Getting a Marriage License in New Jersey

According to the New Jersey Department of State, Bureau of Vital Statistics the requirements for entering into a marriage are:
For two persons to establish a Marriage in this State, it shall be necessary that they satisfy all of the following criteria:
1. Not be a party to another civil union, domestic partnership or marriage in this State or recognized by this State;
2. Be of the opposite sex
3. Be at least 18 years of age, except that applicants under the age of 18 may enter into a marriage with parental consent.
Applicants under the age of 16 must obtain parental consent and have the consent approved in writing by any judge of the Superior Court, Chancery Division, Family part.
Where to apply:
1. The marriage license application is to be made in the New Jersey municipality in which either party resides and the license is valid throughout the State of New Jersey.
2. If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, submit the application in the municipality where the marriage ceremony will be performed, the license is only valid in the issuing municipality.
Please contact the local registrar to determine if license applications are handled during business hours or by appointment.
Required documents when applying for a marriage license:
1. Proof of identity by presenting your driver’s license, passport or state or federal I.D.
2. Proof of your residency.
3. Your social security card or social security number. (Social security number is required by law for US citizens and will be kept confidential.)
4. A witness, 18 years of age or older.
5. The $28 application fee.
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. If you are divorced, have had a previous civil union dis-solved, 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 or civil union or domestic partner is deceased, please bring the death certificate.
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. There is no 72-hour waiting period for a remarriage; however, you must bring a certified copy of your existing marriage.
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.
Only one marriage license may be granted from a marriage application. If the license expires before being used, a new application must be made and another $28 fee remitted.
The only exception to this requirement is in the case where a civil and religious ceremony are 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 is-sue 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.
For individuals who are currently in a marriage in New Jersey or are in an opposite sex marriage in another state or country there exists the option to reaffirm your relationship and vows by registering a Remarriage.
In order to apply for a Remarriage the couple must provide proof of their existing opposite sex marriage, meet the requirements for entering into a marriage in New Jersey and follow the guidelines above to completing the license application.
The process for a Remarriage License are the same as for the Marriage License, except that the Remarriage License must be accompanied by the proof of existing marriage and once the application is filed there is no 72-hour waiting period before the license is issued.
List of Registrars for Cape May County:
Avalon Borough, Amy W. Kleuskens, Georgann Berardis, 3100 Dune Drive, Avalon, 08202, 967-5530
Cape May City, Diane L. Weldon, Louise Cummiskey, 643 Washington St., Cape May, 08204-884-9532 or 9530
Cape May Point Borough, Constance Mahon, Genevieve M. McCaney, 215 Lighthouse Ave., Cape May Point, 08212, 884-8468
Dennis Township, Jacqueline Justice, Janice M. Kenney, 571 Petersburg Road, Dennisville, 08214, 861-9700
Lower Township, Patricia Harbora, Colleen Horwath, 2600 Bayshore Road, Villas, 08251, 886-2005 x112
Middle Township, Bonita Millard, Dorothy E. Mutter, 400 W. Mechanic St., Court House, 08210, 465-8722
City of North Wildwood, Janet Harkins, Maureen Thall, 901 Atlantic Ave. N. Wildwood, 08260, 522-2030
Ocean City, Mary Ann Brown, Sheila Cottrell, 861 Asbury Ave., Ocean City, 08226, 525-9328
Sea Isle City, Cindy Griffith, Claire D’Intino, 4416 Landis Ave., Sea Isle City, 08243, 263-4461
Stone Harbor Borough, Suzanne C. Stanford, Lisa Stefankiewicz, 9508 Second Ave., Stone Harbor, 08247, 368-5102
Upper Township, Wanda Gaglione, Barbara L. Young, 2100 Tuckahoe Road, Petersburg, 08270 628-2011
West Cape May Borough, Elaine L. Wallace, Kathleen Kilian, 732 Broadway, W. Cape May, 08204, 884-1005
West Wildwood Borough, Maria Brewster, Anthony Renzi, 701 W. Glenwood Ave., West Wildwood, 08260, 780-5529
Wildwood City, Karen M. Gose, Lisa A. Brown, 4400 New Jersey Ave., Wildwood, 08260, 522-2444 Ext 2209
Wildwood Crest Borough, Kevin Yecco, Janelle M. Holzmer, 6101 Pacific Ave., Wildwood Crest, 08260, 522-5176
Woodbine Borough, Lisa Garrison, Letitia Wenerd, 501 Washington Ave., Woodbine, 08270, 861-2153