N.J. Stat. § 26:8-17
The local registrar, immediately upon acceptance of the appointment, shall appoint a deputy to assist in the normal, day-to-day operation of the office and whose duty shall be to act in the registrar's stead in case of absence, disability or death of the registrar. In case of death of the local registrar the deputy shall act as local registrar until a new local registrar has been appointed and qualified.
Except as otherwise provided in this section, the local registrar may appoint one or two alternate deputy registrars if the local registrar deems such an appointment to be necessary for the office to function efficiently and to provide quality service to the public. If the local registrar determines that the appointment of more than two alternate deputy registrars is necessary for the office to function efficiently and to provide quality services to the public, the local registrar may submit a request to the governing body of the municipality to appoint a specific number of additional alternate deputy registrars based upon the specific needs of the municipality. The governing body of the municipality may, by resolution, permit the local registrar to appoint more than two alternate deputy registrars if the appointments are necessary for the office to function efficiently and to provide quality service to the public. The local registrar shall file a copy of an approved resolution with the State registrar to allow for appropriate oversight. The deputy registrar and alternate deputy registrar shall have the authority to receive birth certificates and death certificates; to issue burial permits, and copies of birth, death, marriage, civil union and domestic partnership certificates; to take the oath on marriage and civil union license applications; and to issue marriage and civil union licenses and register domestic partnerships. The deputy registrar and alternate deputy registrar shall receive instructions from and perform their duties under the direct supervision of the registrar, who shall be the final authority with the responsibility of fulfilling the duties of the local registrar outlined in R.S. 26:8-25. The deputy registrar and any alternate deputy registrar shall serve at the pleasure of the local registrar.
N.J.S. § 26:8-17