Chester NJ 1 Parker Road
Chester, NJ 07930
Phone: (908) 879-5100
Fax: (908) 879-8281

Municipal Clerk

The duties and responsibilities of the Municipal Clerk are established by N.J.S.A. 40A:9-133

  1. Secretary to the Municipal Corporation
  2. Secretary to the Governing Body
  3. Chief Administrative Officers of all Elections
  4. Chief Registrar of Voters
  5. Administrative Officer
  6. Records Coordinator & Manager and Custodian of All Government Records
  7. Other duties imposed by state statutes and regulations or municipal ordinances or regulations
  8. Registrar of Vital Records (Birth, Marriage, Death, Civil Union & Domestic Partnership) as established by N.J.S.A. 26:8-11

Applying for a Marriage or Civil Union License

Please be sure to call prior to coming to the municipal building to apply for a marriage/civil union license to ensure that the registrar or deputy registrar will be available to assist you. Applications are taken between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, Monday thru Friday.

Complete the appropriate sections of the application for marriage/civil union.

Applicants must come to the municipal building at a specific time and date confirmed with the registrar or deputy registrar with the following documentation and individuals.

  1. If you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved, domestic partnership terminated or have had a civil union annulled, please bring the decree(s) or the civil annulment documents.
  2. If your former spouse/civil union or domestic partner is deceased, please bring the death certificate.
  3. A copy of your birth certificate, driver’s license, or passport.
  4. Proof of your residency (driver’s license, tax bill, rent or lease document).
  5. Your social security card or social security number*.
  6. A witness, 18 years of age or older (family member, friend, or co-worker, etc).
  7. The $28 application fee.

* Your social security number is required by law and will be kept confidential.

Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Miscellaneous Information

Refrigerator, Freezer and Air Conditioner Disposal: Chester Township continues to collect appliances containing freon. Curbside collection takes place approximately twice a year, in the fall and spring. The fee for collection and freon removal is $25.00 per unit. Please call the clerk's office 908-879-5100 x812 or email medwards@chestertownship.org to be placed on the collection list. Leave your name, address, phone number and type of unit to be collected. Once scheduled, we will contact you with the collection date.

Chester Community Pool: The Community Pool is located on North Road just behind Black River School. Please contact Chester Borough, 908-879-5361 for membership.

Passport Information: Passports may be obtained at the Morris County Clerk’s Office in Morristown, for information and office hours, please contact the County Clerk’s Office at 973-285-6160.

Voting Information: All registered voters vote at the Municipal Building or at the Black River Middle School depending upon which section of town they reside in. If you have not registered to vote, please contact the Municipal Clerk’s office at 908-879-5100 x812 and a registration form will be mailed to you. You must be at least 18 years of age to register to vote.

Township Official Newspaper: The Observer Tribune is Chester Township’s official newspaper. Ordinances, Bid Notices and other useful information regarding Chester Township may be found in the Observer. The Observer is published every Thursday and is available at local stores or by subscription through the mail. Their number is 908-766-3900.

Low Income Housing Assistance: Chester Township's Housing Rehabilitation Program is still in effect. Structural defects, heating, well and septic problems are eligible for funding to income-qualified residents. All inquires are confidential and will be referred to Morris County Community Development for determination of qualification. For assistance, contact the clerk’s office at 908-879-5100 x812 or medwards@chestertownship.org.

DARE Drop Off Box: There is a DARE drop off box which is located behind the Township Municipal Building for collection of good, used clothing. The clothes are collected for the homeless and this program is supported by the DARE program.

Household Batteries: Recycle your batteries at the Municipal Building located at 1 Parker Road (in the Clerk's office) or at the Chester Library.

Forms

Landlord Registration Certificate

Landlord Registration Certificate - This requirement applies to all rental premises or units used for dwelling purposes except owner-occupied premises with not more than two rental units

Request for a Vital Record

Request a certified copy of Birth, Death, Marriage, Civil Union & Domestic Partnership which took place in Chester Township

Tire & Battery Recycling Event - June 14, 2008

Chester Township will accept automobile batteries & tires at the DPW Garage located at 65 Furnace Road on Saturday, June 14, 2008 from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon. The following fees apply: car tires without rims $1.00 each; car tires with rims $5.00 each; truck tires $5.00 to $10.00; and auto batteries no charge

Links

Legalized Games of Chance - Raffle/Bingo

The Legalized Games of Chance Control Commission oversees the operation of games conducted pursuant to the Bingo and Raffle Licensing laws by approximately 12,000 charitable, education, religious, patriotic, public-spirited organizations and senior citzen associations and clubs currently registered to conduct legalized games of change, such as bingo games and raffles throughout the state. For more information, rules and forms click on their website above.

Morris County Elections Board

Morris County Election Center - Voter Guide, Important Election Dates & Deadlines, School Election Dates & Information, Poll Worker Information, Voter Registration Application Form, Voter Change of Party Affiliation Form. For election information please click on their above website.

Vital Records in New Jersey

The State Bureau of Vital Statictics and Registration maintains birth, marriage and death records from 1878 to the present. Civil union records are available from 2007 to present. Domestic partnership records are available from 2004 to the present. Vital records from May 1848 to May 1878 may be obtained from the State Archives. The Archives also hold microfilm copies of births from 1878-1923, marriages from 1879-1940 and deaths from 1878-1940. These materials are available for in-person use only. For more information, click on their above website or contact your local registrar of the town where the occasion took place.