N.J. Legislature sends Christie bill to waive fee for veteran death certificates

TRENTON — New Jersey’s state government would be required to furnish free death certificates for veterans under a bill that has landed on Gov. Chris Christie’s desk.

The state Senate today voted 36-0 to approve the measure (A2184), which passed the Assembly in June.

Currently, those seeking death certificates — as well as other vital records like birth certificates — have to pay a $25 fee.

Under the bill, deceased veterans’ legal representatives, estate executors or family members wouldn’t have to pay it, though they would still need to pay fees for additional copies or expedited shipping.

As of 2010, there were 463,720 veterans in New Jersey, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs.