Official Civic Directory Profile FIPS Code: 34009

Cape May County Clerk & Recorder

Official government recording office for Cape May County, New Jersey. Serving a population of 94.610 with jurisdiction over real estate deeds, marriage licenses, vital records, and fictitious business names.

County Seat: Cape May Court House • Land Area: 251,521 sq mi • State: New Jersey (NJ)

Call: (609) 853-5079 Get Courthouse Directions Official .Gov Portal ↗

Location & Operations

Courthouse Office Address & Contact

Open Mon-Fri

Physical Courthouse Address

Cape May County Courthouse / Recording Office, Cape May Court House, NJ 08202

Seat of government for Cape May County in Cape May Court House, NJ.

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Courthouse / Directory Line

(609) 853-5079

Regular Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM

Closed on state and federal holidays.

FIPS ID: 34009 • Coordinates: 39.0858° N, -74.8464° W

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Filing Checklist

Before You Visit Cape May County

✓ Valid Government Photo ID (Driver's License or Passport)
✓ Payment: Credit Card, Cashier's Check, or Exact Cash
✓ Original signed documents with valid notary jurat/seal
✓ Mandatory 3-inch top margin for county recorder barcode

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Land Records & Real Property

Cape May County Deed Recording Fees & Requirements

Governed by N.J.S.A. 22A:4-4.1 & N.J.S.A. 46:15-7

First Page Base Fee

$40.00

Includes statutory county automation index surcharge

Each Additional Page

$10.00

Per additional standard 8.5" x 11" page

Transfer Tax / Doc Stamps

Realty Transfer Fee (RTF) graduated scale based on total sale price

Calculated at recording based on purchase consideration

Statutory Recording Margin Standards in New Jersey:

Top Margin (Page 1): Must leave minimum 3 inches blank at top right for official recorder barcode and indexing stamp.

Other Margins: Minimum 1 inch on side, bottom, and subsequent pages to avoid non-conforming document penalties.

Grantee & Return Address: Must state grantee's legal address and a return mailing address clearly on the first page.

Legibility & Font: Black ink on white 8.5 x 11 paper; minimum 10-point font. Notary stamps must be crisp and dark.

Instant Public Records & Title Verification

Need Official Property Deeds or Title Records in Cape May County?

Search land records, deed history, mortgage transfers, tax liens, judgments, and parcel ownership across Cape May County, New Jersey. Instantly access official document copies online without visiting the courthouse records vault.

Warranty & Quitclaim Deeds
Mortgage & Lien Records
Assessor Parcel History

Search Cape May County Records Online Encrypted search • Public records database

Marriage Bureau

Marriage License in Cape May County

License Fee $28.00

Waiting Period 72 Hours

✓ Validity Window: Must solemnize within 30 days of issuance.
✓ Personal Appearance: Both applicants must appear together in person at the Cape May County courthouse.
✓ Identification: Valid state photo driver's license, passport, or military ID. No blood test required.

State Policy: 72-hour waiting period from application to license issuance at municipal registrar.

Vital Statistics

Certified Vital Records

Birth Cert $25.00

Death Cert $25.00

Marriage Cert $25.00

• Authorized Requestors: Direct family relation (registrant, child, parent, spouse) or legal guardian only.
• Filing Agency: Processed through New Jersey Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics and Registry and the local Cape May County clerk counter.

Certified copies bear an official raised, embossed seal and are suitable for passports, probate, real estate, and legal identification.

Commercial & Business

DBA & Assumed Name Registration in Cape May County

Filing Fee: $50.00

1. Filing Authority

In Cape May County, sole proprietorships and general partnerships register assumed names through the County Clerk.

2. Statutory Requirement

Required prior to opening a commercial checking account, issuing invoices under a brand name, or executing contracts in New Jersey.

3. State Rules & Notice

Trade Name Certificate filed with the County Clerk in the county where business is operated.

Official Business & DBA Filing Assistance

Starting a Business or Filing a DBA in Cape May County?

Save time and avoid multiple trips to the Cape May County County Clerk. Form your official LLC, register your Trade / Assumed Name (DBA), get your federal Tax ID (EIN), and receive your registered agent documents fully online in New Jersey.

Name Search Included

Articles of Organization

New Jersey Compliant

State-Specific Statutory Legal Templates

Download Official New Jersey Real Estate Deeds & Legal Forms

Ensure your property transfer is compliant with New Jersey county recording statutes. Get attorney-drafted Quitclaim Deeds, Special Warranty Deeds, Powers of Attorney, and Promissory Notes formatted with correct margins and statutory acknowledgments.

✓ 3-inch top recording margin ready ✓ State notary jurat included ✓ Instant PDF & Word download

Get New Jersey Legal Forms → Updated for 2026 legal compliance

Regional Civic Network

Nearby County Clerks in New Jersey

Need to file or search public records in an adjacent jurisdiction? Explore neighboring New Jersey recording offices:

Cumberland County Seat: Bridgeton

~22.3 mi →

Atlantic County Seat: Mays Landing

~28.8 mi →

Salem County Seat: Salem

~43.4 mi →

Gloucester County Seat: Woodbury

~46.8 mi →

Camden County Seat: Camden

~49.9 mi →

Frequently Asked Questions: Cape May County Clerk & Recorder

Where is the Cape May County Clerk & Recorder office located?

The official Cape May County office is located at Cape May County Courthouse / Recording Office, Cape May Court House, NJ 08202. Operating hours are typically Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM. You can reach the office staff by telephone at (609) 853-5079.

How much does it cost to record a deed in Cape May County?

Under New Jersey statute (N.J.S.A. 22A:4-4.1 & N.J.S.A. 46:15-7), recording a real property deed or mortgage in Cape May County costs $40.00 for the first page, plus $10.00 for each additional page. Transfer tax details: Realty Transfer Fee (RTF) graduated scale based on total sale price.

How do I obtain a marriage license in Cape May County, NJ?

Both applicants must appear in person before the Cape May County Clerk with government-issued photo identification (such as a valid driver's license, passport, or state ID). The fee is approximately $28.00. New Jersey requires a waiting period of 72 hours, and the license is valid for 30 days from the date of issuance.

How do I file a DBA (Doing Business As) or Assumed Name in Cape May County?

In Cape May County, registering a DBA or Assumed Business Name is handled through the County Clerk with a standard statutory filing fee of $50.00. Trade Name Certificate filed with the County Clerk in the county where business is operated.

How can I request a certified copy of a birth or death certificate in Cape May County?

Certified vital records (birth certificates starting at $25.00 and death certificates starting at $25.00) can be requested through the New Jersey Department of Health Office of Vital Statistics and Registry or directly at the Cape May County courthouse vital statistics counter by qualified immediate family members.