Bronx County Genealogy Search

Bronx County genealogy research follows a different path than most New York counties because the Bronx is one of the five boroughs of New York City. The county did not exist as a separate entity until 1898. Records before that date fall under the old towns of Kingsbridge, West Farms, and Morrisania, which were part of Westchester County. Today, the NYC Municipal Archives, the Bronx County Clerk, and several local history groups hold the records you need for Bronx genealogy. Millions of digitized records are also available online through the city's archives portal.

Bronx County Records at NYC Municipal Archives

The NYC Municipal Archives is the main source for historical Bronx County genealogy records. Birth records cover 1898 to 1909. Death records run from 1898 to 1948. Marriage records span 1898 to 1949. All of these start in 1898 because that is when the Bronx joined New York City as a borough. Records for the area before 1898 fall under the old Westchester County towns and are also held at the Municipal Archives.

The archives have digitized millions of records. PDF copies of digitized records can be emailed in about five days. In-person research at 31 Chambers Street, Room 103, New York, NY 10007 is by appointment only. The office is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM and Friday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Phone is 311, or (212) 639-9675 from outside NYC. Email is research@records.nyc.gov.

About 25 percent of births before 1910 were never reported to the city. So gaps in the early record are common. If you cannot find a birth record, try church records or census data as a backup.

Recent Bronx Vital Records

For more recent records, the NYC Department of Health handles birth certificates from 1910 onward and death certificates from 1949 to the present. Birth certificates for genealogy can only be ordered for deceased relatives. Death certificates cost $15 each plus processing fees. Extended certificates for foreign use or apostille run $35.

The office is at 125 Worth Street, CN-4, Room 133, New York, NY 10013. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM. You can order online through the Department of Health website or mail in a completed form with the right documentation. Under Public Health Law Sections 4173 and 4174, you must show proof of your relationship to get recent vital records.

Bronx County Clerk Records

The Bronx County Clerk at 851 Grand Concourse, Bronx, NY 10451 keeps court records, naturalization records from 1906 to 1941, and some land records. Most Bronx land records now go through the NYC City Register instead of the county clerk. The office also has New York State Census records for 1892, 1915, and 1925 for Bronx County.

Naturalization records include declarations of intention and petitions for citizenship. These can name a person's birthplace, date of arrival, ship name, and family members. Court records are indexed by case number and party names. Phone is (718) 618-2700.

Bronx County Historical Society Genealogy

The Bronx County Historical Society at 3309 Bainbridge Avenue, Bronx, NY 10467 keeps family papers, manuscripts, photographs, maps, local histories, school records, and church records useful for Bronx genealogy.

The research room is open by appointment. Written research requests are accepted for a fee. Membership gives added benefits. Call (718) 881-8900 to set up a visit. The Bronx Library Center at 310 East Kingsbridge Road also has local history collections, newspapers on microfilm, city directories, and census records. A New York Public Library card gives you access to genealogy databases there.

Probate Records in Bronx County

The Bronx County Surrogate's Court at 851 Grand Concourse, Room 707, Bronx, NY 10451 has probate records from 1898 to present. These include wills, letters testamentary, letters of administration, guardianship records, and estate proceedings. Since the Bronx was created in 1898, earlier probate records for the area are in New York County (Manhattan) or Westchester County depending on where the person lived.

Records are indexed by the decedent's name. You can visit in person or send a written request with the name and date of death. Under the Surrogate's Court Procedure Act, each county surrogate's court handles probate for its residents. Phone is (718) 618-2300. Colonial-era wills from 1665 to 1815 are at the New York State Archives and many are digitized free for New York residents through Ancestry.com.

Online Genealogy Resources for Bronx County

FamilySearch has free digitized records for Bronx County including census records, church records, and some vital record indexes. The site needs a free account. Many records are digitized but not yet indexed, so you may need to browse images one by one.

Reclaim The Records won a court ruling in May 2025 that opened the full New York State Death Index from 1880 to 2017. The data covers more than 10 million records with names, death dates, residences, and state file numbers. Under Public Officers Law Article 6, government records in New York carry a presumption of openness. The death index is free to download from their site.

Note: Bronx pre-1898 records may be filed under Westchester County or old town names like Morrisania.

The Bronx Library Center at 310 East Kingsbridge Road has local history collections, Bronx newspapers on microfilm, city directories, and census records. Phone is (718) 579-4244.

Cities in Bronx County

The Bronx is part of New York City. See our city page for more local resources.

Nearby Counties

Counties and boroughs near Bronx County for additional genealogy research.