Search New Jersey Birth Records
New Jersey birth records are kept by the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry and by local municipal registrars in all 21 counties. The state holds birth records dating back to 1848 through both the state office and the New Jersey State Archives. You can search for and order birth certificates online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the walk-in center in Trenton. Each municipality also keeps its own birth records for events that took place within its borders. This guide covers how to find and get New Jersey birth records from every available source.
New Jersey Birth Records Quick Facts
Where to Get New Jersey Birth Records
The New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and Registry is the main source for birth records in the state. This office keeps birth certificates from 1925 to the present. It is part of the New Jersey Department of Health. The office handles requests by mail, phone, online, and in person at its Trenton location. Under Title 26 of the New Jersey Statutes, vital records are not public documents. Only qualified people can get certified copies of New Jersey birth records.
The walk-in center is at 140 E. Front Street, Trenton, NJ 08608. It is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This is the only spot in New Jersey that gives same-day birth certificate service. You can also mail requests to the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Mail orders take 8 to 12 weeks to process. For faster service, the state works with VitalChek for online and phone orders at 877-622-7549. VitalChek adds an extra processing fee on top of the state cost for New Jersey birth records.
The Office of Vital Statistics can be reached at 1-866-649-8726 toll-free or 609-292-4087 for in-state calls.
How to Order a New Jersey Birth Certificate
New Jersey offers four ways to order a birth certificate. Each method has its own timeline and cost. The ordering page from the Department of Health spells out what you need for each option. All requests require valid ID and proof of your link to the person on the record. You must be an eligible requestor to get a certified copy of any birth record in New Jersey.
Online orders go through VitalChek. This service runs around the clock, seven days a week. It is the fastest method aside from a walk-in visit to Trenton. Phone orders also go through VitalChek at 877-622-7549. Both online and phone orders include an extra service fee. For mail orders, download Form REG-27A from the Department of Health website. Fill it out and send it with payment by check or money order to "Treasurer, State of NJ." Include a copy of your photo ID with the form. Mail requests to Trenton take 8 to 12 weeks for New Jersey birth records.
Walk-in service is the only same-day option. Visit 140 E. Front Street in Trenton with a valid photo ID and cash or check for payment. The office fills requests while you wait during regular hours. This is the best choice when you need a New Jersey birth certificate right away.
The CDC's Where to Write page also lists these details for New Jersey birth records.
Birth Records From Local Registrars
New Jersey runs a spread-out vital records system. Each town has its own Local Registrar who records births, deaths, and marriages that happen within that area. The Local Registrar then sends copies to the state office in Trenton. This means birth records exist in two places: at the town level and at the state level. In some cases, you can get a copy faster from the town where the birth took place than from Trenton.
The New Jersey Local Registrar Database lets you look up the registrar for any town in the state. You can search by county and town name. The database shows addresses, phone numbers, and fax numbers for every local registrar in New Jersey. There are over 500 towns across the state's 21 counties, and each one keeps its own birth records for events within its borders.
When you ask for a birth certificate from a local registrar, you must know the exact town where the birth happened. A birth at a Newark hospital goes on file with the Newark registrar, not the Essex County or state registrar. This matters when searching for older birth records in New Jersey. The listing of local health departments can also help you find the right office.
Note: Each local registrar only keeps records for events that took place in their own town.
Historical New Jersey Birth Records
The New Jersey State Archives holds historical birth records through 1924. The Archives is at 225 West State Street, Level 2, Trenton, NJ 08625-0307. It is open by appointment only. Phone: 609-292-6260. These records help anyone tracing family roots in New Jersey.
For birth records from 1925 to the present, reach out to the State Office of Vital Statistics or the local registrar. The Archives' collections also include colonial records, state government records, land records, and court papers. These can help people doing family history work alongside New Jersey birth records. The state has kept some form of vital records since 1848, making it one of the older record systems in the country. Researchers looking into New Jersey birth records from the 1800s and early 1900s will find the State Archives to be a rich source of data.
Note: The State Archives requires an appointment before you visit for birth record research.
Who Can Get a New Jersey Birth Record
New Jersey is a closed record state. Birth records are not open to the public. Only certain people can ask for a certified copy. The vital records FAQ page spells out who qualifies. Eligible requestors include the person named on the record, a parent or legal guardian, a legal rep, or someone with a court order. You must prove your identity and your link to the person on the birth certificate when you request one in New Jersey.
Good forms of ID include a state driver's license or non-driver ID, a U.S. passport, and other government photo ID. If you lack photo ID, you may use two other forms of identification with at least one showing your current address. The form also asks for proof of how you are linked to the person on the New Jersey birth record.
New Jersey has special rules for adoptees seeking original birth certificates. For adoptions done before August 1, 2015, the original birth certificate is sealed. A court order is needed to access it. For adoptions done on or after that date, adult adoptees age 18 and older can request their original birth record from the State Registrar with no court order needed.
New Jersey Birth Certificate Fees
A certified copy of a New Jersey birth certificate costs $25. Each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time costs $2. These fees apply whether you order from the state office or from a local registrar. Payment by mail must be by check or money order made out to "Treasurer, State of NJ." Cash works for in-person orders at the Trenton walk-in center.
When you order through VitalChek online or by phone, an extra processing fee applies on top of the $25 state fee. The exact VitalChek charge may vary. This is the trade-off for faster and more handy service for New Jersey birth records.
If you need to correct or amend a birth record, the Office of Vital Statistics has forms for that. Corrections may need supporting papers and sometimes a court order. Each type of change has its own rules and fees in New Jersey.
Note: Fees can change, so call the Office of Vital Statistics at 1-866-649-8726 to check current costs for New Jersey birth records.
What New Jersey Birth Records Include
A New Jersey birth certificate holds key details about the birth event. The vital statistics data put out by the Department of Health draws from these same records at a broad level. Individual records stay private. The state puts out yearly reports based on birth data by county, town, and other factors.
A certified birth certificate from New Jersey typically shows:
- Full name of the child at birth
- Date and time of birth
- City or town where the birth took place
- County of birth
- Names of both parents
- File number and date of registration
Breaking vital records privacy laws in New Jersey can lead to criminal charges under Title 26. The state takes the safety of birth records seriously. This is why access is limited to qualified requestors with proper ID and proof of their link to the person named on the certificate.
Browse New Jersey Birth Records by County
Each county in New Jersey has local registrars in every town. Pick a county below to find contact details and local resources for birth records in that area.
Birth Records in Major New Jersey Cities
Residents of major cities can get birth certificates from their local registrar or the state office. Pick a city to learn about birth records in that area.