Health Department

A Vital Statistic is a certified record of a Birth, Death, Marriage or Civil Union which has occurred here in the Village of Ridgewood. The Division of Health has the records of Marriages and Deaths which have occurred here from the year 1950 to the present, and the Birth records from 1951 to present. Civil Union certificates became available in 2007. The Vital Records that are available at our office are:  Birth Certificates:           1951 - Present Death Certificates:         1950 - Present Marriage Licenses:         1950 - Present Domestic Partnerships:   July 2004 - Present Information on how to obtain a record we no longer have is available on the NJ Dept of Health and Senior Services website. How to Obtain a Certified Copy of a Vital Statistic containing the parents names (raised seal, original, long form)  An application for a Vital Statistic record and processing must be completed and sent along with proper ID and payment.The fee for each certified copy of a Marriage or Civil Union Certificate is $20.00 and the fee for a certified copy of a Birth Certificate is $25.00 for the first copy and $20.00 for each additional copy of the same birth certificate ordered at the same time. The fee for the first certified copy of a death certificate will be $25.00 and each additional copy purchased at the same time will be $2.00. Payment by check or money order. Payment should be made to "Village of Ridgewood". Please enclose a self addressed, stamped envelope along with your application. Requests will be expedited as long as all pertinent information, proper ID and correct payment are enclosed. You may also obtain a vital record in person with original identification and payment.  Requests should be addressed to: Ridgewood Health Dept. 131 N. Maple Ave Ridgewood, NJ 07450  Who may obtain a certified copy of a "Vital Statistic"  Acceptable Forms of Identification  How to prove relationship for obtaining Vital Statistic Record  If requesting a birth certificate for dual citizenship or international adoption.  Instructions for Correcting a Vital Record To correct a vital record you must make an appointment. To schedule an appointment or obtain additional information please call 201-670-5500 ext.5502.  Instructions for obtaining a Marriage License Applications for Marriage Licenses in the Village of Ridgewood are done by appointment only. Appointments must be made at least three (3) weeks prior to the date of marriage. Please call (201) 670-5500 ext.5502 to schedule an appointment. For additional information click here.  Civil Unions Applications for Civil Unions in the Village of Ridgewood are done by appointment only. Appointments must be made at least one (1) week prior to the date of the ceremony. Please call (201) 670-5500 ext.5502 to schedule an appointment. For additional information click here.

Marriage License

Animal Control & Licensing   Contact Information: During business hours and for non-urgent inquiries after hours, weekends and Holidays: Tyco Animal Control, 201-652-4554, www.tycoanimalcontrol.com Leave a message, they check messages every 20 minutes during business hours   For urgent  response after Hours, weekends & Holidays: Ridgewood Police, 201-652-3900 Option 3 then Option 2.     Dog Licenses Dog licenses are renewed during the month of June. One and three year licenses are available starting June 1st with a valid rabies certificate. For 1 year licenses: Rabies Certificate that expires no earlier than May 1st of the following year. For 3 year licenses: Rabies Certificate that expires no earlier than May 1st of the third year. (Example: a 3 year license purchased in June of 2019 will need a rabies certificate valid through May 1, 2022)   Renewal reminders will be sent via email. An application will be available on the website or in person at the health department. Renewal applications will be mailed upon request by calling 201 670-5500 ext 5503. A Late Fee of $20.00 per dog will be assessed after June 30th.   It is the dog owner’s responsibility to renew the dog license when it expires. It is also the dog owner’s responsibility to maintain their pet with a valid rabies vaccination. The health department sends out reminders as a courtesy and to inform residents of our free rabies clinic.       Cat Licenses   The fee to license additional cats during the same calendar year, but different months, will be the reduced fee. Example: If you have one cat due for its license in January, you will pay $11 for an altered license or $14 for an unaltered license. If you have an additional cat and it is due for licensing in May, you will be able to license it during May for the reduced fee of $7 for an altered cat or $10 for an unaltered cat.   3-year rabies booster ordinance: The ordinance states, "If the cat's rabies shot does not expire at any time during any given calendar year, cats are required to be licensed in January of the calendar year."   All previously licensed cat owners will be sent a renewal application approximately 1-2 weeks prior to the month their cat license expires. Only one reminder will be sent. The late fee for licensing cats has also increased. The late fee is now $20 per cat. A late fee is charged if the cat is licensed anytime after the month it was due.   New residents, or current owners who obtain an additional cat, may print out an application and submit for licensing.

Marriage License

Please see below for additional Health Department Resources: Health Information & Wellness - Articles pertaining to general health and wellness information COVID-19 Clinic and Resources - Flyers for our COVID-19/Flu Clinics, as well as informational resources Seminars and Events - Flyers for our online and in-person seminars, events, and clinics Mental Health & Stigma Free - Link to our Mental Health & Stigma Free Committee page, with a link to our Facebook, upcoming meetings, and more.

Marriage License

Welcome to the Ridgewood Health Page! See our latest event blurb on the left, and our upcoming events on the right! Click "View Full Calendar" to view all upcoming Health Department events this month!

MY SERVICES LOOKUP

Yard Waste Collection Yard Waste refers to grass clippings, plant trimmings, branches, twigs, and leaves. The yard waste collection program begins on April 10th, 2023.  Follow the collection schedule for your property, as contained in the annual printed Green Guide, on the Recycle Coach mobile application, on the Village website, and in the printed Village calendar. For curbside pickup, place grass clippings and brush in a barrel (no larger than 32 gallons or heavier than 80 pounds), or in a paper biodegradable lawn/leaf bag. Branches (up to 3 feet in length and 2 inches in diameter – no logs) should be bundled and tied. All items must be placed at the curb. No plastic bags or Village recycling barrels will be picked up. Leaf Collection From October 16 to December 10, leaves are to be placed directly in the street in accordance with the schedule for your respective area. A schedule and instructions will be sent to your home in October. Branches/brush will not be collected curbside during leaf collection season, but may be brought to the Recycling Center during normal working hours. Yard Waste & Leaf Drop-off Yard waste and leaves are accepted for drop-off at the recycling center, located at 203 E. Glen Avenue (behind Fire Headquarters) from 8am - 3pm, Monday through Saturday (closed Wednesday). To dispose of yard waste at the recycling center, residents must have proof of residency.  Plastic bags of vegetative waste may be brought to the Recycling Center, but must be slit open and emptied into the truck by residents. Compost & Wood Chips At times, compost and/or wood chips that are processed at Ridgewood's compost site are made available to Ridgewood residents. Please call 201-670-5500, ext. 5517 for information.

Tax Collector

 Click Here for Online Payment Look up or Property Tax Information

The Tax Collector is responsible for billing, collection, reporting and enforcing property taxes for the Village of Ridgewood.  Taxes are due February 1st, May 1st, August 1st, and November 1st.  As per N.J.S.A. 54:4-64, “The validity of any tax or assessment, or the time at which it shall be payable, shall NOT be affected by the failure of a taxpayer to receive a tax bill, but every taxpayer is put on notice to ascertain from the proper official of the taxing district the amount which may be due for taxes or assessments against him or his property.” There is a 10 day grace period for property tax payments.  Payments must be received in this office no later than the 10th.  Should the 10th fall on a weekend or holiday, taxes are due by the next business day.  Postmark is not accepted.  Late payments are charged interest at a rate of 8% on the first $1,500.00 of the delinquency and 18% on the balance.  Please mail your payments to the Village of Ridgewood Tax Collector, 131 N. Maple Ave., Ridgewood, NJ  07450-3287 or payments may be dropped off in the yellow Village mail box at the rear main entrance.  As a statutory officer of the State of New Jersey, the Tax Collector is obligated to follow all the State Statutes regarding property tax collection including billing, due dates, interest on delinquent tax payments and tax sale procedures.    You may also wish to consider enrolling in our ACH program where property tax payments would be automatically deducted from your checking account when due. New enrollments or changes must be received at least two weeks prior to the due date.  Taxes may also be paid online from our web site. Please contact our office with any questions or concerns you may have.  ACH Form Application can be found HERE.  

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 2023 4TH QUARTER BILLS WERE DUE NOVEMBER 1, 2023. **2023 FINAL/2024 PRELIMINARY BILLS EXPECTED TO GO OUT IN SEPTEMBER 2023

Senior Freeze Program (Property Tax Reimbursement) New for 2022 – File your application online : Senior Freeze Application(This goes for all existing and new applicants) Eligibility Requirements Senior Freeze Deadline is October 31, 2023 Hotline: 1-800-882-6597

Affordable NJ Communities for Homeowners & Renters - ANCHOR (HOMESTEAD REBATE PROGRAM) NJ State Website for ANCHOR (Deadline for the ANCHOR was 02/28/2023)  Please contact the State with any questions. New Jersey has announced a new Property Tax Relief Program which will replace the previous Homestead Benefit program for 2019. The Affordable New Jersey Communities for Homeowners and Renters (ANCHOR) Property Tax Relief Program will benefit a large number of homeowners and includes tenants.

Tax Deduction Forms

·         Annual Property Tax Deduction for Senior Citizens, Disabled Persons ·         Annual deduction of up to $250 from property taxes for homeowners age 65 or older or disabled who meet certain income and residency requirements ·         This benefit is administered by the local municipality ·      Application can be found on the assessors page here

·      Annual Deduction for Veterans ·       Annual deduction of up to $250 from taxes due on the real or personal property of qualified war veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses ·     This benefit is administered by the local municipality  ·      Application can be found on the assessors page here

·      Property Tax Exemption for Disabled Veterans ·      Full exemption from property taxes on a principal residence for certain totally and permanently disabled war veterans and their unmarried surviving spouses ·      Unmarried surviving spouses of service persons who died on wartime active duty may also qualify ·     This benefit is administered by the local municipality ·   Application can be found on the assessors page here

Payments

·There are 10 grace days for each quarter. The last day to pay is the 10th of each quarter. 

·Payments can be made in person (in cash, check or money order) at the Tax Collector's Office or by mail (in check or money order). Payments can also be dropped off in the yellow payment box located in the parking lot.

· Please enclose the quarterly stub along with your check or money order.

·Returned Checks: If your check is returned to us you will be charged a $20.00 handling fee.

·Receipts: Your cancelled check is your receipt. If you do require a printed receipt, please send us a stamped, self-addressed envelope, and a receipt will be mailed to you.

Please note the following: If you are missing a tax bill, or we do not have your current address, please contact the Tax Collector's office. FAILURE TO RECEIVE A TAX BILL DOES NOT INVALIDATE THE TAX OR INTEREST DUE ON THE TAX. New Jersey General Statutes do not grant Tax Collectors the authority to waive interest.

New Property Owners:As a new property owner of Ridgewood, it is your responsibility to be sure you know your property tax obligation. It may take about 4-5 months before the County records your deed and notifies the tax office of ownership change. Therefore, please call or email the Tax Office between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm to provide new ownership information and your mailing address. A copy of the current tax bill will be mailed to a new homeowner upon request.

GRAYDON POOL UPDATE Please see below or click here to view Revised Graydon Pool Hours Sales for Graydon Pool Badges, Summer Day Camp, Swim Team, Swim lessons, and August Mini Camps began April 1st

PURCHASE GRAYDON POOL MEMBERSHIPS ONLINE    Click here to purchase your Graydon Pool membership on Community Pass. Visa/MasterCard accepted.In-person assistance at the Graydon Badge Office    Graydon Pool Rules and Regulations Graydon Pool Deep Water Test Requirements