NYC Department of Health 2026: Services, Phone & Records
Use this plain-English guide when you need the NYC Department of Health phone number, birth certificate, death certificate, vaccine records, Citywide Immunization Registry, food poisoning report, restaurant complaint, dog license, food protection course, business permit, FOIL records request, public health complaint, NYC Health clinics, or office visit route.
The official agency name is the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, often searched as NYC DOH, NYC Health Department, NYC DOHMH, Department of Health NYC, or nyc.gov/health. This independent guide helps you choose the right official page before you call 311, pay a fee, upload documents, file a complaint, request records, or travel to Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, or Staten Island.
Quick answer: what NYC Department of Health helps with in 2026
The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene helps New Yorkers with birth and death records, vaccine records, Citywide Immunization Registry access, public health complaints, food safety issues, restaurant letter grades, food protection training, health permits, dog licenses, animal bite reporting, poison control, public health clinics, community health programs, disease reporting systems, and FOIL records requests.
| What you need | Best official route | Prepare before you click or call | Senior-friendly tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC Department of Health phone number | 311 or NYC Health Contact page | Topic, borough, address if relevant, callback number, complaint number if any | Say the exact service first: “birth certificate,” “restaurant complaint,” “vaccine record,” or “FOIL.” |
| NYC birth certificate | NYC Health Birth Certificates page | Full name, date of birth, borough, parents’ names, ID, relationship or entitlement proof, mailing address | Use the NYC route only if the birth occurred in one of the five boroughs. |
| NYC death certificate | NYC Health Death Certificates page | Decedent name, date of death, borough, relationship or entitlement proof, ID, number of copies | Ask the bank, insurer, attorney or benefits office how many certified copies it needs. |
| NYC marriage or divorce record | City Clerk or court route | County/borough, names, date, certificate or court decree need | NYC Health birth/death records are not the same as marriage license or divorce decree records. |
| NYC vaccine record | My Vaccine Record / Citywide Immunization Registry | Name, date of birth, phone/email match, parent/guardian details for child records | If no record appears, ask your provider to report or update your immunization history. |
| NYC Health clinic services | NYC Health Clinics or NYC Health Map | Clinic type, borough, appointment need, insurance question, ID if requested | Many clinics serve New Yorkers regardless of immigration status; check service rules before going. |
| Restaurant complaint or food poisoning | 311 Online / NYC Health food complaint route | Business name, full address, borough, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt or photo | Include the full street address and borough, not only the restaurant name. |
| Food protection course or business permit | NYC Health Business, Permits and Health Academy pages | Business type, permit type, owner information, account login, payment method, appointment need | In-person permit submissions are appointment-only, and many renewals should be done online or by mail. |
| Dog license or animal bite | NYC Health Dog Licenses or Animal Bite Report | Owner details, dog details, vaccination information, bite date/time/location if reporting a bite | NYC requires dog licensing; animal bites must be reported quickly. |
| FOIL records request | NYC Health Freedom of Information Law page | Record type, subject matter, date range, program name, authorization documents if needed | FOIL is for agency records, not for ordering your birth certificate or vaccine record. |
If the event happened in New York City, use NYC Health for birth and death certificates. If it happened elsewhere in New York State, use the New York State Department of Health or the local registrar. For marriage records, divorce decrees, court records, and historical records, use the correct City Clerk, court, Municipal Archives, or Department of Records route.
NYC Department of Health route finder: choose the right official page before calling, paying or visiting
Use this simple route finder for common searches like NYC Department of Health phone number, NYC birth certificate, NYC death certificate, NYC vaccine records, NYC health permit, food protection certificate, restaurant complaint, dog license, public health complaint, FOIL records request, and NYC Health clinic.
NYC Health task router
Select your task. The safest next step appears below.
NYC Department of Health phone number, 311, outside-NYC calling and smart script
For most NYC Health questions, call 311 inside New York City. If you are outside NYC, call 212-NEW-YORK or 212-639-9675. For emergencies, do not use 311; use emergency services.
Use a short call script
Say: “I need help with [birth certificate, death certificate, vaccine record, restaurant complaint, food poisoning, dog license, health permit, FOIL records request, NYC Health clinic, or animal bite]. The borough is [Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, or Staten Island]. Which official NYC Health page or 311 service should I use?”
Use 311 Online for non-emergency complaints
NYC Health contact guidance says you can submit or check non-emergency complaints through 311 Online or the 311 Mobile App, including child care or camp complaints, indoor air quality complaints, restaurant, food poisoning or mobile food vendor complaints, rodent or mouse complaints, smoking complaints and standing water complaints.
NYC agencies route by borough, street address, service type and complaint category. For faster routing, prepare the exact address, borough, cross street, business name, certificate order number, or complaint number before calling.
NYC Health birth and death records: certificates, corrections, unauthorized vendors and older records
NYC Health’s Office of Vital Records handles certified copies and corrections for New York City birth and death records. This is different from New York State vital records, marriage licenses, divorce decrees and historical archive records.
Birth certificates
Use the NYC birth certificate route for births that occurred in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx or Staten Island.
Open birth pageDeath certificates
Use the NYC death certificate route for deaths that occurred in New York City and confirm older-record rules before ordering.
Open death pageUnauthorized certificate sites
NYC Health warns that unauthorized vendors may charge high fees for help getting birth or death certificates.
Ordering guideConfirm the event happened in NYC
NYC Health records apply to events in the five boroughs. If the birth or death happened elsewhere in New York State, use the New York State Department of Health or the correct local registrar. If the record is old, the Municipal Archives may be the right route.
Use the correct contact for certificate questions
For general birth and death record help, call 311 or 212-639-9675 from outside NYC. For questions about a certificate request, NYC Health lists nycdohvr@health.nyc.gov. For correction or amendment questions, the official page lists correctionsunit2@health.nyc.gov.
Use historical records route for older certificates
NYC Health death certificate guidance says deaths before 1951 route to the NYC Department of Records Municipal Archives or 311. Historical birth, death and marriage records may also be searched through the Municipal Archives system.
Before buying multiple copies, ask the school, passport office, attorney, bank, insurer, benefits office or agency how many certified copies it needs. This can prevent over-ordering and extra fees.
NYC birth certificate and NYC death certificate checklist for 2026
Use this checklist before ordering a New York City birth certificate or death certificate. It is designed for seniors, parents, caregivers, estate helpers, out-of-state family members and people who need one clean route without confusion.
| Record type | Prepare first | Common mistake | Best route |
|---|---|---|---|
| NYC birth certificate | Full name, birth date, borough, parent names, valid ID, proof of entitlement, mailing address | Using the New York State page for a birth that happened in NYC | NYC Health Birth Certificates |
| Newborn birth certificate | Child name, birth date, hospital, parent details, order status, hospital filing timing | Calling too early before the record is ready | 646-632-6563 or birth@health.nyc.gov for births within the past 30 days |
| NYC death certificate | Decedent name, death date, borough, relationship, proof documents, number of copies | Not asking the receiving agency whether cause-of-death details are needed | NYC Health Death Certificates |
| Correction or amendment | Order number, submitted date, how you placed the order, documents supporting the change | Submitting a new certificate order when a correction process is required | NYC Health corrections page or correctionsunit2@health.nyc.gov |
Start with the official birth or death certificate page
Use the correct NYC Health page, then choose the matching order route. Do not submit ID or payment to a third-party site unless you reached it from an official NYC Health instruction.
Use NYC 311 if you need a paper application
NYC 311 certificate order guidance says you can call 311 or 212-639-9675 from outside NYC for help. If you are outside the United States and need an application mailed, follow the official 311 guidance carefully.
NYC marriage and divorce records: City Clerk, court records and Municipal Archives
People often search “NYC Department of Health marriage certificate” or “NYC Department of Health divorce record,” but birth and death certificates are not the same as marriage licenses, marriage records, divorce decrees or court files.
Use NYC City Clerk for marriage records
Marriage license and marriage record requests generally route through the City Clerk, not the same NYC Health birth/death certificate path.
Marriage recordsUse the court route for divorce decrees
If you need a divorce judgment, decree or court file, use the appropriate New York court or county clerk route.
Divorce recordsAsk the receiving agency: “Do you need a marriage record, a marriage license copy, a divorce certificate, or the actual divorce decree?” This tells you whether to use City Clerk, court, county clerk, Municipal Archives or another official route.
NYC vaccine records, My Vaccine Record, Citywide Immunization Registry and school forms
If you searched “NYC Department of Health records” for vaccination history, school immunization proof, child care forms, adult vaccine records, flu shot, COVID vaccine proof or clinic vaccine history, use the Citywide Immunization Registry route instead of vital records.
Use My Vaccine Record for yourself or your child
NYC Health says individuals, parents and legal guardians can get their Citywide Immunization Registry record and check vaccines they may need through My Vaccine Record. Most CIR records are reported by NYC health care providers.
Use mail or fax when online lookup does not work
If you cannot request a vaccine record online, NYC Health provides an immunization record request application for mail or fax. NYC Health warns not to send personal identifying information over email.
Providers use CIR access and provider support
Providers can use the Citywide Immunization Registry to look up records, report immunizations, produce forms and manage facility access. NYC Health lists provider phone support at 347-396-2400.
If your record is missing, contact your healthcare provider and ask them to report or update your immunization history in the CIR. New residents may need records from a previous provider, school, state immunization registry or local health department.
NYC Health clinics, Health Map, immunization clinics, sexual health clinics and TB services
NYC Health clinics can help with selected public health services, including sexual health, immunization and tuberculosis services. Clinic rules, locations, appointments, walk-in availability and hours can change, so check the official page before going.
NYC Health Clinics
Use the official clinic page to find sexual health, immunization and TB services.
Open clinicsImmunization clinics
Appointments are recommended but not always required; the official page lists appointment and contact options.
Open immunization clinicsSexual health clinics
NYC Sexual Health Clinics offer low- to no-cost services for people 12 and older, with service details on the official page.
Open sexual healthUse NYC Health Map when you need a nearby service
NYC Health Map helps locate services by topic and geography. It is useful for vaccines, sexual health services, TB testing and other public health resources.
Before traveling across boroughs, check the exact clinic page for hours, appointment rules, service updates, age requirements, fees, documents and whether walk-ins are accepted that day.
NYC Health permits, licenses, food protection course and business services
NYC Health regulates many permits, licenses and business health requirements, especially for food, mobile vending, child care, animal facilities, certain health-related establishments and Health Academy courses.
Permits and Licenses
In-person permit submissions are by appointment only. Many new applications and renewals should be submitted online or by mail if applicable.
Open permitsHealth Academy
Use the Health Academy page for courses where certification is required by law, including food protection-related training.
Open academyMobile food vendors
Mobile food vendors need a license or supervisory license, and the unit needs a permit.
Open vendors| Business need | Best route | Prepare first |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurant, food service or food establishment permit | NYC Health Permits and Licenses | Business legal name, address, owner details, permit type, account login, payment method, violations or fines if any |
| Food Protection Certificate | NYC Health Academy / Food Protection Course | Course registration, language needs, exam scheduling, certificate requirement |
| Mobile food vending | Mobile and Temporary Food Vendors | License type, unit permit, email and mailing address, class registration if required |
| Dog license, pet shop, animal facility, carriage horse, petting zoo | NYC Health animal permits and dog license pages | Owner information, animal/facility details, vaccination or permit documents |
Permits and licenses cannot be renewed until outstanding fines are paid. Check account status and fines before planning a renewal deadline or in-person appointment.
NYC food poisoning, restaurant complaint, mobile food vendor complaint and restaurant letter grades
Use this route for suspected food poisoning, unsafe food handling, pest activity, mobile food vendor issues, restaurant sanitation concerns, or checking a restaurant letter grade.
| Collect this first | Example | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Business name and full address | Restaurant, deli, bodega, food truck, school kitchen, event vendor | NYC has many similar names; address and borough identify the place. |
| Borough and cross street | Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx or Staten Island | Improves routing and inspection lookup. |
| Date and time | When you ate, bought or observed the problem | Helps investigators compare illness timing and inspection details. |
| Food item and symptoms | Dish, drink, packaged product, symptom start time, who became sick | Supports foodborne illness review. |
| Proof if available | Receipt, delivery order, photos, product label, leftover packaging | Provides details beyond memory. |
Use 311 for restaurant, food poisoning or mobile vendor complaints
NYC Health contact guidance says non-emergency restaurant, food poisoning and mobile food vendor complaints can be submitted through 311 Online or the 311 Mobile App. Include the exact business name, full address, borough, date, food item and symptoms.
Check restaurant letter grades and inspection results
NYC Health publishes restaurant letter grade and inspection information. Use this for choosing a restaurant, checking a recent inspection, or understanding a complaint history.
If someone has severe dehydration, bloody diarrhea, confusion, trouble breathing, a severe allergic reaction, symptoms in an infant, symptoms in a frail senior, or life-threatening symptoms, use emergency medical help instead of waiting for a complaint response.
NYC dog license, animal bite report, rabies and poison control
NYC Health handles important animal and poison-related public health services. This includes dog licenses, animal bite reporting, rabies guidance and NYC Poison Center information.
Apply or renew
You can apply for a dog license online or by mail. Call 311 to request a paper application.
Dog licenseReport within 24 hours
NYC Health says any type of animal bite must be reported within 24 hours of the event.
Report biteProtect pets and people
Use the rabies page for animal exposure and vaccination guidance.
Rabies guideNYC Poison Center
Call 212-POISONS or 212-764-7667 for poison help. Calls are free and confidential.
Poison controlFor severe symptoms, difficulty breathing, loss of consciousness, a serious animal attack, suspected poisoning or immediate danger, use emergency services immediately. Poison Center guidance does not replace emergency care when someone is in immediate danger.
NYC Department of Health FOIL request: agency records, not birth certificates or vaccine records
FOIL means Freedom of Information Law. Use the NYC Health FOIL route for agency records. Do not use FOIL when the correct task is ordering a birth certificate, death certificate, vaccine record, dog license, clinic record from a provider, or restaurant complaint.
Make the request written, specific and searchable
NYC Health FOIL guidance says requests must be in writing and should detail the type, subject matter and dates of the records requested. Attach authorizations or other documents if needed.
Use recordsaccess@health.nyc.gov only for the correct FOIL purpose
NYC Health FOIL FAQ lists recordsaccess@health.nyc.gov for FOIL matters. Do not email unnecessary personal medical details, ID images, payment card information or unrelated complaints.
A strong FOIL request names the program, record type, subject, date range, location, complaint number or permit number. Broad requests such as “send me all health records” are harder to process and may require clarification.
NYC Health office map: Vital Records, Gotham Center and before-you-visit warning
Do not visit a NYC Health office only because a map result appears. Many services are online, by mail, through 311, appointment-based or handled by another city or state office.
| Location or service | What to verify first |
|---|---|
| Office of Vital Records, 125 Worth Street, Manhattan | Birth/death order route, appointment or walk-in rules, ID and proof documents, payment method, correction instructions |
| Gotham Center, 42-09 28th Street, Long Island City | Service of process or agency business routing; not every public service is handled at this location |
| NYC Health clinics | Clinic type, borough, appointment availability, walk-in rules, age requirements and service updates |
| Food permits or business licenses | In-person submissions are by appointment only; online or mail submission may be encouraged |
| Marriage, divorce, older records | Use City Clerk, court or Municipal Archives route; do not assume NYC Health can issue every record type |
Check the official page before traveling
NYC office rules, security, hours, payment, appointment requirements and document requirements can change. Bring printed documents only after the official page tells you what is required.
Manhattan parking, security lines and office rules can make a trip difficult for seniors and caregivers. If online, 311, mail or phone support can solve the task, use that route first.
Official NYC Department of Health links used in this guide
Use these official resources for final decisions, fees, forms, office rules, appointment requirements, records requests, complaint submission, business permits, clinic information and public health routing. This independent guide does not collect records, take payments, file complaints, issue licenses or replace nyc.gov.
People also search for: NYC Department of Health Google and Bing intent guide
These are common search-style intents around “NYC Department of Health.” Use the matching route instead of weak third-party pages or outdated PDFs.
NYC Department of Health phone number
Use 311 inside NYC or 212-639-9675 from outside NYC for city service routing.
Phone routeNYC Department of Health birth certificate
Use NYC Health Birth Certificates if the birth occurred in one of the five boroughs.
Birth routeNYC Department of Health death certificate
Use NYC Health Death Certificates if the death occurred in New York City.
Death routeNYC vaccine records
Use My Vaccine Record and the Citywide Immunization Registry route.
Vaccine routeNYC Health clinics near me
Use NYC Health Clinics and NYC Health Map for clinic locations and service updates.
Clinic routeNYC health permit renewal
Use NYC Health Permits and Licenses, and check outstanding fines before renewal.
Permit routeNYC restaurant complaint
Use NYC 311 Online and include the exact address, borough, date, food item and symptoms.
Complaint routeNYC dog license
Use the official Dog Licenses page to apply, renew or request a paper application.
Dog routeSafety, privacy and independent guide notice
HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent public-service guide. It is not the official NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene website, not nyc.gov, not 311, not VitalChek, not My Vaccine Record and not an NYC agency.
Do not send birth certificates, death certificates, IDs, Social Security numbers, medical records, vaccine records, permit documents, complaint evidence, payment card details, animal bite details or patient information to an independent guide page. Use official secure NYC pages for final submission.
Fees, forms, office hours, appointment rules, ID requirements, complaint categories, permit renewal rules, clinic hours, vaccine record rules, phone numbers and processing times can change. Confirm final details on nyc.gov, NYC 311, NYC Health, City Clerk, courts, Municipal Archives or the correct official system before taking action.
NYC Department of Health FAQs
What is the NYC Department of Health phone number?
For most NYC Health services, call 311 inside New York City. If you are outside NYC, call 212-NEW-YORK or 212-639-9675. For emergencies, use emergency services instead of 311.
What is the official name of the NYC Department of Health?
The official agency name is the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. People also search for it as NYC Health Department, NYC DOH, NYC DOHMH, Department of Health NYC and nyc.gov/health.
How do I order an NYC birth certificate?
Use the official NYC Health Birth Certificates page if the birth occurred in Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx or Staten Island. Prepare the full name, birth date, borough, parent names, valid ID, proof of entitlement, mailing address and payment method.
How do I order an NYC death certificate?
Use the official NYC Health Death Certificates page if the death occurred in New York City. Prepare the decedent name, date of death, borough, relationship or entitlement proof, valid ID, number of copies and payment method.
Does NYC Health issue marriage and divorce records?
NYC Health mainly handles birth and death certificates. Marriage records usually route through the NYC City Clerk, while divorce decrees or divorce court files usually route through the appropriate court or county clerk.
How do I get NYC vaccine records?
Use NYC Health’s Vaccine Records page and My Vaccine Record. If online lookup does not work, follow the mail or fax immunization record request instructions. Do not send personal identifying information over ordinary email.
How do I report food poisoning or a restaurant complaint in NYC?
Use NYC 311 Online or the 311 Mobile App for non-emergency restaurant, food poisoning or mobile food vendor complaints. Prepare the business name, full address, borough, date, time, food item, symptoms, receipt or photos if available.
Where do I apply for a NYC Health permit or license?
Use the official NYC Health Permits and Licenses page. In-person submissions are by appointment only, and NYC Health encourages many new applications and renewals to be submitted online or by mail when applicable.
How do I submit a NYC Health FOIL request?
Use the official NYC Health Freedom of Information Law Requests page. Requests must be in writing and should detail the type, subject matter and dates of the records requested. FOIL is for agency records, not for ordering birth certificates, death certificates or vaccine records.
Is HealthDepartmentGuide.org the official NYC Department of Health website?
No. HealthDepartmentGuide.org is an independent guide that helps users find the right official route. It does not process records, collect payments, issue permits, file complaints or replace nyc.gov, NYC 311 or the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.