How to Get Certified Copies of a Birth or Death Record

***Please read through this entire page before submitting a request***

What is a non-genealogical record

In addition to marriage, domestic partnerships, and Civil Unions, Non-Genealogical Records (current events) are:

Births occurring within the last 80 years
Deaths occurring within the last 40 years

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

all required copies of ID for proof of identity
the correct fees
copies of documents proving your relationship to the person named on the record, if requesting a certified copy

Your application will be returned if you do not send in all required documentation.

Step 1: Identify the non-genealogical record

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

Full name on the record
City where the event occurred
Exact date of the event (month, day and year)
Mother’s maiden name
Father’s name (if recorded on the record)

Step 2: Provide Acceptable Identification

You must provide acceptable ID in order to get a copy of any vital record. For mailed requests, copies must be mailed to the address listed on your identification.

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, both with current address
OR
Two alternate forms of ID, both of which must have current 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
County 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 send in original ID documents. Only copies are required. If you want to have your order mailed to a different address than what is listed on your identification, your application must include a notarized letter that authorizes the order to be mailed to a different address.

Step 3: Payment of Fees

The fee for certified copies at the City of Lambertville is $15.00 per copy. All payments may be paid by check or money order made payable to: The City of Lambertville. Please do not send cash through the mail.

Please do not send cash through the mail.

Step 4: Proof of Relationship

ONLY required if ordering a certified copy of a vital record.

Proof of relationship is not required if you are asking for a certification, which is an uncertified informational copy of the vital record not valid for establishing identity or legal purposes. However, you must still provide proof of identity when requesting a certification.

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, if of legal age
A state or federal agency for official purposes
Pursuant to court order

Step 5: Submitting your completed application and supporting documents

Regardless of the where you place your order you will have to bring with you or send with your application:

all required copies of ID establishing your identity
the correct fee, and
copies of documents proving your relationship to the person named on the record, if you are ordering a certified copy

Your application will be returned if you do not submit with all required information.
See the bottom of this page for next steps to submit your request and supporting documentation.

How to prove relationship for non-genealogical records

If you are requesting a certification (an informational copy of a vital record not valid for legal purposes), you do not need to provide proof of relationship.

If you are looking for a certified copy of

your own birth certificate and you have assumed your spouse’s/civil union partner’s surname, you must provide a copy of the certified copy of your marriage/civil union certificate to link the name on your current ID to the name on your birth certificate.

your child’s birth certificate, you don’t need any additional documents.

your spouse’s/civil union partner’s birth certificate, you must provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate.

your parent’s or sibling’s vital record, you must provide a copy of your birth certificate. if you have assumed your spouse's/civil union partner's last name you must also provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate to link the name on your current ID to the name on your birth certificate.

your grandparent’s vital record, you must establish that you are the person’s grandchild by providing proof that links the name on your ID to the name of the grandparent. For example, if you changed your last name after marriage/civil union and want a grandparent’s vital record, you must:

Provide your marriage/civil union certificate to show your name at birth,
provide your birth certificate to identify your parent, and
provide the parent’s birth certificate to identify the grandparent.

If you are not a person qualified to get a certified copy of a record

but you are helping a person receive a certified copy of a vital record they are eligible to receive you must show your valid ID and a notarized, written release authorizing you to get the record on that person’s behalf including their proof of relationship to the subject of the record.

If you are an attorney

who is executor of an estate you must supply proof of appointment as the executor.
who is the legal representative of the executor of an estate you must supply proof of legal retainer by the executor and proof of the appointment of the individual as the executor.
who is the legal representative of an individual that is eligible to receive a certified copy of a vital record you must supply proof of legal retainer by the eligible individual and their proof of relationship.
who needs a certified copy of a vital record and you are not the legal representative of an eligible person you must obtain a court order directing the State Registrar to issue a certified copy of the record. A subpoena is not sufficient to issue a copy of a vital record.

Next Steps

Download a request for a Certified Copy (REG37A) pdf HERE (39 KB)
Bring or send the Application, required documents, and $25 for the first copy (any additional copies are $5):

Flemington Borough Hall
38 Park Avenue
Flemington, NJ, 08822

Contact the Flemington Borough Clerk's Office if you have any questions at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 908-782-8840.