New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry

New Jersey · Vital Records

nj.gov/health/vital/order-vital

State Vital Records in New Jersey

The New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry issues certified copies of death certificates for deaths that occurred in New Jersey. Executors and surviving family order certified copies to close accounts, file insurance claims, and transfer titles; the office sets the fees, eligibility rules, and processing times.

Steps to takeKey facts

Steps to take when someone dies

1
Confirm the death occurred in New Jersey; the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
2
Order certified copies through any of the office's channels:
  • •Online: Order online through VitalChek (24/7)
  • •By phone: Call VitalChek at 877-622-7549 and fax supporting documents to 1-888-489-9506
  • •By mail: Mail the death application with a check or money order payable to VitalChek
  • •In person: Walk-in service for non-genealogical records (applications received after 3:30 p.m. are mailed the next business day)
3
Include what the office requires with the order:
  • •Valid photo ID
  • •Proof of relationship or legal interest
4
Allow the office's processing time (2-4 weeks for mail orders; 6-8 weeks online); expedited handling is available.

State Vital Records in New Jersey: key facts

What New Jersey says9

Administering office

New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.1

Office location and hours

140 East Front Street, Trenton, NJ. 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding State Holidays.1

Mail orders

Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: New Jersey Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913.1

Certificate fee

$25 for the first certified copy; $2 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.1

Processing time

2-4 weeks for mail orders; 6-8 weeks online. Expedited: Typically within 2 hours for walk-in (applications received after 3:30 p.m. are mailed the next business day).1

Who may order

Subject's parent, legal guardian, or legal representative; Spouse/civil union partner, child, grandchild, or sibling of legal age; State or federal agency for official purposes, or by court order; An attorney serving as executor of the estate, with proof of appointment.1

The mortuary recorded on the death certificate (treated as the decedent's legal representative); Anyone may order a certification (informational copy) without proof of relationship.1

Filing deadline

Before final disposition.2

Public record

Any requester may obtain a copy of a death record with no waiting period; certified copies follow the eligibility rules.1

Records available from

May 1848. The New Jersey State Archives holds death records from May 1, 1848 through December 31, 1950 (ledgers before June 1878); the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry holds deaths after December 31, 1950..1

Governing law: N.J.S.A. 26:6-5.1

Sources2

  1. 1.New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry
  2. 2.New Jersey death-certificate filing rule (N.J.S.A. 26:6-5.1; R.S. 26:6-6; R.S. 26:6-8; N.J.S.A. 26:6-14; N.J.S.A. 26:6-25; N.J.S.A. 26:6-28; N.J.S.A. 45:27-2; N.J.S.A. 45:27-6; N.J.S.A. 45:27-25; N.J.A.C. 8:9-1.1; N.J.A.C. 8:9-1.7; N.J.A.C. 8:9-1.8)

New Jersey vital records offices

New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry

Phone

877-622-7549

Hours

8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding State Holidays

Mailing address

Vital Record Mail Services, ATTN: New Jersey Vital Records, P.O. Box 222130, El Paso, TX 79913
Verified Oct 2026

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How Many Death Certificates Do I Need?

In New Jersey, certified death certificates come from the New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and RegistryNew Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and RegistryVerified Oct 15, 2026View source; the first copy costs $25New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and RegistryVerified Oct 15, 2026View source, additional copies $2New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and RegistryVerified Oct 15, 2026View source each.

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Settling an estate in New Jersey: creditors have 9 monthsN.J.S.A. 3B:22-2, 3B:22-4, 3B:22-8, 3B:22-10, 3B:22-33Verified Oct 18, 2026View source to present claims; a simple estate closes in 6 months to 9 months.

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