Birth Records

If you were born in the City of Canandaigua or are the parent of a child born in the City of Canandaigua, you may obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate by following by mail, online or in person:  

Online information:  

You can apply online here to have your birth certificate sent to you in the mail and the process takes 2-5 days for the certificate to be received in the mail.   Application for a Birth Record and the cost is $15 per copy requested.   Birth requests received after 2 pm, will be processed the following day.  Applicants will receive a confirmation email once the document is placed in the mail.  

Special Notice Birth Records: 

If you are requesting a birth record dated between 1968–1969, please be aware that these records are currently undergoing preservation. As a result, processing may take a week or longer before your request can be fulfilled whether or not you are applying in person, online or through the mail.  

We appreciate your patience and understanding during this preservation period.

Post Office information:  

If you would rather apply through the mail.  Please send a copy of your identification as well as a money order, made payable to the City of Canandaigua, for $15 per copy requested and mail this application with the additional items to:   https://www.canandaiguanewyork.gov/DocumentCenter/View/163/Application-for-Copy-of-Birth-Record-XLS

Please mail your request to:

City Clerk's Office
City Hall - Attn: City Clerk
2 North Main Street
Canandaigua, New York 14424

In Person information:  

You can apply in person at the City Clerk's Office during office hours which are 9 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday or you can apply online here to come to City Hall and pick up your copy.  In Person Birth Certificate Application.  The fee for a certified copy is $10. We accept cash, checks or credit/debit cards (with a 3% fee) at the office.   

Any questions, please email Erin VanDamme, City Clerk or call 585-337-2169.

Adoption information

Adoption Registry

If you are adopted, or if you placed a child for adoption, or if you are the biological sibling of an adopted person, you may wish to learn more about your birth family. The New York State Health Department's Adoption Registry can help and even facilitate a reunion.

The New York State Department of Health Adoption Information Registry is the only official registry for people born or adopted in New York State. We are the only registry authorized to access sealed information. We advise you not to share your confidential information and documents with outside entities.