Your current full name and relationship to the person whose record is required (spouse, parent or child). Siblings are eligible to receive a copy but lineage must be proven.
- This letter must be signed and notarized.
- Include a copy of your current drivers license, with proof of current address if different from drivers license (copy of utility bill is required for proof of different address, in addition to your driver's license)
- Enclose a money order payable to the Cornwall Town Clerk ($10 per copy of death certificate)
- Provide a daytime phone number in case we have questions, as well as your full mailing address to which you would like your certificate(s) mailed.
- Mail to: Cornwall Town Clerk, 183 Main Street, Cornwall, NY 12518
Genealogy Requests
The Town Clerk's office has seen a dramatic increase in genealogy requests. Family research is becoming a hobby for more and more people. The Town Clerk's office strives to help those of you who have roots in this town find the answers to your genealogy questions within the limits of the law. The Town Clerk's office holds many of the vital records for events that occurred in the town (outside of the village) from 1881 to present.
New York State Law states that a vital record becomes public information when:
- A Birth Certificate has reached 75 years.
- A Death or Marriage Record has reached 50 years.
If you would like us to research your family history, each request is $22 per search, (for a one to three year time period; the fees increase for a wider search). If you are unsure of the dates of the information you are requesting, please call our office and we will advise you of the fee for the number of years to be searched. This fee is collected whether or not we are successful in finding the record.
You should send a letter or application outlining the specific record (i.e. birth, death, or marriage), the name and the years you would like us to search. Please submit a money order payable to the Cornwall Town Clerk for the determined fee.
If you a require further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.