Search North Bergen Genealogy
North Bergen Township is in Hudson County, New Jersey, just across the Hudson River from New York City. With a population of about 63,000, it has long been home to immigrant families from around the world. Searching for genealogy records in North Bergen means working with the local vital statistics office, Hudson County archives, and state-level collections. Birth, marriage, and death records are held locally. County and state offices have older documents that fill in the gaps for North Bergen family history research.
North Bergen Quick Facts
North Bergen Vital Records
The North Bergen Vital Statistics office is at 1116 43rd Street, 2nd Floor, North Bergen, NJ 07047. Service window hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The office holds marriage certificates from January 1928 to present, domestic partnership records from 2004, birth certificates from September 1979, and death certificates from August 1927.
Fees for North Bergen vital records are straightforward. A marriage certificate costs $10. A birth certificate costs $10. A death certificate costs $10. A marriage license costs $28. The office accepts only money orders or credit and debit cards. They do not take cash or checks. These records are the starting point for most North Bergen genealogy searches.
For records older than what the local office holds, you need state-level sources. The New Jersey State Archives has birth records from 1848 to 1923, marriage records from 1848 to 1948, and death records from 1848 to 1963 on microfilm. The Department of Health in Trenton covers births from 1925, marriages from 1951, and deaths from 1951 forward.
North Bergen Genealogy Resources
The North Bergen Vital Statistics department is where local genealogy searches begin for events that took place in the township.
North Bergen has been a gateway for immigrants since the 1800s. Families from Germany, Ireland, Italy, Cuba, and many other countries settled here. Immigration and naturalization records are often a major part of North Bergen genealogy. The National Archives at New York City holds passenger arrival lists and naturalization records for the greater New York and New Jersey area. The State Archives in Trenton also has naturalization records from courts across New Jersey.
Census records are another key tool. Federal census records from 1790 to 1950 list household members by name, age, birthplace, and occupation. New Jersey also conducted state censuses in 1855, 1865, 1895, and 1915. These records help you track North Bergen families between federal census years and confirm family connections. Both FamilySearch and Ancestry have indexed many of these census records online.
Note: North Bergen birth records before September 1979 must be obtained from the state rather than the local office.
Hudson County Records for North Bergen
The North Bergen Township government website lists all township departments and contact information for researchers.
The Hudson County Clerk's Office is at Hudson County Plaza, 257 Cornelison Avenue, 4th Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07302. They handle property recordings, elections, and archives. The clerk's office does not issue vital records. Those come from the local registrar or the state. However, land records at the county level are very useful for genealogy. Deeds, mortgages, and liens name property owners and their family members. The Public Records and Archives Division holds historical documents that cover all of Hudson County, including North Bergen.
The Hudson County Surrogate's Office at 595 Newark Avenue, 4th Floor, Jersey City handles probate records. They hold dockets and indices from 1804 to 1953, unrecorded estate papers from 1840 to 1900, and will books from 1840 to 1901 on microfilm. Copies of probate court records cost $3 per page. Wills and estate files name heirs and describe how property was passed down. For North Bergen genealogy, probate records are especially useful when vital records are missing or incomplete.
Searching North Bergen Genealogy Online
Online databases make it easy to search North Bergen genealogy records from home. Several free and paid tools cover vital records, census data, and more.
FamilySearch offers free access to New Jersey births from 1660 to 1980, marriages from 1670 to 1980, deaths from 1798 to 1971, state censuses, and probate records. Create a free account to search. Browse the Hudson County listings in the FamilySearch catalog for the most complete results. Ancestry.com has vital records from 1711, census data from 1790 to 1950, and wills from 1656 to 1999. A subscription is needed, but many libraries provide free access to the library edition.
The Hudson County Genealogical and Historical Society is a local group that supports genealogy research in the county. They hold collections at the Jersey City Free Public Library including NARA films, a WWII draftees index, and a database of 19th-century Hudson County photographers. They meet monthly from October to June and welcome guests. Their newsletter, Hudson Roots, covers local genealogy topics.
- FamilySearch: free births, marriages, deaths, census, and probate
- Ancestry.com: paid access to vital records, census, wills, and military files
- Hudson County Genealogical Society: local collections and research help
- Reclaim the Records: free early 1900s vital records indices
North Bergen Family History Tips
Start with your most recent ancestors. Get their birth, marriage, and death dates from family members or local records. Then work backward. Each record you find should lead to the next generation. Birth certificates name parents. Marriage records name the couple. Death records often name the surviving spouse and parents.
North Bergen's location in Hudson County means many families have ties to New York City and the greater metro area. If your ancestors came through Ellis Island or Castle Garden, passenger lists may show their port of departure, age, and final destination. The National Archives has these records online and in their New York City facility. Naturalization records show when immigrants became citizens and often include birthplace, date of arrival, and physical descriptions. These details help confirm identities and connect North Bergen genealogy research to overseas origins.
Note: The Hudson County Surrogate has will books and estate papers on microfilm dating back to 1804.
Hudson County Genealogy Records
North Bergen is part of Hudson County. The county clerk, surrogate, and genealogical society all hold records covering North Bergen families. For a full guide to county-level genealogy resources, record types, and office contacts, visit the Hudson County genealogy records page.