Middlesex County Birth Records
Middlesex County is the third most populous county in New Jersey with over 860,000 residents. Birth records here are kept by 25 local registrars, one in each town. The county seat is New Brunswick, home to Rutgers University. From Edison and Woodbridge to Perth Amboy and Old Bridge, each town clerk holds birth records for births in that area. This guide covers how to search for and get birth records across Middlesex County, New Jersey.
Middlesex County Quick Facts
Middlesex County Local Registrars
Middlesex County has 25 towns. Each one has a local registrar who logs births that take place in that town. This is how New Jersey works. Birth records are filed at the town level first, then sent to the state. If you know which Middlesex County town the birth was in, start with that town clerk. It is often quicker than going through the state.
The NJ Department of Health registrar list for Middlesex County shows all 25 offices. The list has names, addresses, and phone numbers. Some of the bigger towns in Middlesex County include Edison Township with about 100,000 people, Woodbridge Township with about 100,000, New Brunswick with 55,000, and Perth Amboy with 55,000. Each of these large towns handles a high volume of birth records each year.
Smaller towns in Middlesex County also keep their own birth records. Cranbury, Helmetta, Jamesburg, Milltown, and Spotswood are all small but still have their own registrar. The full list of Middlesex County towns with registrars includes Carteret, Dunellen, East Brunswick, Highland Park, Metuchen, Middlesex Borough, Monroe, North Brunswick, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Plainsboro, Sayreville, South Amboy, South Brunswick, South Plainfield, and South River.
Birth Certificate Orders in Middlesex County
There are a few ways to get a Middlesex County birth record. You can go to the local town clerk, the state walk-in office in Trenton, or order by mail, phone, or online. Each path has its own pros and wait times.
For the fastest route, visit the state walk-in center at 140 E. Front Street in Trenton. You get your birth record the same day. The fee is $25 for the first copy. Each extra copy of the same record costs $2. Bring a photo ID. You must show your tie to the person on the record. The NJ ordering guide has the full list of what to bring. Cash works for walk-in orders at the Trenton office.
The NJ Department of Health lists all Middlesex County registrars who handle birth records.
All 25 Middlesex County municipalities have their own local registrar for birth records.
Mail orders use Form REG-27A. Send the form, a copy of your ID, and a check for $25 to PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. Make the check out to "Treasurer, State of NJ." Mail takes 8 to 12 weeks. You can also call VitalChek at 877-622-7549 or order on their site. VitalChek adds a service fee. For a Middlesex County birth record, you will need the full name at birth, date of birth, and the town where the birth took place.
Note: VitalChek charges an extra fee on top of the $25 state fee for Middlesex County birth record orders.
Who Can Get Middlesex County Birth Records
New Jersey has strict rules on who can get a birth record. This applies to Middlesex County and every other county in the state. Under Title 26 of New Jersey law, birth records are not public. Only certain people can get a certified copy.
Those who can request a Middlesex County birth record include:
- The person named on the birth record
- A parent listed on the record
- A legal guardian with court papers
- A lawyer with a signed letter from the client
- Someone with a court order
You must show a valid photo ID when you ask for a birth record. The state accepts a driver's license, passport, or other state-issued ID. You also need to show proof of how you are tied to the person on the record. The vital records FAQ page has answers to common questions about who can order birth records in Middlesex County.
Birth Records in Key Middlesex County Towns
Several large towns in Middlesex County handle a big share of birth records. Edison Township is one of the largest with about 100,000 people. The Edison clerk can be reached at 732-248-7335 for birth record questions. Woodbridge Township, also around 100,000 residents, keeps birth records at 732-634-4500.
New Brunswick is the county seat and home to Rutgers University. The city has about 55,000 residents. The New Brunswick clerk handles birth records at 732-745-5041. Perth Amboy, another city of about 55,000, keeps its own birth records at 732-826-0290. These four towns alone account for a large portion of all births in Middlesex County each year.
Other mid-size Middlesex County towns include Old Bridge, East Brunswick, Piscataway, Sayreville, and South Brunswick. Each has its own registrar. When you call, ask for the vital records or town clerk office. Tell them you need a birth record. They will let you know what to bring and how long it takes.
Old Middlesex County Birth Records
New Jersey has kept birth records since 1848. For Middlesex County, records from before 1925 are at the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton. The archives is at 225 West State Street, Level 2. You need an appointment to visit. These old records are a key tool for family history research tied to Middlesex County.
Records from 1925 to the present are at the state vital records office, also in Trenton. The NJ Office of Vital Statistics holds these files. So for any Middlesex County birth after 1925, the state office is your main source if the local town clerk cannot help. The CDC directory for New Jersey also lists the state office as the primary place to write for birth records.
The NJ Office of Vital Statistics provides guidance on ordering birth records for all New Jersey counties.
This state resource covers mail, phone, online, and walk-in options for Middlesex County birth records.
Note: Middlesex County birth records from before 1925 require a visit to the State Archives in Trenton by appointment.
Middlesex County Clerk Information
The Middlesex County government offices are in New Brunswick. The County Clerk is at 75 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. The phone is 732-745-3005. The county clerk handles land records and elections but does not issue birth records. For birth records, go to the local town registrar or the state office.
| County Clerk |
Middlesex County Clerk 75 Bayard Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: (732) 745-3005 |
|---|---|
| State Office | PO Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370 Phone: 1-866-649-8726 |
| Website | middlesexcountynj.gov |
Adoptee Birth Records in Middlesex County
Adoptees born in Middlesex County can seek their original birth records. The rules changed in 2015. For adoptions that were made final on or after August 1, 2015, adult adoptees can ask for their original birth certificate from the state. Older adoptions may need a court order. The NJ adoptee information page lays out the steps. You will need to prove your identity and fill out the right forms.
Cities in Middlesex County
Middlesex County has 25 municipalities. All have local registrars who keep birth records for births in their town.
Other Middlesex County towns include Carteret, Cranbury, Dunellen, East Brunswick, Helmetta, Highland Park, Jamesburg, Metuchen, Middlesex Borough, Milltown, Monroe, North Brunswick, Plainsboro, Sayreville, South Amboy, South Brunswick, South Plainfield, South River, and Spotswood.
Nearby Counties
These counties share a border with Middlesex County. Birth records are kept at the town level, so make sure you know which town and county the birth took place in before you request a record.