So you’re getting married! Here’s how to get a New Jersey Marriage License to make it legal…

Where To Apply For A New Jersey Marriage License:

Get your New Jersey Marriage License Application in the municipality in which either the groom or bride resides or use the download link below. If neither party is a New Jersey resident, then just submit the marriage application in the municipality where the wedding ceremony will be performed.

Download The NJ Marriage License Application Here!

IMPORTANT: Do not sign the marriage application form before going to the Local Registrar. You must sign the application, while under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority.

Requirements For Entering Into A New Jersey Marriage:

For two persons to establish a Marriage in New Jersey, it is necessary that they meet all of the following requirements:

1. Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in New Jersey or recognized by New Jersey;
2. Be of the opposite sex ; and
3. 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.

Required Documents For A NJ Marriage License:

1. Proof of identity (driver’s license, passport, state/federal ID)
2. Proof of residency
3. Social security card or social security number
4. A Witness who is 18 or older
5. New Jersey Wedding License application fee of $28
6. Any documents submitted 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.

Waiting Period For A New Jersey Marriage License:

In New Jersey, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage license is issued. The waiting period begins when the marriage 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 NJ 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.

Getting ReMarried in New Jersey:

For individuals who are currently in a marriage in New Jersey or are in an opposite sex 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 opposite sex 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.