Cherry Hill Township Death Index Database
Cherry Hill Township death index records are part of the Camden County listings in the New Jersey death index. Cherry Hill is the largest municipality in Camden County by population and one of the most well-known suburban communities in southern New Jersey. The Township Clerk serves as the local registrar of vital statistics. Death index coverage for Cherry Hill includes 1901 to 1903, 1920 to 1929, and 1949 to 2017. This page covers how to search for and obtain death records from Cherry Hill Township.
Cherry Hill Township Quick Facts
Cherry Hill Township Death Index Coverage
The death index for Cherry Hill Township includes records from three separate time periods: 1901 to 1903, 1920 to 1929, and 1949 to 2017. These entries appear within the Camden County listings in the statewide database. Gaps exist between these periods where no death index data is available. The free New Jersey Death Index website allows you to search Cherry Hill Township death records by name at no cost. The database was built from records obtained under the Open Public Records Act.
A critical fact for researchers is that Cherry Hill Township was known as Delaware Township until 1961. Death records filed before that year will appear under Delaware Township in the death index and in local municipal records. When searching for older death records, always try both "Cherry Hill" and "Delaware Township" to ensure complete results. This name change is the most common reason researchers have trouble finding older records for this community.
For deaths that occurred outside the indexed years, the New Jersey State Archives holds vital records from May 1848 through December 1914. These older records include death certificates filed from Camden County municipalities, including what was then Delaware Township. The Archives reading room in Trenton is open to the public, and mail requests are accepted for specific records.
Note: Death index records for Cherry Hill Township have gaps between 1904 and 1919 and between 1930 and 1948. Records before 1961 may be filed under Delaware Township.
Cherry Hill Township Clerk and Vital Records
The Cherry Hill Township Clerk serves as the registrar of vital statistics for the township. Under New Jersey law at N.J.S.A. Title 26, deaths must be registered in the municipality where they occur. If a death took place within Cherry Hill Township, the original death record is on file with the Township Clerk. You can request certified copies of death certificates directly from the clerk's office at the Cherry Hill Municipal Building on Mercer Street.
Cherry Hill Township is home to several hospitals and medical facilities, which means that deaths occurring at these institutions are registered with the Cherry Hill clerk even if the deceased lived in another municipality. This is an important consideration when searching for death records. If a person lived in a neighboring town but died at a Cherry Hill hospital, the death record will be on file in Cherry Hill Township rather than their town of residence.
The official Cherry Hill Township website at cherryhill-nj.com provides contact information for the clerk's office, including hours and phone numbers. When requesting a death record from Cherry Hill Township, you will need the full name of the deceased, the approximate date of death, and proof of your relationship to the person. New Jersey vital statistics law restricts access to recent death records, while older records are more broadly accessible to the general public.
| Registrar | Cherry Hill Township Clerk |
|---|---|
| County | Camden County |
| Former Name | Delaware Township (until 1961) |
| Website | cherryhill-nj.com |
| Death Index Years | 1901-1903, 1920-1929, 1949-2017 |
How to Search Cherry Hill Township Death Records
The quickest way to search Cherry Hill Township death records is through the online death index. Visit newjerseydeathindex.com and enter the name of the person you are looking for. The site covers deaths across all New Jersey municipalities from 1901 to 2017. Filter results by year or county to narrow your search to Camden County and Cherry Hill Township. Each result shows the name, date of death, and a reference number useful for ordering a certified copy.
Because Cherry Hill was called Delaware Township until 1961, older records in the death index will appear under that former name. If you are searching for a death that occurred before 1961, use "Delaware Township" as your search term along with Camden County as the county filter. For deaths after 1961, search under "Cherry Hill." Trying both names is the safest approach when the exact year of death is uncertain.
What to have ready when searching for Cherry Hill Township death records:
- Full name of the deceased, including maiden name if applicable
- Approximate year or range of years of death
- Whether the death occurred before or after the 1961 name change
- Any known family members to confirm the correct record
If the online search does not return results, contact the Cherry Hill Township Clerk directly. The clerk can search local records that may not appear in the statewide death index. For deaths before 1901, the New Jersey State Archives in Trenton is the best source. You can visit their reading room or submit a request by mail. The Archives holds records from the entire state, including Delaware Township records that predate Cherry Hill's current name.
Cherry Hill Township Death Records for Genealogy
Genealogists use Cherry Hill Township death records to trace family lines through southern New Jersey and the greater Philadelphia area. A death record typically lists the full name of the deceased, date and place of birth, parents' names, occupation, and cause of death. These details help researchers verify identities and connect generations in Camden County family research.
The Random Acts of Genealogical Kindness page for Camden County connects researchers with local volunteers who can visit offices in Cherry Hill or the county seat in Camden. Volunteers may look up records, photograph documents, or check indexes that are not available online. This is a useful resource for researchers who cannot travel to Camden County in person.
Cherry Hill Township's history as Delaware Township dates back to 1844. The area was largely agricultural until the post-World War II suburban development boom transformed it into one of the most populated communities in Camden County. Death records from the early and mid-1900s reflect this transition from a rural to suburban population. Researchers tracing families through this period may find that earlier generations are recorded under Delaware Township, while later generations appear under Cherry Hill.
Cemetery records from burial sites in Cherry Hill Township, including Colestown Cemetery and other local grounds, provide additional genealogical data. Church registries from congregations that served the Delaware Township and Cherry Hill area also contain death and burial information. The Camden County Historical Society maintains collections that supplement the death index for researchers interested in the broader history of the area.
Note: For genealogy searches before 1961 in Cherry Hill Township, always use the name Delaware Township to find the correct records in the death index and local archives.
State Sources for Cherry Hill Township Death Records
New Jersey began statewide registration of deaths in 1848. The State Archives holds death records from that year through 1914 on microfilm. These older records from the Cherry Hill Township area (filed as Delaware Township) are open to the public and free to view at the Archives in Trenton. For certified copies of more recent deaths, the Office of Vital Statistics at the New Jersey Department of Health is the primary source. They maintain records from 1878 to the present.
Under New Jersey vital statistics law, death records become public after a set number of years. The state uses a tiered access system based on the age of the record. Recent death records from Cherry Hill Township are restricted to family members and those with a documented legal need. Older records, generally those beyond 40 years, are more widely available to researchers and the general public.
The full text of New Jersey vital statistics law is available at Justia under Title 26. This statute governs how death records are filed, stored, and released in Cherry Hill Township and every other municipality in the state. For genealogical tools, the New Jersey State Archives maintains a searchable catalog of vital records, military service records, and census data that can support death index research.
Steps to obtain a Cherry Hill Township death record:
- Search the online death index at newjerseydeathindex.com
- Try both "Cherry Hill" and "Delaware Township" for pre-1961 deaths
- Contact the Cherry Hill Township Clerk for local records
- Request from the New Jersey Department of Health for statewide records
- Visit the New Jersey State Archives for records from 1848 to 1914
- Provide the full name, date of death, and your relationship to the deceased
Camden County Death Index
Cherry Hill Township is part of Camden County, and its death records appear in the Camden County listings within the statewide death index. Camden County holds records for 37 municipalities in southern New Jersey. For more information on Camden County death records, registrar offices, and related resources, visit the full Camden County page.