LETTER OF EXEMPLIFICATION
Exemplification of Birth or Death Record (Letter of exemplification) is a separate page which the New York city Department of Health and Mental Hygiene attaches to NYC birth and death certificates.
Exemplification means “an attested copy of a document, under official seal” and the Letter of Exemplification attests that the attached birth or death certificate is a true and certified copy.
Remember – if you need to get an apostille for a long form of Birth or Death Certificate that was issued in any of the borough of the New York City – you need to request the Letter of Exemplification.
Exemplification letters can only be issued at the time a certified copy of the birth or death certificate is issued.
If you need a Letter of Exemplification, you must request a new Long Form, or Vault copy of birth or death certificate.
You can make this request online, by mail, or in person. When you place your order for the birth/death certificate, make sure you explain the reason for your request, and the Health Department will determine if a Letter of Exemplification is needed.
Both a Letter of Exemplification and a Long Form birth certificate are needed for certain overseas transactions, such as dual citizenship, marriage on foreign soil, adopting a child from another country, or buying foreign real estate. If you plan to use your birth certificate in a foreign country, you may need to have it authenticated through an Apostille or Certificate of Authentication.