Reduces certain fees charged by municipalities for birth and death records; repealer

Title of bill

An act to amend the public health law, in relation to fees charged for certain records; and to repeal certain provisions of such law relating thereto

Purpose or general idea of bill

To make vital records more available and affordable to the average genealogical researcher so they may especially be aware of possible family medical problems.

Summary of specific provisions

For the search of the files and records conducted for authorized genealogical or research purposes, the commissioner or any person authorized by him shall charge a fee for performing such a search. The fee shall be determined at the rate of twenty dollars an hour for the time actually spent in conducting the search, together with a fee of two dollars for each uncertified copy or abstract of such record requested or for a certification that a search discloses no record. There shall be a limit to the number of years searched, and shall be specified by the person requesting the record.

In the case where the actual full date of the record is specified, and the request is made to a local clerk's office, the cost of retrieval and copy of the record shall be $5. In the case where the actual full date of the record plus the states record number is specified, and the request is made to the State Health Department, the cost of retrieval and copy of the record shall be $10. If no record is found in the above two cases, the local clerk or State Health Department is entitled to charge the same fee as if the record was found.

All records copied shall continue to be stamped "For Genealogical Purposes Only."

Justification

New York State is the only state in the union that charges more for an uncertified copy of a vital record than a certified copy. At least five states, plus New York City's five boroughs, have made their vital records available on microfilm at large libraries in their state and city. At least fifteen states, plus New York city's five boroughs, have made the death record index available free on the internet Almost half of the states have allowed an internet genealogy service, ANCESTRY. COM, to put copies of their death certificates on-line for a fee.

Prior legislative history

A.11820 - 2006 S.7599 of 2007/2008

Fiscal implications

The high cost of securing copies of vital records in New York State is discouraging many from continuing their research of family histories. A survey was conducted among 47 genealogists from three different sections of the state. This group indicated that they anticipated buying a total of 142 copies of vital records in the next year. When asked how many copies of vital records they would expect to buy if the price were reduced by at least half the present rate, they indicated they would buy 3 to 4 times as many, which would generate more revenue for the state than would 142 copies at the present price. EFFECTIVE DATE : This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become law.