The Hunterdon County Surrogate's Court does NOT issue death certificates, nor can we provide a certified copy of a death certificate. We can provide a photocopy of a death certificate by request only if the decedent's estate was processed in Hunterdon County.
Who can obtain a certified copy of a death certificate?
The requesting party must be the decedent's parent/legal guardian, spouse, child, grandchild, or sibling of legal age.
This is pursuant to Executive Order No. 18 signed by Governer James McGreevey in 2002, found at https://nj.gov/infobank/circular/eom18.shtml .
Where can I request a certified copy of a death certificate?
Local Registrar
Certified copies of death certificates are available from the Local Registrar for the municipality where the death occurred. (FYI: Hunterdon Medical Center is located in Raritan Township.) For contact information of each of the municipalities of Hunterdon County, visit: https://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/order-vital/local-vital-records/index.shtml
New Jersey Department of Health - Vital Statistics Office
The New Jersey Department of Health ~ Vital Statistics maintains death certificates from 1931 through the present. You can obtain a certified copy of a New Jersey death certificate online, by written request, or in person. Details of these services can be reviewed here: https://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/order-vital/