How much do death certificates cost in New Jersey?
A certified copy costs $25 from the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and Registration. Each additional copy ordered at the same time costs $2.
Local municipal registrars set their own fees. Some charge less than the state office. For example, the City of Trenton charges $20 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy.
Online orders through VitalChek include additional processing and shipping fees.
How to order
Through a funeral home (fastest)
Your funeral director handles the initial order. This is the simplest route and typically the fastest. Tell them how many copies you need when making arrangements.
From the local registrar
The registrar in the municipality where the death occurred can issue certified copies. This is often faster and cheaper than ordering from the state office for recent deaths.
- In person. Visit the local vital records office with a valid photo ID.
- By mail. Contact the municipality for their application process and fees.
From the state Office of Vital Statistics
The state office maintains death records from 1918 to the present.
- In person. Visit the Walk-in Center at the Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton.
- By mail. Send a completed application with a copy of your photo ID and a check or money order for $25 payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey." Do not send cash.
- Online. Order through VitalChek, the authorized online vendor. Additional service and shipping fees apply.
Processing times
| Method | Typical timeline |
|---|---|
| Funeral home | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Local registrar (in person) | Same day to a few days |
| State office (in person) | Same day |
| State office (by mail) | 4 to 6 weeks |
| VitalChek (online) | 2 to 4 weeks |
Who can order?
New Jersey restricts certified copies to individuals with a direct relationship to the deceased or a legitimate legal need. You must provide:
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- Proof of relationship or legal authority (such as executor documentation)
Eligible individuals include the surviving spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, the executor or administrator of the estate, and attorneys representing the estate.
What to know about New Jersey specifically
Local vs. state ordering. Deaths in New Jersey are registered at the municipal level first. The local registrar can issue copies before the record reaches the state office, so for recent deaths, checking with your local registrar may be faster.
No fee waivers. New Jersey does not currently offer fee waivers or discounts for veterans or military families for death certificate copies.
The $2 additional copy rate. Order all the copies you need at once. The first copy costs $25, but each additional copy at the same time is only $2. Ordering 10 copies at once costs $43 total rather than $250 if ordered individually.
For a broader overview of the death certificate process, see our guide on how to get death certificates. If you are handling probate, see our guide on how probate works in New Jersey.
Managing a New Jersey estate?
Our free checklist walks you through every step, customized for your state.
Open the Checklist