▼

Vital Statistics FAQs

Show All Answers

1. What forms of identification can I use to get a certified copy of a record?

Main Forms of ID

• Valid photo driver’s license showing your current address
• Photo identification card issued by the department of Motor Vehicles 
• Valid driver’s license without photo and an alternate form of identification with a current address
• Two alternate forms of identification (one must contain your current address)

Alternate Forms of ID

• Auto insurance card
• Auto registration card
• Resident card
• U.S. or foreign passport
• School/work identification
• Government issued identification (state/county/military)
• Public assistance identification
• Rent or mortgage documents
• Utility bills (last 90 days) – electricity, gas, telephone, water
• Bank statement (last 90 days)
• Tax Return/W-2 forms – recent or previous year
• Letters sent in your name from a government agency
• Crib card and admission or discharge papers from the hospital
• Court correspondence
• A court order
• Naturalization papers
• Notification of unemployment

2. Who is authorized to receive a certified copy of a marriage or civil union certificate?

If your marriage or civil union occurred in Trenton, you can request a copy of the record in person or by mail. If you request a copy of the marriage or civil union certificate in person, you will receive a certified copy at that time. All certified copies contain the official stamp of the city of Boonton. The person requesting a marriage or civil union certificate will need valid photo identification. The following persons are authorized to obtain a certified copy of a record. Proof of relationship to the person named on the record is required.

• The registered couple named on the marriage or civil union certificate.
• The parents of the individuals listed on the record.
• A child of the person named on the record if of legal age. (You will need to show your own birth certificate.) 
• A sibling of the person named on the record. (You will have to show a certified copy of your birth certificate.) 
• A legal representative (You will be required to show a court order.) 
• A guardian with legal custody of a minor child. (You will have to show the court order.) 
• A federal, state, or local government agency for official use only. Identification is required.

3. Can I authorize another person to obtain a certified copy of a marriage or civil union certificate?

You can authorize another person to obtain a copy of the marriage or civil union certificate on your behalf. The applicant must provide a notarized letter that includes the names of the individuals named on the record, and the couple’s date and place of the marriage or civil union. Include the name of the person authorized to obtain a copy of the record. The person authorized to receive the marriage or civil union certificate will be required to submit a valid form of identification.

4. Where can I get a certified copy of a marriage or civil union record?

Apply in person or send your written request to: Town of Boonton, Vital Statistics, 100 Washington Street, Boonton, NJ 07005. Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:00PM.

5. What will I need to do to obtain a certified copy of a marriage or civil union certificate by mail?

If you send your application by mail, please provide the following information or print a copy of the application to request a certificate and complete the Marriage or Civil Union section. 

• The full name of the couple as it appears in the record
• The exact date of the marriage or civil union
• The place of marriage or civil union
• Attach copies of your proof of relationship to the individual identified on the record, unless you are requesting your own record
• Indicate the number of copies needed, and the reason for which you are applying for the marriage or civil union certificate (to obtain a passport, driver’s license, identification, registration for school, marriage, etc.)
• Include your telephone number including area code

6. How much does a certified copy of a marriage or civil union, birth or death certificate cost?

The cost for a certified copy is $10 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy purchased at the same time. Cash, checks or money orders addressed to “Town of Boonton” are acceptable

7. Who is authorized to receive a certified copy of a birth certificate?

You can request a copy of a birth certificate in person or by mail. If you request a copy of the birth certificate in person, you will receive a certified copy at that time. All certified copies contain the official stamp of the city of Boonton. The person requesting a birth certificate will need valid photo identification.  The following persons are authorized to obtain a certified copy of a record. Proof of relationship to the person named on the record is required.

• The person named on the birth certificate, if of legal age (Include any legal name changes made to your record)
• The mother of the person listed on the record
• The father (if listed on the record)
• A child/grandchild of the person named on the record. (You will need to show your own birth certificate.)
• A sibling of the person named on the record. (You will have to show a certified copy of your birth certificate.)
• The current spouse (You must present a certified copy of your marriage.)
• A legal representative (You will be required to show a court order.)
• A guardian with legal custody of a minor child (You will have to show the court order.)
• A federal, state, or local government agency for official use only. Identification is required.
• The grandparent will need a notarized letter from the child’s parents to obtain the birth certificate of the grandchild. The grandparent must also show his/her identification.

8. How do I establish proof of relationship for a birth certificate request?

• Your own birth certificate: your valid ID is acceptable; however, if you have assumed your spouse’s or civil union partner’s surname, provide a copy of your marriage or civil union certificate 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 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 or civil union certificate or legal name change.
• Your spouse’s/civil union partner’s birth record: provide a copy of YOUR birth certificate with parents’ names.
• Your parent’s, grandparent’s or sibling’s vital record: you must establish that you are the person’s child / grandchild / sibling by linking the name on your ID to the subject of the record.  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.

9. What if I am looking for a certified copy of a record and am an executor or legal representative?

1. An executor of an estate: you must supply proof of appointment as the executor.  
2. The legal representative of the executor of an estate: you must show proof of legal retainer by the executor and proof of the appointment of the individual as the executor.
3. 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.

10. What will I need to do to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate by mail?

If you send your application by mail, please provide the following information or print a copy of the application to request a certificate and complete the Birth section.

• Full name of the person as it appears in the record. (Include any legal name change you made to the record.)
• The mother’s full maiden name
• The full name of the father (if listed on the record)
• The exact date of birth
• The exact place of birth
• Attach copies of your proof of relationship to the individual identified on the record, unless you are requesting your own record
• Indicate the number of copies needed, and the reason for which you are applying for the birth certificate (i.e. to obtain a passport, driver’s license, ID, registration for school, marriage, etc.)
• Include your telephone number

11. Can I authorize another person to obtain a certified copy of a birth certificate?

You can authorize another person to obtain a copy of the birth certificate on your behalf. The applicant must provide a notarized letter that includes the name of the individual named on the record, the individual’s date of birth, the mother’s full maiden name, and the name of the father if listed on the record. Include the name of the person authorized to obtain a copy of the record. The person authorized to receive the birth certificate will be required to submit a valid form of identification.

12. Where can I get a certified copy of a birth certificate?

Apply in person or send your written request to: 

Town Of Boonton

Vital Statistics

100 Washington Street

Boonton, NJ 07005

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30AM to 4:00PM.

13. How much does a certified copy of a birth certificate cost?

The cost for a certified copy is $10 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy purchased at the same time. Cash, checks or money orders addressed to “Town of Boonton” are acceptable.

14. Who is authorized to receive a certified copy of a death certificate?

You can request a copy of a death certificate in person or by mail. If you request a copy of the death certificate in person, you will receive a certified copy at that time. All certified copies contain the official stamp of the Town of Boonton. The person requesting a death certificate will need valid photo identification.  

• The following persons are authorized to obtain a certified copy of a record. Proof of relationship to the person named on the record is required.
• The parents of the person listed on the record
• A child of the person named on the record, if of legal age. (You will need to show your own birth certificate.)
• A sibling of the person named on the record. (You will have to show a certified copy of your birth certificate.)
• The current spouse (You must present a certified copy of your marriage.)
• A legal representative (You will be required to show a court order.)
• A guardian with legal custody of a minor child (You will have to show the court order.)
• A federal, state, or local government agency for official use only. Identification is required.

15. Can I authorize another person to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate?

You can authorize another person to obtain a copy of the death certificate on your behalf. The applicant must provide a notarized letter that includes the name of the decedent’s name as it appears on the record, the decedent’s date and place of death. Include the name of the person authorized to obtain a copy of the record. The person authorized to receive the death certificate will be required to submit a valid form of identification.

16. Where can I get a certified copy of a death certificate?

Apply in person or send your written request to: 

Town of Boonton

Vital Statistics

100 Washington Street

Boonton, NJ  07005

Our office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

17. What will I need to do to obtain a certified copy of a death certificate by mail?

If you send your application by mail, please provide the following information or print a copy of the application to requesta certificate and complete the Death section.

• The decedent’s full name as it appears in the record
• The decedent’s mother’s full maiden name
• The decedent’s father’s full name (if listed on the record)
• The exact date of death
• The exact place of death
• Attach copies of your proof of relationship to the individual identified on the record
• Indicate the number of copies needed, and the reason for which you are applying for the death certificate (to obtain a passport, driver’s license, ID, registration for school, marriage, etc.)
• Include your telephone number