Registration process
Introduction
The following is an outline of the steps required to list a historic resource in the New Jersey and National Registers of Historic Places. The earlier stages of this process are designed to improve the success rates of nominations when they reach the State Review Board, then the National Park Service (NPS). The federal process has evolved since 1966, so modern nominations require a solid foundation of research and establishment of context.
Submit a Preliminary Application
An individual or group of people submit a Preliminary Application. HPO staff use the Preliminary Application to determine eligibility. As an applicant, you can confirm whether your property is potentially eligible before spending additional time and money on preparing a nomination.
Prepare a nomination
If a property is eligible, applicants then prepare draft nomination forms. We have collected preparation guidance from NPS to consult as you work with our staff. We review the nominations for completeness and sufficiency before they advance to the next phase.
Notify and meet with the public
The preparer provides a list of property owners notarized by the appropriate municipal official. Then, our office notifies property owners and county and local officials and gives them an opportunity to comment.
For historic districts with 50 or more property owners, HPO is also responsible for holding a public meeting about the nomination.
Present the nomination to the State Review Board
After our office determines nominations are technically and professionally complete and sufficient, we present them to the State Review Board for Historic Sites (“State Review Board” or “SRB”).
New Jersey Register Listing
If passed by the State Review Board, the application is prepared for signature by the Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer (DSHPO). This signature has two actions:
- Formally listing the resource in the New Jersey Register
- Recommending the resource to the National Park Service for listing in the National Register.
National Register of Historic Places
Our office sends the signed nomination to NPS in Washington, D.C. for consideration.