.The Town of Bethlehem Clerk’s Office maintains official records of births, deaths and marriages that occurred in the Town of Bethlehem.  Certified copies of records are $10 each.  Genealogy requests for uncertified copies of records start at $22 and increase in accordance with the number of years to be searched.   We accept cash or check made payable to Town of Bethlehem.  Please see below for additional information about how to request specific records.

Birth Records

Birth records are only available to the person named on the birth certificate or the parent(s) named on the birth certificate.  Any other person requesting a copy of a birth certificate may only do so by order of a New York State Court.  Complete the Application for Copy of Birth Record and return to our office with payment and a copy of identification as set forth on the application.

Death Records

Death records are only available to the spouse, parent, child or sibling of the deceased.  Any other person requesting a copy of a death certificate must have a documented lawful right or claim, medical need or New York State Court Order.  Complete the Application for Copy of Death Record and return to our office with payment and a copy of identification as set forth on the application.

Marriage Records

Marriage records are only available to the spouses.  Any other person requesting a copy of a marriage record must have a documented judicial or other proper purpose or New York State Court Order.  Complete the Application for Copy of Marriage Record and return to our office with payment and a copy of valid photo identification (such as driver’s license, passport or non-driver photo-ID card).

Genealogy Requests

Uncertified copies of birth, death and marriage records may be provided for genealogical research purposes subject to the following restrictions: 

1. No record shall be released unless the person to whom the record relates is known to the applicant to be deceased; and
2. No record shall be released unless it has been on file for a minimum required period: 
   1. birth records must have been on file for at least 75 years;
   2. death records must have been on file for at least 50 years;
   3. marriage records must have been on file for at least 50 years (both parties to the marriage must be deceased); or
3. The time periods above are waived if the applicant is a descendant and provides documentation of direct line descent.  A party acting on behalf of a descendant shall further provide documentation that the descendant authorized the party to make such application. 

Complete the Application for Genealogical Services and return to our office with payment of the applicable statutory fee and any required identification as set forth on the application. The fee varies depending on the requested number of years to be searched:

PLEASE NOTE that if no record is on file, a No Record Report will be issued and the fee will not be refunded.