Department of Health

The New Jersey State Board of Health was created by the Legislature in 1877 with a general mission to “take cognizance of the interests of health and life among the citizens of this state.” In 1915, the board’s powers were vested in the New Jersey Department of Health, whose functions were redefined in 1947 under the present state constitution. In July 1996, by executive order of Governor Whitman, the department was reorganized as the Department of Health and Senior Services.

The Department of Health administers various public health programs and is also responsible for the state filing of birth, marriage and death certificates (also known as vital statistics). Prior to 1878, and beginning in May 1848, this function was performed by the Secretary of State’s Office. To order vital statistics from May 1848 to May 1878, use the request form here: http://www.njarchives.org/links/pdf/vsrequst.pdf. All requests for birth, marriage and death records from June 1878 to the present should be directed to the Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625-0370, tel. 609-292-4087, website: www.state.nj.us/health/vital/.

	Administrative Records
	Bureau of Vital Statistics

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