FAQs (Public Health)

1)   Who do I speak with regarding environmental issues? 

Jefferson County Public Health Service is a partial unit department and does not contain an environmental unit.  If you are concerned about an environmental topic such as water testing, restaurant operations/licensing, obtaining a license to be a food vendor, unhealthy living conditions (mold, landlord not addressing issues), etc. please contact:

New York State Department of Health 

Watertown District Office 

Dulles State Office Building 

317 Washington Street, 5  th  Floor 

Watertown, NY  13601 

(315) 785-2277 


2) How do I obtain a copy of my birth certificate? 

Birth certificates can be obtained at the Local Registrar of Vital Statistics office (i.e. city or village clerk) for the area where the person was born.  The website for the Watertown City Clerk's Vital Statistics office is  http://www.watertown-ny.gov/index.asp?NID=253  .  Birth certificates may also be obtained from the New York State Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics.  Their website is  www.health.ny.gov/vital_records


3) How do I obtain a copy of a death certificate? 

Death certificates can be obtained at the the Local Registrar of Vital Statistics office (i.e. city, town or village clerk) for the area where the decedent was pronounced.  They may also be obtained from the New York State Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics.  Their website is  www.health.ny.gov/vital_records


4) How do I obtain a copy of a record of service provided through Jefferson County Public Health Service? 

A signed Authorization for Release of Information must be provided.  Forms may be obtained here:

a)  Release of Medical Records

b)  Release of Immunization Records

c)  Release of HIV Records

d)  Release for VNA Home Care to evaluate for Managed Long Term Care (MLTC) Plan


NOTE:   If you are requesting your own record, you must provide a copy of your driver's license for proof of identification.   


NOTE:   If you are requesting a record for someone else, a copy of the Health Care Proxy form is required as well as a copy of the Health Care Proxy's driver's license.