Frequently-Asked Questions (FAQ)

Health Officer: Bergen County Health Officer Hansel Asmar
Registrar: Shanee Morris, RMC CMR
Address: Municipal Building, 182 Market Street, Elmwood Park, NJ 07407
Phone: 201-796-1457 x8809
Fax:201-794-0976
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 
Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30am - 4:30pm and Friday 8:30am - 3:00pm

The Elmwood Park Health Department has entered into a Shared Service with the Bergen County Department of Health.

https://bergencountynj.gov/bergen-county-department-of-health-services/

The Health Department provides numerous services for residents.

• Maintenance of vital statistics records and Registrar services. This includes birth, marriage and death certificates, burial permits, marriage licenses.
• Animal bite investigations and community rabies control activities
• Dog and cat licensing
• Free rabies vaccinations in May and November
• Flu immunizations for adults
• Inspection of restaurants, cafeterias, food markets
• Mosquito control

For more information on these or other programs offered by the Health Department, call 201-796-1457 Ext. 8809.

New Jersey Public Health Codes

Mold Information

Family Health Resource & Referral Information

Poison Control

In the event of a poison emergency, you can call the NJ Poison Control Hotline: 1-800-222-1222.

Recent Recalls

New Jersey Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children

Dog & Cat Licensing and Waste Removal

• All Elmwood Park dogs and cats must have a current pet license and current rabies immunizations.
• Puppies and kittens need a municipal license beginning at 6 months old. Late fees will apply beginning February 1st.
• Remember to clean up after your dog and dispose of the waste.
• You must carry a container to pick up waste.
• A summons will be issued for failing to do so.

Health Department Downloads

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Free Blood Pressure Clinic and Health Consultation

The Adult Health Consultation program will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month, starting date TBA.

• 9:30 AM to 11:30 AM at the Elmwood Park Senior Center located on Market Street and Boulevard.
• You will have an individual appointment with our Nurse.
• No appointments are necessary. Walk- in.
• The program is open to all adults over the age of 18.
• Residents of Elmwood Park and Lodi are welcome to participate.
• Membership is not required at the Senior Center.

For further information, please call (551) 996-2038.

Dog & Cat Licenses

All Elmwood Park dogs and cats over 6 months old must be currently licensed by the Health Department for the current year The owners of dogs and cats found to be unlicensed will be issued summonses.

Retail Food Establishments

NJ State Sanitary Code requires all persons in charge of a food establishment to obtain a Manager's Food Handler Certificate. Elmwood Park ordinance requires all full-time and all part-time employees to have a basic food handler certificate.

Other Health Department Activities

• Dog and cat licensing (January every year)
• Stray animal control including kennel facilities; Animal Control Services are provided contractually with Bergen County Animal Shelter & Adoption Center, Teterboro, NJH 201-229-4600.
• Rabies immunization clinics for dogs and cats - date TBD
• Communicable disease investigation
• Illness outbreak investigation
• Adult health counseling (3rd Tuesdays, 9am-11am)
  • Blood pressure screening, nutrition information
• Tuberculosis control
  • Testing, contact investigation
• Environmental lead investigations
• Cancer counseling services
  • Cervical, breast, prostate, skin
• Audits of school immunization records
• Health promotion/education services
  • Poison and injury prevention, alcohol and drug abuse, tobacco use and prevention, nutrition, AIDS, disease prevention, public events
• Inspections of youth camps
• Inspections of restaurants, cafeterias and food markets
• Inspections of pet shops
• Inspection of beauty salons, nail salons, and barber shops
• Enforcement of housing codes concerning heat and hot water
• Enforcement of public health nuisance and environmental protection codes
  • Control of vermin, noxious weeds, animal nuisances, solid waste, water pollution, air pollution, noise, hazardous materials and hazardous waste
• Community health planning
• Bioterrorism and all hazards preparedness, planning and response

Health Department Downloads

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There are downloadable brochures and/or documents available online regarding marriage licenses - please visit http://healthapps.state.nj.us/forms/index.aspx#reg-77 to access a REG-77 (Marriage Application). Please do not fill out page two as that should be done in the presence of the Registrar.

Appointments are required for the application process. Appointments are taken Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm and Friday 9:00 am - 1 pm. Please call 201-796-1457 ext. 8809 to make an appointment.

What you should bring with you when you apply for your marriage license

1. If you are divorced or have had your marriage annulled, bring the divorce decree or the civil annulment documents.
2. Death certificate, if your former spouse is deceased.
3. A copy of your birth certificate, drivers license, passport or state I.D.
4. Proof of your residency.
5. Your social security card or social security number, as per NJSA 37:1-17.
6. A witness (18 years or older) who knows both applicants.
7. A $28.00 fee is due and payable by check or money order only.
8. The date of the ceremony along with the person's name and address who is officiating the ceremony is also needed at the time of the application process.

Your social security number is not subject to Right to Know laws and will be kept confidential.

If any documents are in a foreign language they must be accompanied by an English translation.

Where application shall be made:

• If the applicants are residents of New Jersey, they can apply in the municipality where either one resides.
• If neither are residents of New Jersey, the application is to be taken in the municipality where the marriage is to be performed.

Do not sign the marriage application prior to going to the Municipal Registrar. You must sign the application, while under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority.

There is a 72 hour waiting period between the filing of the application and the issuance of the license. This 72-hour waiting period begins at the time the application is filed with the Local Registrar.

The marriage application is valid for six months from the date accepted, unless the registrar has granted prior approval to extend the validity of the application to a maximum of one year. Only one marriage license may be granted from a marriage application, if the license expires prior to being used a new application must be made. The only exception to this requirement is in the case where a civil and religious ceremony are to be performed on the same day. In this case, photocopy the marriage application marking one "A" and one "B", issue the corresponding marriages licenses, marking them "A" and "B" as well.

Health Department Downloads

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There are a number of downloadable brochures and documents available on this site regarding pandemic flu: please visit the Health Department Forms page.

Key Facts

An influenza pandemic is a global outbreak that occurs when a new virus appears in humans that can cause serious illness and spread easily from person to person. Three major pandemics occurred in the 20th century and no one knows for sure when the next pandemic will happen. There are state and federal plans to address the complex issues of influenza pandemic and its potential impact in New Jersey.

Get Flu Ready

Get ready now for an influenza pandemic and other emergencies. During a pandemic, stores may be low or out of stock on food and other items you need every day. Get prepared and stock up now. Doing so will help you be ready for an influenza pandemic and other types of emergencies, like power outages or hurricanes. There are several things you can do to "Get Flu Ready".

• Store a two-week supply of water and food.
• Check prescription drugs. Make sure you have an extra two-week supply at home.
• Keep non-prescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including a first aid kit, pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, and fluids with electrolytes and vitamins.
• Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick. What will you need to take care of them at home?
• Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
• Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

Now is a good time to practice healthy hygiene habits. These steps will limit the spread of germs and prevent infection.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol-based hand cleaner.
• If possible, stay away from people who are sick.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues. Throw tissues away immediately. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve, not your hands.
• If you are sick, stay home from work or school.

Planning Checklist for Families & Individuals

You can prepare for an influenza pandemic now. You should know both the magnitude of what can happen during a pandemic outbreak and what actions you can take to help lessen the impact of an influenza pandemic on you and your family. This checklist will help you gather the information and resources you may need in case of a flu pandemic.

1. To plan for a pandemic:

• Store a supply of water and food. During a pandemic, if you cannot get to a store, or if stores are out of supplies, it will be important for you to have extra supplies on hand. This can be useful in other types of emergencies, such as power outages and disasters.
• Have any nonprescription drugs and other health supplies on hand, including pain relievers, stomach remedies, cough and cold medicines, fluids with electrolytes, and vitamins.
• Talk with family members and loved ones about how they would be cared for if they got sick, or what will be needed to care for them in your home.
• Volunteer with local groups to prepare and assist with emergency response.
• Get involved in your community as it works to prepare for an influenza pandemic.

2. To limit the spread of germs and prevent infection:

• Teach your children to wash hands frequently with soap and water, and model the correct behavior.
• Teach your children to cover coughs and sneezes with tissues, and be sure to model that behavior.
• Teach your children to stay away from others as much as possible if they are sick. Stay home from work and school if sick.

3. Items to have on hand for an extended stay at home:

Examples of food and non-perishables

• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits, vegetables, and soups
• Protein or fruit bars
• Dry cereal or granola
• Peanut butter or nuts
• Dried fruit
• Crackers
• Canned juices
• Bottled water
• Canned or jarred baby food and formula
• Pet food

Examples of medical, health, and emergency supplies

• Prescribed medical supplie such as glucose and blood-pressure monitoring equipment
• Soap and water, or alcohol-based hand wash
• Medicines for fever, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
• Thermometer
• Anti-diarrheal medication
• Vitamins
• Fluids with electrolytes
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Portable radio
• Manual can opener
• Garbage bags
• Tissues, toilet paper, disposable diapers

Additional Resources

For further information:

• www.njflupandemic.gov
• www.pandemicflu.gov
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Hotline: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636), 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. TTY: 1-888-232-6348. Questions can be e-mailed to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Flu Pandemic Downloads

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