Introduction to New Jersey Birth Certificates

This article is designed to help you get a New Jersey birth certificate.  Counter to common belief, not everything is on the Internet.  Personal birth certificates are one of the items that are not readily available online, and that is probably a good thing.  You do not want your birth certificate in the public domain, where it can be seen by anyone.  However, this does not mean that you can’t easily get your birth certificate.  

New Jersey birth certificates have been maintained by the New Jersey State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration for individuals born in the state of New Jersey since 1901.

New Jersey Birth Certificate Authorized Persons

By New Jersey state law, New Jersey birth certificates are confidential records and can only be obtained by the following authorized individuals:

• Person Named on the New Jersey Birth Certificate
• Mother/Father (or Legal Guardian) of Person Named on the New Jersey Birth Certificate
• Husband/Wife of Person Named on the New Jersey Birth Certificate 
• Adult Son/Daughter of Person Named on the New Jersey Birth Certificate
• Adult grandchildren of Person Named on the New Jersey Birth Certificate
• Sister/Brother of individual named on the New Jersey birth certificate
• Legal Representative of an Authorized Person of Person Named on the New Jersey Birth Certificate

New Jersey Birth Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

Anyone can obtain a New Jersey Birth Certificate, 80 years or later from the date of the birth for genealogy or other reasons.

New Jersey Birth Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order New Jersey Birth Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your New Jersey Birth Certificate.  Order online and you will get your New Jersey Birth Certificate usually in less than a week.  Many times you will have the option of receiving your vital record by next-day or second-day service.

Order Birth and Death Records Online!  

Option 2 – Order New Jersey Birth Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your New Jersey birth certificate online.  It usually takes 3 months upon receipt of request to be sent to you:

Step 1: Download Mail-In Application

Step 2: Please provide as much of the following information as possible to locate the New Jersey birth certificate:

• Full name of person at birth on the New Jersey birth certificate
• Date of birth on the New Jersey birth certificate
• Sex on the New Jersey birth certificate
• County (or city) of birth on the New Jersey birth certificate
• Hospital of birth - if not in a hospital state "home" 
• Full maiden name of mother on the New Jersey birth certificate
• Full name of father on the New Jersey birth certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose New Jersey birth certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the New Jersey birth certificate is to be mailed 
• Self addressed stamped envelope
• Your daytime phone number
• By Mail: Send the above information and the appropriate fee to:

 

New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services

Vital Statistics and Registration

P.O. BOX 370

Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

Option 3 – In Person

In Person in New Jersey: You may go to any county health department in the State of New Jersey to obtain a certified copy of a New Jersey birth certificate. Most New Jersey birth certificates can be issued while you wait.

New Jersey Birth Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a New Jersey birth certificate is $25.00, which includes one certified copy of the New Jersey birth certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the New Jersey birth certificate ordered at the same time, the fee is $2.00. Checks or Money Orders should be made payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." Please do not send cash. Fees are not refundable. Additional fees are required for expedited service.