Municipal Clerk

The position of Municipal Clerk is required by New Jersey law (N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133). In New Jersey, the Municipal Clerk must possess their Registered Municipal Clerk (RMC) designation, which is obtained by taking five courses through Rutgers University and passing an examination given by the State of New Jersey, Department of Community Affairs.

The Municipal Clerk, regardless of the form of government, is charged with the following statutory duties:

  • Secretary to the Governing Body
  • Secretary to the Municipal Corporation
  • Election Administrator
  • Chief Registrar of Voters
  • Custodian of the Municipal Seal
  • Records Custodian

Additionally, the Municipal Clerk’s Office is also responsible for a myriad of ancillary duties, including:

  • Registrar of Vital Statistics
  • Legalized Games of Chance, including raffle and bingo licensing
  • Maintenance of all Township Ordinances, Resolutions, and Minutes
  • Alcoholic Beverage Control licensing
  • Cannabis Business Licensing
  • Dog/Cat Licensing

Registrar of Vital Statistics

The position of Registrar of Vital Statistics and Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics must possess their Certified Municipal Registrar (CMR) designation, which is obtained by taking a three-day course through The State of New Jersey, Department of Health and Human Services – Office of the State Registrar and passing an examination given by the same.

Vital statistics deal with major life events including:

  • Birth
  • Marriage
  • Death
  • Civil Union
  • Domestic Partnership

The Office of Vital Statistics maintains the vital records of births, deaths, marriages and domestic partnerships that occur within the Township. This office urges those persons interested in pursuing any of these services to call the Registrar to verify current requirements and procedures.

Services include:

  • Certified copies of Marriage Certificates, Domestic Partnership Certificates and Civil Union Certificates
  • Certified copies of Birth Certificates
  • Certified copies of Death Certificates
  • Burial Permits
  • Applications for and issuance of Marriage Licenses, Domestic Partnerships and Civil Unions

Certified Copies

Certified copies of vital records may be obtained providing the following information is provided:

  • Certified Copies can only be obtained by:
    •  the subject
    •  the subject’s parent
    •  the subject’s legal guardian or legal representative
    •  the subject’s child
    •  the subject’s grandchild
    •  the subject’s sibling
    •  via a court order compelling the Registrar’s Office
  • The requestor for copies must show proof of their person by a photo ID and/ or two alternate forms of ID which could be vehicle registration card, voter registration card, passport, county ID card, school ID card, green card or utility bill.
  • Payment of fee; $10.00 per copy
    • The Borough of Englishtown is only able to accept cash or check as forms of payment. We do not accept credit cards at this time.
  • Requests made through the mail must include copies of the required document(s), a self-addressed stamp envelope and appropriate fee.


How to prove relationship for certified copies of vital records:

If you are looking for a certified copy of:

  • Your own birth certificate and you have assumed your spouse’s/civil union partner’s surname you must provide a copy of the certified copy of your marriage/civil union certificate to link the name of your current ID to the name on your birth certificate;
  • Your child’s birth certificate: no additional documents are needed;
  • Your spouse’s/civil union partner’s birth certificate: you must provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate;
  • Your parent’s or sibling’s vital record: you must provide a copy of your birth certificate.  If you have assumed your spouse’s/civil partner’s last name, you must also provide a copy of your marriage/civil union certificate to link the name on your current ID to the name on your birth certificate;
  • Your grandparent’s vital record: you must establish that you are the person’s grandchild by providing proof that links the name on your ID to the name of the grandparent.

For example, if you changed your name after marriage/civil union and want a grandparent’s vital record, you must:

  1. Provide your marriage/civil union certificate to show your name at birth;
  2. Provide your birth certificate to identify your parent, and
  3. Provide the parent’s birth certificate to identify the grandparent.

If you are NOT a person qualified to get a certified copy of a record, but you are helping a person receive a certified copy of a vital record they are eligible to receive, you must show your valid ID and a notarized written release authorizing you to get the record on that person’s behalf, including their proof of relationship to the subject of the record.

If you are an attorney:

  • Who is executor of an estate: you must supply proof of appointment as the executor;
  • Who is the legal representative of the executor of an estate: you must supply proof of legal retainer by the executor and proof of the appointment of the individual as the executor;
  • Who is 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;
  • Who needs a certified copy of a vital record and you are not the legal representative of an eligible person: you must obtain a court order directing the State Registrar to issue a certified copy of the record.  A subpoena is NOT sufficient to issue a copy of a vital record.


Application for Marriage License/Domestic Partnerships

Applications for Marriage Licenses and Domestic Partnerships are done by appointment only. Appointments are available Monday – Friday, between 9:00 am-3:00 pm.

Englishtown residents or couples who live out of state and are getting married in Englishtown are the only people who can obtain their license through this office. Both applicants must bring the following information:

  • Photo ID/Proof of Residence
  • If either applicant had been married previously, copy of divorce degree or death certificate
  • A witness, over the age of 18, who knows both applicants, who will also provide photo ID
  • $28.00 fee payable at time of application; check or cash are the only acceptable forms of payment
    • NOTE: P.L. 2022, c. 23, signed by Governor Murphy on June 30th, waives license fees for marriages and civil unions from July 1, 2022 through June 30th, 2023.
  • Applicants need to know and spell parents’ full names and places of birth
  • Applicants need to know where they are getting married, when they are getting married and who will be performing the ceremony
  • Applicants need to know Officiant’s name, title, mailing address and phone number

Click here for Vital Statistics Certified Copy Request Form