Welcome to the New York Archival Society

PRESERVING MATTERS OF HISTORICAL VALUE

New York Archival Society Building

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 preserves the historical and contemporary records of the New York City government and makes 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 the 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

Old Cars

Our Collections

Explore our extensive collection of mesmerizing photos capturing the essence of New York City.

Major Event

Our Events

Discover a calendar brimming with captivating events that bring the pulse of New York City to life.

Edward I. Koch

Our Projects

Embark on a journey of innovation and impact with our groundbreaking projects that shape the future of New York City.

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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 at https://www.nyc.gov/site/records/index.page

  • 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.

  • 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

  • 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

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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.

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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.

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Historical Vital Records of NYC

Introducing Historical Vital Records of NYC! Browse, search and download more than 10 million birth, death and marriage records from 1855-1949.

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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 many generations to come.

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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

The NYC Department of Records has digitized death certificates for the 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 New York State Law, couples planning to marry obtained a license from the City Clerk.