New Jersey Death Certificate Apostille — 2026 Guide
Verified January 8, 2026 by Amelia Rivera
Table of ContentsClick to expand/collapse
Introduction
If a death certificate was issued in New Jersey and must be used in another country, it must be authenticated by the New Jersey Department of Treasury — the state's competent authority for apostilles. This guide was reviewed and updated in February 2026 and is valid for 2026.
Who needs a New Jersey death certificate apostille
Typical cases: foreign inheritance/estate settlement, international property transfers, insurance and pension claims abroad, family law proceedings, immigration/citizenship applications, and other legal processes outside the U.S. The apostille confirms the origin and signature on the New Jersey record without altering its contents.
- Estate settlement in Italy, Portugal, Poland, or other Hague Convention countries
- Property inheritance and title transfer abroad
- Life insurance claims with foreign companies
- Survivor benefits and pension applications internationally
Key facts at a glance
| Authority | New Jersey Department of Treasury — Notary/Apostille Unit |
| Fee (2026) | $25 per document (check/money order to "NJ Dept of Treasury") |
| Office Address | 225 W. State St., 3rd Floor, Trenton, NJ 08608 |
| Processing Time | Walk-in: Same-day | Mail: 5-7 business days |
| Office Hours | Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM (verify current hours) |
Get your personalized Apostille guide for New Jersey Death Certificate
Fast, simple, and accurate. Find out exactly what you need to do — step by step — in under 2 minutes.
Start My Guide100% free • Takes less than 2 minutes • Save hundreds on service fees
Which death certificates qualify
Only certified copies issued by the New Jersey Vital Statistics office or authorized local registrars are eligible for apostille. Photocopies, hospital souvenir copies, or uncertified printouts cannot be apostilled.
How to obtain a certified copy
Order a certified death certificate from the New Jersey Vital Statistics office or authorized local registrar. New Jersey offers online, mail, and in-person ordering options.
Step-by-step apostille process
- 1
Get a certified New Jersey death certificate
Verify it has the registrar's signature and embossed/raised seal (NJ Vital Statistics or local registrar).
- 2
Complete the apostille application
Download from NJ Dept of Treasury Apostille page. Include contact info and destination country.
- 3
Prepare payment
$25 check or money order payable to "New Jersey Department of Treasury" (one payment can cover multiple documents).
- 4
Submit your packet
Include: certified certificate, application, payment, and prepaid return envelope.
Mail: NJ Dept of Treasury, Notary/Apostille Unit, 225 W. State St., 3rd Floor, Trenton, NJ 08608
Walk-in: Same address (Mon-Fri 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM)
- 5
Processing and return
Walk-in: same-day processing. Mail: 5-7 business days plus mailing time.
When you do not need an apostille
- •The document will be used inside the U.S. only
- •A foreign authority explicitly accepts a certified copy without apostille (rare; confirm in writing)
- •The destination country is not a Hague Convention member and requires U.S. Department of State and consular legalization instead
Common rejection reasons
- Submitting a photocopy or hospital souvenir instead of certified copy
- Missing embossed/raised seal or registrar's signature
- Certificate from another state (New Jersey can only apostille NJ documents)
- Incorrect fee or wrong payee name
- Missing return envelope or incomplete return address
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to notarize a New Jersey death certificate before apostille?▼
Can New Jersey apostille a death certificate from another state?▼
How long does it take?▼
What if my destination country is not a Hague Convention member?▼
Can I submit multiple documents at once?▼
What's the difference between apostille and legalization?▼
How do I know if the certificate is certified?▼
Need personalized help with your New Jersey Death Certificate Apostille?
Get a clear, step-by-step roadmap tailored to your exact situation.
Get My Custom GuideReview log
Updated: February 2026 — Valid for 2026
Change Summary: Verified $25 apostille fee; clarified eligibility (NJ Vital Statistics certified copies only); confirmed Trenton office address (225 W. State St., 3rd Floor) and mail processing; expanded common rejection reasons and FAQs for 2026.
Next Review Due: August 2026