September 20, 2024
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How to Find Birth Records in New Jersey

Ways on how to find birth records in New Jersey exist and this article is aimed at providing them. You can easily learn your family history and find birth records with the information and ideas suggested from here.



With a population of about 9.3 million, New Jersey is a state found in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern parts of the United States. New Jersey birth registration began in 1675 when the first law requiring birth to be registered by town clerks was passed from the time the town were formed. Another law was passed in 1862 but a limited number of clerks observed it.

The state of New Jersey began to require statewide birth registration in 1848 making it the second state after Massachusetts to call for statewide registration. There were a lot of registration that were not made such that by 1920, there were about 100 000 births that were not documented.

Birth records registered in New Jersey between 1848 up to a hundred years from now are available from the New Jersey Department of State. There are databases that keep these records with example being New Jersey Births and Christening (1660 – 1980), New Jersey Statewide Indexes (1848 – 1867) and New Jersey Births and Christenings Index (1660 – 1931).

Information on Birth Records in New Jersey

A New Jersey Birth Record have at least the following information on it:

  • Full name as given at birth
  • Gender
  • Place of Birth
  • Date of Birth
  • Mother’s maiden name
  • Full names of parents
  • Birth registration number, and date and place of birth
  • Type of birth

The state of New Jersey utilizes birth records for such major purposes as applications for driver’s license, passport, social security, proof of citizenship and school enrollment.

How to Order Birth Records in New Jersey

Birth records that are above 100 years from this year are regarded as public records and are available to anyone who needs them. Birth records that are less than 100 years from now are regarded as confidential. Only a few individuals are permitted access to them.

To qualify for access to birth records that are less than 100 years in New Hampshire one must meet the following requirements:

For Genealogical Birth Certificate:

  • The certificate owner must be someone who is dead.
  • The birth must have happened more than 80 years ago.

For Certified Birth Certificate:

  • The individual on the certificate must be less than 80 years.
  • The applicant must be able to identify the record fully.
  • Applicant must produce legal photo identification.

With the proper details like full name, exact date of birth and place, you can place your order for birth records at a fee in New Jersey. You can order birth records from County of Birth and from the New Jersey Department of Health.

Ordering birth records from County of Birth is cheaper than ordering them from Department of Health. However, county websites are very hard to utilize. The advantage with looking up from state index is that the search is on a statewide scope but at an additional fee.

Birth records requests in New Jersey are handled by the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry as it is responsible managing and issuing certified copies of birth records. These records can be accessible through mail application or in person request.

How to Request for Birth Records in New Jersey

There are conditions that applicants need to meet before obtaining these records. Applicants are expected to provide legal photo identification documents that are government issued to gain access to the records. The state of New Jersey welcomes IDs such as passport, non-driver’s license and a driver’s license.

For those qualifying applicants who are unable to provide photo identification documents, they can provide two photocopies of alternative documents that prove their identity.

Such documents are expected to have the name of the applicant. Examples of such documents include:

  • Voter registration card
  • Utility bills
  • Car registration
  • Hospital birth worksheet
  • Voter registration card
  • Utility bills
  • Car registration
  • Hospital birth worksheet
  • Pay stub (W-2)

Get New Jersey Birth Records in Person

Applicants who are looking to apply for birth records in New Jersey in person should first download Non-genealogical Vital Record Application (REG-27). The form is to be filled in online before being printed and signed. Applicants are then to take the signed form with their government issued identification document or its alternative and submit it at the  Office of Vital Statistics and Registry office or any County of Birth.

New Jersey Department of Health & Senior Services
Office of Vital Statistics & Registry
140 East Front Street
Trenton, NJ



Get New Jersey Birth Records by Mail

To apply for birth records by mail in New Jersey applicants should first fill in Non-genealogical Vital Record Application (REG-27) on the web. They are then to print, sign it and mail it to the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry with a copy of their legal photo identification or its alternatives. Applicants can also mail their request to the County of Birth that is near to them.

Office of Vital Statistics & Registry
55 North Willow Street, 5th Floor
PO Box 370
Trenton, NJ 08625-0370
Phone: (866) 649-8726

Applications are expected to come with self-addressed stamped envelope proof of payment.

These ideas can be answers to the question on how to find birth records in New Jersey as they cover probably all there is to know about birth records in New Jersey.