New Jersey Marriage Records
Marriages in New Jersey are recognized unions between two individuals that become legally binding once they both express their consent to wed each other in the presence of an authorized officiant and at least two witnesses. Title 37 of the New Jersey Statutes outlines the eligibility criteria, requirements, and procedures for marriages in the state. Under this law, anyone aged 18 and older may be married in New Jersey if they are not already in another marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership recognized by the state and they do not intend to marry a close family member. The intended couple must also obtain a marriage license issued by the local registrar in the municipality where either of them resides or the municipality where the wedding is expected to be held (for non-residents). Couples are typically expected to appear in person during this process; some municipalities may also require the presence of at least one witness when couples apply for marriage licenses. These licenses are valid for 30 days and must be returned to the registrar after the wedding ceremony for recording.
Over 40,000 marriages (including same-sex marriages) are recorded in New Jersey annually. According to recent data, the median age for first marriages in the state is around 30 years for women and 32 years for men, aligning with national trends. New Jersey marriage records are maintained by the New Jersey Department of Health's Office of Vital Statistics and Registry and local registrars in the municipalities where the marriages were recorded. These records are generally considered confidential and are usually only accessible to the couple named on the record, their immediate family, legal representatives, and specific authorized parties. However, these records become public 50 years after the marriage, at which point any interested party can access them.
What are Marriage Records?
New Jersey marriage records are vital records that officially document the legal union between two individuals in the state. There are two main types of marriage records in New Jersey: marriage licenses and marriage certificates. While these documents are often (and erroneously) used interchangeably by members of the public, there is a distinct difference between them. Marriage licenses are legal documents that must be obtained before the marriage ceremony. On the other hand, marriage certificates are documents issued after the marriage ceremony to prove the couple has been officially and legally wedded. Collectively, these records serve several purposes, which include:
- To provide a formal record of the marriage
- For name changes, tax filings, inheritance claims, and other legal and administrative purposes
- To provide data for research into social, cultural, and demographic trends
- For genealogical research
New Jersey marriage records are generated by local registrars, who also manage and store these records for their respective municipalities. The New Jersey Department of Health’s Office of Vital Statistics and Registry also maintains a centralized repository of all marriages recorded statewide. These records typically include essential information like the full names of the spouses, their dates and places of birth, the date and place of the marriage, the officiant’s name, the names and addresses of witnesses, the date the marriage license was issued, and the couple’s parents’ names.
It is important to note that New Jersey marriage records are deemed confidential for 50 years and can only be accessed by specific parties during this time. These include the individuals named on the record, their immediate family, and their legal representatives. However, marriage records older than 50 are public records and can be accessed by anyone.
Marriages in New Jersey
In 2022, the marriage rate in New Jersey was 5.1 marriages per 1,000 residents. A survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau for this same period indicates that 34.8% of New Jersey residents aged 15 and older have never been married, with more men having never been married than women. Divorce and separation rates were also higher among the women. Interestingly, New Jersey has had some of the lowest divorce rates in the country over the past decade.
Marital status in the state also varies significantly across racial groups. Asians have the highest marriage rate at 61.3%, with 28.4% never married, 6.1% divorced, and 4.2% widowed. 52.6% of Whites are married, 10.4% are divorced, 30.2% have never been married, and 6.8% are widowed. The African American population has a lower marriage rate at 28.7%, with 52.1% never married, 12.1% divorced, and 7.1% widowed, while the Hispanics show a somewhat more balanced distribution, with 45.2% married, 39.8% never married, 9.2% divorced, and 5.8% widowed.
Couples must meet specific legal requirements before they can get married in New Jersey. Both parties must be at least 18 years old, mentally competent, and not currently married to or in a legally recognized civil union or domestic relationship with anyone else. Individuals are also prohibited from marrying their ancestors (such as parents and grandparents), descendants (such as children and grandchildren), siblings, siblings’ children, or parents' siblings, even if they are only related by half-blood. Couples who meet these criteria can apply for a marriage license from the local registrar in the municipality where either of them lives – once obtained, these licenses can be used anywhere in the state. However, in situations where the couple are both non-residents looking to get wedded in New Jersey, they must obtain a marriage license in the municipality where the marriage is expected to take place – in this case, the license can only be used in that municipality.
New Jersey marriage licenses typically cost $28. While the license fee is standardized across the state, the application process may vary slightly by location; as such, it is advisable to contact the local registrar’s office beforehand to get specifics on their application process. Nonetheless, the couple is generally expected to appear in person at the registrar’s office, present valid government-issued identification, disclose any previous marriages or civil unions, and provide any documentation that the registrar may deem necessary. While blood tests and physicals are not required before marriage licenses are issued in New Jersey, the state enforces a mandatory 72-hour waiting period between the time an application is submitted and when the marriage license may be issued (unless a waiver is obtained from a Superior Court). Marriage licenses are valid for 30 days once issued, and a new one must be obtained if the couple does not get married within this timeframe.
Under New Jersey law, wedding ceremonies must be conducted by specific authorized individuals. These include federal judges, U.S. magistrates, state judges (including retired ones), ordained ministers, rabbis, clergy members, state-certified civil celebrants, and certain public officials, such as county clerks, mayors, village presidents, and township committee chairpersons. Additionally, the state recognizes ceremonies conducted by leaders of religious organizations that do not use traditional officiants. Note that at least two witnesses (excluding the officiant) must be present during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the officiant (and witnesses) must complete and sign the marriage license and file it with the local registrar of the municipality where the ceremony was performed within five days. This is a crucial step necessary for recording the marriage and issuing an official marriage certificate.
Section 37:1-17.3 of the New Jersey Statutes also makes provisions for proxy marriages, specifically for U.S. Armed Forces or National Guard members stationed overseas and involved in a conflict or war. These individuals may use an attorney-in-fact to stand in for them during the license application process and the wedding ceremony. These attorneys-in-fact must present an original power of attorney signed by the actual spouse and notarized or witnessed by two officers. This document must state the names of the couple and specify that it is solely for obtaining the license and solemnizing the marriage. The power of attorney will be included in the couple’s marriage certificate.
New Jersey Marriage Certificate
New Jersey marriage certificates are official records of marriage ceremonies performed in the state. After a wedding ceremony, the person who officiated the wedding must file the completed and signed marriage license with the office of the local registrar in the municipality where the wedding occurred. The registrar then processes the returned license to create a marriage certificate and files this certificate. New Jersey marriage certificates typically contain details like the couple's full names and addresses, the date and location of the marriage, and the names and addresses of the officiant and witnesses.
Note that marriage certificates are not typically automatically issued to the couple after their wedding. Nonetheless, copies can be obtained from the local registrar in the municipality where the marriage occurred and the New Jersey Department of Health’s Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.
How To Find and Access New Jersey Marriage Records
New Jersey marriage records are maintained and can be obtained from local registrars in the municipality where the wedding in question occurred. Copies of these records can also be accessed through the New Jersey Department of Health’s Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.
Accessing New Jersey Marriage Records Online
New Jersey marriage records (and other vital records generated in the state) are generally considered confidential and cannot be searched online. Accessibility to marriage records less than 50 years old is restricted to the couple named on the record, their parents, siblings, children, legal representatives, and authorized agents.
Nonetheless, the New Jersey Department of Health’s Office of Vital Statistics and Registry provides an online request portal through which eligible parties can order certified copies of marriage certificates. Requesters will need to have a valid ID, proof of their relationship to the person named on the record, and a payment method handy when utilizing this portal. There is a $25 fee for the first copy, a $2 fee for additional copies, plus processing and service charges. Some municipalities also offer access to online platforms that can be used to obtain copies of marriage certificates. Queries on the availability of these platforms and request/user fees can be directed to the municipality’s local registrar’s office.
In addition, the New Jersey Secretary of State maintains an online index that can be used to search for and request records of marriages between May 1848 - December 1900 (these records are no longer considered confidential and, thus, accessible to the public).
Accessing New Jersey Marriage Records Offline
Interested parties can request copies of New Jersey marriage certificates in person by visiting the local registrar’s office where the marriage occurred or the New Jersey Department of Health’s Office of Vital Statistics and Registry’s walk-in center located at:
140 East Front Street
Trenton, NJ 08608
Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Mondays to Fridays
Offline marriage records requests are typically grouped into two categories:
- Genealogical requests: these are requests for marriage records older than 50 years. These types of requests will typically not be processed if the individuals named on the record are still alive.
- Non-genealogical requests: these are requests for current marriage records (marriages that occurred within the last 50 years). Copies of these records are typically only accessible to specific parties.
Offline requests can also be made via mail; the state’s Office of Vital Statistics and Registry and select local registrar’s offices also offer email and phone-in request options. The request process typically involves completing and submitting an application form, providing proof of identification and relationship to the individuals named on the record, and paying all applicable fees. Processing times vary by location and chosen request method.
References
- New Jersey Department of Health
- Rutgers University School of Law
- Library of Congress Research Guides
- New Providence Borough Clerk’s Office
- City of Cape May, NJ
- City of Jersey City Clerk’s Office
- U.S. Census Bureau
- Statistical Atlas
- CDC/National Center for Health Statistics
- City of Rahway Department of Health
- Howell Township Clerk’s Office
- Plainsboro Township Clerk’s Office