Death certificates in New Jersey
In New Jersey, a certified copy of a death certificate costs $25 from the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry. Each extra copy ordered at the same time costs $2. You can order online, by mail or in person. The funeral home can often order the first copies for you.
Last checked on the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry site. General information, not legal advice. Fees change, so confirm before you pay.
How to order in New Jersey
| Office | New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry |
|---|---|
| First certified copy | $25 |
| Each extra copy, same order | $2 VitalChek adds a processing fee of $6 by mail or $12.95 by phone. Local registrar offices set their own fees. |
| Who can order | The person's parent, legal guardian, or legal representative, a spouse or civil union partner, or an adult child, grandchild, or sibling. A state or federal agency or a court order also qualifies. Anyone else can get an informational certification that cannot be used for legal purposes. |
| ID you need | A current photo driver's license or photo non-driver ID with your current address, or two other IDs that show your current address. |
| Ways to order | Online, by mail or in person. The state takes online orders only through VitalChek, a private company, which adds its own fee. By mail or in person costs only the state fee. Same-day walk-in service at the state office at 140 E. Front Street, Trenton, or at local vital records offices. The state walk-in center no longer accepts cash. |
| How long it takes | About 2 hours for walk-in service at the state office, 2 to 4 weeks for mail orders, and 4 to 6 weeks for online orders. |
Do funeral homes order the first copies?
Often, yes. The funeral director files the death certificate with the state, so ordering copies at the same time is common. The FTC lists death certificates among the cash advance items a funeral home may buy for you and add to its bill. Ask what it charges per copy.
For more copies later, order from the office above. How many copies do you need? Our calculator counts one for each bank, insurer and agency.
Questions people ask
- How much is a death certificate in New Jersey?
- $25 for the first certified copy from the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time. VitalChek adds a processing fee of $6 by mail or $12.95 by phone. Local registrar offices set their own fees.
- Who can order a death certificate in New Jersey?
- The person's parent, legal guardian, or legal representative, a spouse or civil union partner, or an adult child, grandchild, or sibling. A state or federal agency or a court order also qualifies. Anyone else can get an informational certification that cannot be used for legal purposes.
- How do I order a death certificate in New Jersey?
- You can order online, by mail or in person. Online orders go through VitalChek, a private company the state uses, which adds its own fee. A current photo driver's license or photo non-driver ID with your current address, or two other IDs that show your current address.
Sources
- New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry: www.nj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/non-genealogical-records
- New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry: www.nj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/fees
- New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry: www.nj.gov/health/vital/order-vital/online-requests
- CDC/NCHS: Funeral Directors' Handbook on Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting, 2019
- FTC: Complying with the Funeral Rule (cash advance items)