Get certified New Jersey Death Certificates

New Jersey does not issue death certificates for individuals who die on U.S. military bases overseas. In such cases, if the deceased’s parents held U.S. citizenship, the U.S. Department of State records the death. To request this document, you must contact the U.S. Department of State and obtain a Consular Report of Death Abroad (CRDA or form DS-5542).

An officially certified death certificate from the New Jersey Department of Health will have unique security features to ensure its authenticity. The appearance of an official death certificate may vary depending on the year of issue. Still, it will contain essential details confirming the individual's identity at death. Official death certificates from New Jersey typically feature the state seal, the individual's name, the date and place of death, and the state registrar's signature. They are printed on secure, tamper-resistant paper with watermarks and other security elements. The NJDH issues these certificates to state guidelines, and all counties follow these secure issuance procedures.

• Full Name of the Decedent: The full legal name of the person whose death is being recorded.
• Date of Death: The exact date and time of death of the individual.
• Place of Death: The city, county, and state where the death occurred, along with the specific facility or location.
• Cause of Death: The immediate and underlying causes of death, as certified by the attending physician or medical examiner.
• Medical Certification Information: Includes details about who certified the death, such as the attending physician or coroner, and any contributing medical factors.
• Demographic Information: The deceased's age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, education level, and occupation.
• Disposition Details: Information about the method of disposition (burial, cremation, etc.), the date and place of disposition, and the funeral home or director responsible.
• Informant Information: The name and relationship of the person providing personal details of the deceased.
• Social Security Number: The Social Security number of the deceased.

New Jersey death certificates are among the most important and valuable legal documents. They are the only legal proof that someone has passed away and are used for crucial purposes, particularly in legal, financial, and personal matters. The vital record is fundamental after someone has died to handle financial affairs, benefit claims, verification for institutions, estate settlements, and benefits from government agencies.

Death certificates are often helpful or required for:

Settling Estates

Claiming Pension and Retirement Benefits

Marriage and Divorce Finalization

Genealogy and Historical Research

Claiming Life Insurance

Managing Accounts at Financial Institutions

Making Funeral and Burial Arrangements

Tax Filings

Claiming Social Security and Government Benefits

Handling Property Mortgage and Real Estate Matters

Enrolling in school

The process for correcting or amending a New Jersey death certificate varies depending on the specific changes needed. Typically, an addendum is created to correct or change the death certificate while the original record remains unaltered. Each type of amendment has different requirements set by the NJDOH Vital Statistics and Registry.

Typically, amendments to death certificates will require:

1. A completed Amendment Application Form REG-15
2. Supporting documentation includes valid proof of identity (photo ID) and proof that you are an eligible requester.
3. Appropriate fee(s): The cost for the search and the resulting record is $25.00; additional copies of the same record ordered simultaneously are $2.00 each. Make check or money order payable to “Treasurer, State of NJ.” Do not mail cash.
4. Mail the completed submission to:
   New Jersey Department of Health Vital Statistics and Registry Attention: Vital Record Modifications Unit P.O. Box 370 Trenton, NJ 08625-0370

Once an amendment is completed, the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics and Registry will not replace previously issued copies. For questions regarding the amendment application form, contact the NJDOH records office at [email protected] or by telephone at 609-292-4087.

Apostilles may be ordered from the New Jersey Secretary of State by mail or with VRO.

You need an apostille when you file documents with a foreign government. It is a special certificate that verifies the authenticity of vital records for international use and is acceptable in countries that are part of the Hague Convention.

We offer comprehensive apostille services for death certificates across all 50 US states. Governments and organizations acknowledge the service, which is legally valid in over 100 countries. VRO’s service comes with expert support, costs $149 (plus government fees), and can be accomplished online in just three steps.

If you are manually submitting a request for an apostille, complete the following steps:

1. Obtain a Certified Death Certificate: Request a certified copy of your death certificate from the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH) or through an authorized provider like VRO. This document must be certified within the last 6 months.
2. Complete the Request Form: Fill out the Apostille/Certificate of Authenticity Request Form.
3. Gather Required Documents: Ensure you have a certified copy of the birth certificate and any additional documents required for the apostille process.
4. Make Payment: Prepare the appropriate fee of $25.00 per certificate ($5.00 per certificate for adoptions) for the apostille service. This can be done through a check or money order made payable to the "Treasurer, State of New Jersey."
5. Submit Your Request. Submit the completed form, documents, and payment to the following addresses:

By Mail:

In Person: