Oneida County Death Records

Oneida County death records are held by the town and city clerks across this large central New York county. The county seat is Utica, which is also the largest city with about 65,000 residents. Oneida County as a whole has around 232,000 people. Death certificates here date back to the 1880s when the state started requiring registration. The Oneida County Clerk does not keep death records. You need to go through the local clerk where the death happened or through the state. There are some quirks with hospital birth records in this county that are worth knowing about, and the Utica Public Library has one of the better genealogy collections in the region.

Where Oneida County Death Records Are Kept

The Oneida County Clerk at the Oneida County Courthouse, 200 Elizabeth Street, Utica, NY 13501 keeps divorce records, court records, and land records. Phone is (315) 798-5776, email countyclerk@ocgov.net. But the County Clerk does not maintain birth or death certificates. Those must come from the clerk of the town or city where the death took place. You can also get them from the state.

The City of Utica Vital Records at Utica City Hall, phone (315) 792-0100, maintains early death records that are not always in the state system. This is important for older records. If someone died at St. Elizabeth's Hospital, the death record may be with the Utica Department of Vital Records. For deaths at St. Luke's Hospital since May 1957, check with the New Hartford Town Clerk. Before May 1957, those records are also with Utica Vital Records.

Other town clerks in Oneida County keep records for their own areas. The towns of Florence, Floyd, Forestport, Kirkland, Lee, and Marcy all have clerks with death records going back to the 1880s. Some records from the Town of Kirkland between 1847 and 1887 are incomplete due to a fire. The Town of Marcy clerk also stores records from the Marcy Psychiatric Center.

Ordering Oneida County Death Records

The New York State Department of Health has Oneida County death records from 1880 to the present. Mail orders cost $30. Send forms to the Vital Records Certification Unit, P.O. Box 2602, Albany, NY 12220-2602. Online and phone orders through VitalChek cost $45 plus a processing fee. The toll-free number is (855) 322-1022.

Local town clerks in Oneida County can also issue certified copies. They are typically faster than the state. The Oneida County Clerk's office at the 800 Park Avenue location in Utica, phone (315) 798-5776, is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. They can point you to the right town clerk if you are not sure where to go.

You need photo ID to order. A driver's license, passport, or state ID works. The spouse, parent, child, or sibling of the person who died can request a certified copy. Others need to show a documented lawful right or a court order. Applications without proper ID get denied.

Oneida County Genealogy Resources

The Utica Public Library Genealogy Department is in Room 201 upstairs. Phone is (315) 735-2279. Hours are limited: Monday 11 AM to 1 PM, Tuesday 12 PM to 2 PM, Thursday 9 AM to 12 PM in summer months only. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday they are closed. But the collection is strong.

The library has New York State Department of Health vital records genealogy indexes on microfiche. These cover deaths from 1881 to 1963. They also have Ancestry Library Edition, Heritage Quest, New York Genealogical and Biographic Records from 1870, the New England Historical and Genealogical Register from 1847, DAR Lineage Books from 1890 to 1928, and published family histories. Their obituary search service is free for residents of Oneida, Herkimer, or Madison County. It costs $10 for other New York State residents and $15 for out-of-state requests.

Oneida County Death Records for Genealogy

Death records at least 50 years old can be requested as uncertified genealogy copies from the NYS DOH. Fees start at $22 for a one to three year search. Direct line descendants can get copies at any time with proof of their relationship. The New York State Archives has free microfiche death indexes from 1880 to 1943 that include Oneida County.

The New York State Death Index on FamilySearch covers 1880 to 1956 and includes Oneida County deaths. FamilySearch's Oneida County page lists record dates: births from 1880, marriages from 1880, deaths from 1880, court records from 1798, land records from 1791, and probate from 1798. State census records for Oneida County from 1825 to 1925 are also available, with mortality schedules for 1865 and 1875.

The Oneida County Historian at 1608 Genesee Street, Utica, NY 13502, phone (315) 735-3642, can help with local research. The historian has obituaries, church records, maps, and family files. They may do searches or refer you to local genealogists.

Oneida County Surrogate's Court

The Oneida County Surrogate's Court at 200 Elizabeth Street, Utica, NY 13501, phone (315) 266-4200, handles probate and estate cases. Chief Clerk is Jeanne Natale, Deputy Chief Clerk is Tami White. Probate records go back to 1798. The court handles wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, estate files, and guardianship records. You can search online through WebSurrogate.

Nearby Counties and Cities

Oneida County borders several counties in central New York. Madison County is to the south. Herkimer County is to the east and north. Lewis County is to the north. Oswego County is to the west. Onondaga County is to the southwest.

The City of Utica is the largest city in Oneida County and has its own page with death record details. The City of Rome is also in Oneida County but does not meet the population threshold for a separate page. For death records in Rome or other Oneida County communities, contact the local town or city clerk.