Cumberland County Birth Records
Cumberland County sits in the southern part of New Jersey and is home to about 150,000 people. The county holds 14 towns and cities, each with its own local registrar who keeps birth records for that area. If you need a birth certificate from Cumberland County, you can reach out to the town where the birth took place or go through the state. The county seat is Bridgeton, and the largest city is Vineland. This page walks you through how to get birth records in Cumberland County, where to send your request, and what to know before you start the process.
Cumberland County Quick Facts
How Cumberland County Birth Certificates Work
New Jersey uses a split system for birth records. Each of the 14 towns in Cumberland County has a local registrar. That registrar files births that took place in their town. A copy also goes to the State Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton. So there are two paths to get a copy. You can ask the town clerk where the birth happened. Or you can ask the state. Both give out the same type of certified copy. The fee is the same at both levels.
The state holds birth records from 1925 to now. Older records sit at the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton. Those go back through 1924. If you need a record from the 1800s or early 1900s, the Archives is your best bet. They are open by appointment for research at 225 West State Street, Level 2, Trenton.
New Jersey is a closed record state. Birth records are not public. Only certain people can get a certified copy, such as the person named on it, a parent, a legal guardian, or someone with a court order.
Cumberland County Registrars
You can check the full list of Cumberland County local registrars on the state site. Each of the 14 towns has its own office. The registrar keeps records for births that took place in that town only. If the birth was in Vineland, you must ask Vineland. If it was in Millville, ask Millville. The town matters more than where the family lives now.
The Cumberland County government office in Bridgeton does not issue birth certificates. The County Clerk at 60 West Broad Street, Bridgeton, NJ 08302 handles land records and elections. For birth records, you need the local registrar or the state. This is a common point of confusion, so it helps to know the right office from the start.
Here are some of the key municipalities in Cumberland County:
- Vineland, the largest city with about 60,000 residents
- Millville, home to roughly 30,000 people
- Bridgeton, the county seat with about 25,000 residents
- Upper Deerfield, Fairfield, and Maurice River townships
- Smaller boroughs like Shiloh and Greenwich
Note: The Cumberland County Clerk at 856-453-4860 can point you to the right registrar if you are not sure which town to call.
Getting Birth Records in Vineland
Vineland is the largest city in Cumberland County. Many birth record requests in the county come from here. The Vineland Health Department runs the Office of the Registrar. It sits at 640 East Wood Street, Vineland, NJ. You can call them at 856-794-4000 ext. 4112. They keep original certified copies of births that took place in Vineland only.
The fee is $25 for the first copy. Each extra copy of the same record costs $2 when you order them at the same time. This is the same rate across all of New Jersey. You will need to show proof of who you are and why you can get the record. Bring a valid photo ID and be ready to show your link to the person on the record.
Birth Records From Bridgeton and Millville
Bridgeton is the county seat. The City Clerk keeps vital records for events in Bridgeton. About 25,000 people live here. If you were born in Bridgeton, the city clerk is the fastest local option for a birth certificate.
Millville also has its own registrar. With about 30,000 residents, it is the second largest city in Cumberland County. The City Clerk handles birth records for births in Millville. Both offices charge the same $25 fee for the first certified copy. You can also go through the state if that is more handy for you.
The image below shows the Cumberland County government site, which can help you find the right local office for your needs.
The county site lists all departments and contact details for the 14 towns in the area.
Ordering From the State Office
If you prefer to go through the state, you have several options. The ordering page spells out each method. You can visit the walk-in center at 140 E. Front Street, Trenton for same-day service. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can also mail your request to P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625. Mail orders take 8 to 12 weeks.
Phone and online orders go through VitalChek at 877-622-7549. There is an extra processing fee for those orders. You will need to fill out Form REG-27A, which asks for the full name at birth, date of birth, city and county of birth, and parent names. You must also show ID and proof of your link to the person on the record.
Under Title 26 of the New Jersey Statutes, vital records are not public. The law limits who can get them and sets fines for misuse. This is why every request needs ID and proof of relationship.
Note: Mail orders to the state can take 8 to 12 weeks, so plan ahead if you need the record for a time-sensitive matter.
Historical Birth Records in Cumberland County
New Jersey has kept some form of birth records since 1848. For Cumberland County births before 1925, the State Archives is the place to look. The Archives holds records through 1924 at 225 West State Street, Level 2, Trenton. They are open by appointment only. This is a key resource for family history and genealogy work.
The CDC guide for New Jersey also confirms that the state office has records from 1918 to the present. For anything older, the Archives is the right source. Cumberland County has deep roots in southern New Jersey, and many families trace back several generations here.
Cumberland County Birth Certificate FAQ
Many people have the same questions about birth records in Cumberland County. The state FAQ page covers most of them. Here are some key points.
Who can get a copy? The person named, a parent, a legal guardian, a legal rep, or someone with a court order. No one else. How much does it cost? It is $25 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy of the same record when you order them at the same time. What if the record is lost? Check with the local registrar first, then try the state office. Can adoptees get their original birth certificate? Yes, but the rules depend on when the adoption was finalized. The state has details on that process.
The state registrar lookup tool shows the full list of registrars for Cumberland County with phone numbers and addresses for all 14 municipalities.
This state tool lets you find the exact registrar for each town in the county.
Note: Always call ahead before visiting any office, as hours and staffing can change.