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Registrar

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1. Where would I purchase a certified copy?

From the municipality where the birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, or civil union occurred, or from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.

2. What are the fees for certified copies of birth, death, marriage, domestic partnership, or civil union?

$15 for each certified copy (official legal copy that contains raised seal)

3. What are the fees for a marriage, domestic partnership, or civil union application?

The fee is $28, to be paid at the time of application.

4. Are copies of vital records issued by the local registrar acceptable for all my needs?

Local copies are valid for all purposes except for the following two instances:

• If the copies are being presented to a foreign country that is part of the Hague Treaty, the copies need an Apostille Seal from the New Jersey Secretary of State. The Apostille Seal can only be applied to certified copies of vital records issued from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.
• If your birth certificate was issued by the Jersey City - Hudson County Vital Records Office, it is not valid for passport application. You must obtain your certified copy from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.

5. 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 acceptable forms of identification.

6. 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 the marriage. Documentary proof of the minor child and the need for the certificate must be provided.

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

Stepparents can only obtain a certified copy of the birth certificate of a stepchild with the authorization of the biological parent, unless the stepparent has adopted the child or has been granted custody of the child.

8. Does an attorney have access to vital records?

An attorney can only obtain records on behalf of a client. The attorney must show proof of being the legal representative of the client and may only obtain the same type of copy of a vital record that the client is eligible to receive. 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 Executive Order 18.

9. Do foreign governments accept a birth or death record issued by the City of Millville Registrar's Office?

Yes. However, if the foreign country is a member of the Hague Treaty, the record must also contain an Apostille Seal. You can contact the consulate of that country to determine if it is a member of the Hague Treaty or obtain other specific requirements.

10. How do I obtain a record with an Apostille Seal?

You must purchase a copy of your vital record from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration and indicate on your application that it is needed for Apostille Seal. You will receive a certified copy, which contains the original signature of the state registrar or assistant state registrar. You must forward this certificate to the Department of Treasury requesting an Apostille Seal. Please be aware of the requirements.

11. 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 valid. It is the policy of the state registrar that records are not faxed for any reason.

12. What can I do if I do not have all of the necessary information (date of birth, death, or marriage, county of birth, death, or marriage, mother's maiden name, etc.)?

To find needed information, you may wish to check census records, newspaper archives at the local library, the federal social security death index, or hire an investigator.

13. Is the fee for a vital record waived for military personnel?

No.

14. What is the quickest way to obtain my birth / death / marriage / civil union / domestic partnership certificate from Millville?

If the event took place in the City of Millville, same day service is offered in person at the City of Millville Registrar’s Office or at the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration Counter Services in Trenton.

15. How do I make a correction to a vital record?

The City of Millville Registrar's Office may process correction requests for vital record events that occurred within the City of Millville. In some cases, these corrections must be authorized by the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration before issuing corrected certified copies of the record. Please contact the City of Millville Registrar's Office for further information at 856-825-7000, ext. 7604.

The City of Millville Registrar's Office will require you to provide documentary proof of the correct information. These requests are approved on a case-by-case basis, according to statute.

If you have more questions regarding the correction of a vital record, you can visit the State of New Jersey website.

16. Where do I request a birth certificate if I was born abroad, with U.S. citizenship at birth?

Contact the State Department in Washington, D.C., at 202-955-0307.

17. How do I know if my birth certificate is acceptable for travel out of the country or for proof of age or citizenship?

Your record must be issued by the local office of vital records where the birth occurred or the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration and must contain a raised seal. Some entities require the document to have been issued within the last two years. Complimentary copies issued by a hospital are not valid.

18. Is a raised seal required to make the vital record certificate official?

Yes. The record must contain the raised seal of the City of Millville.

19. Can I obtain the time of birth?

Yes. In order to obtain this information, you must purchase a certified copy of your record. The time will be included on the birth certificate only if the doctor recorded it. You should indicate on your request that you wish the certified copy to show the time of birth.

20. Can I request the birth record of a non-family member?

Yes, but you will receive a certification rather than a certified copy. A certification is a non-certified document, which contains limited information and states it is for informational purposes only, not for identification or legal purposes.

21. If a resident of New Jersey dies in another state or country, is the death certificate on file in New Jersey?

No, you must contact the state or country in which the death occurred.

22. How do I find a cemetery plot or burial place?

Request a long-form copy of the death certificate, which will have the burial location. Then you can contact that entity for more information.

23. 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.

24. Can I obtain a certified copy of a death certificate if I am not related to the deceased individual but 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 / bond holder 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.

25. I entered into a domestic partnership before New Jersey's Civil Union Act took effect. Is my domestic partnership still valid if we elect not to enter into a civil union?

Yes. Your domestic partnership is still valid as it was entered into under the law in place at the time. However, you continue to have only the rights afforded to domestic partners and not the full rights of married couples as are given to civil union couples.

26. Is my domestic partner able to assume my last name after we register our partnership?

No. There is no basis to recognize the assumption of the partner’s last name. A legal name change must be filed with the courts and the original copy presented to the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.

27. Is it true that as of February 19, 2007, when New Jersey's Civil Union Act took effect, only same-sex or opposite-sex couples 62 years of age or older can register domestic partnerships?

Yes. As of February 19, 2007, domestic partnerships can only be established by couples 62 years of age or older, regardless of whether they are a same-sex or opposite-sex couple.

28. If I am in a domestic partnership and want to enter into a civil union with the same partner, do we need to terminate the domestic partnership before applying for our civil union license?

No. Domestic partners who wish to enter into a civil union with the same person do not need to terminate their domestic partnership. Once they have entered into the civil union, their domestic partnership will automatically terminate if it was registered in New Jersey. If it was registered outside New Jersey, the laws of that state would determine the validity of the domestic partnership following the civil union.

29. If I was previously registered in a domestic partnership and neglected to legally terminate it when we ended our relationship, must I terminate that domestic partnership before entering into a civil u

Yes. If the domestic partnership with a different partner was not legally terminated, or was not terminated by the death of the previous partner, you must terminate the domestic partnership before entering into a civil union with someone else.

30. Where do I apply for my marriage or civil union license?

The application must be filed in the New Jersey municipality in which either applicant resides. If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, the application must be filed in the municipality where the ceremony will occur.

31. Is my marriage or civil union record on file in the City of Millville if I was married or entered into a civil union in another city, state, or country?

No. You must contact the city, state, or country in which the marriage or civil union occurred.

32. Is my civil union registered in another state recognized by the State of New Jersey?

If your civil union meets the requirements of the state in which you registered, then it is recognized by the State of New Jersey.

33. After filing the marriage or civil union application, is there a waiting period before the civil union license can be issued?

Yes. There is a 72-hour waiting period before the license can be issued. The waiting period begins once the application has been filed by one or both applicants. A Superior Court judge can waive all or part of the 72-hour waiting period.

34. Am I required to enter into a civil union in New Jersey if I am already in a civil union or same-sex marriage in another state or country?

No. You are not required to enter into a civil union in New Jersey. If your civil union or same-sex marriage meets the requirements of the state or country in which you registered, then it is recognized by the State of New Jersey. However, if you wish, you may also elect to enter into a civil union in New Jersey. In that case, you would file for a Reaffirmation of Civil Union License in New Jersey.

35. After filing a Remarriage or Reaffirmation of Civil Union application, is there a waiting period before the Remarriage or Reaffirmation of Civil Union License can be issued?

No. For a Remarriage or Reaffirmation of Civil Union License, there is no waiting period. The license can be issued immediately after the complete application has been filed.

36. Who can perform marriages or civil union ceremonies in New Jersey?

Judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third District, federal court judges, the county clerk, any mayor or the deputy mayor when authorized by the mayor, and ministers of every religion may marry individuals legally permitted to marry.

37. Can Internet ministers perform my marriage or civil union ceremony?

Yes. It is recommended you check the website for the particular Internet ministry to verify that their ministers are authorized to perform civil union ceremonies.

38. Are public officials who are authorized to perform marriages or civil unions required to perform my civil union ceremony?

Public officials who are authorized to perform marriages are authorized to perform civil unions. Public officials may choose whether or not to exercise this authority. However, if a public official agrees to perform marriages, he or she must agree to perform civil unions. If an official elects not to perform civil unions, he or she cannot perform marriages either.

39. Are members of the clergy required to perform my civil union ceremony?

No. Members of the clergy are not covered by the Law Against Discrimination and have the right to decline to perform civil unions.

40. Is the local registrar, or deputy or alternate deputy registrar, required to accept my application for a civil union license?

Yes. The registrar is required by law to accept for filing the vital records established by the laws of New Jersey.

41. Am I eligible to assume the last name of my partner or hyphenate our last names following our marriage or civil union?

Yes. However, please note that the federal government does not recognize civil unions. You may choose to consult an attorney to legally establish a name change.

42. Do applicants for a civil union license have the right to create their own vows or make changes to existing vows that may be in place with public officials?

Yes. You can create or edit vows. In your vows, you may refer to each other using any terms you prefer, including wife, spouse, lover, or life mate, and you may refer to the ceremony as a marriage. However, when the ceremony is completed, you are legally entered into a civil union and considered a civil union couple.