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1. How do I identify a record?

You may identify a record by:

• The exact name(s) that is listed on the record (first-middle-last)
• The exact place (city) that the event took place
• The exact date (month-day-year) the event took place
• The mother’s maiden name
• The father’s name (when originally recorded)

2. How do I obtain a vital record?

Applications & Forms

For more information on the application process, documents, etc., please visit our Applying page. To view application documents and helpful resources, please view our Forms and Resources page.

Criteria

Per Executive Order 18, vital records will be issued only if all the following criteria are met:

• A completed application, fully identifying the record, with all pertinent information, is submitted.
• The applicant presents proof of their relationship to the subject of the record.
• The applicant presents an acceptable ID per New Jersey State regulations
• Applicant pays the appropriate fee ($15 per copy). We accept cash, money order or check.  Make checks payable to “Township of Toms River.”
• If applying by mail, enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope along with the application, copies of ID and the applicable fee. 
  • Please note incomplete requests, received by mail, will be returned to the applicant.

Third-Party Representation

Third-Party Representation (Lawyers, Executors) or non-eligible persons must also provide one of the following:

• Legal documentation (Surrogate’s Certificate or Court Order)
• A notarized letter from the eligible person, allowing the certificate to be released to the third-party. (The third-party must present their acceptable, valid and current identification.)

3. Can a person eligible to receive a certified copy of a vital record designate someone to collect the certified copies for them?

An individual who has filed a complete application for a copy of a vital record can authorize another person to pick up the record on his or her behalf. To do so, the applicant should sign a notarized letter, stating the name of the person listed on the vital record and the name of the individual who is picking up the record. The individual picking up the record must present this letter along with their own acceptable identification.

Documentary Proof

You must establish your relationship to the subject of a vital record, pursuant to regulations established by the New Jersey State Registrar and Governor’s Executive Order, to obtain a vital record. You must show documentation, in addition to your photo drivers license. This chart explains who is eligible and the documentary proof to establish that eligibility. Please bring certified copies with a raised seal.

Person	Documents That Must Be Presented
Child	Your birth certificate with your parents' names showing If married, your marriage license, to address the name change
Grand-Child	Your birth certificate with parents' names showing your parents’ birth/death certificates with their parents (your grandparents) names  If married, your marriage license, to show change of your name
Step-Child	Not entitled
Current Spouse	Your marriage license
Ex-Spouse	Not entitled unless you are obtaining it on behalf of a minor child. In that case, you must show the minor child's birth certificate with the parents' names showing. If married, your marriage license, to show change of your name
Executor of the Estate	Valid Surrogates Certificate with an original signature and seal
Sibling	Your birth certificate with parents names If married, your marriage license, to show change of your name

4. Can I obtain a certified copy of a death certificate if I am not related to the deceased individual but I have joint ownership of property or stocks/bonds?

No. You are not eligible to receive a certified copy. 

However, you can have the title company or the stock/bondholder request it directly from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration. The request must be made on their agency letterhead and list the name and social security number of the deceased. They must also provide acceptable forms of identification and the appropriate fees. In many cases, the agency will provide a letter indicating they are in need of the death certificate and require you to submit the application for the certified copy of the record. In this case, you must include the agency letter in your application and the resulting certified copy will be mailed directly to the agency.

5. Can vital records be faxed?

No. Vital records require the raised seal of the local office of vital records or the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration seal to be considered valid. It is the administrative policy of the State Registrar that records are not faxed for any reason.

6. Who can request a certified copy of a vital record? (pursuant to State of New Jersey Executive Order Number 18)

A State or Local Registrar may issue a certified copy of a vital record only to the person(s) who establish themselves as:

• The subject of the vital record
• The subject’s (at least 18 years old):
  • Child
  • Legal guardian or legal representative
  • Parent
  • Sibling
  • Spouse
• A state or federal agency for official purpose, pursuant to Court Order

7. Can I call the Registrar’s Office to verify they have a vital record I am looking for?

No. Per the New Jersey State Registrar, information cannot be provided regarding any vital record on the telephone. The local Registrar is not permitted to verify the existence of a document or what may be contained in it. Vital records cannot be obtained with an Open Public Records Request. They are confidential records.

Seeking Information

Any individual seeking information regarding the existence of a vital record, or data contained in a vital record, must:

1. File an application
2. Fully identify that record
3. Provide proof of their own identity
4. Establish their relationship
5. Submit the required fee

8. Where do I obtain a certified copy of a birth, marriage license, civil union or death certificate?

In the municipality where the birth, death, marriage or civil union occurred, or directly from the New Jersey State Registrar of Vital Statistics Office in Trenton. You may call the New Jersey State Registrar of Vital Statistics Office at 866-649-8736 or you can call them at 609-292-4087.

9. If I am listed as a beneficiary on a life insurance policy but am not related to the deceased individual, can I obtain a certified copy of the death certificate to claim my benefits?

No. You are not eligible to receive a certified copy. However, you can have the life insurance company request it directly from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration. The request must be made on their agency letterhead and list the name and social security number of the deceased. They must also provide acceptable forms of identification and the appropriate fees.

In many cases, the insurance company will provide a letter indicating they are in need of the death certificate and require you to submit the application for the certified copy of the record, which you must identify. In this case, you must include the insurance company letter in your application and the resulting certified copy will be mailed directly to the insurance company.

10. Does an attorney have access to vital records?

An attorney can only obtain records on behalf of a client. The attorney must show a copy of a retainer with the client. The attorney may only obtain the vital record that the client is eligible to receive, by clients’ relationship to the requested document. An attorney is not granted certified copies of vital records solely on the basis of being an attorney. He or she must meet the requirements of Governors Executive Order 18.

11. Do stepparents have the same access to records as parents?

Step-parents can only obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate of a step-child with the authorization of the biological parent unless the step-parent has adopted the child or has been granted custody of the child.

12. Does an ex-spouse have access to the previous spouse's birth or death certificate?

An ex-spouse can only obtain birth or death records if the records are being obtained on behalf of a minor child that was the product of that marriage. Documentary proof of the minor child and the need for the certificate must be provided.

13. What is required to obtain a certified copy of a vital record?

• The exact name(s) (first-middle-last) that is currently on record
• The exact place (city) on record
• The exact date (month-day-year) on record
• The mother's maiden name on record
• The father's name (when recorded)
• A valid photo ID with the current street address on it (not a P.O. Box) from the applicant