How to Get Married in New Jersey

Getting married in the Garden State affords a variety of settings from the cosmopolitan to the coastal. With a little planning and some paperwork, you can get married in New Jersey.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Marriage license
• Identification

1. Decide on a date. The average temperature in New Jersey can vary from the 30s to the 80s depending on where you are and what time of year it is. So choose your date accordingly.
2. Choose a location. The Delaware River and Jersey Shore are both popular places to wed, but don’t forget the larger cities like Newark and Jersey City (see Resources below).
3. Get a marriage license. You can apply up to six months before the ceremony, and there is a 72-hour waiting period until you receive your license. You will need a witness over the age of 18 when you apply for a license. If you are under 18, then you’ll need the consent of your parent or guardian when applying for a license (see Resources below).
4. Plan the attire. You’ll need to decide the colors of your wedding before you can choose the attire for the wedding party.
5. Send invitations. Plan the guest list judiciously because the more people you invite, the more your wedding will cost.

Tips & Warnings

• Required documents for a marriage license include picture identification, a certified birth certificate and a social security card.
• As of February 2007, New Jersey began recognizing same-sex unions. Such unions allow the partners all the same rights and benefits that a male-female marriage provides.
• Weekend days do not count in the 72-hour waiting period, but a waiver can be issued in the case of an emergency.

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