People born in Jersey City can get copies of their birth certificate in that city for the first time in over a decade.
Previously, those born in Jersey City would have to go to Trenton to pick up copies of their birth certificates. Jersey City was forced to stop providing copies after a scandal in county government.
Authorities said that a scheme to sell birth certificates to immigrants in the country illegally was uncovered at the Hudson County Office of Vital Statistics 15 years ago. Four employees pleaded guilty or were convicted in the crime.
Since then, the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission would not accept Jersey City birth certificates older than 1965. The U.S. State Department would only accept birth certificates obtained from the state.
But Jersey City has recently reached an agreement with the federal government, allowing the city to provide copies of birth certificates once again.