How to Get a New Jersey Marriage License
Find Your Local Registrar
Gather Documents and Bring a Witness
Observe the 72-Hour Wait
Get Married!
New Jersey requires a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage license can be issued. The waiting period begins when your completed application is filed with the Local Registrar.
Give the marriage license to your officiant before the ceremony. After the marriage, your officiant completes the required information and must transmit the license and marriage certificate to the registrar where the ceremony occurred within 5 days.
If either applicant lives in New Jersey, apply in the NJ municipality where either person resides. The license will be valid anywhere in New Jersey. If neither applicant lives in NJ, apply in the municipality where the ceremony will take place.
Bring government-issued identification, proof of residency if either applicant lives in NJ, Social Security numbers for U.S. citizens, the $28 fee, and one witness age 18 or older.
New Jersey Marriage License FAQ
Where do we apply for our marriage license?
If either applicant lives in New Jersey, apply through the Local Registrar in the New Jersey municipality where either person resides. That license can be used anywhere in New Jersey. If neither applicant lives in New Jersey, you must apply in the municipality where your ceremony will take place, and the license will only be valid in that municipality.
What do we need to bring when we apply?
If either applicant lives in New Jersey, apply through the Local Registrar in the New Jersey municipality where either person resides. That license can be used anywhere in New Jersey. If neither applicant lives in New Jersey, you must apply in the municipality where your ceremony will take place, and the license will only be valid in that municipality.
Do we need a witness to apply?
Yes. One witness who is at least 18 years old must be present when you apply. The State does not require this person to be the same witness who participates in your wedding ceremony.
Can we complete the application before our appointment?
Yes, but do not sign it ahead of time. The application must be signed under oath in the presence of the issuing authority.
Is there a waiting period?
Yes. New Jersey has a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage license can be issued. The 72 hours begin when the completed application is filed with the Local Registrar.
When should we apply for a weekend wedding?
The State recommends applying no later than the preceding Tuesday for a Saturday or Sunday wedding. If the 72-hour period ends on a weekend or holiday, the registrar's office may be closed.
How long is the marriage license valid?
Once issued, a New Jersey marriage license is valid for 30 days. The application itself can remain valid for six months, but once the actual license is issued, the 30-day clock begins.
Do we need to know our ceremony location when we apply?
You should have your wedding date and ceremony location determined before applying. This is particularly important for couples who live outside New Jersey because their license must be obtained from, and used within, the municipality where the ceremony takes place.
What should we do with the license after we pick it up?
Keep the entire packet together and bring it to your wedding. Do not write on it, fill anything in, separate the pages, or sign anything unless specifically instructed to do so by the registrar or your officiant. Give the paperwork to your officiant before the ceremony.
Who files the marriage license after the wedding?
Your officiant completes the required portions after the ceremony and files the marriage record with the Local Registrar in the municipality where the marriage took place.
Is the marriage license the same as a certified marriage certificate?
No. The license gives you legal authorization to marry. After your ceremony has been completed and the record has been filed, you can obtain certified copies of your marriage record from the municipality where the ceremony occurred or through the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics.
Do we have to be U.S. citizens to get married in New Jersey?
No. New Jersey does not require either applicant to be a U.S. citizen in order to obtain a marriage license. The State's eligibility requirements focus on age and whether either person is already in a marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership recognized by New Jersey.
What if one or both of us are not U.S. citizens?
You can still apply for a New Jersey marriage license. You will need acceptable proof of identity, such as a passport or other state or federal identification. If any required documents are written in another language, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Do non-U.S. citizens need a Social Security number?
New Jersey specifically states that a Social Security number is required by law for U.S. citizens. If you are not a U.S. citizen and do not have a Social Security number, that requirement does not apply in the same way.
Can we get married in New Jersey if we live in another country?
Yes. If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, you apply for the marriage license in the New Jersey municipality where the ceremony will take place. That license is valid only in the municipality that issued it.
Your Marriage License
-Step by Step-
Every couple who books with us receives a personalized License & Planning Guide with specific instructions for obtaining their New Jersey marriage license, the forms they will need, where to apply, important deadlines, and what to do with the paperwork before the ceremony.
We make sure you know exactly what needs to happen and when, so there are no last-minute surprises.
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