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Genealogical Research
Overview
Uncertified copies of abstracts from records of birth, death, and marriage may be provided for genealogical research purposes subject to the restrictions specified in this summary. All requests must be submitted in writing and include payment of the applicable statutory fee. The applicant shall be required to pay the specified fee for the time spent for the search and uncertified copy of notification of no record. Following types of records for genealogy research purposes:
- Birth certificates - if on file for at least 75 years and the person whose name is on the birth certificate is known to be deceased.
- Death certificates - if on file for at least 50 years.
- Marriage certificates - if on file for at least 50 years and both spouses are known to be deceased.
Are the time periods ever waived?
The time periods are waived for direct-line descendants. A direct line descendant is a person in the direct line of descent, i.e., the child, grandchild, great grandchild of the person whose record is requested. The direct-line descendant applicant must provide the following:
- Proof of their relationship to the person whose record they are requesting.
- Proof of the death of the person whose birth certificate they are requesting.
- Proof of the death of both spouses whose marriage certificate they are requesting.
What records are available?
- No information shall be released from a record of birth which has been placed in a confidential file pursuant to Public Health Law Section 4138.
- No information shall be released from a record of birth unless the record has been on file for at least 75 years and the person to whom the record relates is known to the applicant to be deceased.
- No information shall be released from a record of marriage unless the record has been on file for at least 50 years and the parties to the marriage are known to the applicant to be deceased.
- The time periods specified in (2), (3), and (4) are waived if the applicant is a descendant or has been designated to act on behalf of a descendant of the person whose record is being requested. A descendant is a person in the direct line of descent. The applicant shall provide documentation of descendancy prior to the release of information in those instances where a waiver of the waiting period is requested. A party acting on behalf of a descendant shall further provide documentation that the descendant authorized the party to make such application.
- All uncertified copies, abstracts, or information issued for genealogical research purposes shall be clearly marked with the statement "For Genealogical Purposes Only".
Required Fees
The standard fee for a genealogy copy is $22.00 - This includes a copy of the certificate, a three-year search of the index, the retrieval and re-filing of a copy of the record or a no record report. When more than a three-year search is requested, the fee is higher.
| Period Searched |
Fee |
| 1 to 3 years |
$22.00 |
| 4 to 10 years |
$42.00 |
| 11 to 20 years |
$62.00 |
| 21 to 30 years |
$82.00 |
| 31 to 40 years |
$102.00 |
| 41 to 50 years |
$122.00 |
| 51 to 60 years |
$142.00 |
| 61 to 70 years |
$162.00 |
| 71 to 80 years |
$182.00 |
| 81 to 90 years |
$202.00 |
The fee applies separately to each record requested. For example, the fee for a request consisting of one birth record (1-year search for $22.00), plus one death record (24-year search for $82.00), plus one marriage record (11-year search for $62.00) is a total of $166.00.
Mail forms to:
Town of Camden / Town clerk
P.O. Box 265
Camden, NY 13316
Payment Options:
- Mail – Personal Check, Postal Money Order, or Certified Check made payable to Town of Camden. Payment for orders from foreign countries must be made by a check drawn on a United States bank or by international money order - Do not send cash
- Walk-Ins - Cash, check or money order. No credit or debit cards