New Jersey Marriage License Information

If you've just set a date for your wedding, this can be an exciting time for the two of you! Don't let the marriage license laws of New Jersey put a dent in your wedding plans.

Here's what you need to know and what documents to bring with you before you apply for a New Jersey marriage license. We recommend contacting a local Registrar to verify information and suggest that you get this legal aspect of your wedding out of the way about a month before your wedding date.

Requirements may vary as each county in New Jersey could have their own requirements.

Some locales will require an appointment.

You do not have to be a resident of New Jersey.

You must apply at the Registrar at the municipal office where the bride resides. If not a resident of New Jersey, then apply in the groom's town of residence.

If both are non-residents, then apply in the town where you will be having the wedding ceremony. You will need to show proof of your residency be providing one of the following: Drivers license, utility bill, apartment lease, or tax bill.

Note: For marriage license purposes, military personnel are residents of the posts where they are stationed.

Covenant Marriage:

No.

Picture id such as Drivers License, and certified copies of birth certificates, or naturalization certificates, or valid passports or alien cards. US citizens also need to know their Social Security numbers.

Under 18:

If you are under 18 years of age, you will need both parents to give consent in front of two witnesses in order for you to receive a marriage license. Those under 16 need judicial approval. In the case of pregnancy or the birth of a child, special provisions may apply.

Fees:

$28 - cash only in some locales.

Cousin Marriages:

Yes.

Common Law Marriages:

No.

You will need to show documentation to prove a previous marriage has been dissolved either through death or divorce. Acceptable documents include a certified copy of the final decree of divorce or a certified copy of the death certificate for your former spouse.

Renewal of Vows:

Re-marriage licenses are available in New Jersey. There is no waiting period for a re-marriage license.

New Jersey has a three (3) day waiting period. For weekend weddings, you will need to apply the Tuesday before to satisfy the three days (72 hours) by Friday. If you have special circumstances such as emergency, illness, military leave, etc., a Superior Court Judge can sign a waiver that would waive the waiting period. After you apply for the license, and have a Judge sign the waiver, you can have the License issued immediately.

No.

However, "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."
Source: West Windsor

Although couples have more rights by having a Civil Union in New Jersey, the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership can be obtained from a Local Registrar of Vital Statistics in any municipality in New Jersey. Some locales will require an appointment.

Couples must be either same sex couples over the age of 18 or opposite sex couples who are both 62 years of age or older.

You will need to show proof of residence and of joint financial responsibility by providing:

• Joint deed, mortgage agreement or lease.


• Joint bank account.


• Joint ownership of motor vehicle.


• Designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary in the other person's will, insurance policy, or retirement plan.

Renewal of Vows or Getting Remarried:

You can get remarried in New Jersey without having to wait three days. It is required that proof of the previous marriage or civil union be submitted. Consent of parents if required for the remarriage of a minor previously joined in a marriage.
Marriage Application Form

As of February 19, 2007, same sex couples can apply for a civil union. Civil unions in New Jersey grant most of the benefits of marriage to gay couples. These benefits include adoption, medical decision-making, inheritance, health insurance opportunities, hospital visitation, and the ability to not testify against a partner. The rights are not extended to federal benefits or courts.

Additionally, gay couples legally married or joined in a civil union in other locales will automatically be considered to be in a civil union in New Jersey.

How to Apply for a Civil Union

You will need a witness who is over 18 years of age with you when you apply for the marriage license.

Officiants:

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, Judge or the Superior or Tax Court who has resigned in good standing, any Mayor/Deputy Mayor or Chairman of any Township Committee, Village President of New Jersey, County Clerks, and every minister of every religion. At the time you apply for your marriage license you will have to provide the name of who is going to marry you, where, and when, and an address and phone number for the officiant.

Miscellaneous:

The New Jersey state laws state that a marriage license is valid only for thirty (30) days in New Jersey.

However, the state web site also states that "The marriage application is valid for six months from the date accepted, unless the registrar has granted prior approval to extend the validity of the application to a maximum of one year."

Clarification from a reader: "The 6 six month time frame is for completing the application for the marriage license (i.e. the bride/groom to be can each fill out their portions at different times and need not be there together, however they must each come with the same witness). I believe you have 6 months to complete this process before your $28 application fee becomes invalid. Once this application is complete, a license will be issued which is good for 30 days."

Copy of Certificate of Marriage:

New Jersey Department for Public Health
New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services
Bureau of Vital Statistics
P.O. Box 370
Trenton, NJ 08625-0307
Phone: (609) 292-4087

Congratulations and much happiness as you begin your lifetime journey together!

PLEASE NOTE:

Please note that we make every effort to offer you common-sense marriage advice and helpful information about marriage on this website, but we are not attorneys and the articles on the site are not to be construed as legal advice.

The information in this article was accurate when it was published. It is important that you verify all information with your local marriage license office or county clerk before making any wedding or travel plans.

The marriage site has a world-wide audience and marriage laws and regulations vary from state to state and country to country. When in doubt, seek legal counsel.

Please notify us of any oversights or errors.