Some time ago there was a discussion about getting records - specifically death records - from NYS. I knew I had seen something official someplace which provided for a waiver of the 50 year ban for descendants. It has taken a bit of time but I finally found it. From the New York State Department of Health; Vital Records Section, Genealogy Unit; Empire State Plaza; Albany, N.Y. 12237-0023 Form DOH-1562 (4/93) 2 pages - General Information and Application for Genealogical Services Page 1 is the fill-in portion for birth, marriage or death records, purpose of request, etc. Page 2 is a summary of the Health Commissioner's Administrative Rules and Regulations. This summary is broken into 4 areas. 1. Genealogical Research - rules for making requests - in writing, purpose, etc. 2. Who is authorized to do the searching? - authorized persons at state, county, local levels. 3. What records are available? - release & restrictions. 4. Genealogy Fee Schedule. Area #3 is in 6 parts - part E states - " The time periods specified in (3B), (3C) and (3D) are waived if the applicant is a descendant or has been designated to act on behalf of a descendant of the person whose record is being requested. A descendant is a person in the direct line of descent. The applicant shall provide documentation of descendancy prior to the release of information in those instances where a waiver of the waiting period is requested. A party acting on behalf of a descendant shall further provide documentation that the descendant authorized the party to make such application." To get the birth cert of someone in NYS, the record must be 75 years old and the person deceased, a death cert requires a 50 year wait So getting a waiver if you can is well worth the effort.