Mayor’s Column
In spite of the COVID–19 pandemic, beautiful babies continue to enter the world and loving couples continue to get married. The Voorhees Vital Statistics Office handles the processing of birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses and domestic partnership certifications. Besides issuing thesedocuments, they are also responsible for the permanentarchiving of them, some of which date back to the founding of Voorhees in 1899.
This department processed more than 6,000 birth certificates in 2019. If you need a copy of your birth certificate, you can get same day service in Town Hall. You will need to show a valid driver’s license with your current address or two pieces of mail dated within the past 90 days with your current address, as well as a document showing your signature. The cost for a copy of your birth certificate is $25. Recently, the State allowed the issuance of birth certificates online. To get a birth certificate online, visit www.voorheesnj.com and go to the Vital Records Department and click on “Make an Online Payment.” You will need a credit card for payment when using this option.
Voorhees processes about 15 marriage licenses a month. A marriage license application must be made in the municipality in which one of the parties resides and the license is valid throughout the State of New Jersey. There is a 72–hour waiting period between the application and the issuance of the license. To get a marriage license, you must be at least 18 years old and have identification in the form of either a valid driver’s license, passport, birth certificate or state/federal ID. You will also need proof of residency, your social security number and a witness at least 18 years old who can be a relative. A marriage license costs $28.
Pursuant to Governor Murphy’s Executive Order No. 135, for the duration of the Public Health Emergency, a couple may use audio-visual technology to apply for their marriage license with the local registrar. The couple is not required to appear in-person to obtain the license. The couple should contact the registrar from whom the license is sought to seek guidance on how to apply for the license. Audio-visual technology may also be used for the marriage ceremony.
To obtain a death certificate, you must prove your relationship to the deceased by showing your birth certificate or the obituary. A death certificate costs $10.
Passport applications are available at the Camden County Store located in the Voorhees Town Center on the second floor next to Boscov’s. For more information on getting or renewing a passport visit www.camdencounty.com/government/county-store or call the County Store at (856) 566-2920 or 1-800-613-1199
The Voorhees Vital Statics Department is located in Town Hall at 2400 Voorhees Town Center and can be reached at (856) 429-4482. The office is open from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday.
** Due to Covid-19, kindergarten registration for the 2020-2021 school year will not be in person and will take place on-line. Any child who will turn five years of age on or before October 1, 2020 is eligible for kindergarten admission in September 2020. You must complete the pre-registration application at https://genesis.voorhees.k12.us/genesis/openReg. A staff member will contact you for additional information after the pre-registration is complete. For more information, visit https://www.voorhees.k12.nj.us.
** Our second Drive-In Movie Night of 2020 will be on Thursday, Aug. 6. The PG-13 movie Jersey Boys will be shown on a 40-foot outdoor screen. The movie will be shown at the Voorhees Town Center parking lot located off of Somerdale Road. This event is intended for Voorhees residents only. Parking opens at 7:30 p.m. and the movie will start at dusk. Limited food and ice cream will be available for purchase. Spaces are limited and the event is free.
