Getting Your License In New Jersey

One of the questions I get most often is, “How do we get the license?” Happily, it’s not too complicated. Here are the New Jersey State guidelines, followed by a few tips.

From The State of New Jersey website:

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.

Please contact the Local Registrar to determine if license applications are handled during business hours or by appointment.

Required documents when applying for a marriage license:

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

*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.

Requested additional documents (these documents are helpful but not required):

1. A copy of your birth certificate to establish your parents’ names and related birth information.
2. If you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved, domestic partnership terminated or have had a civil union annulled, please bring the decree(s) or the civil annulment documents.
3. If your former spouse/civil union or domestic partner is deceased, please bring the death certificate.

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. 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 $28 fee remitted.

So there you have it! You will also need the name and address of the person performing your ceremony (hopefully me!).

Picking up the license is also usually a question; you pick it up in the township in which you get married. Part of my job is to file the license with the township, within 5 days of your wedding. It’s a good idea to call the township and check that it’s ready for pickup.

Some townships unusual zoning or municipality overlaps. I always recommend that you ask where to pick up the final license when you apply for it, and write that information down! It may save some confusion later. New Jersey residents can apply in the township where the ceremony will be, to keep things really simple.

Love,

Holly