Daycare / Child Care Center Permit Requirements in Paterson, NJ

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC or corporation. Free from the IRS.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. New Jersey Division of Taxation — Sales Tax Certificate of Authority

   Required for all businesses selling taxable goods or services in New Jersey. New Jersey charges a 6.625% state sales tax. Most services are exempt; retail product sales and certain services are taxable. Register free online via the State of New Jersey Business Registration portal.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate to 3 business days (online)

   Free

   Immediate to 3 business days (online)

2. New Jersey Child Care Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) Check

   Staff at New Jersey licensed child care centers who are 18 or older must clear a Criminal History Record Information (CHRI) fingerprint background check, which is run through the Department of Human Services CHRI unit and covers both State Police and FBI records. Registered family child care providers, and the adult household members of a family child care home, are screened under the family child care registration rules. Fingerprinting is done by the State's contracted vendor at an appointment you schedule after the provider or centre submits your authorisation. Ask the DCF Office of Licensing (877-667-9845) which form applies to your role, or the DHS CHRI unit at 609-633-3761 for questions about the check itself.

   Official government source

   Paid by the applicant or the centre to the State's fingerprinting vendor; neither DCF nor DHS publishes the amount online, so confirm the current fee with the CHRI unit at 609-633-3761 before scheduling·No published turnaround; schedule fingerprinting as soon as your authorisation is issued because the clearance must be on file before you work with children

   Paid by the applicant or the centre to the State's fingerprinting vendor; neither DCF nor DHS publishes the amount online, so confirm the current fee with the CHRI unit at 609-633-3761 before scheduling

   No published turnaround; schedule fingerprinting as soon as your authorisation is issued because the clearance must be on file before you work with children

1. New Jersey Department of Children and Families — Child Care Center License

   Child care centers in New Jersey must be licensed by the NJ Department of Children and Families (DCF) Office of Licensing under the Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers, N.J.A.C. 3A:52. Licensing requires criminal-history background checks for all staff, a fire safety inspection, a health and sanitation inspection, and compliance with staff-to-child ratio and physical-plant requirements. Centers are licensed for a three-year period. Paterson centers also fall under city inspection by the Division of Health for sanitation and food service.

   Official government source

   DCF does not publish a center licensing fee schedule; the Office of Licensing confirms the amount for your licensed capacity when you apply.·Licenses are issued for a three-year term. A license is issued only once the background checks and the fire and health inspections have all cleared, so start well before your planned opening date.

   DCF does not publish a center licensing fee schedule; the Office of Licensing confirms the amount for your licensed capacity when you apply.

   Licenses are issued for a three-year term. A license is issued only once the background checks and the fire and health inspections have all cleared, so start well before your planned opening date.

2. City of Paterson Health & Human Services — Mercantile License

   Paterson city ordinance requires businesses operating in the city to register and obtain a Mercantile License, administered by the Mercantile Licensing division of the Department of Health & Human Services. A mercantile inspector visits the business as part of the process, which the city describes as a consumer-protection function that also provides technical assistance to businesses. Note that Paterson has no 'Department of Business Administration' — the city's departments are Administration, Community Development, Economic Development, Finance, Health & Human Services, Legal, Municipal Court, Public Safety and Public Works. Businesses in regulated industries need additional permits from the relevant division, such as retail food licensing from the Division of Health or construction permits from UCC Construction/Buildings.

   Official government source

   Paterson does not publish a Mercantile License fee schedule online; the fee is set by city ordinance and varies with the type of business. Contact Mercantile Licensing through City Hall at 973-321-1600 for the amount that applies to you.·Paterson's permitting and licensing system is being moved online. Apply through Mercantile Licensing and allow time for the mercantile inspection before you open.

   Paterson does not publish a Mercantile License fee schedule online; the fee is set by city ordinance and varies with the type of business. Contact Mercantile Licensing through City Hall at 973-321-1600 for the amount that applies to you.

   Paterson's permitting and licensing system is being moved online. Apply through Mercantile Licensing and allow time for the mercantile inspection before you open.

3. City of Paterson UCC Construction/Buildings & Fire Division — Building and Fire Safety Inspection

   Child care centers must pass building and fire inspections conducted by the City of Paterson's UCC Construction/Buildings division — whose building, electrical, plumbing and fire inspectors are licensed by the NJ Department of Community Affairs — together with the Paterson Fire Division. Passaic County has no construction or fire-inspection authority. Inspections cover safety, accessibility, fire suppression, and child-proofing standards.

   Official government source

   Paterson permit and inspection fees are set by city ordinance — confirm the current amount with the UCC Construction/Buildings division.·Depends on plan review and inspection scheduling — confirm current timing with the UCC Construction/Buildings division.

   Paterson permit and inspection fees are set by city ordinance — confirm the current amount with the UCC Construction/Buildings division.

   Depends on plan review and inspection scheduling — confirm current timing with the UCC Construction/Buildings division.

Official Sources

• New Jersey Department of Children and Families — Child Care Center License
• City of Paterson Department of Business Administration

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