How to Add a Father's Name on a Birth Certificate in New Jersey

In New Jersey a mother can add the name of her child’s biological father to the child’s birth certificate by amending the certificate. You can make changes by visiting the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services Office of Vital Statistics or the office of the Registrar in the county where the child was born. You must provide the appropriate documentation and proof to add a father’s name to the birth certificate.

Visit the Office of Vital Statistics or the local Registrar’s office in the county where your child was born. Obtain a Certificate of Parentage form from the office you visit. This form is required to add a father to the birth certificate.

Read More: How to Remove a Father's Name From a Birth Certificate

Complete the Certificate of Parentage form, which requires both your signature and the signature of the child’s biological father. Depending on your marital status you may need to fill out and submit additional forms: If you are married to a man who is not the biological father, you must have your husband fill out the Affidavit of Denial of Paternity. If your husband is not the child’s father and his whereabouts are unknown, you must obtain a court order of paternity stating that your husband is not the child’s father — this will allow you to list the biological father’s name on the birth certificate. If you were not married when your child was born and later married a man who is not the biological father, you must submit a copy of your marriage certificate to add the biological father to the birth certificate. If you are not married, wish to add the biological father’s name to the birth certificate, and want your child to use the biological father’s surname, you must also submit a REG 60 form. If you were not married to the biological father when your child was born but recently married him, you must provide a copy of your marriage certificate and fill out a REG 35 form.

Write a check payable to the “Treasurer, State of New Jersey” to cover the fees for amending the birth record. As of 2011, the fee for amending a birth record is $25. The fee includes one certified copy of the amended record. Additional copies are $2 each.

Mail or deliver all of your forms and supporting documentation to the Registrar’s office in the county where the child was born or to the Office of Vital Statistics at:

State Registrar Vital Statistics and Registration, Record Modification Unit P.O. Box 370 Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0370

Your record is mailed to you once your application is processed and a new form is made.