Introduction to New Jersey Death Certificates

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

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

New Jersey Death Certificate Authorized Persons

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

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

New Jersey Death Certificate for Genealogy Purpose

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

New Jersey Death Certificate Ordering

Options Option 1 – Order New Jersey Death Certificate Online

This option is the simplest and easiest way to get your New Jersey Death Certificate.  Order online and you will get your New Jersey Death 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 Death Certificate through the Mail

Follow the instructions below, if you are not ordering your New Jersey Death 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 Death certificate:

• Full name of person at Death on the New Jersey Death certificate
• Date of Death on the New Jersey Death certificate
• Sex on the New Jersey Death certificate
• County (or city) of Death on the New Jersey Death certificate
• Your name 
• Your signature 
• Your relationship to the person whose New Jersey Death certificate you are requesting 
• Address where the New Jersey Death 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 Death certificate. Most New Jersey Death certificates can be issued while you wait.

New Jersey Death Certificate Ordering Cost

The fee to search for a New Jersey Death certificate is $25.00, which includes one certified copy of the New Jersey Death certificate or a "Certificate of Failure to Find." For each additional copy of the New Jersey Death 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.