If you are getting married in New Jersey, you will find information below which will be helpful to you and your future spouse in planning your New Jersey wedding. Read it carefully, if you have any questions, please contact your local Registrar of Vital Statistics.

Where should you apply for a marriage license?

If the bride is a resident of New Jersey, the marriage license must be obtained from the Registrar of Vital Statistics in the municipality where she lives.

If she is a non-resident of New Jersey and the groom is a resident of New Jersey, the license must be obtained from the Registrar in the municipality in which the groom resides. (For marriage license purposes, soldiers are residents of the posts at which they are stationed.) A license issued under either of the preceeding circumstances is good for use anywhere in New Jersey.

If both bride and groom are non-residents of New Jersey, the license must be obtained from the Registrar of the municipality where the marriage is to be performed and is only good for use in that municipality.

A license may never be used outside of New Jersey and a license issued in another state may never be used in New Jersey.

Be sure to contact the Registrar well in advance of the wedding to find out on what days and during what hours the Registrar will be in the office. The license fee is $28.00.

Who can perform a marriage ceremony?

According to state law, judges of a Federal District Court, United States magistrates, judges of a Municipal Court, judges of the Superior Court, judges of a Tax Court, retired judges of the Superior Court or Tax Court, of judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court who has retired in good standing and any mayor/deputy mayor or chairman of any township committee, village president of New Jersey, County Clerks, and every minister of every religion may solemnize a marriage.

When should you apply for a marriage license?

A local Registrar will not issue a marriage license sooner than 72 hours after the application for a marriage license has been made, unless ordered to do so via appropriate court order.

If the marriage if scheduled for a Saturday of Sunday, the application should be made no later than the preceeding Tuesday. If the application is made on a Wednesday or Thursday, the 72 hours will end on Saturday or Sunday, but the Registrar will probably not be available on those days of any public holiday.

If both the bride and groom are unavailable to complete the application at the same time, either applicant may complete his/her part of the application and start the waiting period. The other applicant must return with the same witness (who must be at least 18 years old) to complete his/her part of the application. The application must be completed by both parties before the license will be issued. Once the marriage license is issued, it is good for 30 days from the date of issuance.

A couple wishing to have both religious and civil ceremonies may be issued a license for both ceremonies on the basis of a single application. However, a couple wishing to have two religious ceremonies, and wanting to have a public record of each, may not have two licenses issued at the same time. They must apply for and use the first license. They must return to the Registrar with the signed original certificate of the marriage and a witness to apply for a remarriage license.

What should you bring with you when you apply?

Photo identification, social security cards, and original birth certificates for you and your fiance.

A witness who is over 18 years of age.

If one or both of the applicants are divorced, you should bring a copy of the final decree or decrees for examination by the Registrar or a statement by the judge as to when the final decree was signed (not the date of the final hearing).

Consent of both parents is necessary if an applicant is under 18 years of age. Both parental consents and judicial approval of such consents are necessary if the applicant is younger than 16. The consents should be on forms supplied by the Registrar.

Where should the marriage record be filed?

The person performing a marriage ceremony must file the license and marriage certificate with the Registrar of the municipality in which the marriage was performed. Since failure to record the marriage may cause considerable inconvenience at a later date when proof of marriage is needed, you should make sure this has been done.

IN SUMMARY: NEW JERSEY MARRIAGE LICENSE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

1. Photo identification for both you and your fiance.
2. Original birth certificates for you and your fiance.
3. A witness who is over 18 years of age.
4. Application fee of $28.00, cash, check or money order
5. There is a 72 hour waiting period after the application has been made. Therefore, if your proposed wedding date is September 14th, apply on or before September 10th, to allow for the waiting period and your wedding date.
6. If either of the applicants is divorced, the divorce documents for the applicant in question must be brought in at the time of application.
7. Social Security cards.
8. The Marriage License is valid for 30 days after you receive it. If for any reason you cannot use the License within the 30-day period, you will have to reapply.
9. At the time of application, inquiries can be made regarding obtaining a certified copy of the marriage license.
10. A marriage license application may be obtained from your local municipal office or by going to www.state.nj.us/health/vital/marriage.htm. The license application is a two page document. Only the first page of the application may be completed prior to your appointment. The second page is completed in the presense of the Registrar of Vital Statistics.

If you have additional questions regarding Vital Statistics matters, you may contact the State at the Office of New Jersey State Registrar (609) 292-4087.