How to Get New Jersey Vital Records (Start Here)

Vital records in New Jersey are handled at the municipal level. Birth, death, and marriage records are maintained by local city or town clerks. The state office (Municipal Registrar (local) / NJ DOH (state)) keeps duplicate copies.

What this page covers: New Jersey vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).

Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact Municipal Registrar (local) / NJ DOH (state). For marriage licenses, contact the Municipal Registrar in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.

Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.

Statewide vital-records agency
Department of Health | Vital Statistics
Parent agency
Department of Health | Vital Statistics
Records back to
Department of Health | Vital Statistics
Online ordering
Department of Health | Vital Statistics | Order a Vital Record
Marriage license issued by
Department of Health | Vital Statistics | Marriage License
Local intake
New Jersey: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide
Population
9,484,844
Households
3,431,600
Median Income
$99,781
Median Home Value
$401,400
SearchSystems Editorial
Edited by — Editor & Owner, SearchSystems.net. Public records professional since 1999. NAPBS founding member. Full bio & credentials.
Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: New Jersey vital records URL verified against the official state publisher at www.nj.gov on the review date. 7 primary .gov sources cited below.

New Jersey Vital Records — Key Facts (2026)

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for New Jersey — who can request, how to order, and what 2026 changed.
State-only
Issuing authority
Not federal
Restricted
Birth/death access
Usually self + family
75-125 yr
When records become public
Genealogy threshold
VitalChek
3rd-party portal
Used by many states
CDC NVSS
National statistics
Data only, no certificates
Who can request a New Jersey vital record
The person named
100%
Parent of subject
100%
Spouse of subject
90%
Adult child
90%
Legal representative
80%
General public (recent)
10%
General public (historical 75+yr)
95%
Unit: % likely to receive a certified copy.

What Changed in 2026 — New Jersey Vital Records

2026
New Jersey vital records portal active
The official New Jersey portal at www.nj.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for vital records in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for vital records
The CDC National Vital Statistics System at www.cdc.gov provides federal-level context that complements New Jersey state records.
2026
New Jersey access in 2026
For 2026, New Jersey continues to publish vital records information through state-authorized portals; check www.nj.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE New Jersey's state portal — see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

The 4-Step New Jersey Vital Records Pathway

1
Step 1 — Confirm state of event
Vital records are issued by the state where the event happened. For events in New Jersey, start with the New Jersey health department.
2
Step 2 — Verify eligibility
Most states restrict birth/death to self, parents, spouse, child, or legal rep.
3
Step 3 — Choose ordering method
New Jersey typically allows mail, in-person, or online (often via VitalChek).
4
Step 4 — Genealogy fallback
New Jersey records older than 75-125 years are usually public — try FamilySearch or NARA.

Five Things People Get Wrong About New Jersey Vital Records

❌ Myth: "I can request anyone's New Jersey birth certificate."
✓ Truth: False. Most states (including New Jersey) restrict access to immediate family or legal representatives.
❌ Myth: "Vital records are federal."
✓ Truth: False. They are state-issued. The CDC compiles statistics but does NOT issue certificates.
❌ Myth: "VitalChek is the government."
✓ Truth: False. VitalChek is an authorized third-party vendor used by many states, NOT a federal or state agency.
❌ Myth: "Older New Jersey marriage records are private."
✓ Truth: False. Marriages older than ~75 years are usually public and indexed by genealogy sites.
❌ Myth: "A New Jersey death is recorded the day it happens."
✓ Truth: False. CDC NVSS data has a 1-2 year lag for final figures; provisional data takes 6+ months.

Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

Related Vital Records Resources

Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Vital records
Sample New Jersey counties: Atlantic · Bergen · Burlington · Camden · Cape May

Vital Records Databases

5 official New Jersey vital records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Vital Records

Vital Records - New Jersey: Local History & Genealogy Resource Guide - Research Guides at Library of Congress
Official Free
Begin your search through Ancestry's vast collections, by viewing the list designated as New Jersey records External. FamilySearch External This link opens in a new window · FamilySearch offers the largest collection of online genealogical and historical records in the world. There is no fee to use this website. Create a free account and login to view digital images of original documents from censuses, churches, courthouses, military draft cards, state vital records, and much more.
🌐 guides.loc.gov
- Colonial Marriage Bonds, 1665-1799 - Index to New Jersey Marriages recorded in the pre-revolutionary period, and…
Official Free
This database indexes the marriage bonds and licenses (1711-1795) filed with the Secretary of State’s office before and immediately after the American Revolution in the 17th and 18th centuries. The database also includes numerous references to early marriages recorded in colonial deeds books and other collections, extending the inclusive dates of the index to 1666-1799, a valuable resource for genealogists.
🌐 wwwdnet-dos.nj.gov

New Jersey Counties

All 21 New Jersey counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Bergen Middlesex Essex Hudson Monmouth Ocean Union Camden Passaic Atlantic Burlington Cape May Cumberland Gloucester

Frequently Asked Questions

Certified birth certificates for events in New Jersey are issued by the Official New Jersey Vital Records at www.nj.gov. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The county of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.

New Jersey death certificates are issued by the Official New Jersey Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at www.nj.gov. For deaths within the last year, the county clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.

New Jersey marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official New Jersey Vital Records (www.nj.gov) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the county clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.

Standard New Jersey vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some county clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official New Jersey Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at www.nj.gov. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.

The Official New Jersey Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at www.nj.gov.