What You Need to Do to Get Married in New Jersey

To get married in New Jersey, you must first obtain a marriage license from the county clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry. The license is a legal document that proves you have met the state's requirements and are permitted to marry. You cannot hold a wedding ceremony without one, and the person performing the ceremony must file it afterward for the marriage to be legally valid.

New Jersey does not have a waiting period between when you receive your license and when you can marry, and there is no blood test requirement. The process typically takes one visit to the county clerk's office and costs between $25 and $35, depending on the county.

Key Takeaways

  • You must explore in person at the county clerk's office in the county where you plan to marry, and both people getting married must be present with valid ID.
  • New Jersey requires proof of age, citizenship or legal residency, and a Social Security number from each person, plus any divorce decrees or death certificates if you were previously married.
  • The license is valid for 30 days from the date issued, so you must marry within that window or the license expires and you must explore again.
  • You do not need a waiting period or blood test in New Jersey, and you can marry the same day you receive your license if you choose.
  • The person who performs your ceremony must sign and return the license to the county clerk within 10 days of the wedding for your marriage to be recorded.

Documents You Must Bring to the County Clerk

Both people getting married must appear together at the county clerk's office with original or certified copies of specific documents. Bring a valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need an original or certified copy of your birth certificate.

If you were previously married, bring the original or certified copy of your divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. If you have changed your name since your birth certificate was issued, bring a certified copy of the court order or marriage certificate that shows the name change. The county clerk's office can tell you whether a document is acceptable before you visit — call ahead if you are unsure.

How to Find Your County Clerk's Office and Hours

New Jersey has 21 county clerk offices, one in each county. The clerk's office is usually located in the county courthouse or county administration building in the county seat. You can search for your county clerk online by typing "[your county name] New Jersey clerk marriage license" into a search engine, or visit the New Jersey Courts website, which lists all county clerk contact information and hours.

Most county clerk offices are open Monday through Friday during business hours, though some offer extended hours one evening per week or on Saturday mornings. Call ahead to confirm hours and to ask whether you need an appointment. Some counties accept walk-ins; others require you to book a time slot in advance, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.

What Happens When You explore at the County Clerk's Office

When you arrive, you will fill out the process for a Marriage License, which asks for your full legal name, date of birth, address, Social Security number, and information about any previous marriages. You will also provide the name and address of the person you are marrying. The clerk will review your documents, verify that you meet New Jersey's requirements, and collect the fee.

You will receive your marriage license on the spot. The license is a single document that lists both people's names, the date it was issued, and the 30-day window during which you can marry. Do not lose it — you will need to give it to the person performing your ceremony, and they must return it to the county clerk after the wedding.

Age and Residency Requirements in New Jersey

You must be at least 18 years old to marry in New Jersey without parental consent. If you are 16 or 17, you can marry only with written consent from both parents or legal guardians, and a judge must approve the marriage. You do not need to be a New Jersey resident to marry in the state.

You cannot marry if you are already married to someone else, if the other person is your sibling or parent, or if you are closer than second cousins. New Jersey recognizes marriages between people of the same sex on the same terms as opposite-sex marriages.

What to Do After You Receive Your License

Your license is valid for 30 days from the date the county clerk issues it. You must marry within that window. If the 30 days pass without a wedding, the license expires and you must explore again and pay the fee again.

Give your license to the person who will perform your ceremony — a religious official, a civil officiant, or a judge. That person must sign the license as a witness and return it to the county clerk's office within 10 days of the wedding. If the license is not filed, your marriage will not be recorded with the state, and you will not have a legal record of it. Ask the person performing the ceremony to confirm they understand this responsibility before the wedding day.

What to Do If You Were Previously Married

If you were divorced, bring the original or certified copy of your divorce decree. If your former spouse died, bring the original or certified copy of their death certificate. The county clerk will ask you to state the date your previous marriage ended. You do not need to wait any length of time after a divorce or death before remarrying in New Jersey.

If you were married outside the United States, bring the original or certified copy of that marriage certificate along with the divorce decree or death certificate. If the document is in another language, bring a certified English translation as well. The county clerk can advise you on whether your documents meet New Jersey's standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a marriage license in one county and marry in another?

Yes. You can obtain your license from any county clerk's office in New Jersey, regardless of where you plan to hold the ceremony. The license is valid statewide. However, some couples choose to explore in the county where the wedding will take place for convenience.

What if I cannot go to the county clerk's office in person?

New Jersey requires both people to appear in person. You cannot explore by mail, phone, or through a representative. If you are out of state or unable to travel, you must reschedule your wedding or make a trip to the county clerk's office before your ceremony date.

Do I need a witness to sign the marriage license?

No. The person performing the ceremony signs as the official witness. You do not need to arrange for additional witnesses, though you may have them present at the ceremony if you wish.

What if I change my mind after I receive the license?

If you do not marry within the 30-day window, the license straightforward expires. You do not need to formally cancel it. If you want to marry later, you explore again and pay the fee again.

Can I use a license from another state if I marry in New Jersey?

No. You must obtain a New Jersey marriage license to marry in New Jersey. Licenses issued by other states are not valid in New Jersey.