Find Salem County Birth Records

Salem County is one of the least populous counties in New Jersey, with about 65,000 residents spread across 15 municipalities. The county seat is Salem City. Each town has its own local registrar who keeps birth records for events in that area. Salem City's registrar holds records that date back to 1859, which makes it one of the oldest local collections in the state. This page explains how to get a birth certificate from Salem County, who to contact, and what steps to follow.

Salem County Vital Records System

New Jersey uses a decentralized system for birth records. In Salem County, each of the 15 towns has a local registrar who files births that take place within that town. The registrar then sends a copy to the State Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton. This means your Salem County birth record exists in at least two places. You can go to the local town or the state office to get a certified copy.

The Salem County Clerk, Gilda L. Gill, is at 92 Market Street, Salem, NJ 08079. Phone: 856-935-7510. The Clerk handles land records and elections but does not issue birth certificates. For birth records, you need the local registrar in the specific Salem County town or the state office in Trenton.

Birth Records in Salem City

Salem City is the county seat and has one of the most notable local registrar offices in all of New Jersey. The Salem City registrar has kept vital records for events in the city since 1859. That is over 160 years of birth records at the local level. Few other towns in the state can match this depth of local records. Call 856-935-0372 to reach the Salem City registrar.

The image below shows the Salem City government website, which provides details on contacting the clerk for vital records.

Salem City's clerk office can help with birth certificates for any birth that took place within the city.

Because Salem City has such old records, it is a key stop for genealogists who study families in southwestern New Jersey. Many Salem County families trace back to the colonial era. The local records kept here predate the state system by decades.

Salem County Municipal Registrars

All 15 Salem County municipalities have their own registrar. The NJ Department of Health registrar list for Salem County shows each office with its address and phone number. This is the best tool for finding the right contact.

This state resource lists every Salem County town that keeps birth records.

Salem County's municipalities include:

• Alloway, Carneys Point, and Elmer
• Elsinboro, Lower Alloways Creek, and Mannington
• Oldmans, Penns Grove, and Pennsville
• Pilesgrove, Pittsgrove, Quinton, and Upper Pittsgrove
• Salem City and Woodstown

Pennsville Township and Carneys Point Township are among the larger communities in the county. Each keeps birth records for births within their borders. The town where the birth took place is what matters, not where the family lives now.

Note: The Salem County Clerk at 856-935-7510 can direct you to the right registrar if you are not sure which town to contact.

How to Order Salem County Birth Certificates

There are several ways to get a certified birth certificate from Salem County. The fastest is to visit the local registrar in the town where the birth happened. Most clerks can give you a copy the same day you visit. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of your link to the person on the record.

You can also order through the state. The ordering page lays out each method. Mail Form REG-27A with $25 to P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370. This takes 8 to 12 weeks. Walk-in service at 140 E. Front Street in Trenton is same-day, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. VitalChek takes phone and online orders at 877-622-7549 with an extra fee on top of the $25 base cost. Each added copy of the same record is $2 when ordered at the same time.

New Jersey law under Title 26 limits who can get a birth certificate. You must be the person named, a parent, a legal guardian, a legal rep, or hold a court order. The FAQ page has more on this.

Historical Birth Records in Salem County

Salem County has deep roots in New Jersey history. Many families have lived in the area for generations. For births before 1925, the New Jersey State Archives holds records at 225 West State Street, Level 2, Trenton. Visits are by appointment only. The state has kept some form of birth records since 1848, and the Archives is the place to find the oldest ones.

The CDC directory for New Jersey confirms that the Office of Vital Statistics holds records from 1918 to the present. Salem City's local records go back even further to 1859, which gives researchers a valuable local source for older birth records.

For genealogists, Salem County is a rich area. The region was one of the first settled in New Jersey. Tracing a family line here may involve both local registrar records and the state archives.

Note: The State Archives is open by appointment only, so plan your trip before making the drive to Trenton.

Fixing Errors on Salem County Birth Records

If a Salem County birth certificate has a mistake, you can start the correction process through the state. Common errors include wrong spellings, incorrect dates, and missing parent names. Simple clerical fixes may not need a court order. Larger changes often do. Salem County residents can call the Office of Vital Statistics at 1-866-649-8726 for help.

Adoptees born in Salem County who want their original birth certificate should check the NJ adoptees page. The rules depend on when the adoption was finalized. For adoptions after August 1, 2015, adult adoptees can request the original record directly from the state.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Salem County. If you are not sure where a birth took place, check the address of the hospital or home. The record is filed in the town where the event happened.