How to legally get married or remarried in NJ?

Complete the marriage license application form. You may also get an application form at the Local Registrar’s office.  Do not sign the marriage application form before going to the Local Registrar. You must sign the application, under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority.

 

Requirements according to the NJ Department of Health

1. Apply for the marriage license in the New Jersey municipality where either party resides. The license is valid throughout New Jersey.
2. If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, submit the application to the municipality where the marriage ceremony will be performed. In this case, the license is only valid in the issuing municipality.
3. Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage in this State or recognized by this state
4. Be at least 18 years of age
5. Proof of identity by presenting your driver's license, passport, or state/federal I.D.
6. Proof of residency by one applicant if an NJ resident.
7. Social Security number
8. A witness, 18 years of age or older.
9. Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
10. The $28 application fee.
11. 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.
12. The marriage 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.
13. Only one marriage license may be granted from a marriage application.
14. If the license expires before being used, a new application must be made and another $28 fee remitted.
15. The only exception to this requirement is in the case where a civil and religious ceremony is to be performed on the same day. In this case, the Local Registrar will photocopy the marriage application, marking one “A” and one “B”, and issue the corresponding marriage licenses, marking them “A” and “B” as well. One copy will be used for the religious ceremony and the other for the civil ceremony.
16. For individuals who are currently married in New Jersey or are married in another state or country, the option exists to reaffirm your relationship/vows by registering a remarriage. 
17. To apply for a remarriage, the couple must provide proof of their existing marriage, meet the requirements for entering into a marriage in New Jersey and follow the guidelines above to complete the license application.
18. There is no 72-hour waiting period for a remarriage; however, you must bring a certified copy of your existing marriage.

 

How to apply for a civil union license?

Complete the civil union license application form. You may also get an application form at the Local Registrar’s office. Do not sign the civil union application form before going to the Local Registrar. You must sign the application, under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority.

Requirements according to the NJ Department of Health

1. Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership, or marriage in this state or that is recognized by this state
2. Be of the same sex
3. Same-sex couples who are registered as domestic partners may enter into a 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 civil union is registered. If the domestic partnership was registered in another state, that state’s laws determine the impact on the domestic partnership.
4. Be at least 18 years of age, except that applicants under 18 may enter into a 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.
5. You may apply in the New Jersey municipality in which either person resides. The license is valid throughout the state.  
6. If neither applicant lives in New Jersey, submit the application to the municipality where the civil union ceremony will be performed. The license is only valid in the issuing municipality.
7. Proof of identity by presenting your driver’s license, passport, or state/federal I.D.
8. Proof of your residency
9. Your social security card or social security number*
10. Any documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a certified English translation
11. A witness, 18 years of age or older
12. The $28 application fee
13. There is a 72-hour waiting period before the license is issued.
14. The 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.
15. Only one Civil Union license may be granted from a Civil Union application. If the license expires before being used, a new application must be made and another $28 fee remitted.
16. The only exception to this requirement is in the case where a civil and religious ceremony is to be performed on the same day. In this case, the Local Registrar will photocopy the Civil Union application, marking one "A" and one "B", and issue the corresponding 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.
17. For individuals who are currently in a Civil Union in New Jersey or are in a same-sex union in another state where the rights afforded that union is equal to the rights afforded married couples, there exists the option to reaffirm your relationship/vows by registering a Reaffirmation of Civil Union.
18. In order to apply for a Reaffirmation of Civil Union, the couple must provide proof of their existing same-sex union,
19. There is no 72-hour waiting period for a reaffirmation of Civil Union; however, you must bring a certified copy of your existing marriage or civil union

 

How to apply for Domestic Partnerships in New Jersey?

Effective February 19, 2007, same-sex or opposite-sex couples must be age 62 or older and meet the remaining eligibility requirements of the Domestic Partnership Act to register as Domestic Partners.

 

Requirements according to the NJ Department of Health

1. Couples wishing to register a Domestic Partnership must be same-sex or opposite-sex couples who are both 62 years of age or older.
2. Share a common residence in New Jersey or any other jurisdiction provided that at least one of the applicants is a member of a New Jersey State-administered retirement system
3. If the residence is outside the State of New Jersey, at least one of the applicants must provide proof of membership in a New Jersey State-administered retirement system by providing one of the following documents issued by the Division of Pensions and Benefits:
   1. Personal Benefits Statement from the current or previous year
   2. 1099R from the current or previous year or
   3. Certificate of Pension Membership
4. Both persons are jointly responsible for each other’s common welfare as evidenced by joint financial arrangements or joint ownership of real or personal property
5. Both persons agree to be jointly responsible for each other’s basic living expenses during the domestic partnership
6. Not be a party to a marriage or civil union recognized by New Jersey law or a member of a domestic partnership with another individual
7. Not be related to each other by blood or affinity up to and including the fourth degree of consanguinity
8. Chose to share each other’s lives in a committed relationship of mutual caring
9. Not have legally terminated another domestic partnership within the last 180 days.
10. Applicants must obtain an Affidavit of Domestic Partnership.
11. The Affidavit must be completed and signed by both applicants at the same time, in the presence of a notary.
12. The applicants must appear together to file the Affidavit with a Local Registrar of Vital Statistics at any municipality throughout the State
13. Pay the required fee of $28.
14. Domestic Partnerships are not considered registered until the Affidavit has been filed with the Local Registrar’s Office and the Certificate of Domestic Partnership has been issued. 
15. Each applicant must supply valid identification documentation that establishes a name, age, date of birth, and proof of residency. This may be supplied by one or more documents issued by a government agency, such as a certified copy of a birth certificate, driver’s license, military identification, or state/county identification card. A registration or operator’s license for any motorized vehicle, such as motorcycles, boats, and motorhomes that is registered with the Motor Vehicle Commission will be accepted. A passport or county-issued ID will establish identity. A mortgage, lease, tax records, or utility bills will establish residency.
16. The Local Registrar in the municipality in which you register your Domestic Partnership will retain a copy of both the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership and the Certificate of Domestic Partnership. These documents will also be retained at the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.
17. To show proof of a Registered Domestic Partnership, you must obtain a certified copy of the Certificate of Domestic Partnership. A certified copy can be obtained from either the Local Registrar where the event was registered or the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry. To obtain a copy of the certificate, you must identify the date and location of the filing for the Domestic Partnership, and provide identification to establish your identity.
18. To end a Domestic Partnership, you must file a request for termination with the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey. Following termination, you are responsible for notifying any entity that you had originally notified when you entered into the Domestic Partnership.

Who can perform a wedding in NJ?

A clergyperson (minister, priest, rabbi, etc.) is someone who is ordained by a religious organization to marry two people.

A judge, notary public, justice of the peace, and certain other public servants often solemnize marriages as part of their job responsibilities.

 

https://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/contact-us/faqs/index.shtml#11  

https://healthapps.state.nj.us/forms/index.aspx#reg-77

https://nj.gov/health/vital/registration-vital/marriage-licenses/

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