A 2355 New Jersey General Assembly · 2026-2027 Regular Session

Requires issuance of one free copy of birth certificate to military veteran.

This bill (A2355) requires New Jersey to provide one free certified copy of a birth certificate to military veterans who were born in New Jersey. It directly affects eligible veterans - defined as individuals discharged from U.S. Armed Forces or the American Merchant Marine (WWII) who are eligible for federal benefits - excluding those discharged under dishonorable circumstances. The law specifies that only one free copy is issued per veteran, with all additional copies subject to standard fees. The provision amends existing state law to add this free service specifically for veterans' birth certificates.

Issues: ✓ Veterans

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Jan 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Jan 13, 2026 Last action May 7, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Technical Review Of Prefiled Bill → Introduced · 3 edits · Jan 13, 2026

MINOR

The introduced version of A2355 removes a provision that allowed qualified veterans' organizations taking possession of a veteran's cremains to receive a free certified copy of the veteran's death certificate. It also corrects a cross-reference from P.L.2021, c.37, s.2 to P.L.2019, c.73, s.5, and adds a legislative statement summarizing the bill's purpose of providing one free birth certificate copy to veterans.

Scope change

Narrowed eligibility for free death certificate copies by removing qualified veterans' organizations handling cremains as a qualifying recipient category.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed the provision allowing a qualified veterans' organization that takes possession of a veteran's cremains with the intention of properly disposing of them (pursuant to C.26:7-18.2) to receive a free certified copy of the veteran's death certificate.

TECHNICAL

Changed the cross-reference from P.L.2021, c.37, s.2 to P.L.2019, c.73, s.5, likely correcting the citation to the related legislation being amended.

Added a legislative statement at the end of the bill summarizing its purpose: requiring one free certified copy of a birth certificate for veterans and defining who qualifies as a veteran.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

May 7, 2026

Committee

Reported and Referred to Assembly Appropriations Committee

lower

Jan 13, 2026

Introduced

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee

lower

1 primary · 2 co-sponsors