New Jersey Statutes Title 26. Health and Vital Statistics 26 § 6-10

a. the designated covering physician shall have the primary responsibility, after examining the dead body, and being satisfied that death did not result from some unlawful means, to issue a death certificate; and

b. in the absence of the designated covering physician, any other physician, after examining the dead body, and being satisfied that death did not result from some unlawful means, may issue a death certificate.