Registrar – Judith L. Hulmes
Deputy Registrar – Nancy L. Ward
856.845.4004, ext. 102

Office Hours
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Closed 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 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
Complete the application in full and provide a photo ID with address (Driver’s License) or another form of photo ID and one additional form of ID with address.
By Mail
When requesting a certified copy by mail, mail in the completed application with a check or money order made payable to the Township of West Deptford and a self-addressed stamped envelope along with either a photo ID with address (Driver’s License), or another form of photo ID with additional form of ID with address.
Fees

• Birth Certificate: $1.00
• Marriage Certificate: $1.00
• Domestic Partner Certificate: $1.00
• Death Certificate: $1.00

If you are unsure of the year or place in New Jersey where the event took place, you can contact the State Registrar’s Office in Trenton where all records for the State of New Jersey are filed by date and by name. They can be reached at 609.292.4087.

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.

You should plan to apply at least seven days before the wedding. The bride & groom must bring the following:

• Driver’s license (or passport & license or photo ID)
• Divorce papers, if applicable. Divorce papers must have the docket number and raised seal.
• Death Certificate, if applicable
• Birth Certificate
• Social Security Number (your social security number will be kept confidential)
• $28 Fee

If any of the above documents are in a foreign language, they must be accompanied by an English translation.

The couple must know the date of the wedding, the municipality and county where the marriage will occur, and the name and address of the officiant performing the ceremony.

The application can also be printed from the Internet at: www.state.nj.us./health/vital/index.shtml. You may complete the application and print it, but do not sign it until you come into the office with your witness.

Please plan to arrive no later than ½ hour to 45 minutes before closing to allow sufficient time for completion of the application.

Domestic Partnership in New Jersey

What are the requirements to register a Domestic Partnership?
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.