Lakewood Birth Records
Lakewood birth records are maintained by the township registrar and the New Jersey state office in Trenton. Lakewood is one of the largest townships in the state with about 100,000 residents. The township clerk's office serves as the local registrar for vital records. If you were born in Lakewood, you can get a certified copy of your birth certificate from the local office or from the state. This page covers how to request Lakewood birth records and what each option requires.
Lakewood Quick Facts
Lakewood Township Clerk
The Lakewood Township Clerk serves as the local registrar for the township. Call 732-364-2500 for office hours. The clerk's office handles birth records for births that occurred within Lakewood Township. Walk-in requests may be available depending on staffing and hours.
The fee is $25 for the first certified birth certificate. Each extra copy of the same record ordered at the same time is $2. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of your relationship to the person on the record. New Jersey requires this for all birth certificate requests, including those made in Lakewood.
State Office for Lakewood Birth Records
The New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics has copies of all Lakewood birth records from 1925 to the present. The state office gives you more ordering options than the local clerk. You can order online, by phone, by mail, or in person at the walk-in center in Trenton.
The Trenton walk-in center at 140 E. Front Street provides same-day service. It is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. This is the only state location for walk-in orders. Online and phone orders go through VitalChek at 877-622-7549. There is an extra processing fee for VitalChek orders.
For mail orders, fill out Form REG-27A and send it with a $25 check payable to "Treasurer, State of NJ." Mail it to: Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Include a copy of your photo ID. Mail requests for Lakewood birth records take 8 to 12 weeks to arrive.
Note: Call the state toll-free line at 1-866-649-8726 if you need help with your Lakewood birth record request or cannot locate the record.
Birth Records and Ocean County
Lakewood is in Ocean County. The county has many townships and boroughs, each with its own registrar. The Ocean County registrar directory lists all local registrars in the county. If you are not sure whether the birth took place in Lakewood or a neighboring municipality, check the directory to find the right office.
New Jersey uses a decentralized system. The birth record is filed in the municipality where the birth took place. Living in Lakewood does not mean your record is here. If the hospital was in a different town, that town's registrar holds the record. The state office in Trenton has copies of all records from 1925 forward and can help you search if you are unsure of the location.
The image below shows the Lakewood Township website, where residents can find links to the clerk's office and other local services.
Visit lakewoodnj.gov for the most current contact details and office hours for the Lakewood Township Clerk.
Eligibility for Lakewood Birth Certificates
Under Title 26 of New Jersey law, birth records are not public documents. Only certain people may get a certified copy of a Lakewood birth certificate. The person named on the record can always request it. Parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, and individuals with a court order are also eligible.
You need to show proof of identity and your relationship to the person on the record. A government-issued photo ID is the standard requirement. The vital records FAQ on the state website lists other accepted forms of ID if you do not have a driver's license or passport.
Historical and Genealogy Records
Lakewood birth records from before 1925 are held at the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton. The Archives is at 225 West State Street, Level 2. Call 609-292-6260 to schedule an appointment. Visits are by appointment only.
These historical records are valuable for family history research. They cover births in Lakewood and across Ocean County going back to the mid-1800s. The Archives also holds land records, court records, and colonial documents that may help with broader genealogy projects.
The CDC vital records directory provides another reference for where to write for New Jersey birth records. It lists the state office address and contact information.
Adoptees Born in Lakewood
Adoptees who were born in Lakewood may have the right to request their original birth certificate. New Jersey changed its adoption records law in 2015. For adoptions finalized on or after August 1, 2015, adult adoptees age 18 and older can get their original record from the state. For adoptions before that date, a court order is usually required.
The state adoptees information page outlines the full process. It explains what forms to file and what documents you need. Call the Office of Vital Statistics at 1-866-649-8726 for questions about adoptee birth records from Lakewood.
Note: Corrections to a Lakewood birth certificate, such as a name or date change, require a separate application and supporting documents submitted to the state office.
Tips for Requesting Lakewood Birth Records
Before making a request, gather the details you will need. Form REG-27A requires the full name at birth, date of birth, city of birth, and parent names. Having all of this ready speeds up the process whether you go in person or order by mail. Missing details can slow things down or result in the office being unable to locate your record.
If you visit the Lakewood Township Clerk, bring cash or a money order. Call 732-364-2500 to ask about accepted payment methods before your visit. For the state walk-in center in Trenton, arrive early to avoid long wait times. Cash is accepted there as well. Credit cards are only accepted through VitalChek online or phone orders for Lakewood birth records.
Ocean County Birth Records
Lakewood is one of the largest communities in Ocean County. For a full overview of birth records across the county, including all local registrars and county-specific resources, visit the Ocean County page.