Where to order a death certificate in New Jersey

New Jersey death certificates are issued by the New Jersey Department of Health, Vital Statistics and Registry, located in Trenton. You cannot order directly from a funeral home or hospital — you must go through the state office or use an authorized vendor. The state office accepts orders by mail, in person, or through a third-party service, but not by phone or email.

The fastest route is in-person pickup at the state office: 225 East State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625. Walk-in service is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. You can also mail your request or use an authorized vendor like VitalChek, which charges a service fee on top of the state fee.

If the death occurred in New Jersey but the person was not a New Jersey resident, you still order from the New Jersey office. If the death occurred outside New Jersey, you order from the state where the death was recorded.

Key Takeaways

  • New Jersey death certificates come from the Department of Health, Vital Statistics and Registry in Trenton, not from funeral homes or hospitals.
  • In-person pickup takes about 15 minutes if you have the correct information; mail orders take 2 to 3 weeks.
  • You need the full name of the deceased, date of birth, date of death, and the county where the death was recorded.
  • Each certificate costs $25 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time.
  • Third-party vendors like VitalChek offer faster delivery but charge extra fees on top of the state fee.

What information you need before you order

Have the following details ready before you contact the vital statistics office: the full name of the deceased, date of birth, date of death, and the county where the death occurred. If you do not know the exact date of death, provide the month and year. The office can search by name and approximate date, but the search takes longer.

If the deceased changed their name during their lifetime — through marriage, divorce, or legal change — provide both the name on the death certificate and any other names they used. This matters because the certificate is filed under the name used at the time of death.

Ordering by mail

Mail your request to the New Jersey Department of Health, Vital Statistics and Registry, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625. Include a letter with the deceased's full name, date of birth, date of death, county of death, and the number of copies you need. Include a check or money order for $25 per copy, plus $6 for each additional copy.

Mail orders typically arrive within 2 to 3 weeks. Include a return address and consider sending by certified mail so you have proof of delivery. Do not send cash.

If you need the certificate faster than mail allows, use in-person pickup or a third-party vendor instead.

Ordering in person at the state office

Walk into the vital statistics office at 225 East State Street, Trenton, NJ 08625, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Bring the deceased's full name, date of birth, date of death, and the county where the death occurred. Bring cash, check, or debit card — the office accepts all three.

Processing takes about 15 minutes if the information is correct and the record is on file. You walk out with the certificate the same day. If the record cannot be found when ready, staff will tell you how long a search will take and whether you need to provide additional information.

Using a third-party vendor like VitalChek

VitalChek is an authorized vendor that processes New Jersey death certificate orders online and by phone. You can order at VitalChek.com or call 1-800-255-2414. VitalChek charges the $25 state fee plus its own service fee, which varies depending on how fast you need the certificate.

Standard delivery takes 5 to 7 business days. Expedited delivery takes 1 to 2 business days. Rush delivery takes 24 hours. Each speed tier adds to the total cost. VitalChek mails the certificate to you; you do not pick it up in person.

Use VitalChek if you cannot go to Trenton in person and need the certificate faster than regular mail. Compare the total cost — state fee plus VitalChek fee — against the cost of your time to travel to Trenton.

How much a death certificate costs

The state fee is $25 for the first copy and $6 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. If you order 5 copies in one request, you pay $25 plus $24 (4 additional copies × $6), for a total of $49.

If you order again later, each new order starts at $25 for the first copy. There is no discount for ordering multiple copies across separate requests.

Third-party vendors add their own fees on top. VitalChek's service fee ranges from about $7 for standard delivery to $30 or more for rush delivery. Budget for the total cost, not just the state fee.

What to do if the death certificate is not on file

If the vital statistics office cannot find the record, ask whether the death was recorded in a different county. Deaths are filed in the county where they occurred, not where the person lived. If you are unsure which county, the office can search multiple counties, but this takes longer.

If the death occurred more than 100 years ago, the record may be archived. Ask the office whether the record is available and how to request it. Very old records sometimes require a separate request process.

If the death occurred outside New Jersey, you must order from the state where it was recorded. Ask the New Jersey office for the contact information of the vital statistics office in that state.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many copies of a death certificate should I order?

Order at least 3 to 5 copies. You will need one for the funeral home, one for the estate or probate process, one for insurance claims, and one for your records. Ordering multiple copies at once costs less per copy than ordering again later. The state charges $6 per additional copy in the same order, versus $25 plus $6 for a new order.

Can I order a death certificate for someone else?

Yes. You do not have to be a family member. Anyone can order a death certificate by providing the deceased's name, date of birth, date of death, and county of death. There is no restriction on who can request a public death certificate in New Jersey.

What if the name on the death certificate is spelled wrong?

Contact the vital statistics office to report the error. You may need to file a correction request with supporting documents, such as a birth certificate or marriage license. The office will tell you what documents to submit and whether there is a fee for the correction.

How long does a death certificate take to be recorded?

The funeral home files the death certificate with the county within a few days of death. The state vital statistics office receives it within 1 to 2 weeks. You can usually order a certificate within 2 to 3 weeks of the death, though it is best to wait at least 10 days to allow time for filing.

Can I get a certified copy or an uncertified copy?

The New Jersey vital statistics office issues certified copies only — these are the official documents with the state seal. Certified copies are what banks, insurance companies, and courts require. You cannot order an uncertified or informational copy from the state office.