For those unable to go in person to the Archives, the staff does offer an
index lookup service, charging $5.00 to search one index for one person
for any three years, and reporting all "hits". Response is relatively
quick, several weeks perhaps.
The info in the indexes is sparce, just Name, Date, Locality, and
_State_ Certificate Number. No age at death is listed for death
entries, nor is the Spouse's name listed on the marriage entries
(there will be a separate index entry for the spouse.)
Note that the certificate number is only that assigned by the state;
the original record at the local Registrar level will have it's own
number.
Note also that local Registrars _may_ only be able to supply a transcript
of the record from their ledger. The NYS Dept of Health will provide
a photocopy of their record.
Regards,
Charles Sullivan