New Jersey State, NJ

State of New Jersey
Application Process

  • The fee for a New Jersey marriage license is$28and is required at the time of application.
  • Minimum age to marry is 16 w/parental consent.
  • There is a 72-hour waiting period.
  • No blood test or residency requirements.
  • In order to get married in New Jersey, couples must apply for and obtain a marriage license.
  • Marriage licenses are handled by the Registrar of Vital Statistics.
  • The New Jersey marriage license is valid for 6 Months.

Be sure to contact your Local Registrar well in advance of the wedding to find out on what days and during what hours the Registrar will be in the office. Some locales will require an appointment.

Atlantic / Bergen
Burlington / Camden
Cape May / Cumberland
Essex / Gloucester
Hudson / Hunterdon
Mercer / Middlesex
Monmouth / Morris
Ocean / Passaic
Salem / Somerset
Sussex / Union
Warren

Local NJ Wedding Officiantsfor your wedding or vow renewal ceremony. Submit one form to top-rated marriage officiants in your locality. You choose the best NJ Wedding Officiant.

Application:pdf|doc

Couples wishing to establish a Marriage in the State of New Jersey, 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 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 approved in writing by any judge of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family part.

Please contact theLocal Registrarto determine if license applications are handled during business hours or by appointment.

Application Requirements:

  • The marriage license application is to be made in the New Jersey municipality in which either party resides and the license is valid throughout the State of New Jersey.
  • If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, submit the application in the municipality where the marriage ceremony will be performed, the license is only valid in the issuing municipality.

ID Requirement in NJ:

  • Proof of identity by presenting your driver’s license, passport or state/federal I.D.
  • Proof of your residency.
  • Your social security card or social security number.*
  • A witness, 18 years of age or older.
  • The marriage license application fee is$28.

*Social security number is required by law for US citizens and will be kept confidential.

Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.

Residency Requirement:

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

Waiting Period in NJ:

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.

  • The waiting period begins when the application is filed with the Local Registrar.
  • There is no 72 hour waiting period for a remarriage; however, you must bring a certified copy of your existing marriage.
  • The marriage 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 license may be granted from a marriage application. If the license expires before being used, a new application must be made and another$28fee 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 application, marking one “A” and one “B”, and issue the corresponding marriage licenses, marking them “A” and “B” as well. One copy will be used for the religious ceremony and the other for the civil ceremony.

Previous Marriages:

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.

Remarriage:

For individuals who are currently in a marriage in New Jersey or are in a marriage in another state or country there exists the option to reaffirm your relationship/vows by registering a Remarriage:

  • In order to apply for a Remarriage the couple must provide proof of their existing marriage, meet the requirements for entering into a marriage in New Jersey and follow the guidelines above to completing the license application.
  • The process for a Remarriage License are the same as for the Marriage License, except that the Remarriage License must be accompanied by the proof of existing marriage and once the application is filed there is no 72 hour waiting period before the license is issued.

Marriage License Fee in NJ:

The fee for a marriage license is$28.

Blood test in NJ:

Premarital blood tests are no longer required in New Jersey.

Name Change:

Getting a marriage license with your new name on it does not mean your name has automatically changed. If you need to change your last name, you can use an onlinemarriage name changekit.

Under 18:

Any person UNDER THE AGE OF 18 needs parental consent papers signed by both parents. If under the age of 16, parental papers and a form signed by a judge are required. These forms are available at the Registrar’s Office.

Proof of Age and Identity:

Birth certificates are required for proof of age. If you do not have your birth certificate, TWO (2) other forms of ID with your date of birth on them are required. Other acceptable forms providing proof of age are:

  • Driver’s License
  • Passport
  • Baptism Paper
  • DD2-1Y Military Release Paper
  • Non-Driver’s License Photo ID

Some towns will require proof of residency such as a driver’s license, lease or tax return.

Proxy Marriages:

No.

Cousin Marriages:

Yes.

Common Law Marriages:

No.

Witnesses:

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

Officiants in NJ:

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.

License Validity Time:

  • The New Jersey Marriage license is valid for thirty (30) days from date of issuance.
  • The Marriage Licenseapplicationis 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.
  • Meaning you have 6 months to complete the application process before your$28 application feebecomes invalid.
  • Approval from the Registrar could extend the validity of the application process you up to one year to complete your application.
  • Again, once this application is complete, and the marriage license has been issued it is good for30 days.

Copy of Certificate of Marriage:

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

Please Note:State and county marriage license requirements often change. The above information is for guidance only and should not be regarded as legal advice. Additional information can be found on theNew Jersey Department of Healthwebsite.