Erie County Health Department 2026: Services, Phone & Records
Most people searching for the Erie County Health Department need one practical answer: the right phone number, official page, clinic route, complaint form, inspection record, vaccination contact, FOIL record path, or local office address. This guide focuses on the Erie County Department of Health in Erie County, New York, also called ECDOH, serving the Buffalo and Western New York area.
Use this page as a senior-friendly and family-friendly service map. It explains when to call the main Erie County Department of Health number, when to call Environmental Health, when to use the Sexual Health Center or Immunization Clinic, when vital records belong with a city or town clerk, and when a FOIL request is the correct records route.
Quick answer: what the Erie County Department of Health helps with in 2026
The Erie County Department of Health in New York helps residents with public health services, clinics, immunization support, restaurant and bar complaints, environmental health complaints, rabies and animal exposure routing, lead and housing health concerns, public health data, harm reduction, family planning, sexual health, emergency preparedness, medical examiner information, FOIL record contacts, and public health alerts.
| What you need | Best route | Prepare before calling | Senior-friendly tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main Erie County Health Department phone number | ECDOH Administrative Office | Your topic, town or city, callback number, and any form or case number | Say your topic first, then ask which program handles it. |
| Restaurant or bar complaint | ECDOH restaurant complaint form or Environmental Health | Restaurant name, address, town, date, time, food item, and symptoms if illness is involved | Use the full street address, not just “the place near me.” |
| Food-related illness | Call 716-858-7697 | What was eaten, when symptoms started, who else became ill, receipts or photos if available | For severe symptoms, do not wait for a complaint response; get medical care. |
| Rabies, rats, rodents, lead, septic, pools or water complaints | Environmental Health Division | Property address, owner or business name if known, photos, dates, and safety concerns | Address-based complaints are easier to route than general descriptions. |
| Birth certificate or death certificate in Erie County, NY | Usually city or town clerk where the birth or death occurred; Buffalo records route for Buffalo events | Name on record, date, place, ID, relationship proof, and payment method | Do not assume ECDOH issues every birth or death record. |
| Public records from ECDOH | Erie County FOIL officer route for the correct Health division | Specific record type, division, date range, subject, location, and your contact information | Specific FOIL requests are easier than “send all records.” |
| Sexual Health Center | Jesse Nash Health Center, 608 William Street, Buffalo | Photo ID, insurance information if applicable, appointment question, and service need | Services are confidential; call before visiting. |
| Immunization appointment | ECDOH Immunization Clinic / Jesse Nash Health Center | Vaccine record, insurance information if applicable, school or work requirement, and appointment need | Appointments may be required; do not rely on walk-in assumptions. |
If your issue involves a restaurant, food illness, pool, septic system, lead, rats, rodents, water, hotel, camp, tattoo, tobacco or rabies concern, start with Environmental Health. If your issue is a birth, death, marriage or divorce certificate, start with the city, town, clerk or New York State vital records route. If your issue is an agency document, start with FOIL.
Erie County Health Department route finder: choose the correct office before calling
Use this quick task selector to avoid being transferred. It is designed for Erie County, NY residents, caregivers, seniors, parents, restaurant customers, property owners, tenants, students, and clinic users.
Erie County public health task router
Select the task closest to your situation. Your next step appears below.
Erie County Health Department phone number, fax and smart call script
The main Erie County Department of Health Administrative Office phone number is 716-858-7690. The official ECDOH fax number is 716-858-8701. For many service issues, the fastest phone number is not the main office; it is the specific program number below.
| Need | Phone number | Use this for |
|---|---|---|
| Main ECDOH Administrative Office | 716-858-7690 | General routing, department questions, program direction, official website support. |
| Environmental Health | 716-961-6800 | Restaurants, rabies, rats, rodents, lead, septic, water, pools, hotels, camps, tobacco and related environmental health issues. |
| Food-related illness | 716-858-7697 | Suspected foodborne illness after eating from a restaurant, bar, store, event or food facility. |
| Sexual Health Center | 716-858-7687 | STI testing, treatment, HIV testing support and confidential sexual health clinic questions. |
| Family Planning Center | 716-858-2779 | Family planning appointments and clinic questions. |
| Immunizations | 716-858-2373 | Vaccine clinic, school vaccine, adult vaccine and immunization appointment questions. |
| Substance Use / Harm Reduction | 716-858-7695 | Narcan, fentanyl test strips, xylazine test strips and harm reduction support. |
| Medicaid | 716-858-6244 | Medicaid-related public health routing listed by ECDOH. |
| 24 Hour Crisis Hotline | 716-834-3131 | Local crisis support. For national suicide and crisis support, call or text 988. |
Use this simple call script
Say: “I live in Erie County, New York. I need help with [restaurant complaint, food illness, birth record, FOIL record, vaccine appointment, sexual health clinic, rabies, lead, septic, rats, public health data, or other topic]. My town or city is [name]. Which Erie County office or official page should I use?”
Write the program name and phone number on paper before calling. If you are transferred, ask the person to repeat the direct phone number slowly so you can call back without starting over.
Erie County Department of Health services: what ECDOH covers
ECDOH is not a regular primary-care doctor office and it does not provide medical advice through its website. It is a county public health department. Its public-facing service areas include clinics and healthcare services, environmental health, public health laboratory, medical examiner, epidemiology and reportable diseases, health equity, harm reduction, community wellness, disease prevention, emergency medical services and public health preparedness.
Clinic and healthcare services
Sexual health, family planning, immunization, community health services and clinic routing through ECDOH locations.
Environmental Health
Food facilities, restaurants, inspections, rabies, rodents, lead, housing-related health, pools, septic, water, camps and hotels.
FOIL and public records
Use the county FOIL officer directory for agency documents. Use city, town, clerk or state vital records routes for certificates.
Emergency preparedness
Emergency medical services, Medical Reserve Corps, preparedness, disease surveillance, health alerts and public health data.
Erie County Health Department records: vital records, clinic records, inspection records and FOIL
The word “records” can mean different things. A birth certificate is not the same as a FOIL request. A restaurant inspection record is not the same as a medical record. A death certificate is usually handled by the city or town where the death occurred, not automatically by the Erie County Department of Health main office.
| Record type | Best route | Important note |
|---|---|---|
| Birth certificate | City or town registrar where the birth occurred; Buffalo Vital Records for City of Buffalo births; NYS DOH Vital Records for eligible state records | Prepare ID, full name, date of birth, place of birth, parent information and payment. |
| Death certificate | City or town clerk where the death occurred; Buffalo Vital Records for Buffalo deaths; NYS route when eligible | Ask the receiving agency what version it needs before ordering. |
| Marriage record | City or town clerk where the marriage license was purchased | Erie County Clerk has some historical genealogy guidance, but modern requests usually route to the city or town clerk. |
| Divorce record | County clerk or court route depending on document needed | A divorce decree, court file, certificate or genealogy record can be different. |
| Restaurant inspection record | ECDOH food facilities / restaurant inspection records route | Search by restaurant name, municipality or street name when available. |
| ECDOH agency records | FOIL request to the correct Erie County Health FOIL officer | Use a narrow request with date range, division, record type and subject. |
| Medical examiner record | Medical Examiner FOIL or official medical examiner office route | Rules may differ by record type, case status and privacy restrictions. |
| Personal medical record from a clinic | Call the clinic or program where services were received | Do not assume a public FOIL request is the fastest route for your own patient chart. |
For vital records, confirm the correct jurisdiction before paying. A person born in the City of Buffalo may use a different route than someone born in another Erie County town or village. A death certificate usually comes from the place where the death occurred, not where the family now lives.
Erie County birth certificate, death certificate, marriage record and divorce record routes
If you searched “Erie County Health Department birth certificate” or “Erie County Health Department death certificate,” first identify the exact place where the event occurred. New York vital records are often handled by the city, town or village registrar, while New York State Department of Health handles state-level vital records outside New York City under its own rules.
For a City of Buffalo birth certificate
Use the City of Buffalo Vital Records route for births that occurred in Buffalo. Prepare a government-issued photo ID, name on the certificate, date of birth, hospital, parent details, contact phone number, payment and mailing details if requesting by mail.
For births outside Buffalo but inside New York State
Start with the city, town or village registrar where the birth occurred. The New York State Department of Health vital records route may also apply for eligible state records outside New York City.
For a death certificate
Use the City or Town Clerk where the death occurred. Erie County Clerk guidance states that death records are not available from the Erie County Clerk’s Office and should be obtained from the City or Town Clerk’s Office where the death occurred.
For marriage or divorce records
Marriage records usually route to the city or town clerk where the marriage license was purchased. Divorce records may require the Erie County Clerk, court file route, or state record route depending on whether you need a decree, certificate, genealogy copy or certified court document.
Erie County clinic services: Sexual Health Center, Family Planning Center and confidential care
ECDOH clinic services are most often searched by residents looking for STI testing, HIV testing, sexual health care, family planning, vaccine help, school vaccine forms or appointment information. Call before visiting because appointment rules, eligibility, insurance handling and service hours can change.
Jesse Nash Health Center
Located at 608 William Street, Buffalo, NY 14206. Phone: 716-858-7687. ECDOH says services are confidential.
Open clinic pageFamily Planning Center
Use 716-858-2779 for family planning questions listed by ECDOH. Ask what to bring and whether an appointment is required.
Open ECDOHBefore your visit
Bring photo ID and insurance information if applicable. Ask about costs, confidentiality, minors, test results, prescriptions and follow-up before arriving.
If you are helping a senior, teen, family member or someone without transportation, ask about appointment time, bus access, ID needs, insurance, cost, language help, wheelchair access and whether a support person can come with them.
Erie County immunizations, vaccine clinic and school vaccine records
For immunization questions, ECDOH lists an Immunization Clinic and vaccine information pages. Appointments may be required for some clinic services, and no-walk-in rules can apply. For school, childcare or college vaccine compliance, bring the current vaccine record if available.
Call before going to the immunization clinic
ECDOH immunization information has listed appointment-based service at the Jesse Nash Health Center. Call 716-858-2373 for immunization questions or check the current ECDOH page before visiting.
Bring records if you have them
For a child, teen, college student, healthcare worker, immigrant, older adult or person catching up on vaccines, bring any paper record, school notice, work requirement, previous provider information or pharmacy record.
During a measles, flu, COVID-19, mpox or other public health alert, vaccine availability and guidance can change quickly. Check the current ECDOH alert or call the clinic before traveling.
Erie County Environmental Health: rabies, rats, lead, septic, pools, water, housing, hotels and camps
The Environmental Health Division is the best starting point for many address-based public health complaints in Erie County, NY. ECDOH lists Environmental Health, rabies, rats/rodents and lead phone routing at 716-961-6800.
Animal bite or rabies question
Call 716-961-6800 for Erie County rabies routing. For serious bites, seek medical care and follow official exposure guidance.
Property complaint
Prepare address, photos, dates, landlord or property owner details if known, and whether children or seniors are affected.
Lead poisoning or housing concern
Use Environmental Health for lead-related routing. For children, ask your medical provider about testing and follow-up.
Septic, pool, water, hotel, camp
These issues usually need a complete location, property type, complaint details and contact information.
Erie County restaurant inspections, food safety complaints and food poisoning reports
If you searched for “Erie County Health Department restaurant inspections,” “Erie County Health Department food permit,” or “Erie County restaurant complaint,” start with ECDOH food facilities and service request pages. The strongest complaint includes a full address, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt, photos and contact information.
| Need | Best action | Details to prepare |
|---|---|---|
| Possible food poisoning | Call 716-858-7697 | Restaurant or store name, full address, meal date/time, food eaten, symptoms, when symptoms began, and whether others became ill. |
| Restaurant or bar complaint | Use ECDOH online complaint form or call Environmental Health | Business name, address, municipality, complaint type, date, time, photos if available. |
| Restaurant inspection records | Use ECDOH inspection record route | Search by restaurant name, municipality or street name when available. |
| Food permit, application or form | Use ECDOH Permits, Applications & Forms | Business type, event type, location, date, operator contact, food handling details. |
Use the online complaint form for restaurant and bar complaints
The ECDOH restaurant and bar complaint form asks for detailed information and says users may choose to remain anonymous, but should enter a valid email and telephone number if follow-up is needed.
Use official permit and form pages for operators
Restaurant owners, temporary food vendors, event organizers and operators should use current ECDOH permit and application pages instead of copying old PDFs from search results.
If someone has severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, confusion, trouble breathing, chest pain, severe allergic reaction, poisoning symptoms, signs of stroke, or other emergency symptoms, call emergency services or seek urgent medical care. Do not wait for a restaurant complaint response.
Erie County Health Department complaints: where to file and what to include
Complaint routing depends on the issue. ECDOH handles many Environmental Health issues, but hospitals, nursing homes, workplaces, licensed health professionals, schools, salons, grocery stores, alcohol sales and other matters can route to state or separate agencies.
Environmental and restaurant complaints
Restaurants, bars, food-related illness, rats, rodents, rabies, lead, septic, pools, water, hotels, camps and some tobacco or tattoo complaints may route through ECDOH Environmental Health.
Open complaintsHospitals, nursing homes and professionals
Healthcare provider, facility, nursing home, adult care, workplace, labor, school, grocery, alcohol or professional complaints may route to New York State or another agency.
Check routing| Complaint detail | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Full address | Many public health complaints are location-based and require the exact site. |
| Date and time | Helps inspectors or staff understand when the problem happened. |
| Business, landlord, property owner or facility name | Improves routing and follow-up. |
| Photos, receipts or records | Supports the complaint and reduces back-and-forth calls. |
| Your phone or email | Allows staff to request more details if needed. |
Use facts, not long opinions. A short complaint with address, date, time, condition, photos and contact information is usually more helpful than a long story without location details.
Erie County Health Department FOIL request: public records and medical examiner routing
Use FOIL for agency records. Do not use FOIL as your first step for a birth certificate, death certificate, restaurant complaint, clinic appointment or urgent health concern. For ECDOH records, choose the correct Health division in the Erie County FOIL officer directory.
| FOIL area | Phone | Address route | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health – General | HealthFOIL@erie.gov | 716-858-7690 | 95 Franklin Street, Room 909, Buffalo, NY 14202 |
| Health – Public Health Lab / Environmental Health / General Health | HealthPHLFOIL@erie.gov | 716-961-6800 | 503 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214 |
| Health – Medical Examiner | HealthMEFOIL@erie.gov | 716-961-7591 | 501 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214 |
| Health – Emergency Medical Services | HealthEMSFOIL@erie.gov | 716-681-6070 | 3359 Broadway Street, Cheektowaga, NY 14227 |
Make your FOIL request narrow
Include the division, record type, date range, address or facility, subject matter, preferred format and your contact information. Avoid asking for “all health department records” unless you truly need a very broad request.
If you are requesting your own clinic record, call the clinic or program first. A personal medical record request may be different from a FOIL request for agency documents.
Erie County Health Department locations and program offices
ECDOH has multiple service locations. Do not drive to 95 Franklin Street unless that location is correct for your task. Clinics, Environmental Health, Medical Examiner, EMS and Health Mall services may be at different addresses.
| Location | Address | Phone | Programs listed by ECDOH |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rath Building | 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 | 716-858-7690 | Administration, Cancer Services, Community Wellness, Early Intervention, Epidemiology & Surveillance, Harm Reduction, Health Equity. |
| Jesse Nash Health Center | 608 William Street, Buffalo, NY 14206 | 716-858-7687 | Sexual Health Center, vaccine and clinic routing. Call before visiting. |
| 503 Kensington Avenue | 503 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214 | 716-961-6800 | Environmental Health and Public Health Laboratories. |
| 501 Kensington Avenue | 501 Kensington Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214 | 716-961-7591 | Medical Examiner. |
| 500 Commerce Drive | 500 Commerce Drive, Amherst, NY 14228 | Check official page | Ambulance Service, Medical Reserve Corps, EMS, Paramedic Program and Public Health Emergency Preparedness. |
| Erie County Health Mall | 1500 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14212 | 716-858-8888 | Call for services. |
Erie County Department of Health map: 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY
The ECDOH Administrative Office is listed at 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. This map is for orientation only. Confirm the correct program address and phone number before traveling, especially for clinics, Environmental Health, Medical Examiner, EMS, Health Mall or appointment-based services.
Call first. Many public health tasks are handled by phone, form, online complaint, FOIL email, city or town clerk, or a different ECDOH location.
Not your Erie County? Pennsylvania and Ohio quick check
The phrase “Erie County Health Department” can also refer to Erie County, Pennsylvania or Erie County, Ohio. This page is mainly for Erie County, New York. Use the official links below if you meant Pennsylvania or Ohio.
Erie County Department of Health, PA
Official contact listed: 606 West Second Street, Erie, PA 16507. Phone: 814-451-6700. Email: ecdhinfo@eriecountypa.gov.
Open Erie PA HealthErie County Health Department, OH
Official contact listed: 420 Superior Street, Sandusky, Ohio 44870. Phone: 419-626-5623.
Open Erie OH HealthOfficial Erie County and New York health links used in this guide
Use these official pages for final phone numbers, appointment rules, complaint forms, FOIL routing, records instructions, fees, hours and updates. This independent guide does not collect private documents, process certificates, file complaints or schedule appointments.
People also search for: Erie County Health Department Google and Bing keyword guide
These search-style phrases are included naturally so the page answers the real questions people type into Google, Bing and AI search tools.
Erie County Health Department phone number
Main ECDOH: 716-858-7690. Environmental Health: 716-961-6800. Sexual Health Center: 716-858-7687.
Phone routeErie County Department of Health Buffalo
The main Administrative Office is at 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. Confirm the correct service location before visiting.
Location routeErie County Health Department birth certificate
Use the City or Town Clerk where the birth occurred, City of Buffalo Vital Records for Buffalo births, or NYS DOH when eligible.
Records routeErie County Health Department restaurant inspections
Use ECDOH food facilities and restaurant inspection resources. For a restaurant complaint, use the official complaint form.
Food routeErie County Health Department immunizations
Call 716-858-2373 and check the ECDOH Immunization Action Plan page before visiting.
Vaccine routeErie County Health Department rabies clinic
Rabies and Environmental Health questions route through 716-961-6800. Check current clinic announcements before going.
Rabies routeErie County Health Department jobs
ECDOH links to jobs from its official site. Use the county’s official employment route for current postings.
Open official siteErie County Health Department records
Use FOIL for agency records, city or town clerks for many vital records, and specific clinic routes for patient records.
Records routeEmergency, privacy and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It is not the official Erie County Department of Health website, not Erie.gov, not New York State Department of Health, not the City of Buffalo Vital Records Office, and not a county or state agency.
If there is immediate danger, severe illness, trouble breathing, chest pain, signs of stroke, poisoning, severe allergic reaction, severe dehydration, suicidal thoughts, violence, serious animal bite, or another life-safety emergency, call emergency services or use official emergency care. Do not wait for a web form response.
Do not submit Social Security numbers, medical records, certificates, driver licenses, payment cards, clinic paperwork, complaint evidence, FOIL documents or patient details to an independent guide page. Use official Erie County, New York State, City of Buffalo or city/town clerk pages for final submission.
Erie County Health Department FAQs
What is the Erie County Health Department phone number?
The main Erie County Department of Health Administrative Office phone number is 716-858-7690. Environmental Health, rabies, rats, rodents and lead questions are commonly routed through 716-961-6800. The Sexual Health Center phone number is 716-858-7687, and immunization questions are listed at 716-858-2373.
Where is the Erie County Department of Health in Buffalo?
The main Administrative Office is listed at 95 Franklin Street, Buffalo, NY 14202. ECDOH also lists other program locations, including Jesse Nash Health Center at 608 William Street, 503 Kensington Avenue for Environmental Health and Public Health Laboratories, 501 Kensington Avenue for the Medical Examiner, and other service locations. Call or check the official locations page before visiting.
Does Erie County Department of Health issue birth certificates?
For Erie County, New York, birth certificate routing usually depends on where the birth occurred. For a City of Buffalo birth, use the City of Buffalo Vital Records route. For another city, town or village, contact the registrar where the birth occurred or review New York State Department of Health Vital Records guidance when eligible.
How do I get a death certificate in Erie County, New York?
Death certificate requests usually go to the City or Town Clerk where the death occurred. Erie County Clerk guidance says death records are not available at the Erie County Clerk’s Office and should be obtained from the City or Town Clerk’s Office where the death occurred.
How do I file a restaurant complaint in Erie County?
Use the official ECDOH Online Complaint Form for Restaurants & Bars or call Environmental Health at 716-961-6800. Prepare the restaurant or bar name, full address, municipality, date, time, complaint details, and your contact information if staff may need follow-up.
How do I report possible food poisoning in Erie County?
ECDOH service complaint guidance lists 716-858-7697 for reporting food-related illness. Prepare the business name, full address, date and time of meal, food items eaten, symptoms, when symptoms started, and whether others became ill. For severe symptoms, seek medical care immediately.
How do I contact Erie County Environmental Health?
ECDOH lists Environmental Health at 716-961-6800. Use this route for issues such as restaurants, rabies, rats, rodents, lead, septic systems, swimming pools, water, hotels, camps and certain environmental health complaints.
How do I request Erie County Department of Health public records?
Use the Erie County FOIL officer directory and choose the correct Health division. General Health FOIL is listed at HealthFOIL@erie.gov with phone 716-858-7690. Environmental Health and Public Health Lab FOIL is listed at HealthPHLFOIL@erie.gov with phone 716-961-6800. Medical Examiner FOIL and EMS FOIL have separate contacts.
Is this page for Erie County, Pennsylvania or Erie County, Ohio?
This guide focuses mainly on the Erie County Department of Health in Erie County, New York, serving the Buffalo area. If you need Erie County, Pennsylvania, use eriecountypa.gov/departments/health/. If you need Erie County, Ohio, use eriecohealthohio.com.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official Erie County Health Department website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide. It does not process records, schedule clinic appointments, file complaints, accept payments, provide medical advice, or replace the official Erie County Department of Health, New York State Department of Health, City of Buffalo, or city and town clerk websites.