Registrar – Judith L. Hulmes 856-845-4004 ext. 102
Deputy Registrar – Nancy L. Ward 856-845-4004 ext. 104

Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Closed 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday through Friday

The Office of Vital Statistics contains all vital records (births, deaths and marriages) that have occurred within the Township of West Deptford. All records are filed by date. You can obtain certified copies of birth, death and marriage certificates that have occurred within the Township of West Deptford either in person or by mail. No fax requests will be accepted.

In Person/By Mail

Applications for a certified copy of a vital record require the applicant to provide a completed application, valid proof of identity , payment of the fee , and proof that establishes you are:

• The subject of the record
• The subject’s parent, legal guardian or legal representative
• The subject’s spouse/civil union partner, domestic partner; child; grandchild or sibling, if of legal age
• A state or federal agency for official purposes or
• Pursuant to a court order
• A bank, title or insurance company requesting a copy of a death certificate for official business.

Applications filed in person will require the applicant to provide the original of the above documents, whereas applications filed by mail will require the applicant to provide copies of the documents.

Note: All items are required, except Social Security Number which is only required for Bank, Title, and Insurance Companies requesting copies of death certificates.

¹ Valid photo driver’s license or photo non-driver’s license with current address OR valid driver’s license without photo and an alternate form of ID with current address OR two (2) alternate forms of ID, one of which must show the current address. Alternate forms of ID are: vehicle registration, vehicle insurance card, voter registration, US/foreign passport, permanent resident card (green card), Immigrant Visa, Federal/State ID, county ID, school ID, utility bill (within the previous 90 days), bank statement (within previous 90 days) or W-2/tax return for current or previous year.

² The fee for the search and resulting record is $20; additional copies of the same record ordered at the same time are $5 each. Make check or money order payable to “Township of West Deptford.” DO NOT MAIL CASH!!!

Mailing Address:
West Deptford Township Vital Statistics
Office P.O. Box 89
400Crown Point Road
Thorofare, NJ 08086

How To Apply For A Marriage License

You must apply in the town where the bride or groom resides. Out of state couples marrying in New Jersey should apply in the town where the marriage will occur.

When should you apply for a marriage license?

The local Registrar will not issue a marriage license sooner than 72 hours after the application for a license has been made, unless ordered to do so via a Superior Court order. If the ceremony is scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday, the application should be made no later than the preceding Tuesday. If the application is made on a Wednesday or Thursday, the 72 hours will end on Saturday or Sunday, but the Registrar is not available on those days or any public holiday. If both parties are unavailable to complete the application at the same time, either applicant may complete his/her part of the application and start the waiting period. The other applicant must return with the same witness (who must be at least 18 years old) to complete his/her part of the application.

The application must be completed by both parties before the license will be issued. The application is valid for six months from the date filed as long as it remains in the Registrar’s Office.

Once the license is issued, it is good for 30 days from the date of issuance. A couple wishing to have both religious and civil ceremonies may be issued a license for both ceremonies on the basis of a single application. However, a couple wishing to have two religious ceremonies, and wanting to have a public record of each, may not have two licenses issued at the same time. They must apply for and use the first license. They must then return to the Registrar with the signed original certificate and a witness to apply for a remarriage or reaffirmation of civil union license.

What should you bring with you when you apply?

Required documents when applying for a marriage license:

1. Proof of identify by presenting your driver’s license, passport or state/federal ID.
2. Proof of your residency.
3. Your social security card or social security number.*
4. A witness, 18 years of age or older.
5. The $28 application fee.

*Social security number is required by law for U.S. citizens and will be kept confidential. Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Requested additional documents (these documents are helpful but not required):

1. A copy of your birth certificate to establish your parents’ names and related birth information.
2. If you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved, domestic partnership terminated or have had a civil union annulled, please bring the decree(s) or the civil annulment documents.
3. If your former spouse is deceased, please bring the death certificate.

Each applicant must supply valid identification that establishes name, age, date of birth and proof of residency. This may be supplied by one or more documents issued by a government agency, such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license, military identification, passport or state/county identification card.

Where should the marriage record be filed?

The person performing the ceremony must file the license and certificate with the Registrar of the municipality in which the ceremony was performed. Since failure to record the certificate may cause considerable inconvenience at a later date when proof of certificate is needed, you should make sure that this has been done. Certified copies of the marriage or civil union event may be obtained from the local Registrar in the municipality where the ceremony occurred or from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.

Domestic Partnership in New Jersey

What are the requirements to register a Domestic Partnership?/span>
Couples wishing to register a Domestic Partnership must be same sex couples who are both 62 years of age or older. Couples must meet the following requirements:

• Share a common residence in New Jersey or in any other jurisdiction provided that at least one of the applicants is a member of a New Jersey State-administered retirement system;
• Both persons are jointly responsible for each other’s common welfare as evidenced by joint financial arrangements or joint ownership of real or personal property;
• Both persons agree to be jointly responsible for each other’s basic living expenses during the domestic partnership;
• Neither applicant is in a marriage recognized by New Jersey law or a member of another domestic partnership;
• Neither person is related to the other by blood or affinity up to and including the fourth degree of consanguinity;
• Both persons have chose to share each other’s lives in a committed relationship of mutual caring;
• Neither applicant has terminated another domestic partnership within the last 180 days. (This prohibition shall not apply when the previous partnership ended due to the death of the other partner.)

Where can you obtain an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership?
The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership form must be obtained from a Local Registrar of Vital Statistics in any municipality throughout the State of New Jersey. The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership does not have to be obtained (or filed) in the municipality in which the domestic partners reside. A list of Local Registrars is available by accessing the Department of Health and Senior Services website at http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/regbycnty.shtml

The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership must be executed and signed by both applicants at the same time, in front of a notary public. Many Local Registrar Offices have notaries on staff; please call to verify this information with the Local Registrar.

What should you bring when completing the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership with a notary public?
Each applicant must supply valid identification that establishes name, age and date of birth. This may be supplied by one or more documents issued by a government agency, such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license, military identification or state/county identification card.

Where should the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership be filed?
The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership must be filed and registered with the Registrar of Vital Statistics in any municipality in the State of New Jersey. The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership does not have to be filed or registered in the municipality in which the domestic partners reside.

What should you bring when filing the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership with a Local Registrar?

1) Each applicant must supply valid identification that establishes name, age, and date of birth. This may be supplied by one or more documents issued by a government agency, such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license, military identification or state/county identification card.

2) Applicants must bring with them proof of residence, if the residence is outside the State of New Jersey, at least one of the applicants must provide proof of membership in a New Jersey State-administered Retirement System by providing one of the following documents issued by the Division of Pension and Benefits:

   a. Personal Benefits Statement from the current of previous year
   b. 1099R from the current or previous year, or
   c. Certificate of Pension Membership

3) Applicants must provide proof of joint financial responsibility, evidenced by at least one of the following documents;

   a. Joint deed, mortgage agreement or lease;
   b. Joint bank account;
   c. Designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary in the other person’s will;
   d. Designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary in the other person’s
       insurance policy or retirement plan; or:
   e. Joint ownership of a motor vehicle.

4) Payment in the amount of $28.

What is a Certificate of Domestic Partnership?
A Certificate of Domestic Partnership is the document that is prepared by the Local Registrar after you have filed your signed and notarized Affidavit of Domestic Partnership. Each partner is presented with an information copy of the Certificate at the time it is prepared. This informational copy is only issued as your receipt that your Domestic Partnership has been registered; it serves no legal purpose. Each partner will also receive a copy of the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership and a copy of the Notice of Rights and Obligations for Domestic Partners.

What do you need to prove your Domestic Partnership has been registered?
To provide documentation of your Registered Domestic Partnership you must obtain a certified copy of the Certificate of Domestic Partnership. A certified copy can be obtained from the Local Registrar of Vital Statistics where the Partnership was registered or at the State Registrar’s Office of Vital Statistics. You must identify the event and provide identification to establish yourself as one of the partners listed on the document. Fees for certified copies vary by municipality.

Civil Union in New Jersey

Requirements for entering into a Civil Union

For two people to establish a civil union in New Jersey, they must satisfy all of the following requirements:

• Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in this state or that is recognized by the state;
• Be of the same sex; and
• Be at least 18 years of age, except that applicants under 18 may enter into a civil union with parental consent. Applicants under age 16 must obtain parental consent and have the consent approved in writing by any judge of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part.
• Same sex couples who meet the above requirements and are registered as domestic partners may enter into a civil union with the same person without terminating their domestic partnership first. If the domestic partnership was registered in New Jersey, it automatically terminates when the civil union is registered. It the domestic partnership was registered in another state, that state's laws determine the impact on the domestic partnership. A couple that has previously entered into a civil union or a same-sex marriage shall apply for a Reaffirmation of Civil Union License.

Where to apply

You may apply in the New Jersey municipality in which either person resides. The license is valid throughout the state. If neither applicant lives in New Jersey, submit the application in the municipality where the civil union ceremony will be performed. The license is only valid in the issuing municipality.

What you should bring with you when you apply for a Civil Union license:

1. If you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved, domestic partnership terminated or have had a civil union annulled, please bring the decree(s) or the civil union annulment documents.
2. If your former spouse/civil union or domestic partner is deceased, please bring the death certificate.
3. A copy of your birth certificate, driver's license, passport or state ID.
4. Proof of residency.
5. Your social security card or social security number.*
6. A witness, 18 years of age or older.
7. The $28.00 application fee.

*Your social security number is requried by law and will be kept confidenital.