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Average response time for death certificates by mail/online/in person (days)
Provide high-quality and timely service to the public. — Provide birth and death certificates to the public quickly and efficiently.
Death certificate response times, like birth certificate response times, ticked up starting in fiscal 2025 as the Health Department's vital records office faced higher overall order volume tied to the federal Real ID policy driving increased demand for certified records. Response times have stayed well within the agency's 3-day target throughout.
Researched July 15, 2026 — DOHMH, Fiscal 2025 Mayor's Management Report, DOHMH, Fiscal 2026 Preliminary Mayor's Management Report
* Year to date — this fiscal year isn't complete, so it's not compared against prior years in the target/trend status above.
View as table
| Fiscal year | Actual | Target |
|---|---|---|
| FY22 | 4.2 days | 3 days |
| FY23 | 1.3 days | 3 days |
| FY24 | 0.9 days | 3 days |
| FY25 | 1.4 days | 3 days |
| FY26 (YTD) | 1.5 days | 3 days |
Why this is tracked
Beyond its policy and inspection work, DOHMH runs many services that touch New Yorkers directly, including issuing birth and death certificates, operating sexual health clinics, and responding to public health inquiries. Because delays or poor service at these everyday touchpoints can mean someone doesn't get a needed document, referral, or answer in time, the agency treats responsiveness and service quality as a goal in its own right, alongside its broader public health mission.
NYC Health - About the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
Source: Office of Vital Records — via NYC Open Data: Mayor's Management Report, Agency Performance Indicators
Coverage shown: FY22–FY26, reported monthly.
Definition: The average response time for death certificates by mail/online/in person (days) from receipt of necessary documentation to response/issuance, including funeral director orders. Outlier, voided and canceled orders are excluded.