Elizabeth Birth Certificate Lookup
Elizabeth birth records are filed with the local registrar and the New Jersey state office. Elizabeth is the fourth largest city in the state and the county seat of Union County. Residents who need a certified copy of a birth certificate can request one from the city health department or from the state Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton. Each office has its own process and timeline. This guide walks you through where to go, what to bring, and how much it costs to get Elizabeth birth records.
Elizabeth Quick Facts
Elizabeth Health Department
The Elizabeth Department of Health and Human Services is the local registrar for the city. The office is at 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. Call 908-820-4124 for office hours and availability.
This office keeps birth records for events that took place in Elizabeth. Walk-in service may be available depending on the day. Call ahead to confirm. The fee is $25 for the first certified copy and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to show your relationship to the person on the record.
Birth Records Through the State Office
The New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics keeps all birth records from 1925 to the present. This includes records for births that took place in Elizabeth. The state offers four ways to order:
- Online through VitalChek (24/7 with extra fee)
- By phone at 877-622-7549 through VitalChek
- By mail with Form REG-27A
- In person at 140 E. Front Street, Trenton
The walk-in center in Trenton provides same-day service. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This is the only state office that offers same-day pickup. For mail orders, send the completed form with a $25 check to the Office of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Mail orders for Elizabeth birth records take 8 to 12 weeks.
Elizabeth Birth Records and Union County
Elizabeth is the county seat of Union County. The county has many municipalities, and each one has its own local registrar. If you were born at a hospital in Elizabeth, the Elizabeth registrar has your record. If you lived in Elizabeth but were born at a facility in another town, you need the registrar for that town instead.
The Union County registrar directory lists every local registrar in the county. Use it to find the right office. The state system is decentralized. Each municipality keeps records only for events within its borders. The state office in Trenton holds copies of all records from 1925 on, making it a reliable backup source for Elizabeth birth records.
The image below shows the City of Elizabeth website, where residents can find information about the health department and vital records services.
Visit elizabethnj.org for local government contact details and services related to Elizabeth birth records.
Who Can Get an Elizabeth Birth Certificate
New Jersey is a closed-record state. Birth records are not available to the general public. Under Title 26 of the New Jersey Statutes, only specific people can request a certified copy of a birth certificate. This rule applies to every Elizabeth birth record.
You must be the person named on the record, a parent, a legal guardian, a legal representative, or hold a court order. Proof of identity is required. A driver's license, state ID, or U.S. passport will work. If you do not have a photo ID, two other forms of ID can be used if one shows your current address.
The state vital records FAQ answers common questions about who qualifies and what documents are accepted for Elizabeth birth record requests.
Note: If the state office cannot find your Elizabeth birth record, verify the exact city where the birth took place and check with the local registrar directly.
Historical Records in Elizabeth
Birth records from before 1925 are stored at the New Jersey State Archives. The Archives is at 225 West State Street, Level 2, in Trenton. These older records cover births going back to the mid-1800s and are a key resource for anyone doing family history research in Elizabeth or Union County.
The Archives is open by appointment only. Call 609-292-6260 to arrange a visit. Their collections include historical vital statistics, land records, and court records from across the state. The CDC directory also lists where to write for birth records in New Jersey.
Corrections and Adoptee Records
If there is an error on an Elizabeth birth certificate, you can request a correction through the state Office of Vital Statistics. Name changes, date corrections, and parentage updates each require specific forms and supporting documents. The process takes several weeks after the state receives your paperwork.
Adoptees born in Elizabeth may qualify to receive their original birth certificate. For adoptions finalized on or after August 1, 2015, adult adoptees can request the original directly from the state. For earlier adoptions, a court order is typically needed. See the adoptees page for full details.
Note: Call the state vital records office at 1-866-649-8726 if you need help finding or correcting an Elizabeth birth record.
Elizabeth Birth Record Request Tips
Before you visit any office, gather all the details you can about the birth. Form REG-27A asks for the full name at birth, date of birth, sex, city and county of birth, and both parents' names. Having all of this saves time. If you are missing some details, the office may still be able to find the record, but it could take longer.
If you plan to visit the Trenton walk-in center for an Elizabeth birth certificate, arrive early in the day. The center gets busy, especially mid-week. Bring cash for in-person payment. For the Elizabeth local office, call 908-820-4124 first to confirm they are open and accepting walk-ins that day. Some local offices have limited hours or require appointments.
Union County Birth Records
Elizabeth is the county seat of Union County. For a broader look at birth records across the county, including other municipalities and their registrars, visit the Union County page.