Death Record Corrections/Amendments

Overview
To make an amendment or correction to a death record, complete the application and supply supporting documents
required to ensure that the correction or amendment is done in an accurate and timely manner.
While this document is intended to help guide the general public about how to obtain a change to a death certificate,
it is also applicable for both Funeral Directors and Medical Certifiers who may be looking for some specific steps to
follow.
NOTE: If your loved one had already made a change to gender designation on their NYS birth certificate prior to their
death, this correction can be made with supporting documentation. However, if no formal gender designation change
was made on their NYS birth certificate prior to their death, this change cannot be made after their death.

Who can apply for a correction/amendment?

The following individuals can request a death certificate correction/amendment:
• The decedent’s spouse on record,
• A parent, child or legal guardian of the person,
• A sibling of the decedent,
• The informant if within six months of death,
• The Funeral Firm that handled the disposition if within six months of death,
• Medical Certifier who handled the case, or
• Anyone with a Court order

How do I make a correction/amendment?

If the request is within six months of the death:
• The Funeral Firm that handled the disposition will assist you with a request if it deals with correcting or amending
personal information. Personal information specific to the individual, including but not limited to, Name, Social
Security Number, or Informant information.
• The Medical Certifier on the certificate will assist you with medical information correction/amendments, including
place, cause, time or manner of death, or other medical fields.
• See the table on next page for specific instructions.
If the request is seven months or later after the death:
• Corrections to the personal information can be done by filling out the correct Application for Correction of Certificate
of Death (DOH-299) and gathering supporting documentation to bring to your local Registrar.
• Corrections/amendments to medical information – place of death, cause or manner of death, etc. – can be done by
filling out the correct Application for Correction of Certificate of Death (DOH-1999) and having the Medical Certifier
sign off on the correction. Gather the supporting documentation to bring to your local registrar.
• See the table on next page for specific instructions.

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What documents do I need to correct a death certificate?
You must send original documentation, or certified copies, with your application. Certified copies are
documents issued by a government office that have a raised seal, like birth or marriage certificates. Usually a
fee is required to obtain a certified copy from an office or agency.
Notarized copies or altered documents are NOT accepted. (See the table below for specific instructions.)
NOTE: If your documents are in a language other than English, you also must obtain an official English
translation of documents needed. Embassies and foreign consulates often will translate official documents for
you. We also accept translations from established translation services.
If you can’t provide the required supporting documents, you need to obtain a NYS Court order.

Common Corrections/Amendments
Look below to see which description fits your situation. You can also refer to the Listing of Supporting
Documents Which May be Submitted with the Application for Correction of Certificate of Death (DOH-299i, which
follows these instructions, for more information about supporting documents.
If you are a family member applying for dual citizenship and need to make a correction on a death certificate,
you also need to complete the Affidavit to Request Certificate of Death (DOH-5001). You are entitled to one (1)
certificate.

To make this The applicant

and provides:
correction: submits the:
Any one of these documents as it relates to the decedent:
• Certified copy of the birth certificate; A certified copy is required.
• Religious document (baptismal, church or synagogue record); The record must
bear the raised seal of the Church or Synagogue or must be made on Church or
Synagogue stationery and signed by the present custodian of the records.
• Armed Forces discharge; Original discharge papers are required.
• Naturalization Certificate or Alien Registration Card; The original is required
Death because it is illegal to photocopy a Naturalization Certificate. Registered mail is
Correct the name,
Certificate recommended.
place of birth,
Correction • Hospital record or physician office record of death; Certified by the custodian of the
date of birth, sex,
Form, hospital record or the attending physician.
parents’ names of
DOH-299
the decedent • Federal Census record; A Federal Census was taken on June 1, 1890; April 15, 1910;
January 1, 1920; and April 1, 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000, and
2010. Federal census records may be obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau.
• Early school record; A certified copy of a school record or letter on school stationery
signed by the present custodian of the record. The record must include the
decedent’s name, date of birth or age, date the record was made, and parents’
names. Report cards and diplomas may not be accepted, or
• Letter from the Funeral Director, indicating error on their part with worksheet
attached. *See *Funeral Director’s Statement section below this table.

Death
Correct a minor Certificate
misspelling of the Correction • (Government issued) Marriage Certificate. A certified copy is required
surviving spouse Form,
DOH-299

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To make this The applicant
and provides:
correction: submits the:
All the following:
Death
Certificate • Notarized statement from informant
Add or remove the
Correction • Notarized statement from surviving spouse who wants to be added or removed,
surviving spouse
Form, and
DOH-299
• (Government issued) Marriage Certificate or divorce or separation decree

All these documents:

• (Government issued) Marriage Certificate between the decedent and the spouse
Death challenging the record (Grievant);
Certificate • Affidavit from Grievant indicating they are the legal surviving spouse, setting forth
Change the
Correction the date and place of the marriage and stating that the marriage was never legally
surviving spouse
Form, dissolved;
DOH-299 • Affidavit from the surviving spouse, if they are listed on the Death Certificate,
indicating that they are not the surviving spouse; and
• An affidavit from the informant of record indicating error,

Death
Correct the usual Certificate
• An employment record listing the decedent’s occupation or title and the dates of
occupation Correction
employment, signed by the officer in charge of employment records.
of the decedent Form,
DOH-299

Any one of these documents:

• A voter registration card if registered within a year of death;
Death • A Certificate of Domicile issued by the state of residence; The Certificate of Domicile
Correct the Certificate must state that the person listed on the death record physically resided in whatever
residence address Correction State less than 1 year before the date of death.
for minor errors Form, • A certified letter from the Board of Elections;
DOH-299 • Utility bill;
• Government letter indicating residence address, or
• Notarized Funeral Director statement admitting error on their part

Any one of these documents:

• Government letter or utility bill dated within 3 months prior to the decedent’s date
Death of death;
Certificate • Mortgage Statement, or Lease Agreement dated within 3 months prior to the
Correct the entire
Correction decedent’s date of death;
residence address
Form,
DOH-299 • A certified letter from the Board of Elections;
• Statement from the facility where the decedent resided, or
• Statement from Physician’s office.

Death
Certificate Any one of these documents:
Correct the Social
Correction • Decedent’s original Social Security Card, or
Security Number
Form, • Letter from the Social Security Administration.
DOH-299

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 To make this The applicant
and provides:
correction: submits the:
Any one of these documents:
Death
Certificate • Certified copy of the decedent’s birth certificate showing the correct race
Correct the race Correction • An official record such as an American Indian Tribal record, or
Form,
DOH-299 • Copy of the parent’s birth certificate, from the parent whose race is being added to
the Death Certificate.

Death
Certificate Any one of these documents:
Correct the
Correction • Copy of the decedent’s diploma, or
Education
Form, • Letter from the educational institution stating the last completed year.
DOH-299

Correct the
Informant’s name –
minor misspelling Death
Certificate Any one of these documents:
Note: The Correction • Copy of the informant’s driver’s license;
informant’s name Form, • Other photo identification
cannot be replaced DOH-299
without a court
order

Death
Certificate
Correct Military
Correction • DD-214 Armed Forces Discharge Papers; Original discharge papers are required.
Service
Form,
DOH-299

Any one of these documents:

• Hospital or nursing home admission record of the decedent;
Medical
Correct the date, Or Burial • Statement signed by custodian of hospital or nursing home admission record;
place, time, of Death Cert • Attending Physician’s office record;
death Correction, • Statement signed by custodian of attending Physician’s office record;
DOH-1999
• Statement signed by Coroner or Medical Examiner, or
• Court order.

Any one of these documents:

Medical
• Statement signed by Attending Physician, Medically Licensed Coroner or Medical
Or Burial
Correct the cause Examiner specifying the correct cause of death and where is should be added to
Death Cert
of death the certificate, or
Correction,
DOH-1999 • Court order specifying the correct cause of death and where is should be added to
the certificate

How do I apply for a correction/amendment in person?

In-person corrections can be submitted at the local Registrar of Vital Statistics where the death occurred. Bring
the appropriate, completed death certificate correction application form, original supporting documents, and
payment. The local Registrar of Vital Statistics may forward the correction to the State for completion.

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