Area Code Atlas

Geographic Split of 609 (New Jersey) Numbering Plan (NPA); addition of 856 NPA

NPA 856 split from 609

Area code 856 was created on June 12, 1999, as a geographic split from area code 609 due to number exhaustion, serving southwestern New Jersey including Camden, Cherry Hill, Vineland, and surrounding counties.

NPA 856 becomes operational

Area code 856 became operational on June 12, 1999, following its creation from a split of area code 609. The code served the southwestern portion of New Jersey, and a permissive dialing period began on this date.

Permissive dialing period for NPA 856 and 609

A permissive dialing period for area codes 856 and 609 began on June 12, 1999, allowing calls to the new 856 region to be completed using either the old 609 or the new 856 code. This period lasted for five months to ease the transition.

NPA 856 split from 609

Area code 856 was introduced on June 14, 1999, as a geographic split from 609 to address number exhaustion in southwestern New Jersey. The new code covered the southwestern part of the 609 territory, including most of the New Jersey side of the Philadelphia metropolitan area, while 609 continued to serve central and southeastern New Jersey.

Mandatory dialing for NPA 856 and 609

Mandatory dialing for area codes 856 and 609 began on November 13, 1999. After this date, calls to the 856 region required the use of the new area code, and calls dialed with the incorrect code were routed to an informational announcement.

Mandatory dialing of 856 and 609 after split

Permissive dialing for the 609 and 856 area codes ended on November 14, 1999. After this date, callers were required to use the correct area code for calls within the affected regions, completing the transition to the new area code boundaries.

NPA 856 transitions to mandatory ten-digit dialing

Area code 856 transitioned to mandatory ten-digit dialing on October 24, 2021, due to the nationwide designation of 988 as a three-digit code for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, resolving conflicts with existing seven-digit dialing.