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Ordering a Vital Record

A birth, marriage, civil union, domestic partnership or death had to physically take place in Fair Lawn. If the event took place in another town, you can locate contact information for the Registrar on the NJ State Vital Statistics website.

Death certificates may have been initially processed in Fair Lawn if the funeral home that handled the arrangements or the cemetery is located in Fair Lawn. However, after the funeral the death certificate will be permanently filed in the town that the descendant physically passed away in.

You may either come in person or request via mail a certified copy of a record. To get a copy of a vital record, you must submit:

  • A completed application. 

For all orders, the following must be sent with your application:

  • all required copies of ID for proof of identity (see below)
  • the correct fees ($10 per copy)
  • copies of documents proving your relationship to the person named on the record if it is not yourself.

**You must be able to fully identify the record by providing all of the information listed on the application form. Your request cannot be accepted unless the information matches. 

  • Full name(s) on the record
  • City where the event occurred
  • Exact date of the event (month, day and year)
  • Parents names at birth (maiden name) if listed on the record.
  • For Marriage, Civil Union or Domestic Partnership - Instead of parents’ names, you must provide the name of the spouse/partner.

You must provide acceptable ID in order to get a copy of any vital record. Copies of vital records must be mailed to the address listed on your identification unless you provide a notarized letter of your new address. 

The following are acceptable forms of ID:

  • A current, valid photo driver's license or photo non-driver's license with current address 

OR

  • A current, valid driver’s license without photo and one alternate form of ID with current address 

OR

  • Two alternate forms of ID, one of which must have current address.

***IMPORTANT: The address on your drivers license is your legal address and the one that must be written on the application or your license must be accompanied by a change of address letter or email from the Motor Vehicle Division. No exceptions. NJ DMV Online Change of Address.

Alternate forms of ID are:

  • Vehicle registration
  • Vehicle insurance card
  • Voter registration
  • US/Foreign Passport
  • Immigrant Visa
  • Permanent Resident Card (Green card)
  • Federal/State ID
  • School ID
  • Bank Statement (within previous 90 days)
  • Utility bill(within the previous 90 days)
  • W-2 for current/previous tax year 

Please do not mail original documents. Legible copies are acceptable.

To get a certified copy of a person’s vital record, you must provide proof of your relationship to the person listed on the record and the proof must establish you are one of the following:

  • The subject of the record
  • The subject’s parent, legal guardian or legal representative
  • The subject’s spouse/civil union partner; child, grandchild or sibling
  • A state or federal agency for official purposes
  • Pursuant to court order

**Failure to provide proof of relationship is the number one reason certified copy applications must be rejected.