Access Yonkers Death Index
Yonkers death index records date back to 1875 and are maintained by the Yonkers City Clerk Vital Records office. As the fourth most populous city in New York State, Yonkers has its own vital records system separate from the county. Whether you need a certified death certificate for legal purposes or you are tracing a family line through the death index, this page explains every step of the process, from eligibility to fees to alternative resources.
Yonkers Death Index Overview
County That Handles Yonkers Death Records
Yonkers is in Westchester County. However, the city maintains its own vital records office. For deaths that happened in Yonkers, the City Clerk is the primary source. Deaths from 1914 onward are also on file with the New York State Department of Health, giving you a second option for more recent records.
Yonkers City Clerk Vital Records Office
The office is at Room 107, City Hall, 40 South Broadway, Yonkers, NY 10701. Phone is (914) 377-6020. Fax is (914) 377-6029. The office is open during regular business hours. Call ahead to confirm times before visiting.
The Yonkers City Clerk holds death records from 1875 to the present. For deaths before 1914, this office is the only source. The state did not start collecting death records statewide until 1914, so pre-1914 files exist only at the city level.
Driving directions bring you to 87 Nepperhan Ave. In-person requests require that you be at least 18 years old and have a valid photo ID. Credit cards are accepted with a 2.25% processing fee and a $1.49 minimum charge. The office also takes checks and money orders.
How to Request a Yonkers Death Certificate
There are three ways to request a certified death certificate from Yonkers.
In person is the fastest. Walk in with your photo ID. Fill out a request form. Pay the fee. You can usually get your copy the same day. You must be 18 or older.
By mail requires the Death Certificate Request Form, which is available as a PDF from the city. The form must be notarized. Include a check or money order payable to the City of Yonkers. Also include a copy of your photo ID. Mail it to the City Clerk at the address above. Processing time varies.
Online ordering is available through VitalChek. Extra fees apply and they are non-refundable. This service works for certified copies only. It does not handle genealogy requests. Keep in mind that VitalChek charges above and beyond the city fee.
Who Can Order Yonkers Death Index Records
Yonkers has a broad eligibility list compared to some other cities. The following people can request a certified death certificate:
- Parents, siblings, or children of the deceased
- Grandparents or grandchildren
- Aunts, uncles, nieces, or nephews
- Cousins of the deceased
- Domestic partner or surviving spouse
You must show proof of ID and proof of your relationship. If your last name is different from the deceased because of a name change, you need documents showing the change. A marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order will satisfy this requirement.
Yonkers Death Index for Genealogy
Genealogy research in Yonkers starts at the City Clerk. Their records go back to 1875. Pre-1914 files are exclusive to this office. These older records are valuable for family history work since they cover a period before the state began its own collection.
The city treats genealogical research as a separate service from standard certified copy requests. Call ahead to ask about specific procedures, forms, and fees for genealogy searches. Processing times for genealogy may differ from regular requests. Staff can guide you through what is available.
The Yonkers Public Library has local history and genealogy collections. Old newspapers from the area are on microfilm. Cemetery records from Yonkers cemeteries can confirm death dates. The Westchester County Archives also hold historical records that may include death-related documents.
FamilySearch.org has some older New York death index records online for free. These may include Yonkers entries. Coverage varies by year. Try searching with alternate name spellings if your first attempt turns up nothing.
State-Level Records for Yonkers Deaths
The New York State Department of Health keeps death records from 1914 to present for the entire state, including Yonkers. This gives you a second source for any death that occurred after 1914. Contact the state at (518) 474-3077. State requests are handled by mail.
Having two sources is useful. If the city office is backlogged or if you cannot visit in person, the state is a valid alternative. The same eligibility rules apply at the state level.
Additional Death Record Resources in Yonkers
The Westchester County Surrogate's Court handles probate cases that often reference death certificates. If the deceased went through probate, the death certificate is part of the public court file. This can be a backup way to find death information.
Funeral homes in Yonkers may hold their own records. These are not official government documents, but they can provide helpful details. Contact funeral homes directly to ask what records they keep and for how long.
Newspaper archives are another path. Local papers ran death notices and obituaries for decades. The Yonkers Herald Statesman and other area papers covered the city thoroughly. Microfilm copies are at the Yonkers Public Library. Online newspaper databases may also have coverage, though some require a subscription.
Church records from Yonkers congregations may predate government vital records. Many churches kept their own death and burial registers. Contact individual churches or check with the Yonkers Historical Society for guidance on what records are available and where to find them.
Nearby Cities
Other cities near Yonkers with death index pages on this site.