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New Jersey · How-To Guide

How do I get a marriage license?

Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (municipal level - city or township clerk; New Jersey has ~565 municipalities across 21 counties)
Step by Step

How to do it

  1. Both applicants and a WITNESS (age 18 or older) must appear together at the Local Registrar's office; most municipalities require an APPOINTMENT - call ahead
  2. Complete the marriage license application (REG-77 form); some municipalities allow online pre-application
  3. The witness must also be present at the time of application (not just at the ceremony)
  4. Pay the $28 application fee; fee is NON-REFUNDABLE
  5. MANDATORY 72-HOUR WAITING PERIOD: The license CANNOT be issued until 72 hours after the application is filed; the 72-hour clock starts when the application is accepted; if marrying on a weekend, apply no later than the preceding Tuesday (Wednesday for Saturday/Sunday ceremonies)
  6. Return to pick up the license after 72 hours; license valid for 30 days from date of issuance
  7. Get married within 30 days; at least one witness must sign the marriage certificate at the ceremony
  8. Officiant completes and files the marriage certificate with the Local Registrar after the ceremony
  9. WAIVER OF WAITING PERIOD: The 72-hour waiting period may be waived only by a court order (Superior Court); contact the county Superior Court if an emergency waiver is needed
Details

What you need to know

Required Docs
  • Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants (driver's license, passport, state/federal ID)
  • Proof of residency for at least one NJ applicant (driver's license, passport, county ID, or birth certificate)
  • A witness age 18 or older who must be present at the application appointment
  • If previously married, divorced, or had a civil union dissolved: know the month, year, and county where it occurred; bring the final divorce decree/annulment paperwork if recently divorced; some registrars require the decree
  • Documents in a foreign language must have certified English translations
  • Both applicants must be 18 or older (NJ prohibits marriage under 18 effective 2018; no exceptions)
Fee
$28 statewide (non-refundable); certified copies of marriage certificate: $15 per copy (available from any NJ Local Registrar after ceremony is recorded)
Waiting Period
The license CANNOT be issued until 72 hours after the application is filed; the 72-hour clock starts when the application is accepted; if marrying on a weekend, apply no later than the preceding Tuesday (Wednesday for Saturday/Sunday ceremonies) Step 6 - Return to pick up the license after 72 hours; license valid for 30 days from date of issuance Step 7 - Get married within 30 days; at least one witness must sign the marriage certificate at the ceremony Step 8 - Officiant completes and files the marriage certificate with the Local Registrar after the ceremony
Online Option
Some municipalities allow online pre-application; no statewide online system; most require in-person appointment
Where to Go
Local Registrar of Vital Statistics in the municipality where either party resides (or in the ceremony municipality if both are out-of-state)
New Jersey Notes

Important state-specific details

  • 72-hour mandatory waiting period - plan accordingly; account for weekends and holidays when the Registrar may be closed.
  • No blood test required.
  • NJ banned child marriage in 2018 - minimum age 18 with no exceptions.
  • Common law marriage NOT recognized in New Jersey.
  • Out-of-state applicants: license only valid in the issuing municipality.
  • Marriage certificate certified copies: available from ANY NJ Local Registrar for $15 after ceremony.
  • NJ also has civil union and domestic partnership registrations (same $28 fee; similar process).
Official Source

State office contact

State Office
New Jersey Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services, Vital Statistics Unit - nj.gov/health/vd | (866) 649-8726; Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (varies by municipality)