Our Collections
Explore our extensive collection of mesmerizing photos capturing the essence of New York City. View All
Welcome to the New York Archival Society
PRESERVING MATTERS OF HISTORICAL VALUE
New York Archival Society
The New York Archival Society supports the work of the Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS). The Municipal Archives and Library at DORIS preserve the historical and contemporary records of New York City government and make them publicly accessible. The Archival Society is a registered 501-c-3 organization so all contributions are tax deductible. Funds are used to preserve and digitize collections, create exhibits, and support public access to the collections.
- Preserves and provides public access to historical and contemporary records and information about New York City government.
- Maintains digital galleries of the New York City Municipal Archives, including a vast collection of photographs from the 1940s.
- Offers research services through the Municipal Library and Archives, open by appointment only.
- Organizes exhibitions to celebrate and explore the city's history, such as "Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives—A Pictorial History of Working People in New York City."
- Commemorates the shared cultural heritage of Amsterdam and New York City with the "New Amsterdam Stories" exhibition.
The New York Archival Society and Department of Records and Information Services of New York City are the key institutions in preserving and making accessible the rich history of New York City. Through its various services and exhibitions, it provides invaluable resources to researchers, historians, and the general public alike.
About Us
WHAT WE DO
F.A.Q
Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I contact the NYC Department of Records?
You can contact the NYC Department of Records and Information Services by visiting their office at 31 Chambers Street, New York, NY 10007. You can also call them at (212) 788-8611. For more information, please visit their website
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How do I correct my birth certificate in NY?
To correct a birth certificate in New York, you would typically need to contact the New York State Department of Health or the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, depending on where the birth occurred. They can provide you with the necessary forms and instructions to request a correction. Please note that you may need to provide supporting documentation depending on the type of correction requested.
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How long does it take to get vital records in NY?
The Municipal Archives has many historical vital records available online. https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/
For Birth and Death records issues after 1910, contact the NYC Department of Health. https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/index.page -
How do I find public records in NYC?
Reports and other records published by City government can be found on the Government Publications Portal at the Municipal Library operated by DORIS https://a860-gpp.nyc.gov/collections/zw12z528p?locale=en
Historical records can found in the Municipal Archives https://www.nyc.gov/site/records/historical-records/collections.page
You can request copies of current records from New York City offices by filing a Freedom of Information Law (FOIL)request through the Open Records portal https://a860-openrecords.nyc.gov/
Projects
Some of our projects
Browse 1940s Tax Photo Collection
More than 720,000 newly digitized historical photographs of every house and building in the 5 boroughs can be searched and viewed in the gallery. Click here
Visit the Municipal Archives and Library
Open to the Public:
The Municipal Library and
Archives' public research rooms at the New York City Department
of Records & Information Services (DORIS) are open to the public
with appropriate health and safety protocols in place. The
research rooms are open from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 4
p.m. Please e-mail
research@records.nyc.gov
to make an appointment.
- For questions about genealogical research or to schedule an appointment regarding family history: familyhistory@records.nyc.gov
- For general research questions or to schedule an appointment: research@records.nyc.gov
Historical Vital Records of NYC
Introducing Historical Vital Records NYC! Browse, search and download more than 10 million birth, death and marriage records from 1855-1949. Click here
New Archives Facility
Our new facility in Sunset Park, Brooklyn at Industry City is now welcoming patrons - by appointment. This major investment in state-of-the-art storage and a research space will ensure preservation of and access to the City's heritage for generations to come. Click here
WHAT WE HAVE
Have a look at our Vital Records
Birth Certificates
The NYC Department of Records has digitized birth certificates for different years and boroughs, including the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island.
Death Certificates
NYC Department of Records has digitized death certificates for Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens and Staten Island.
Marriage Certificates
The New York City Health Department issued marriage certificates through 1907. Beginning in 1908, in compliance with N.Y. State Law, couples planning to marry obtained a license from the City Clerk.
Gallery
Some photos from Our Collection
