How to Apply for a Marriage License

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:

1. Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in this State or recognized by this State;
2. 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.

Where to apply:

1. 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.
2. 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.

What you should bring with you when you apply for a marriage license:

1. If you are divorced or have had a marriage annulled, please bring the divorce decree or the civil annulment documents.
2. If your former spouse is deceased, please bring the death certificate,
3. Birth certificate, driver's license, or passport or state I.D.
4. Proof of your residency.
5. Your social security card or social security number.*
6. A witness (18 years or older) who knows both the applicants.
7. 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 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 $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 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.

The marriage license is valid for 30 days after it is issued.  Certified copies may be obtained by the Local Registrar in the municipality in which the ceremony took place.