Find Cape May County Birth Records

Cape May County sits at the southern tip of New Jersey, home to about 95,000 year-round residents and millions of summer visitors. Birth records here are held by 16 municipal registrars spread across the county's beach towns, island communities, and inland townships. To get a certified birth certificate for someone born in Cape May County, you can contact the town clerk where the birth took place or order through the state. Cape May County's unique geography of barrier islands and coastal towns means knowing the exact municipality is key to a successful record search.

Cape May County Birth Certificate Offices

The Cape May County Clerk, Rita Marie Fulginiti, has an office at 4 Moore Road in Cape May Court House, NJ 08210. You can reach the clerk at 609-465-1065. However, this office does not issue birth certificates. The County Clerk handles land records and election services. Birth records in Cape May County fall to the municipal registrars under Title 26 of New Jersey law.

Cape May County's 16 municipalities each have a local registrar. The county seat is Cape May Court House, which is actually part of Middle Township. Middle Township has about 20,000 residents and its clerk can be reached at 609-465-8721. Other well-known Cape May County towns include Cape May City, Ocean City, Wildwood, and Avalon. Each keeps its own birth records.

Requesting Cape May County Birth Records

If you know which Cape May County town the birth took place in, call that town's clerk first. This is often the fastest way to get a certified copy. Many Cape May County offices can issue copies the same day if you visit in person. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to show that you are eligible for the record. New Jersey law limits who can get a certified birth certificate to the subject, parents, legal guardians, and legal representatives.

The NJ Office of Vital Statistics is another option for Cape May County birth records. The state office holds records from 1925 to the present. You can mail Form REG-27A with a $25 fee to P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Processing takes 8 to 12 weeks. Walk-in service at 140 E. Front Street, Trenton is available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for same-day copies. VitalChek at 877-622-7549 offers phone and online orders with an extra service fee.

The NJ Department of Health registrar listing for Cape May County shows all 16 municipal offices. Below is the state resource for Cape May County.

This listing includes addresses and phone numbers for every Cape May County registrar, from Avalon to Woodbine.

Note: Cape May County residents can call the state toll-free at 1-866-649-8726 with questions about ordering a birth certificate.

Cape May County Resort Communities

Cape May County is known for its beaches and resort towns. Many of these communities have been vacation spots since the 1800s. Cape May City is a National Historic Landmark, famous for its Victorian homes and architecture. The city clerk handles birth records for anyone born within Cape May City limits. Below is the Cape May City website.

Cape May City residents and visitors who gave birth in the city can request birth certificates from the municipal clerk.

Ocean City calls itself "America's Greatest Family Resort." The city clerk serves as the registrar of vital statistics for all births within Ocean City. Wildwood, North Wildwood, and Wildwood Crest are separate municipalities on the same island, each with their own registrar. Stone Harbor, Avalon, and Sea Isle City are barrier island communities that also keep their own birth records.

The summer population of Cape May County swells far beyond its 95,000 permanent residents. Births that happen at hospitals serving the shore area are registered in the municipality where the hospital sits. This matters because visitors sometimes give birth while on vacation, and the record stays with that Cape May County town.

Cape May County Historical Birth Records

Cape May County has a rich history that predates the American Revolution. Many families have roots here stretching back generations. The New Jersey State Archives holds birth records for Cape May County through 1924. These records are stored at 225 West State Street, Level 2, in Trenton. You need an appointment to visit.

New Jersey began keeping birth records in 1848. The CDC national vital records directory confirms the state office has records from 1918 to the present. For Cape May County families researching their heritage, these historical records document births in fishing villages, farming communities, and the early resort towns that shaped the county's identity. The Archives is the primary resource for Cape May County birth records older than a century.

Note: For records from 1925 onward, contact the NJ Office of Vital Statistics or the specific Cape May County municipal registrar where the birth took place.

All Cape May County Municipalities

Cape May County has 16 municipalities. Each one maintains its own vital records. The list includes both well-known shore towns and quieter inland communities.

• Avalon, Cape May City, Cape May Point, and Dennis Township
• Lower Township, Middle Township, North Wildwood, and Ocean City
• Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor, Upper Township, and West Cape May
• West Wildwood, Wildwood, Wildwood Crest, and Woodbine

Middle Township serves as the county seat. It is the largest municipality in Cape May County by population with about 20,000 residents. Upper Township, Lower Township, and Dennis Township cover the larger inland areas. The barrier island towns are smaller in permanent population but see significant birth registrations tied to nearby medical facilities.

Fixing Cape May County Birth Certificates

Errors on a Cape May County birth certificate can be corrected through the NJ vital record modification forms. Common corrections include misspelled names, wrong birth dates, and missing parent information. Simple clerical errors can often be fixed without a court order. Larger changes may require legal proceedings.

Cape May County residents should call the Office of Vital Statistics at 1-866-649-8726 to learn which forms and supporting documents they need. The Vital Statistics FAQ page also addresses common questions about the correction process in New Jersey.

Nearby Counties

Cape May County is at the very bottom of New Jersey. It borders two other counties. If you are unsure where a birth occurred, confirm the hospital or home address to find the right municipality and county.