Hello List In New York State Death certificates can be found in two places . The Town in which the person died and after 1890 in Albany New York. New York state documents before 1889 are very scarce. I have had the best luck with calling the Town Clerk in the community in which the deceased lived and asking the Clerk if the person's record is there. Give her the complete name , complete date or as much information as you have . If I have the place of burial too I seem to get the more cooperation . If I call with just a name , I may be wrong, Probably not, the clerk will be gone for a minute and come back with nothing found. If they have the certificate I thank them and ask for their address and fee for a copy. Always thank the person and send ,at the very least a thank you card, some people give a box of candy. Be very polite .. you may have to ask them for more help later I have not had any luck at Albany .. they sent my money back both times I sent for Death certificates.. To send to Albany you must print out a request form which can be found at the New York State Health department site on line. You must mark your request as " for genealogical use". The cost for records is 11 dollars. Linda