Vital Records & Certificates in Paterson, New JerseyPassaic City Vital Statistics

As New Jersey’s third-largest city and county seat, Paterson residents frequently need vital records for diverse purposes. Birth certificates are essential for school enrollment in the extensive Paterson Public School system, passport applications for international travel to visit family in the Dominican Republic and other represented nations, and employment verification in the metropolitan area. Marriage licenses serve the city’s multicultural wedding traditions, while death certificates facilitate estate settlement and insurance claims. The city’s role as a regional center means residents often handle legal and administrative matters requiring certified documentation for court proceedings, property transfers, and family reunification efforts.

Paterson families obtain birth certificates through Passaic City Vital Statistics at 330 Passaic Street, Suite 103, though many births occur at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center on Broadway or Hackensack Meridian Health facilities serving the Greater Paterson area. As New Jersey’s third-largest city, Paterson generates substantial vital records volume, with certificates costing $25 for the first copy and $10 for additional copies requested simultaneously. The multicultural nature of the city means staff regularly assist families needing documentation in multiple languages for immigration purposes, school enrollment in the extensive Paterson Public School system, or passport applications for international travel to visit relatives in the Dominican Republic, Peru, Turkey, and other nations represented in the city’s diverse population.

Couples planning weddings in Paterson’s diverse religious and cultural communities, from ceremonies at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist to celebrations at venues like the Brownstone House or community centers throughout Riverside and Northside neighborhoods, obtain marriage licenses through Passaic County offices. New Jersey requires a 72-hour waiting period between license issuance and ceremony, though this can be waived by judges for compelling reasons. The state’s recent marriage equality laws ensure all couples receive equal treatment regardless of cultural or religious background, reflecting Paterson’s inclusive community values established through generations of immigrant settlement.

Death certificates for Passaic County residents, including Paterson’s large population, are handled through county vital statistics offices serving the region’s major medical centers and care facilities. Families often need these documents for insurance settlements, Social Security survivor benefits, and estate proceedings involving property throughout the city’s established neighborhoods. The county maintains comprehensive records for deaths occurring at St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, area hospitals, and nursing facilities serving Paterson’s aging population, particularly important given the city’s role as a regional healthcare center.

Divorce records for Passaic County Superior Court proceedings are available through county offices, including cases filed in Paterson as the county seat. These certified documents are essential for property settlements, remarriage, and child custody arrangements common in the city’s diverse family structures. Court records dating back decades are accessible, helping families navigate complex legal situations involving real estate throughout Paterson’s various neighborhoods and surrounding Passaic County communities.

Visit Passaic City Vital Statistics at 330 Passaic Street, Suite 103, conveniently located in downtown Paterson near City Hall and major bus routes serving the broader metropolitan region. Office hours typically run Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM, with limited parking available on surrounding streets including Passaic Street and nearby downtown blocks. NJ Transit bus lines provide extensive service to downtown Paterson from throughout Passaic County and the New York metropolitan area. Payment is accepted via cash, money orders, and major credit cards, with multilingual staff available to assist the city’s diverse population in completing applications and understanding requirements.

Located in downtown Paterson at 330 Passaic Street, Suite 103, easily accessible via Routes 20, 19, and 80, with NJ Transit bus service from throughout the metropolitan region.