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ENTERING INTO A MARRIAGE OR CIVIL UNION IN
NEW JERSEY
If you are entering into a Marriage or
Civil Union in New Jersey, you will find information in this
brochure which will be helpful to you. Read it carefully, if
you have any questions, please contact your local Registrar of
Vital Statistics
Where should you apply for a marriage or
civil union license?
(License
Application Form,
Application Form Instructions)
The marriage or civil union license must be
obtained from the registrar in the New Jersey municipality in
which either applicant resides, if one or both is resident of
New Jersey. (For these purposes, soldiers are residents of the
posts at which they are stationed.) A license issued under the
preceding circumstances is good for use anywhere in the State of
New Jersey.
lf 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 or civil union
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.
Be sure to contact the Registrar well in
advance of the ceremony to find out on what days and during what
hours the Registrar will be in the office. The marriage or
civil union license fee is $28.00.
Who can perform a marriage or civil union
ceremony?
Each judge of the United States Court of
Appeals for the Third Circuit, each judge of a federal district
court, United States magistrate, judge of a municipal court,
judge of the Superior Court, judge of a tax court, retired
judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court, or judge of the
Superior Court or Tax Court, the former County Court, the former
County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, or the former
County District Court who has resigned in good standing,
surrogate of any county, county clerk and any mayor or the
deputy mayor when authorized by the mayor, or chairman of any
township committee or village president of this State, and
every minister of every religion, are hereby authorized to
solemnize marriages or civil unions between such persons as may
lawfully enter into the matrimonial relation or civil union; and
every religious society, institution or organization in this
State may join together in marriage or civil union such persons
according to the rules and customs of the society, institution
or organization (Title 37:1-13).
When should you apply for a marriage or
civil union license?
A local Registrar will not issue a marriage
or civil union 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. lf 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. lf 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. A couple wishing to have
both religious and civil ceremonies may be issued a license for
both ceremonies on the basis of a single application. However,
a couple wishing to have two religious ceremonies, and wanting
to have a public record of each, may not have two licenses
issued at the same time. They must apply for and use the first
license. They must then return to the Registrar with the signed
original certificate and a witness to apply for a remarriage or
reaffirmation of civil union license.
What should you bring with you when you
apply?
Required documents when applying for a
marriage license:
1. Proof of identify by presenting your
driver’s license, passport or
state/federal ID.
2. Proof of your residency.
3. Your social security card or social
security number.*
4. A witness, 18 years of age or older.
5. The $28 application fee.
*Social security number is required by law
for U.S. citizens and will be kept confidential.
Any documents in a foreign language must be
accompanied by a certified English translation.
Requested additional documents (these
documents are helpful but not required)
1. A copy of your birth certificate to
establish your parents’ names
and related birth information.
2. lf you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved,
domestic partnership terminated or have had a civil union
annulled, please bring the decree(s) or the civil annulment
documents.
3. If your former spouse/civil union or
domestic partner is
deceased, please bring the death certificate.
Each applicant must supply valid
identification that establishes 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, passport or state/county identification card.
Where should the marriage or civil union
record be filed?
The person performing the ceremony must
file the license and certificate with the Registrar of the
municipality in which the ceremony was performed. Since failure
to record the certificate may cause considerable inconvenience
at a later date when proof of certificate is needed, you should
make sure that this has been done.
Certified copies of the marriage or civil
union event may be obtained from the local Registrar in the
municipality where the ceremony occurred or from the State
Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration.
If you are a resident of Hanover
Township, or a resident of a different State, but are planning
on entering into a marriage or a civil union partnership in
Hanover
Township, please
phone ahead for an appointment to apply for your license.
Registrar’s hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
(closed between 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.).
MARRIAGE AND CIVIL UNION
CERTIFIED
COPIES
Once you are united in marriage or a
civil union partnership, you should have at least one certified
copy of your Marriage or Civil Union certificate. This
certificate can only be issued by the municipality in which the
legal ceremony was performed. Certified copies are available in
Hanover
Township for a cost
of $15 each. To order copies of your certificate from
Hanover
Township use the form
here.
This is a multi-purpose form used by the State of New Jersey for
requesting copies of vital records. When you fill it out,
please be sure to indicate exactly what you are requesting.
Fax, mail, or bring it in to the
Municipal Building.
If you mail it, please be sure to include the required fees. If
you Fax
(973) 515-3772 or bring it in, you will pay the fees when you pick up
the documents.
If you have any questions, please
phone
(973) 515-6667 or
send an e-mail
to the Health
Department. |
