New Jersey
New Jersey Marriage License Requirements 2026: $28, 72-Hour Wait
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited October 7, 2026). · 7 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
In New Jersey, a marriage license comes from the local registrar of vital statistics in a municipality, not from the county. The license fee is $28, the registrar cannot issue the license until 72 hours after you apply, and once issued it is good for 30 days. Both of you must be at least 18 with no exceptions, under P.L.2018, c.42, which amended N.J.S.A. 37:1-6 and related sections.
For other states, see our guide to marriage license requirements by state.
Information last verified on October 7, 2026. This article has not been reviewed by a licensed lawyer.
Jurisdiction scope: This article covers getting a marriage or civil union license in New Jersey under Title 37, Chapter 1 of the New Jersey Statutes, as described by the New Jersey Department of Health, with local practice from Matawan Borough. It does not cover divorce, ordering old marriage records, common-law marriage, domestic partnerships, or marriage licenses from other states.
A note on our sources: the New Jersey Legislature's searchable statute database would not load when we checked, so the statute wording below comes from the enacted session laws the Legislature publishes (P.L.2006, c.103; P.L.2018, c.42; P.L.2025, c.222), alongside the Department of Health's brochure (REG-D30), its marriage license page and application fact sheet, and a municipal registrar's instructions.
Where to apply for a New Jersey marriage license
New Jersey issues marriage licenses through municipalities. You apply to the local registrar of vital statistics in the municipality where either of you lives. The Department of Health's brochure puts it this way: "The marriage or civil union license must be obtained from the registrar in the New Jersey municipality in which either applicant resides."
Where you apply decides where the license works:
- At least one of you lives in New Jersey: apply in either person's municipality. That license is good anywhere in New Jersey.
- Neither of you lives in New Jersey: apply in the municipality where the ceremony will be performed. The Department of Health says that license "is only valid in the issuing municipality."
- Either way: a New Jersey license can never be used outside New Jersey.
The Department of Health also notes that soldiers are treated as residents of the posts where they are stationed.
Both of you complete the application and sign it under oath in front of the registrar. Do not sign ahead of time: the Department of Health says you must sign the application, under oath, "in the presence of the issuing authority." Many registrars work by appointment. Matawan Borough, for example, states that marriage and civil union licenses "are issued by appointment only." Call your municipal registrar before you go.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency, Executive Order 135 let couples apply by video. The Department of Health's FAQ ties that option to "the duration of the Public Health Emergency." We found no source saying video applications are still allowed, so plan to appear in person.
What to bring
The Department of Health's application requirements list:
- Proof of identity, such as a driver's license, passport, or state or federal ID.
- Proof of residency.
- Your Social Security card or number. The state sheet says it is "required by law for U.S. citizens and will be kept confidential."
- A witness who is at least 18 years old, who comes with you to the application.
- The $28.00 fee.
Documents in a language other than English need a certified English translation.
Your registrar may ask for more. Matawan Borough's instructions, for example, ask for current ID showing your current address, divorce papers if either of you was married before, your parents' names (including your mother's maiden name) and places of birth, and the names of your officiant and your two ceremony witnesses. Check your own municipality's list before your appointment.
How much a New Jersey marriage license costs
The Department of Health states: "The marriage or civil union license fee is $28.00." Because the license comes from a municipality, the fee is collected locally, but the state brochure gives the same $28.00 figure for everyone.
| Registrar | Fee | Payment | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Statewide (NJ Department of Health, REG-D30) | $28.00 | Set locally | NJDOH brochure |
| Matawan Borough (Monmouth County) | $28.00 | Cash or check, exact amount only | Matawan registrar |
Payment methods vary by municipality. Matawan takes exact cash or a check payable to the municipality and cannot make change. Your registrar's page is the final word on how to pay, and fees can change. We found no premarital-course discount on the state sheets.
Certified copies of your marriage certificate cost extra. We did not find a current statewide copy fee, so ask the registrar.
The 72-hour waiting period
The Department of Health brochure states: "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."
The 72 hours run from when you file the application with the registrar. The only way to shorten the wait is a Superior Court order. The COVID-era waiver of the waiting period applied only during the public health emergency.
Plan backward from your date. The state brochure suggests that for a Saturday or Sunday ceremony, you apply by the Tuesday before.
Second ceremony for an already married couple: if you are already married to each other and want a license for another ceremony (for example, a religious ceremony after a civil one), the Department of Health describes a remarriage or reaffirmation license with no waiting period. You need a certified copy of your existing marriage certificate.
How long the license lasts
New Jersey runs two clocks:
- The application stays valid for 6 months from filing. The registrar may approve an extension in advance, up to a maximum of one year.
- The license, once issued, is valid for 30 days. The Department of Health fact sheet states: "Once issued, the license is valid 30 days from the date of issuance."
The statute, N.J.S.A. 37:1-4, says a license is "good and valid only for 30 days after the date of the issuance thereof." If the license expires before you use it, the Department of Health says you must file a new application and pay another $28 fee.
Who can marry in New Jersey
Age: 18, no exceptions
Both of you must be at least 18. The Department of Health's requirement reads simply: "Be at least 18 years of age."
New Jersey closed its exceptions in 2018. P.L.2018, c.42 (Senate Bill 427), approved June 22, 2018, took effect immediately. The New Jersey State Law Library's legislative history describes it as an act that "Bars persons under age 18 from marrying or entering into a civil union." The act:
- Removed the parental-consent and court-approval routes for 16- and 17-year-olds, and the court route for anyone younger.
- Amended N.J.S.A. 37:1-6 to read: "A marriage or civil union license shall not be issued to a minor under the age of 18 years," and amended N.J.S.A. 37:1-30 so civil union partners must be at least 18.
- Struck the clause in N.J.S.A. 2A:34-1, the annulment statute, that let an underage marriage be ratified later.
No parental consent or court order can authorize a New Jersey marriage for anyone under 18.
Existing marriages and civil unions
Neither of you can be a party to another marriage, civil union or domestic partnership. If either of you was married before, bring the paperwork showing how it ended; Matawan, for example, asks for divorce papers.
Relatives
The Department of Health sheets we reviewed do not list which relatives may or may not marry. N.J.S.A. 37:1-1 bars marriage or a civil union with an ancestor or descendant, a brother or sister, a niece or nephew, or an aunt or uncle, whether of the whole or half blood, and makes such a marriage void. Cousins are not on that list. If you and your partner are related by blood or marriage, including as cousins, ask your registrar or a New Jersey family lawyer before you apply.
Same-sex couples
The Department of Health fact sheet states that "marriages can be same or opposite sex couples."
Civil unions
New Jersey still issues civil union licenses, but only to two people of the same sex (N.J.S.A. 37:1-30); marriage is open to same-sex and opposite-sex couples. The Department of Health applies the same steps to both: the same registrar, the same $28.00 fee, the same 72-hour wait and the same age rule.
No blood test
New Jersey does not require a blood test. Matawan Borough's registrar instructions answer the question directly: "Is a blood test required? No." The state's application requirements list no medical test.
Who can officiate a New Jersey wedding
N.J.S.A. 37:1-13, as rewritten by P.L.2025, c.222 (approved January 12, 2026, effective immediately), authorizes these people to solemnize marriages or civil unions:
- Judges of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and of the federal district courts, and U.S. magistrate judges.
- Judges of the Superior Court, Tax Court and municipal courts, and administrative law judges.
- Retired Superior Court, Tax Court and administrative law judges, and certain former judges who resigned in good standing.
- County surrogates, county clerks, deputy county clerks and municipal clerks.
- Mayors, former mayors not currently serving on the municipal governing body, and deputy mayors when the mayor authorizes them.
- Township committee chairs and village presidents.
- "Any member of the clergy of any religion."
- Civil celebrants certified by the New Jersey Secretary of State.
A religious society, institution or organization may also marry people according to its own rules and customs. A civil celebrant cannot officiate until the Secretary of State has approved the celebrant's application and issued a certificate. The Department of Health brochure (dated April 2022) still prints the older list.
We found no official New Jersey statement on online ordination. If your officiant was ordained online, ask your municipal registrar before the ceremony whether it will accept the certificate.
Not every registrar's office performs ceremonies. Matawan's registrar says its office does not perform marriages, so a courthouse-style civil ceremony means booking one of the officials listed above, such as a judge, mayor or municipal clerk.
Witnesses: you need two kinds. A witness at least 18 years old comes with you to the application. At the ceremony, two witnesses sign the marriage certificate, according to Matawan's instructions. The sources we read do not state a minimum age for the ceremony witnesses, so ask your registrar.
Proxy weddings: none of the official sources we opened describe a proxy option. During the public health emergency, the state allowed ceremonies by video only if both members of the couple, both witnesses and the officiant were all "physically located in New Jersey." That was an emergency measure. If you are considering a proxy ceremony, ask the registrar or a New Jersey lawyer.
After the ceremony
The officiant files the paperwork, not the couple. The Department of Health brochure states: "The person performing the ceremony must file the license and certificate with the Registrar of the municipality in which the ceremony was performed."
The Department of Health's FAQ names N.J.S.A. 26:8-41 and N.J.S.A. 37:1-17.1 as the statutes setting the time limits for filing. Under N.J.S.A. 26:8-41, the officiant must send the certificate and the license to the local registrar of the municipality where the ceremony took place within 5 days after the ceremony. Ask your officiant to confirm it was filed.
Once the marriage is recorded, certified copies are available from the local registrar of the municipality where the ceremony took place, or from the State Office of Vital Statistics and Registry in person, online or by mail. For step-by-step ordering, see New Jersey marriage and divorce records and our guide on how to get a copy of your marriage certificate.
The state sheets we reviewed do not address changing your surname on the application. For that, see New Jersey name change laws and our guide to changing your name after marriage.
Common myths about New Jersey marriage licenses
- "A New Jersey license works in any state." The Department of Health says a New Jersey license may never be used outside New Jersey.
- "You can apply in any town." Only in the municipality where one of you lives, or, if neither of you lives in New Jersey, the municipality where the ceremony will be held.
- "Teens can marry at 16 or 17 with a parent's consent." Not since P.L.2018, c.42 took effect on June 22, 2018.
- "New Jersey requires a blood test." No blood test is required.
- "The 72-hour wait is waived, and you can apply by video." Both were emergency measures under Executive Order 135 during the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Disclaimer: This article provides general legal information about New Jersey marriage and civil union licenses under Title 37, Chapter 1 of the New Jersey Statutes, as described by the New Jersey Department of Health, verified on October 7, 2026. It is not legal advice. For your specific situation, contact the local registrar of vital statistics in your municipality or a lawyer licensed in New Jersey.
Related
- Marriage license requirements by state
- New York marriage license requirements
- Pennsylvania marriage license requirements
- New Jersey common-law marriage
- New Jersey marriage and divorce records
Last updated: October 7, 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a marriage license in New Jersey?
$28.00 for a marriage or civil union license, according to the NJ Department of Health. Payment methods vary by municipality; Matawan, for example, takes exact cash or check only.
How long is the waiting period for a marriage license in New Jersey?
72 hours. The local registrar will not issue the license sooner than 72 hours after you apply unless a Superior Court order directs it (NJ Department of Health brochure REG-D30).
How long is a New Jersey marriage license valid?
30 days from the date the registrar issues it. The application itself is valid for 6 months from filing, and the registrar may extend it to a maximum of one year.
Where do I apply for a marriage license in New Jersey?
At the local registrar of vital statistics in the municipality where either of you lives. If neither of you lives in New Jersey, apply in the municipality where the ceremony will be held; that license works only in that municipality.
Can we get married in New Jersey if we live in another state?
Yes. Two nonresidents apply in the municipality where the ceremony will take place, and the license is valid only in that municipality. It cannot be used outside New Jersey.
Can a 16- or 17-year-old get married in New Jersey?
No. P.L.2018, c.42, approved June 22, 2018, set the minimum age at 18 with no parental-consent or court-approval exception.
Do you need a witness to get a marriage license in New Jersey?
Yes. The Department of Health requires a witness at least 18 years old at the application. Separately, two witnesses sign the marriage certificate at the ceremony, according to Matawan's registrar instructions.
Who can perform a wedding in New Jersey?
N.J.S.A. 37:1-13, as amended by P.L.2025, c.222, authorizes listed federal, state and administrative law judges, county surrogates, county clerks, deputy county clerks and municipal clerks, mayors, certain former mayors and authorized deputy mayors, township committee chairs, village presidents, any member of the clergy of any religion, and civil celebrants certified by the Secretary of State.
Does New Jersey require a blood test to get married?
No. The Matawan registrar answers "Is a blood test required? No," and the state's application requirements list no medical test.
Updates
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
New Jersey Statutes (Unannotated)
§ 37:1-4Issuance of marriage or civil union license, emergencies, validity.In force
37:1-4. Issuance of marriage or civil union license, emergencies, validity. The marriage or civil union license shall not be issued by a licensing officer sooner than 72 hours after the application therefor has been made; provided, however, that the Superior Court may, by order, waive all or any part of said 72-hour period in cases of emergency, upon satisfactory proof being shown to it. Said order shall be filed with the licensing officer and attached to the application for the license. A marriage or civil union license, when properly issued as provided in this article, shall be good and valid only for 30 days after the date of the issuance thereof.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at lis.njleg.state.nj.us
§ 37:1-13Authorization to solemnize marriages and civil unions.In force
37:1-13. a. Authorization to solemnize marriages and civil unions. The following persons are hereby authorized to solemnize marriages or civil unions between such persons as may lawfully enter into the matrimonial relation or civil union: (1) any judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; (2) any judge of a federal district court; (3) any United States magistrate judge; (4) any judge of a municipal court; (5) any judge of the Superior Court; (6) any judge of the Tax Court; (7) any administrative law judge; (8) any retired judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court; (9) any retired administrative law judge; (10) any judge of the former County Court, the former County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, or the former County District Court who has resigned in good standing; (11) a surrogate of any county; (12) any county clerk, deputy county clerk, or municipal clerk; (13) any mayor or former mayor not currently serving on the municipal governing body or the deputy mayor when authorized by the mayor; (14) the chairman of any township committee or village president of this State; (15) any member of the clergy of any religion; and (16) any…
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at lis.njleg.state.nj.us
§ 37:1-17.1License and certificate of marriage or civil union; transmittal.In force
2. License and certificate of marriage or civil union; transmittal. The license and the original certificate shall be transmitted pursuant to R.S.26:8-41. One copy of the certificate shall be retained by the local registrar and one copy shall be given to the persons contracting the marriage or civil union. In the case of persons who have married or entered into a civil union pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2011, c.179 (C.37:1-17.3), one copy of the certificate shall be retained by the local registrar and one copy shall be given to one of the contracting persons and to the attorney-in-fact for the other contracting person. The remaining copy shall be retained by the person solemnizing the marriage or civil union.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at lis.njleg.state.nj.us
§ 26:8-41Transmission of marriage and civil union licenses and certificates, power of attorney.In force
26:8-41. Transmission of marriage and civil union licenses and certificates. Every person or religious society, institution or organization solemnizing a marriage or civil union shall, within 5 days thereafter, transmit the certificate of marriage or civil union and the marriage or civil union license to the local registrar of the registration district in which the marriage or civil union occurs or to the clerk of the county board of health. In the case of marriages or civil unions performed pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2011, c.179 (C.37:1-17.3), the person or religious society, institution or organization solemnizing the marriage or civil union, in addition to transmitting the certificate of marriage or civil union and the marriage or civil union license, shall also transmit the power of attorney. The local registrar or clerk of the county board of health shall stamp every certificate of marriage or civil union so received with the date of its receipt and the name of the registration district in which it is filed.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at lis.njleg.state.nj.us
§ 37:1-30Criteria for establishment of civil union.In force
3. For two persons to establish a civil union in this State, it shall be necessary that they satisfy all of the following criteria: a. Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in this State; b. Be of the same sex; and c. Be at least 18 years of age.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at lis.njleg.state.nj.us
§ 2A:34-1Causes for judgments of nullity.In force
2A:34-1. Causes for judgments of nullity. (1) Judgments of nullity of marriage may be rendered in all cases, when: a. Either of the parties has another wife, husband, partner in a civil union couple or domestic partner living at the time of a second or other marriage. b. The parties are within the degrees prohibited by law. If any such marriage shall not have been annulled during the lifetime of the parties the validity thereof shall not be inquired into after the death of either party. c. The parties, or either of them, were at the time of marriage physically and incurably impotent, provided the party making the application shall have been ignorant of such impotency or incapability at the time of the marriage, and has not subsequently ratified the marriage. d. The parties, or either of them, lacked capacity to marry due to want of understanding because of mental condition, or the influence of intoxicants, drugs, or similar agents; or where there was a lack of mutual assent to the marital relationship; duress; or fraud as to the essentials of marriage; and has not subsequently ratified the marriage.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-01 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at lis.njleg.state.nj.us
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Sources and References
- New Jersey Department of Health, Marriage and Civil Union License brochure (REG-D30)(nj.gov).gov
- New Jersey Department of Health, Marriage/Civil Union License Application Requirements fact sheet(nj.gov).gov
- Matawan Borough Registrar of Vital Statistics, Applying for a Marriage License instructions(matawanborough.com)
- New Jersey Department of Health, Virtual Marriage FAQs (Executive Order 135, COVID-19 public health emergency)(nj.gov).gov
- New Jersey State Law Library, legislative history of P.L.2018, c.42 (S427), barring marriage and civil unions under age 18(repo.njstatelib.org)
- P.L.2025, c.222 (A583), amending N.J.S.A. 37:1-13 (who may solemnize marriages), approved January 12, 2026(pub.njleg.gov).gov
- P.L.2018, c.42 (S427), amending N.J.S.A. 37:1-4, 37:1-6, 37:1-30 and 2A:34-1 (minimum age 18)(pub.njleg.gov).gov
- P.L.2006, c.103, amending N.J.S.A. 37:1-1, 37:1-12, 37:1-12.1, 37:1-17 and 26:8-41 (prohibited degrees, fees, witnesses, 5-day filing)(pub.njleg.gov).gov
- New Jersey Department of Health, Marriage License(nj.gov).gov