Search Buffalo Death Records

Buffalo death records have a unique history. Unlike most cities in New York, Buffalo's pre-1914 death records are NOT held by the New York State Department of Health. The state does not have them. If you need a death record from before January 1, 1914, you must contact the Buffalo Local Registrar at Room 1308, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202. For records from 1914 forward, the state DOH does have them. Buffalo sits in Erie County, and the city has death records going all the way back to 1852.

Pre-1914 Buffalo Death Records

This is the most important thing to know about Buffalo death records. The New York State Department of Health does not file records of birth, death, or marriage from the City of Buffalo prior to January 1, 1914. This exception applies to only three cities in the entire state: Albany, Buffalo, and Yonkers. If you call the state DOH asking for a pre-1914 Buffalo death record, they will tell you they do not have it.

For pre-1914 death records, you must contact the Buffalo Local Registrar. The office is at Room 1308, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202. You can call the city clerk at (716) 851-5431. This office has death records from 1852 to the present. Yes, 1852. That is over 170 years of death records, some of the oldest in western New York.

For death records from 1914 forward, you have the choice of contacting either the Buffalo city clerk or the NYS Department of Health. The local route is cheaper. The state charges $30 by mail and $45 online.

Buffalo Death Records at City Hall

Buffalo City Hall Vital Records is at Room 1302, 65 Niagara Square, Buffalo, NY 14202. The phone number for death records is (716) 851-5437. The fax number is (716) 851-4845. This is where you go for recent death certificates. Death records from 1945 to the present are kept at City Hall.

Here is the City of Buffalo website showing municipal services.

The City of Buffalo website has information about the clerk's office and vital records services.

You can find application forms and fee schedules on the city site.

For older death records from 1852 through 1944, the records are at the City of Buffalo Inactive Records Center at 45 Comet Street, Buffalo, NY 14216. You can call (716) 874-6402. There is an index available on site. Records can be ordered from there and either mailed to you or picked up at City Hall.

Special Death Records Collections

Buffalo has some unusual death record collections that genealogy researchers should know about. The Buffalo Psychiatric Center death records from 1878 to 1999 are held at Buffalo City Hall. Death records from the VA Hospital starting from 2012 are also at City Hall. These are specific to deaths that occurred at those institutions.

For genealogy copies, death records must be at least 50 years old. The city can provide uncertified copies for research purposes. Contact City Hall to ask about their genealogy fees and process.

Erie County coroners' reports from October 1878 through June 1902 are available on microfilm at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library's Grosvenor Room. The Buffalo Hospital and Erie County Poorhouse death records from 1898 to 1925 are also in the Grosvenor Room. These are valuable for researchers tracing deaths among the county's poorest residents during that period.

Erie County Resources

The Erie County Clerk's genealogy page has information about records available at the county level. However, the Erie County Clerk does NOT have death records. Death certificates must be obtained from the city or town clerk where the death occurred. The county clerk has marriages from 1878 to April 29, 1935, naturalization records from 1827 to 1929, and census records on microfilm.

The Erie County Surrogate's Court is at Erie County Hall, 92 Franklin Street, 2nd floor, Buffalo, NY 14202. The phone is (716) 845-2560. This court handles probate for all of Erie County. You can search for estate filings through the WebSurrogate system online.

The Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society research library at 25 Nottingham Court has over 200,000 historical photographs, local obituary collections, and cemetery records. Staff can help with research, though fees may apply.

Fees and Ordering Options

Local death certificates from the Buffalo city clerk cost about $10 per certified copy. Going through the NYS DOH is more expensive at $30 by mail or $45 online plus a vendor fee. For genealogy searches through the state, the base fee is $22 for a three-year search.

In-person requests at Buffalo City Hall can often be processed the same day. Mail requests take longer. If you are ordering from out of state, VitalChek is the authorized online vendor. You will pay the state fee plus VitalChek's processing charge.

For older records at the Inactive Records Center on Comet Street, call ahead to check availability and any special procedures. Those records date back to 1852 and are stored on older media that may require extra handling time.

Eligibility Requirements

Certified death certificates in Buffalo are available to eligible applicants only. The list includes:

• Spouse or domestic partner of the deceased
• Parent, child, or sibling
• Attorney with documented legal need
• Person with a New York State court order
• Funeral director (within one year of death)

Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID. If you do not have photo ID, two pieces of official mail with your name and address may work. The clerk will verify your identity and eligibility before releasing the record.

Buffalo Death Records for Genealogy

The Buffalo and Erie County Public Library's Grosvenor Room at One Lafayette Square, Buffalo, NY 14203 is a major genealogy resource. They have the Erie County coroners' reports on microfilm, poorhouse death records, and other historical documents. The library also has city directories, newspapers, and other materials that can help you research deaths in Buffalo.

The New York State Death Index covers Buffalo deaths from 1880 to 1956 and is free to search online. Use it to find names and dates before ordering the full certificate from City Hall.

Nearby Qualifying Cities

Other qualifying cities near Buffalo in Erie County include Cheektowaga, Amherst, Hamburg, and Tonawanda. Each has its own clerk handling death records separately from Buffalo. If the death happened outside Buffalo city limits but within Erie County, you need to contact the appropriate town clerk. The Erie County Clerk at 92 Franklin Street in Buffalo can point you in the right direction, but they cannot pull death certificates for you.

For deaths in Rochester to the east, that city falls under Monroe County, which has a consolidated vital records system. Each area has its own setup, so always check which office handles records for the specific location where the death took place.