Updated December 2020

Vital Records Research in New Jersey - Return to the Research Page

As of 1 January 2009, the NJ Dept. of Health has transferred vital records through December 31, 1900 to the State Archives. YEAH! Although these records were already at the Archives on microfilm, now you no longer have to get records from 1878 to 1900 from the Dept. of Health, which was $$$ and time consuming. Now the State Archives will do the lookups for $10 each. [As this page is being updated, I have not fully reviewed this prior statement and the below information and links are being updated in December 2020.]

See: http://www.state.nj.us/nj/community/statistic/

Genealogical Holdings - There is a large number of holdings listed here that you should check out.


Birth, Marriage & Death Records are maintained at both the city/town/borough AND state levels. You should contact the local clerk (see the state web site, municipalities section for contact info) to see if they have records, or contact the State of New Jersey (especially if you do not know the location of the event). ALSO SEE a LIST OF REGISTRARS, by county, in New Jersey.

The State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration maintains birth, marriage, and death records from 1878 to the present. Domestic partnership records are available from 2004 to the present.

Vital records from May 1848-May 1878 may be ordered from the New Jersey State Archives (these records also include some burial records). See the NJ State Archives online databases.

Death Certificates 1904-today
New Jersey death certificates for the time period of 1904 and forward are filed alphabetically by SURNAME. There are no certificate numbers issued to them. The stamped number in the upper right hand corner is actually the page number for the particular volume that the certificate has been bound into.

Also, the LDS Family History Library does not have any vital statistics for New Jersey after 1900. The NJ Dept. of Health has not released the microfilm to any agency beyond the NJ State Archives. And even they are not allowed to perform mail search requests. These films are for in-person use only.

Here are the options for you to obtain a copy of a New Jersey death certificate from 1904-today:
1) Write to the township vital records office:  Fee: Unknown (wait time unknown)
2) Write to the NJ State Dept. of Health: Instructions Fee: $25 (wait time 4-6 months)
3) Hire a professional researcher to search & copy the record at the NJ State Archives. Average fee: $15-30 (wait time less than a month)
List of researchers hosted by the Genealogical Society of NJ:

Frequently asked questions of NJ State Archives

Also available at the New Jersey State Archives:

-- Marriage Records, 1666-1799 in New Jersey and County Marriage Records for Atlantic County (Marriage Books 1837-1885 and Indexes 1837-1910); Bergen County (Marriage Books 1795-1877); Burlington County (Marriage Returns 1795-1920); Cape May County (Marriage Records 1795-1878); Cumberland County (Marriage Records 1789-1949 and Bulk Dates 1795-1878); Essex County (Marriage Records 1795-1893 and Recorded 1795-1940; and Non-Resident Marriage Applications 1897-1910); Gloucester County (Marriage Records 1783-1907); Hudson County (Non-Resident Marriage Applications 1897-1910); Hunterdon County (Marriage Records 1795-1900); Mercer County (Marriage Returns 1815, 1832, and 1841-1887; and Non-Resident Marrage Applications 1897-1910); Middlesex County (Marriage Records 1795-1928); Monmouth County (Marriage Records 1789-1880); Morris County (Marriage Records 1795-1919); Ocean County (Marriage Records 1850-1908); Passaic County (Marriage Records 1837-1902); Salem County (Marriage Records 1680-1956 and Indexes 1680-1945);  Somerset County (Marriage Returns 1778-1887; and Non-Resident Marriage License Applications 1897-1910; and Miscellaneous Estate Papers (unrecorded) ca. 1770-1987);  Sussex County (Marriage Reords 1795-1878; and Non-Resident Marriage License Applcations 1898-1910); Union County (Marriage Records 1850-1878; and Non-Resident Marriage Licenses, Applications and Certificates 1901-1910); Warren County (Marriage Records1825-1902).  Check here for county marriage records.

NJ Marriages 1666-1799 (search the index)

-- Obituaries from New Jersey Newspapers, 1778 - mid-1900s; Cost: $5.00 from the State Archives' collection of microfilmed newspapers when name, date of death and city/town are provided.

-- FamilySearch has a long list of databases to search

Social Security Death Index (free) - provides birth date, death date, social security number, state or territory where the number was issued, last known town/city and state of residence.

Other Resources & Suggestions for Locating Vital Records:

DIVORCE RECORDS
New Jersey divorce decrees are available through the Superior Court of New Jersey Records Center.

ADOPTION
 Contact:
New Jersey Dept. of Human Services
Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS)
Adoption Registry
PO Box 717
Trenton, NJ 08625-0717
609.292.8816 or 984.6800

Also See: Cyndi's List - Adoptions