Planning your marriage and wedding celebration in New Jersey? Here are some important items you'll need to know about making your marriage or civil union legal, as well as additional resources.

According to the State of New Jersey, Department of Health & Senior Services, State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration, here's what you need to apply for a marriage or civil union license:

How to Apply for a Marriage or Civil Union License

REG-D30 "Entering into a Marriage or Civil Union in New Jersey" Brochure pdf 15k doc 30k REG-D30A "Entering into a Marriage or Civil Union in New Jersey" (Spanish) pdf 22k doc 49k Application: Please print out and complete the marriage license or civil union application form. You may also get an application form at the Local Registrar's office. Do not sign the marriage or civil union application form before going to the Local Registrar. You must sign the application, while under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority. REG-D77 Application for License: Marriage, Remarriage, Civil Union, Reaffirmation of Civil Union Form pdf 27k doc 86k Requirements for entering into a Marriage: For two persons to establish a Marriage in this State, it shall be necessary that they satisfy all of the following criteria: Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in this State or recognized by this State; Be of the opposite sex ; and Be at least 18 years of age, except that applicants under the age of 18 may enter into a Marriage with parental consent.  Applicants under the age of 16 must obtain parental consent and have the consent approve in writing by any judge of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family part. Requirements for entering into a Civil Union: For two people to establish a civil union in New Jersey, they must satisfy all of the following requirements: Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in this state or that is recognized by this state*; Be of the same sex ; and Be at least 18 years of age, except that applicants under 18 may enter into a civil union with parental consent. Applicants under age 16 must obtain parental consent and have the consent approved in writing by any judge of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family Part. * Same sex couples who meet the above requirements and are registered as domestic partners may enter into a civil union with the same person without terminating their domestic partnership first.  If the domestic partnership was registered in New Jersey, it automatically terminates when the civil union is registered. If the domestic partnership was registered in another state, that state's laws determine the impact on the domestic partnership. A couple that has previously entered into a civil union or a same-sex marriage shall apply for a Reaffirmation of Civil Union License. Where to apply: You may apply in the New Jersey municipality in which either person resides.  The license is valid throughout the state. If neither applicant lives in New Jersey, submit the application in the municipality where the civil union ceremony will be performed.  The license is only valid in the issuing municipality. Search for your Local Registrar by County What you should bring with you when you apply for a marriage license: If you are divorced or have had a marriage or previous civil union dissolved, domestic partnership terminated or have had a civil union annulled, please bring the divorce decree or the civil annulment documents. If your former spouse/civil union or domestic partner is deceased, please bring the death certificate A copy of your birth certificate, driver's license, passport or state I.D. Proof of your residency. Your social security card or social security number.* A witness, 18 years or older. The $28 application fee. *Your social security number is required by law and will be kept confidential. Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation. After you apply: There is a 72-hour waiting period before the license is issued. The waiting period begins when the application is filed with the Local Registrar. The marriage and civil union license application is valid for six months from the date accepted, unless the Registrar has given prior approval to extend the validity of the application to a maximum of one year. Only one marriage and civil union license may be granted from a marriage or civl union application. If the license expires before being used, a new application must be made and another $28 fee remitted. The only exception to this requirement is in the case where a civil and religious ceremony are to be performed on the same day. In this case, the Local Registrar will photocopy the marriage or civil union application, marking one "A" and one "B", and issue the corresponding licenses, marking them "A" and "B" as well. One copy will be used for the religious ceremony and the other for the civil ceremony.

Maintained by the Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration for information on registering, amending or obtaining copies of vital records please contact (609) 292-4087 or toll-free nationwide at 1-866-649-8726.