Topic: Obtaining A New York State Certificate of Birth Data

For those occasions when we need to present your child’s birth certificate, there is an alternative to the awkwardness of presenting the large pamphlets you received in China.

The New York State Department of Health will issue a CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH DATA which can be used for nearly all occasions where a birth certificate is requested. It cannot be used as proof of United States Citizenship.

To obtain an application for a Certificate of Birth Data, call The New York State Department of Health at 518-474-9608 and request a CERTIFICATE OF BIRTH DATA or Form DOH-2538.

You will receive a form to complete along with detailed instructions. You will be required to submit with the form the following documents: 1) Chinese Adoption Decree in Chinese and English; 2) Copy of Child’s Alien Registration Card or if you have it her Naturalization Certificate; 3) Chinese Birth Certificate in Chinese and English; and 4) Proof of New York State residence at time of adoption such as a phone bill, W-2 or Driver’s License.

Warning: The Certificate of Birth Data will be issued in your Child’s Chinese Name unless you have completed a Legal Name Change in Court, have a naturalization certificate or your child arrived in this country with her American name.

Certificates are $30 each.

If you have further questions, contact the New York State Department of Health or contact FCC Board Member Marjorie Berman at MBermanlaw@aol.com