New Jersey Licensing Info
Requirements for entering into a Marriage or Civil Union:
For two people to establish a Marriage or Civil Union in New Jersey,
they must satisfy all of the following requirements:
Not be a party to another Marriage, Civil Union, or domestic
partnership in this state or that is recognized by this state*;
Be at least 18 years of age, except that applicants under 18 may
enter into a Marriage or Civil Union with parental consent.
Applicants under age 16 must obtain parental consent and have the
consent approved in writing by any judge of the Superior Court,
Chancery Division, Family Part.
* Same sex couples who meet the above requirements and are
registered as domestic partners may enter into a Marriage or Civil
Union with the same person without terminating their domestic
partnership first. If the domestic partnership was registered in New
Jersey, it automatically terminates when the Marriage or Civil Union
is registered. If the domestic partnership was registered in another
state, that state’s laws determine the impact on the domestic
partnership. A couple that has previously entered into a Marriage or
Civil Union or a same-sex marriage shall apply for a Reaffirmation
of Marriage or Civil Union License.
Where to apply:
You may apply in the New Jersey municipality in which either person
resides. The license is valid throughout the state.
If neither applicant lives in New Jersey, submit the application in
the municipality where the Marriage or Civil Union ceremony will be
performed. The license is only valid in the issuing municipality.
Search for your Local
Registrar
What you should bring with you when you apply for a Marriage or
Civil Union license:
If you are divorced, have had a previous Marriage or Civil Union
dissolved, domestic partnership terminated or have had a Marriage or
Civil Union annulled, please bring the decree(s) or the civil
annulment documents.
If your former spouse/Marriage or Civil Union or domestic partner is
deceased, please bring the death certificate,
A copy of your birth certificate, driver’s license, passport or
state I.D.
Proof of your residency.
Your social security card or social security number.*
A witness, 18 years of age or older.
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 or Civil Union 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 or Civil Union license may be granted from a
Marriage or Civil Union 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 or Civil Union
application, marking one “A” and one “B”, and issue the
corresponding Marriage or Civil Union licenses, marking them “A” and
“B” as well. One copy will be used for the religious ceremony and
the other for the civil ceremony.