Requirements for a Marriage License in New Jersey
Marriage is more than a lifelong commitment to another person, it is also a legal agreement that requires a license from the state. In New Jersey, couples must obtain a license from the municipality in which either or both individuals live or in which the wedding is to take place. Getting a license is a relatively simple process, requiring an application, payment of a nominal fee, providing some basic documentation, and having a witness to the signing.
Other People Are Reading
-
Who is Permitted to Marry
-
According to New Jersey law, two individuals who want to marry must not be involved in any other marriages recognized by the state. New Jersey does not allow same-sex marriage. Individuals under age 18 can only be married if they have parental consent. Individuals under 16 must have parental consent, and the consent must be approved in writing by a superior court judge, chancery division, family part.
Filling Out the Application
-
The application is available online from the state department of health and senior services, and in person at any municipal registrar's office. Couples must provide such basic information as names, birth dates, addresses, previous marriages or civil unions, and parents' names. Couples also must provide the date of the ceremony and the name and address of the officiant. The application should not be signed until it has been brought to the registrar's office, where it will be signed under oath in front of a municipal official and a witness.
-
Where to Obtain the License
-
A marriage license must be obtained from the municipality in which either or both of the individuals live. If the two people do not live in New Jersey, they must obtain the license from the municipality in which the ceremony will take place.The couple must bring proof of identity in the form of a driver's license, passport or government-issued identification card. They also provide proof of residency, Social Security cards, a witness at least 18 years old, and the $28 fee (as for July 2010).
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit marriage image by Mykola Velychko from Fotolia.com
