Applying for and Obtaining a Legal NJ Marriage License

A marriage license in New Jersey has to be obtained by following some set procedures. The best idea is to educate yourself on these procedures before you even attempt to apply for a marriage license in the state. This preparation will not fail you; it will greatly facilitate your chances of obtaining a marriage license with the least amount of hassles.

Requirements and Laws for Obtaining a NJ Marriage License

The requirements and laws for obtaining a marriage license are very lengthy. Please note that a marriage license is only valid when issued by the County Clerk or Clerk of the Court and required fees are paid.

The basic marriage law entails that both the man and woman getting married must be over 18 years of age. In case either of them is not, they must have the consent of a parent or a judge. Another standing law involves being single at the time of marriage. You must furnish proper proof of the termination of any prior marriages by death, judgment of dissolution (divorce) or annulment.

Though most states have done away with the mandatory premarital physical exams or blood tests, some states mandate a medical proof of immunity or vaccination for certain diseases. Sexually transmitted diseases or venereal diseases may also need to be tested for.

Some states require you to test for rubella, also known as German Measles, which can very dangerous to a fetus. Even tuberculosis and sickle-cell anemia need to be tested for and immunity records and vaccination records furnished.

How to Apply for and Obtain a Marriage License in New Jersey

Please read on to get updated about the marriage license laws in the State of New Jersey. You can also learn what you need to bring with you to obtain the license.

This section will provide information what you need to know about the New Jersey marriage laws before filling out the marriage license form in New Jersey.

An application needs to be filed for a marriage license, and if approved you'll receive it in the mail. This is one of the pre-requisites for getting married. This license initiates the legal procedure that is required to be completed for a couple to officially tie the knot under the law.

Please ensure that you check with your city's marriage bureau at your Clerk of Court's office to find out what your local rules are, since the rules for acquiring your marriage license can change from time to time. It's always a good idea to double-check the current requirements.

You need to plan your marriage some time in advance. Please keep in mind that at least one month before your wedding ceremony, you will have to apply for your marriage license. However, please don’t apply for your marriage license too early because in some states the licenses are time-sensitive and they expire if you don't get married within a few months.

Your marriage license application requires you to send in your birth certificates when you are submitting an application. Along with the birth certificates, you must also enclose tax information and other official documents.

You’ll need to furnish proof of identification and age when you apply for the license. That is not the only document you will need to enclose. Any information about previous marriages needs to be furnished too, if any. Along with the application for a marriage license, you need to pay a nominal fee. This is mandatory.

Every legal procedure mandates that there is a witness who must verify the event in case there is a conflict at a future point. Writing wills requires it, and marriages are no exception. So, it is better to be prepared in advance with a witness of your own. Thus, you will need to have a witness when you sign the application. Please plan in advance to bring your maid of honor or best man with you.

The bride is the most celebrated party to a wedding. In the legal framework, the bride will need to know what her married name will be before she signs the marriage certificate. She will have to include that name on the application.

There are plenty of other formalities to fulfill before you officially shed the “single” tag. Remember with caution that just because you have your marriage license sent to you in the mail, this does not mean that you are officially married. The process is not complete yet.

To complete the process, you need to have a justice of the peace or a religious clergyman sign the document. Then, on that special wedding day, you will have to hand your marriage license to your chosen official. After the ceremony he or she will sign it and send it to the proper government agency for validation. Only once this is done can it be said that you and your spouse are happily and legally married.

Here's a List of New Jersey Clerk's Offices:

Atlantic County
Mays Landing, NJ
609.625.4011

Belvidere Town
Belvidere, NJ
908.475.5331

Bergen Municipal
Hackensack, NJ
201.646.3972

Burlington County
Mount Holly, NJ
609.267.0170

Camden County
Camden, NJ
609.757.7085

Cape May Courthouse
New Jersey, NJ
201.547.5150

Cumberland County
Bridgeton, NJ
609.455.3230

Elmwood Park Boro
Elmwood Park, NJ
201.796.1457

Essex County
Newark, NJ
973.621.4920

Flemington Town
Flemington, NJ
908.782.8840

Jersey City
Jersey City, NJ
201.547.2000

Monmouth County
Freehold, NJ
908.431.7321

Morristown County
Morristown, NJ
973.326.7407

Middlesex County
New Brunswick, NJ
908.745.5016

Newark Town
Newark, NJ
973.733.3844

Newton Town
Newton, NJ
973.383.3523