Jersey City/Hudson County Birth Records

State law governing issuance of certified copies of vital records does not provide for any fee exemptions for Jersey City/Hudson County requests.

Applying for a U.S. Passport

You can no longer use birth certificates issued by the Jersey City/Hudson County Office of Vital Statistics (with the raised seal from Hudson County) to get a U.S. passport.

You must get a new certified copy of your birth certificate from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.  This is a requirement of the U.S. Department of State, which issues passports.

Doing Business With the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission

People born in or after 1965 …

… can still use their certified Jersey City/Hudson County birth certificate when renewing driver’s licenses or doing other business with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ-MVC).

The NJ-MVC can look these records up in the state’s computer system to verify they are valid.

People born before 1965 …

… the NJ-MVC will no longer accept birth certificates from the Jersey City/Hudson County Office of Vital Statistics for births that occurred before 1965.

These individuals have two options:

• Get a new, certified copy of their birth record from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration. The fee is $25 for one copy of the record.  This certified copy of the birth record is valid for all uses.
  
  
OR


• Get a letter of authenticity from the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration as valid proof of birth.  This letter of authenticity is only valid with the NJ-MVC and does not serve as a certified copy of the birth certificate.  There is no charge for this letter.
  
  To get a letter of authenticity, you must:
  
  present an original certified copy of your birth record previously issued by the Jersey City/Hudson County Office of Vital Statistics and present valid ID establishing your identity. If you the identification you present does not match the name on your birth certificate you must submit proof that links your current name to your birth name. For married or civil unions individuals you will need to send a copy of the certified copy of your marriage or civil union certificate.
  
  

  You may get the letter of authenticity the same day by appearing in-person at the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration office in Trenton or get the letter within 4 to 6 weeks by sending your documents to:
  
  Jersey City VS Authenticity Requests
  PO Box 375
  Trenton NJ 08625
  
  The above post office box is only for Jersey City Authenticity Requests. Letters of authenticity can only be mailed to the address on your identification.

If you are choosing to purchase a certified copy of your birth certificate issued by the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration, please follow the instructions from the main webpage.