The marriage license must be obtained from the registrar in the New Jersey municipality in which either applicant resides. A license issued under the preceding circumstances is good for use anywhere in the State of New Jersey. If both parties are not residents of New Jersey, the license must be obtained from the Registrar of the municipality where the ceremony is to be performed and is only good for use in that municipality. A New Jersey marriage license may never be used outside of the State of New Jersey and a license issued in another state may never be used within the State of New Jersey. The marriage license fee is $28.00.

Important things to know:

1. You can apply for your license up to six months in advance of your wedding date.

2. Once you apply, there is a mandatory seventy-two hour waiting period. Only after this period has passed can you actually pick-up the license.

3. Once you have picked up the license, you have thirty days to use it or it will expire.

The legal explanation:

Apply up to six months in advance of your wedding date. A local Registrar will not issue a marriage license sooner than 72 hours after the application for a license has been made, unless ordered to do so via a Superior Court order.  If the ceremony is scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday, the application should be made no later than the preceding Tuesday.  If the application is made on a Wednesday or Thursday, the 72 hours will end on Saturday or Sunday, but the Registrar will probably not be available on those days or any public holiday.  If both parties are unavailable to complete the application at the same time, either applicant may complete his/her part of the application and start the waiting period.  The other applicant must return with the same witness (who must be at least 18 years old) to complete his/her part of the application. The application must be completed by both parties before the license will be issued. The application is valid for six months from the date filed. Once the license is issued, it is good for 30 days from the date of issuance.

Required documents when applying for a marriage license:

• Proof of identity by presenting your driver’s license, passport or state/federal ID.

• Proof of residence such as a utility bill or bank statement that shows your current address.

• Your social security card or social security number.

• A witness, 18 years of age or older.

• $28 application fee.

​

These documents are helpful but not required:

• Birth Certificate to establish your parents’ names and related birth information.

• If you are divorced,  please bring the decree(s).

• If your former spouse is deceased, please bring the death certificate. 

Once the license has been issued to you. Do not write anything on the documents what-so-ever. You'll need to provide your officiants with all four pages of the license.

​

Your officiant will complete the license, collect the necessary signatures, and file it in the appropriate jurisdiction. You will also be provided with a receipt copy.