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.
Administering agency
New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry
State Vital Records in New Jersey: key facts
- Administering office
- New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.
- Office hours
- 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday.
- Certificate fee
- $25 for the first certified copy; $2 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
- Processing time
- 2-4 weeks for mail orders; 4-6 weeks online. Expedited: Same-day for walk-in (if submitted by 3:30 PM).
- 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; Anyone may order a certification (informational copy) without proof of relationship.
- Filing deadline
- The death certificate must be filed within 1 day.
- Public record
- Death records become public 40 years after the death.
- Records available from
- 1878.
Steps to take when someone dies
- Confirm the death occurred in New Jersey — the record belongs to the state where the death occurred, regardless of where the deceased lived.
- 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 ($12.95 processing fee)
- By mail: Mail application with check/money order to Treasurer, State of New Jersey
- In person: Walk-in applications accepted (submit by 3:30 PM for same-day processing, up to 2-hour wait)
- Include what the office requires with the order:
- Valid photo ID
- Proof of relationship or legal interest
- Allow the office's processing time (2-4 weeks for mail orders; 4-6 weeks online); expedited handling is available.
New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
by phone: Call VitalChek at 877-622-7549 ($12.95 processing fee). by mail: Mail application with check/money order to Treasurer, State of New Jersey. in person: Walk-in applications accepted (submit by 3:30 PM for same-day processing, up to 2-hour wait).
The death certificate must be filed within 1 day. The funeral director or person in charge of disposition files the certificate with the state; the family orders certified copies once the record is registered.
Valid photo ID; Proof of relationship or legal interest. The office also asks for the deceased's full name, date of death, and place of death to locate the record.
The record belongs to the state where the death occurred, not the state of residence. Order from the state of death, following its fees and eligibility rules.
Sources
Data sourced from State Vital Records in New Jersey primary sources (1 page reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry