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1. How do I obtain a certified copy of a vital record that occurred in the City of Summit?

An application to receive a certified copy of any vital record must be completed and accompanied by valid acceptable identification and payment. Please click on the link below for the application. See identification requirements and fee schedule listed in the FAQs section. 

Reg-37a

Reg-37b Español

2. Can I verify over the phone whether or not a vital record is on file in your office?

No, it is the administrative policy of the State Office of Vital Statistics that vital record information is not to be given out over the phone.

3. When can I request my newborn's birth certificate?

Parents should wait at least 10 business days from the date of birth. It is highly recommended to mail the application along with a copy of your valid acceptable identification and payment (see below). 

4. Can I request a certified copy of a vital record over the phone or online?

No, requests can only be made by in-person or by mail. In-person requests are processed as they are received. Requests made by mail are processed within 3-5 business days, based upon number of requests received.

5. What forms of identification are acceptable in order to obtain a certified copy of a vital record?

-Valid driver's license with current address 

OR 

-Two alternate forms of identification, both must show the current address. Alternate forms of identification must be VALID. We do not accept any expired identification. 

-Vehicle registration 

-Vehicle insurance card 

-Voter registration 

-US/Foreign passport 

-Immigrant visa 

-Permanent resident card (Green Card) 

-Federal/State ID 

-School ID (Must contain student's name and current school year) 

-Utility bill (dated within previous 90 days) 

-Bank statement (dated within previous 90 days) 

-W-2 current or previous tax year 

We DO NOT accept: 

-Social security card 

-A last will and testament 

-Tax return

People who are homeless should have their social worker or homeless shelter coordinator call our office directly. People who are incarcerated can provide legal imprisonment, conviction papers or release documents that include the name, social security number and all possible aliases used in the past or identification from a prison/probation official dated within 90 days. Please do not mail in original identification documents, only copies are required. In person orders must present original identification.

6. Who is eligible to receive a vital record?

If you are requesting for a certified copy, proof of relationship is required that establishes who 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 (legal age)
-A state or federal agency for official purposes
-Pursuant to court order

7. How do I establish proof of relationship?

Your own birth certificate: your valid identification is acceptable; however, if you have assumed your spouse/civil union partner's surname or have had a legal name change, provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate or court order to link the name on your current ID to the name on your birth certificate. 

Your child's birth certificate: if the name on your identification matches the name of the child's parent then your identification will establish your relationship. If your current name does not match the name as recorded on the birth certificate, as the parent, you will need to supply a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate or proof of legal name change. 

Your spouse/civil union partner: provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate. 

Your parent or sibling's vital record: provide a copy of YOUR birth certificate with parents' names. If your current name does not match the name as recorded on the birth certificate, you will need to supply a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate or proof of legal name change. 

Your grandparent's vital record: you must establish that you are the person's grandchild by linking the name on your identification 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: 1.) Provide your marriage/civil union certificate to show your name at birth 2.) Provide your LONG FORM birth certificate to identify your parent 3.) Provide the parent's LONG FORM birth certificate to identify the grandparent. 

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

•The subject’s parent/sibling/spouse/child/grandchild 

•You must be 18 years or older 

•If your name has changed due to marriage, you must provide a raised seal marriage certificate issued only by a Registrar/Clerk to trace you back to your maiden name. Certificates issued by an Officiant/religious entity are not legal documents therefore, are unacceptable 

•If your name has changed due to a legal name change, you must provide the court order as proof 

•IF THE DECEDENT NAME HAS CHANGED DUE TO MARRIAGE, their marriage certificate would also be needed. If the decedent was married more than once, you must provide all marriage certificates necessary to trace the decedent back to their maiden name

 If you are looking for a certified copy of a record and are... 

An executor of an estate you must supply proof of appointment as the executor by providing a surrogate certificate dated within the past year. 

The legal representative of the executor of an estate must supply proof of legal retainer by the executor and proof of the appointment of the individual as the executor.

The legal representative of an individual that is eligible to receive a certified copy of a vital record must supply proof of legal retainer by the eligible individual and their proof of relationship.

8. What are the fees involved and acceptable forms of payment?

Fee Schedule (Effective May 30, 2019) 

CASHIER'S CHECK ONLY made payable to "City of Summit" in the exact amount

Cash payments are ONLY received in-person at the office counter and must be in the exact amount

No refunds 

Birth Certificate................................................................................................. $20.00 

Death Certificate............................................................................................... $10.00 

Marriage Certificate.......................................................................................... $20.00 

Civil Union Certificate........................................................................................ $20.00 

Domestic Partnership Certificate...................................................................... $20.00 

Application Fee for Marriage/Civil Union License (Appointment only).............. $28.00 

Domestic Partnership Registration (Appointment only).................................... $28.00 

Fee to Amend a Vital Record (Appointment only)............................................. $50.00

9. What is the Paternity Opportunity Program (POP)?

The Paternity Opportunity Program (POP) is designed to help a child of unmarried parents establish a legal relationship with his or her father. The Program was conceived by the State of New Jersey, in response to a federal mandate, to make it easier for parents to acknowledge paternity voluntarily using simple in-hospital processes at the time of birth. Parents can also establish paternity by completing the Certificate of Parentage (COP) form after they leave the hospital at the office of the Local Registrar or County Welfare Agency (CWA). If you would like to complete both the COP and amendment form to include the natural father's information on your child's birth record, please call our office at (908) 277-6464 to schedule an appointment. Paternity Opportunity Program (POP) Website

10. How do I authorize another individual to receive a certified copy of a vital record on my behalf?

As the eligible requestor, you must complete two forms. The REG 37a (application requesting a certified copy) and the REG 2 (delegating authority to someone to receive certified copy on your behalf) which must be notarized. The authorized individual must present their own valid ID. As the person making the request you must prove your relationship to the individual named on the record you are obtaining. The authorized individual must also present your proof of relationship and provide payment. Please see how to prove your relationship in the FAQ section. 

Reg 37a / Reg 2 For BIRTH/DEATH Records / Reg 3 For MARRIAGE/CIVIL UNION Records

Reg 37b Español

11. Can vital records be faxed?

No. Vital records require the raised seal of the Local Office of Vital Records or the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry seal to be considered valid. It is the administrative policy of the State Registrar that records are not faxed for any reason.

12. 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. State of New Jersey - Executive Order 18

13. How do I contact Animal Control?

The City of Summit uses Animal Control Solutions for animal control. They can be reached at 908-722-1271.