Where can I view NYC birth records 1917-18 before ordering docuuments

Question

My searches on Ancestry and Family Search didn't turn up anything, so I used the NYGBS database of birth indexes for NYC and the counties and found four potential records. The NYGBS database gives the name of the child, DOB and certificate number. I want to look at the certificates to determine if one of them is my ancestor, so I want to know where to look. I want to avoid ordering and paying for birth records before I see them.

Answer 1

The New York City Municipal Archives is currently digitizing its records (The NYC Historical Vital Records Project). One can view birth, marriage and death records for free. One can also search by last name and certificate number. Check out their site and see if you can view there what you need before ordering.

Comments

Unfortunately, they have birth records only through 1909. The list is here: https://a860-historicalvitalrecords.nyc.gov/digital-vital-records

The City Health Department's page says that birth records before 1910 should be ordered from the archives (https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/services/birth-death-records-birth.page). That suggests records from 1910 or later can only be ordered from them, and their requirements include that you can prove the person has died and that you are related in one of the ways they list (under 'ordering a deceased person's birth certificate). 

The one time I tried, the application was returned to me with a cryptic note telling me to include something I had included. Sigh. I gave up. So I'd recommend contacting them if you want to try getting a birth certificate dated after 1910. 

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Thank you!

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Thanks!