N.Y. Public Health Law Section 4141
Death certificate

  • form and content

1.

The certificate of death shall contain such information, including but not limited to the decedent’s social security number, and shall be in such form as the commissioner may prescribe.

2.

The personal particulars called for shall be furnished by a competent person acquainted with the facts.

3.

The statement of facts relating to the disposition of the body shall be signed by the funeral director or undertaker in charge of the corpse.

4.

(a) The medical certificate shall be made, dated, and signed by the physician or nurse practitioner, if any, last in attendance on the deceased.

(b)

Indefinite terms, denoting only symptoms of disease or conditions resulting from disease, shall not be held sufficient.

(c)

Any certificate stating the cause of death in terms which the commissioner declares indefinite shall be returned to the physician, nurse practitioner, or person making the medical certificate for correction and more definite statement.

(d)

Where a death is caused by an opioid overdose, such information shall be indicated on the certificate, including, if known to the person completing the death certificate, the specific opioid that caused the death of the decedent, along with any other related information as the commissioner may require.

Source: Section 4141 — Death certificate; form and content, https://www.­nysenate.­gov/legislation/laws/PBH/4141 (updated Nov. 8, 2019; accessed Feb. 28, 2026).

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Verified:
Feb. 28, 2026

Last modified:
Nov. 8, 2019

§ 4141. Death certificate's source at nysenate​.gov

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