How to Find New Jersey Birth Records
Guide to New Jersey Birth Records New Jersey ancestry, genealogy and family history, birth records, and family history.
The first laws requiring town clerks to register vital records were made in 1675 and 1682, but few clerks complied. In 1848 New Jersey became the second state (after Massachusetts) to require statewide registration, but the early registration was not complete. At least 100,000 births in the period before 1920 were not recorded.
Next Step: When did the birth occur? [edit | edit source] |
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Births before 1848[edit | edit source]
Town clerks were required to keep records of births in the town from the time of formation. New Jersey towns are like western townships, so several populated places are in each town. Official records were recorded by town name rather than populated place. Early town clerks put birth records in town records but compliance was low.
If you do not find the birth information in the town records where your ancestor was born, you may need to look at substitute records to locate your ancestor’s birth date and place.
| Records that give birth information: | ||
Births from 1848 up to 100 years from present year[edit | edit source]
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information[edit | edit source]
The New Jersey Department of State houses birth records from May 1848 up to 100 years from present year. For births during this time period try the following databases. Try each link.
| New Jersey Births Databases - Includes Index Only | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980 | Free; Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the State of New Jersey on FamilySearch Historical Record Collection | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1848 to 1867 New Jersey statewide indexes to births and deaths | Free; Births from 1848 through 1867 are indexed in the International Genealogical Index (IGI) online at FamilySearch Historical Record Collection | |||
| Next try: | ||||
| Ancestry database: Includes Index Only | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1660-1931 New Jersey, Births and Christenings Index- use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1660-1931 New Jersey Births and Christenings Index - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From New Jersey Department of State | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
There are NO restrictions for obtaining birth records for a person born more than 100 years ago.
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth:
For a fee, the New Jersey Department of State will do one 2 year search.
There are NO restrictions for obtaining birth records for a person born more than 100 years ago.
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
Births within last 100 years[edit | edit source]
STEP ONE: Find Birth Information[edit | edit source]
The New Jersey Department of Health houses birth records from 100 years ago to the present year. For births during this time period try the following databases. Try each link.
| New Jersey Births Databases - Includes Index Only | ||||
| Try 1st: | ||||
| New Jersey Births and Christenings, 1660-1980 | Free; Name index to birth, baptism and christening records from the State of New Jersey on FamilySearch Historical Record Collection | |||
| Try 2nd: | ||||
| 1848 to 1867 New Jersey statewide indexes to births and deaths | Free; Births from 1848 through 1867 are indexed in the International Genealogical Index (IGI) online at FamilySearch Historical Record Collection | |||
| Next try: | ||||
| Ancestry database: Includes Index Only | ||||
| Choose one of the following: | ||||
| 1660-1931 New Jersey, Births and Christenings Index- use Ancestry Institution at FamilySearch Centers/Libraries | Free at FamilySearch Centers and Libraries; Find your local FamilySearch Center | |||
| 1660-1931 New Jersey Births and Christenings Index - use your own Ancestry subscription | $, To obtain a subscription to Ancestry; Ancestry is often available for free through your local public library | |||
| Can't find your ancestor in the online index? | Tips for searching online indexes | |||
| No birth record for your ancestor? | Other records with birth information | |||
STEP TWO: Obtain the Certificate[edit | edit source]
PART A: You know the exact date of birth
With an exact date (from your records or the index above), you can order a copy of the birth record for a fee from the following locations:
| To Order Birth Certificates | |||
| From County of Birth | From New Jersey Department of Health | ||
| Pros | Cons | Pros | Cons |
| May be less expensive and faster than ordering from the state | County websites can be more difficult to use | Offers a search of the state index for an additional fee | May be more expensive than ordering from the county |
See list of restrictions for ordering birth records
If you do not want to order the birth record you can search other records with birth information.
PART B: You don't know the exact date of birth
If you do not know the exact date or place of birth you can search other records with birth information.
Restrictions for Obtaining Birth Records[edit | edit source]
Restrictions for persons born within the last 100 years:
To obtain a copy of the birth certificate for those born within the last 100 years from the government agency, you must meet the following requirements:
For a Genealogical Birth Certificate
- The person on the certificate must be DECEASED.
- The birth occurred more than 80 years ago.
For additional information visit New Jersey Department of Health, Getting copies of Genealogical records
For a Certified Birth Certificate (non-genealogical record)
- The person on the certificate must have been born in the last 80 years.
- You must be able to fully identify the record.
- Provide required identification.
For additional information visit New Jersey Department of Health, Getting copies of Genealogical and Non-genealogical records
If you do not want to order the birth record, you can search other records with birth information.
