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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 So/MM+1f+HcO9BDQLIU8aeheUiIB+pyE44/JNFUQHyt5WkmE+2W4CwU88HiFGMqt
 9RJWatPhiIwlYC9dqM4fYA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001144204-08-014564.txt : 20080311
<SEC-HEADER>0001144204-08-014564.hdr.sgml : 20080311
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080311170308
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001144204-08-014564
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080228
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080311
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080311

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CENTER BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000712771
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				521273725
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NJ
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2455 MORRIS AVE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9086889500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2455 MORRIS AVE
		CITY:			UNION
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			07083

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			KRAMER ELLIOT I
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001429079

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-11486
		FILM NUMBER:		08681364

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		732 494 1563

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		18 CREST DRIVE
		CITY:			METUCHEN
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08840
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>v105945_ex.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-02-28</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000712771</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CENTER BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CNBC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001429079</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>KRAMER ELLIOT I</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>18 CREST DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>METUCHEN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08840</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Anthony C. Weagley</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-03-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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