New Jersey ranks 15th out of 51 (the 50 states and D.C.) for how easy, fast and affordable it is to get certified birth, marriage, divorce and death records.
Cost#33of 51
Speed#13of 51
Ease of ordering#11 (tie)of 51
Birth certificates #21 of 51
Cost
$25 first copy, $2 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 4–6 weeks; mail: 2–4 weeks; in person: same day, about 2 hours
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3–5 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the local registrar in the town where the event happened
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1925; earlier records at the New Jersey State Archives
Marriage records #21 of 51
Cost
$25 first copy, $2 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 4–6 weeks; mail: 2–4 weeks; in person: same day, about 2 hours
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3–5 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the local registrar in the town where the event happened
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1951; earlier records at the New Jersey State Archives
Divorce records #14 of 51
Cost
$10 Certificate of Divorce; $25 certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce
Processing time
Not published
Time until the copy is in hand
Not published
Where to order
Superior Court Clerk’s Office, Trenton
Order online
Not published
Death certificates #20 of 51
Cost
$25 first copy, $2 each extra copy
Processing time
Online: 4–6 weeks; mail: 2–4 weeks; in person: same day, about 2 hours
Time until the copy is in hand
About 3–5 weeks by mail (estimate)
Where to order
State office or the local registrar in the town where the event happened
Order online
Yes, through the state’s approved vendor, for an extra fee
Records available
State records from 1951; earlier records at the New Jersey State Archives
Note: These rankings were done on . Prices, processing times and ordering rules may have changed since then, so check with the issuing office before you order. Times marked “estimate” add typical mail delivery to the office’s posted processing time. “Not published” means the office does not post that detail.
How to order New Jersey birth, death, marriage and divorce records
How do I get a New Jersey birth certificate?
A certified New Jersey birth certificate costs $25, including one copy, plus $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time, from the NJ Department of Health’s Office of Vital Statistics and Registry. The fastest way is the same-day walk-in center in Trenton (typically within 2 hours) or the local registrar in the town where you were born. Mail orders through VitalChek typically take 2–4 weeks; online orders take longer.
New Jersey birth records: ordering details
Who can order
A certified copy goes only to the person named; their parent, legal guardian or legal representative; their spouse or civil union partner; their child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age; a state or federal agency for official purposes; or someone with a court order. You must send proof of relationship, such as your own birth certificate for a parent’s record. Anyone with ID can get a certification, an informational copy that isn’t valid for identity or legal purposes.
Fee
State: $25 for the search and one certified copy or certification (or a No Record Statement); $2 for each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time. In person, pay the state; mail orders are paid to VitalChek. Extras: the VitalChek processing fee is $6 by mail and $12.95 by phone; optional UPS tracking within the continental U.S. is $18. Local registrar fees vary by municipality.
How to order
Walk in (same day): Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, 140 East Front Street, Trenton, Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. After 3:30 p.m., you can only drop off an application. No cash. Local: the local vital records office (registrar) in the municipality where the event happened; fees and times vary. Online:VitalChek (card; upload scans of your ID and proof). Online orders can’t be picked up at the walk-in center. By phone: VitalChek, 1-877-622-7549; fax supporting documents to 1-888-489-9506. By mail: the state’s birth application, ID copies, proof of relationship and the fees. Mail orders are processed by VitalChek: send the form to Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: New Jersey Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913. Pay by card or by check payable to “VitalChek”.
ID needed
A current, valid photo driver’s license or non-driver ID with your current address; or a non-photo license plus one alternate ID; or two alternate IDs (such as vehicle registration, voter registration, passport, a bank statement or utility bill from the last 90 days), all with your current address. Records are mailed only to the address on your ID unless you include a notarized letter.
Processing time
Walk-in: typically within 2 hours. Mail through VitalChek: typically 2–4 weeks. Online: 4–6 weeks, according to the ordering page. Neither time includes delivery. Other state pages post longer times: online 6–8 weeks and mail 8–10 weeks (business days from approval), and the VitalChek mail form says up to 30 business days. Estimate: about 3–5 weeks for a mail order to arrive; allow longer for online orders.
Older and local records
The state office holds births from 1925 on. The New Jersey State Archives holds births through 1924. Births more than 80 years old are genealogical records with their own ordering rules.
Tip: Need it fast? Walk in at 140 East Front Street in Trenton before 3:30 p.m. with your ID and proof of relationship. Online orders take longer than mail orders.
A certified New Jersey death certificate costs $25, including one copy, plus $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Get one the same day at the Trenton walk-in center or the local registrar where the death occurred, or order by mail or online through VitalChek.
New Jersey death records: ordering details
Who can order
A certified copy goes only to the person named; their parent, legal guardian or legal representative; their spouse or civil union partner; their child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age; a state or federal agency for official purposes; or someone with a court order. You must send proof of relationship, such as your own birth certificate for a parent’s record. Anyone with ID can get a certification, an informational copy that isn’t valid for identity or legal purposes.
Fee
State: $25 for the search and one certified copy or certification (or a No Record Statement); $2 for each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time. In person, pay the state; mail orders are paid to VitalChek. Extras: the VitalChek processing fee is $6 by mail and $12.95 by phone; optional UPS tracking within the continental U.S. is $18. Local registrar fees vary by municipality.
How to order
Walk in (same day): Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, 140 East Front Street, Trenton, Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. After 3:30 p.m., you can only drop off an application. No cash. Local: the local vital records office (registrar) in the municipality where the event happened; fees and times vary. Online:VitalChek (card; upload scans of your ID and proof). Online orders can’t be picked up at the walk-in center. By phone: VitalChek, 1-877-622-7549; fax supporting documents to 1-888-489-9506. By mail: the state’s death application, ID copies, proof of relationship and the fees. Mail orders are processed by VitalChek: send the form to Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: New Jersey Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913. Pay by card or by check payable to “VitalChek”.
ID needed
A current, valid photo driver’s license or non-driver ID with your current address; or a non-photo license plus one alternate ID; or two alternate IDs (such as vehicle registration, voter registration, passport, a bank statement or utility bill from the last 90 days), all with your current address. Records are mailed only to the address on your ID unless you include a notarized letter.
Processing time
Walk-in: typically within 2 hours. Mail through VitalChek: typically 2–4 weeks. Online: 4–6 weeks, according to the ordering page. Neither time includes delivery. Other state pages post longer times: online 6–8 weeks and mail 8–10 weeks (business days from approval), and the VitalChek mail form says up to 30 business days. Estimate: about 3–5 weeks for a mail order to arrive; allow longer for online orders.
Older and local records
The state office holds deaths from 1951 on. The New Jersey State Archives holds deaths through 1950. Deaths more than 40 years old are genealogical records.
Tip: Order all the copies you need at once. Extra copies of the same record are only $2 each.
A certified New Jersey marriage certificate costs $25, including one copy, plus $2 for each extra copy, from the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry or the local registrar in the town where the license was issued. The Trenton walk-in center offers same-day service.
New Jersey marriage records: ordering details
Who can order
A certified copy goes only to the person named; their parent, legal guardian or legal representative; their spouse or civil union partner; their child, grandchild or sibling, if of legal age; a state or federal agency for official purposes; or someone with a court order. You must send proof of relationship, such as your own birth certificate for a parent’s record. Anyone with ID can get a certification, an informational copy that isn’t valid for identity or legal purposes.
Fee
State: $25 for the search and one certified copy or certification (or a No Record Statement); $2 for each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time. In person, pay the state; mail orders are paid to VitalChek. Extras: the VitalChek processing fee is $6 by mail and $12.95 by phone; optional UPS tracking within the continental U.S. is $18. Local registrar fees vary by municipality.
How to order
Walk in (same day): Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, 140 East Front Street, Trenton, Mon–Fri 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. After 3:30 p.m., you can only drop off an application. No cash. Local: the local vital records office (registrar) in the municipality where the event happened; fees and times vary. Online:VitalChek (card; upload scans of your ID and proof). Online orders can’t be picked up at the walk-in center. By phone: VitalChek, 1-877-622-7549; fax supporting documents to 1-888-489-9506. By mail: the state’s marriage application, ID copies, proof of relationship and the fees. Mail orders are processed by VitalChek: send the form to Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: New Jersey Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913. Pay by card or by check payable to “VitalChek”.
ID needed
A current, valid photo driver’s license or non-driver ID with your current address; or a non-photo license plus one alternate ID; or two alternate IDs (such as vehicle registration, voter registration, passport, a bank statement or utility bill from the last 90 days), all with your current address. Records are mailed only to the address on your ID unless you include a notarized letter.
Processing time
Walk-in: typically within 2 hours. Mail through VitalChek: typically 2–4 weeks. Online: 4–6 weeks, according to the ordering page. Neither time includes delivery. Other state pages post longer times: online 6–8 weeks and mail 8–10 weeks (business days from approval), and the VitalChek mail form says up to 30 business days. Estimate: about 3–5 weeks for a mail order to arrive; allow longer for online orders.
Older records
The state office holds marriages from 1951 on. The New Jersey State Archives holds marriages through 1950. Marriages more than 50 years old are genealogical records.
Tip: Have the spouse’s full name and the exact date ready. The application can’t be accepted without them.
New Jersey divorce records come from the courts, not the Department of Health. The Superior Court Clerk’s Office issues a Certificate of Divorce for $10 and a certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce for $25. These are released only to a party to the case or the attorney of record.
New Jersey divorce records: ordering details
Certificate vs. decree
Certificate of Divorce: $10. Certified copy of Final Judgment of Divorce: $25. Property settlement terms aren’t always in the judgment, and extra copy fees may apply.
Who can order
A party to the case (with a valid state ID) or the attorney of record. Anyone else needs a court order directing the clerk to release the documents.
Fee
$10 Certificate of Divorce; $25 certified Final Judgment of Divorce. Pay by check or money order payable to “Treasurer-State of New Jersey” (pre-printed checks only); cash in person only. Online requests can be paid by credit card.
How to order
Online: complete the Records Request Form on the Superior Court Clerk’s Office copies page and submit it electronically, choosing “SCCO” as the division. Records are sent to your email. By mail: Superior Court Clerk’s Office, Attention: Records Administration, Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, P.O. Box 971, Trenton, NJ 08625-0971. Questions: 609-421-6100 or SCCO.Mailbox@njcourts.gov.
ID needed
A valid state ID if you’re a party to the case.
Processing time
Not posted by the courts.
Older records
Archived divorce cases are also requested from the Superior Court Clerk’s Office (choose SCCO).
Tip: Include a daytime phone number on your request so the clerk can tell you the copy fee.
Note: Fees, processing times and rules are set by the issuing offices and can change. Times are estimates. Check with the office before you order. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
Other records
Other New Jersey records people search for
Official New Jersey sites for other common lookups. Some records are kept by counties or carry fees; the note on each line says so.
Official New Jersey sites for other records
Court case lookup
NJ Courts Find a Case Criminal and municipal lookups are open; civil case access needs an account.
Note: Links go to official state sites or services the state designates. Access rules, fees and coverage are set by each office and can change. PublicLibraries.com is not a government agency.
About New Jersey public records
Certificate Information
Vital records are compiled and managed by the Department of Health and Senior Serivces Office of Vital Records. The state office
issues certified copies and records for birth, marriage and death records from 1901 to present. It also houses domestic partnerships
from 2004 to present and civil unions from 2007 to present. Initial search fees are $25 dollars which include one certified
copy. Additional fees are applied for multiple copies and expedited requests.
Geneological requests can be made on birth records more than 80 years old, marriage records older than 50 years of age and
death records from 40 years ago. No geneological requests can be made for a person who is still living. Older records can be
found at the Division of Archives and Records Management, who manage records dating back to 1848.
New Jersey Bureau of Vital Statistics & Registration
PO Box 370
Trenton, NJ 08625
The state office does not store divorce records. All divorce decrees must be acquired from the Superior Court of New Jersey
Records Center or the Court Clerk from where the case was heard.
The Department of Children and Families maintains an Adoption Registry for help birth family members reunite or share information
with adoptees. Adult age adoptees and guardians of minor age adoptees can complete an application to join the registry.
Nonidentifying informaiton can be granted
Division of Youth and Family Services
Adoption Registry Coordinator
PO Box 717
Trenton, NJ 08625-0717
dcfadoptionregistry@dcf.state.nj.us
609-888-7474
Multiple departments of the county government handle the public records and parcel records for New Jersey. Depending on the
county, either the county clerk, county gis mapping department, county recorders department or tax assessment department may
maintain public access to property and parcel records. In some counties, the processing of county public records are not
even handled by the county government, but rather use the unified New Jersey County Recording service.
