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New Jersey · How-To Guide

How do I get a copy of a birth certificate?

New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry (state level - Trenton) / Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (municipal level - each of NJ's ~565 municipalities)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Determine eligibility: New Jersey vital records are restricted. Birth records less than 80 years old require proof of eligibility. Eligible: the subject (if adult), parents, legal guardian/representative, spouse, child, grandchild, sibling (if of legal age). All others receive only a "certification" marked "not for identification purposes."
  2. Choose your method:
  3. IN PERSON (Local Registrar - fastest): Visit the Local Registrar (city/township/borough clerk's office) in the municipality where the birth occurred; bring valid photo ID; same-day service in most cases; $15 per copy; local registrars have access to statewide records
  4. IN PERSON (State - Trenton): Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, New Jersey Department of Health; appointment may be needed; call (866) 649-8726
  5. BY MAIL (State): Complete application; include valid photo ID photocopy; check or money order payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey"; mail to: Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, NJ Department of Health, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370
  6. ONLINE/PHONE: VitalChek (authorized vendor); additional fees; credit cards accepted
  7. Submit with valid photo ID and proof of qualifying relationship
  8. Pay the fee
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Completed application
  • Valid government-issued photo ID (copy for mail)
  • Proof of qualifying relationship if requesting on behalf of another
  • Payment: check or money order for mail; card accepted at many locations/VitalChek
Processing Time
Local Registrar in-person: same day in most cases; state office: varies; VitalChek: expedited with additional fee
Online Option
Yes - VitalChek (authorized vendor); state also accepts mail
Where to Go
Local Registrar in municipality of birth (faster, $15 fee); State Office in Trenton ($25 fee, more comprehensive)
New Jersey Notes

Important state-specific details

  • Birth records restricted for 80 years; marriage records 50 years; death records 40 years.
  • State Office of Vital Statistics maintains records from 1918 to present.
  • For births before 1918 (1848-1916): New Jersey State Archives, 225 West State Street, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625; (609) 292-6260.
  • Fee difference: state office charges $25 (first copy); local registrars typically charge $15.
  • NJ also issues "certifications" (informational copies) to ineligible requesters - not valid for identification or legal purposes.
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
$25 first certified copy; $2 each additional copy of same record at same time FEE - LOCAL REGISTRAR: Typically $15 per certified copy (state-set fee for local registrars) PROCESSING TIME: Local Registrar in-person: same day in most cases; state office: varies; VitalChek: expedited with additional fee ONLINE OPTION: Yes - VitalChek (authorized vendor); state also accepts mail WHERE TO GO: Local Registrar in municipality of birth (faster, $15 fee); State Office in Trenton ($25 fee, more comprehensive)