New Jersey Marriage Records

New Jersey began documenting events of marriages that occurred in the state in 1925. Before this, most counties maintained records of marriages within their respective jurisdictions. Recent data shows that the national marriage rate stands at 6.2 marriages per 1,000 people. In comparison, New Jersey's marriage rate is notably lower at 5.4 marriages per 1,000 residents, placing the state as one of the states with the lowest marriage rates.

Marriage records in New Jersey are official documents that detail the union between two individuals. Marriage records, which serve as legal proof of the marriage, comprise the marriage license and marriage certificate.

• Marriage Licenses: Marriage licenses are legal documents obtained from the County Clerk of Court's office before the wedding ceremony. It gives the couple permission to get married and ensures that they meet the legal requirements set by the state. Marriage licenses include information such as the names of the individuals, their ages, place of birth, current address, officiant information, the county where the license was issued, and the issuance and expiry date of the license.
• Marriage Certificates: After the wedding ceremony, the witnesses and officiant sign the marriage license. It is returned to the Clerk of the Court's Office. The information from the license is then recorded, and the marriage certificate is issued. This certificate serves as official proof of the marriage. Marriage certificates contain details such as the names of the spouses, the date of marriage, the location where the ceremony occurred, the name of the officiant, the witness name, the registration number, and the official seal of the issuing authority.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in New Jersey?

You may look up marriage records in New Jersey through the following sources:

• The New Jersey Department of Health- Office of Vital Statistics and Registry maintains certified copies of marriage records for events occurring from 1918 to the present.
• Local Municipal Offices and County Registrars hold records of marriage licenses issued within their jurisdiction.

To order marriage records from the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, complete the proper application form. The forms may be downloaded from their official website. You may also look up marriage records from 1918 to date at the Local Vital Records Offices in New Jersey. Mail the completed form and supporting documents to:

You may also look up marriage licenses from the specific Municipality or County Clerk's Office where the marriage event occurred. Some counties provide downloadable request forms on their website, while others require you to visit the office to obtain the form.

All applications for marriage records may include the following information and supporting documents:

• The full name of the couple
• The date of marriage
• Government-issued identification card
• Self-addressed stamped envelope for mail requests only
• The fee of $25

Are Marriage Records Public in New Jersey?

Yes. Marriage records are considered public records in New Jersey. This means that, unlike other vital records restricted to immediate family members, most marriage records are open for public inspection.

While some states restrict public access to vital records, making them available only after a certain number of years have passed, there is no mandatory waiting period after which marriage records become public in New Jersey. Although marriage records are accessible to the public, some details on the marriage certificate may be withheld to protect personal privacy.

How Much Do New Jersey Marriage Records Cost?

It costs $25 to obtain certified copies of a marriage record in New Jersey. If you need extra copies at the same time as the initial request, each additional copy typically costs around $2. New Jersey offers an expedited processing option for vital records, including marriage certificates. Expedited processing costs $12.

Certified copies of marriage records ordered in person or by mail are typically processed within 6 to 8 weeks. Expedited processing reduces the delivery time to about 2-3 weeks.

The cost of marriage records ordered at the County Clerk's Office has different fees and processing times. Expect to pay between $10 and $25 to obtain a certified copy of the marriage certificate. Persons who order the record in person may obtain the document on the same day.

Is It Possible to Make Your Marriage Records Confidential in New Jersey?

No. New Jersey law does not allow couples to make their marriage records confidential. Marriage records are considered public records and are governed by the New Jersey Open Records Act (OPRA). This means that basic details of your marriage, such as names, dates, and location, are available to the public.

Similarly, while some states permit individuals to seal some vital records, New Jersey does not offer a legal option for couples to seal their marriage records or make them confidential. However, sensitive information such as Social Security numbers are often redacted on certified copies to protect the privacy of the record holder.

How Do I Verify the Authenticity of New Jersey Marriage Records?

Verifying the authenticity of your marriage record in New Jersey is important for personal, legal, and financial reasons. Whether you need to prove your marital status for immigration or travel, claim tax or insurance benefits, or make a legal name change or your Social Security records, knowing that your marriage record is genuine is essential.

You may verify the authenticity of your New Jersey marriage record from the New Jersey Department of Health - Office of Vital Statistics and Registry. You may also contact the local Municipal or County Clerk's Office where the marriage license was originally issued to verify the details on the license and confirm that the marriage took place.

An authenticated copy of a New Jersey marriage record typically includes features such as Complete marriage information, unique record number, and official signatures. Certified marriage records also have an embossed or raised seal of the issuing office, which proves its authenticity, and a state stamp indicating that the record is valid and legally recognized.

Can I Find New Jersey Marriage Records Online for Free?

In New Jersey, several non-governmental sources can help you access both old and new marriage records without paying a fee. FamilySearch.org is a free genealogy website that provides a vast range of records, including marriage records from New Jersey. The platform has indexes, digital images, and transcriptions of marriage records dating back to the mid-1800s and up to the early 1900s. You may search historical records and download copies of marriage records without a fee.

New Jersey State Archives is a great resource for historical marriage records and holds records from 1984 through 1900. The website provides free access to indexes and digital images of marriage records.

Third-party platforms, such as PublicRecords.us, aggregate public records, including marriage records for New Jersey. You can search for marriage records using the name, dates, or locations related to the marriage. The website compiles data from multiple public sources, making it easy to find basic information on marriage records for free.

What Is Required to Get a New Jersey Marriage License?

To obtain a New Jersey marriage license, you and your partner must meet specific legal requirements and provide several documents. They include:

• Both partners must be 18 years or older
• Proof of residency by at least one applicant
• Proof of identity with a government-issued ID card
• A witness aged 18 years or older
• The divorce decree or death certificate if either party was previously married
• The marriage license fee of $28

There is a 72-hour waiting period after your application is filed at the county clerk's office before the marriage license is issued. There is no waiting period for persons remarrying. Once issued, the license is valid for six months, during which the couple may conduct their wedding ceremony. If the marriage license lapses before the ceremony is conducted, the couple must apply for a new marriage license.

Can You Amend Marriage Records in New Jersey?

Yes. New Jersey allows corrections to marriage records if there are errors or omissions. You may correct misspellings, incorrect dates, and errors in the recorded address on your marriage license. Similarly, you may also correct your marriage certificate if there are mistakes in the recorded details. Usually, you may amend incorrect spellings of names, mistaken dates, mistaken locations, or inaccurate parent information on marriage certificates.

Any request to amend a marriage record must be accompanied by supporting evidence. This may usually include a copy of a government-issued photo ID or a certified copy of a birth certificate. If the amendment is part of a legal name change process, a court order may be required.

Amending New Jersey Marriage License

If you notice mistakes on your marriage license, you can request an amendment before the wedding. Reach out to the Municipal or County Clerk's Office where you applied for your marriage license. You will be required to fill out a correction or amendment form and include documents to verify the correct information. The fee to correct a marriage license varies by county, but expect to pay up to $23 to amend the license.

Amending New Jersey Marriage Certificate

You may correct errors on your New Jersey marriage certificate at the State's Vital Statistics and Registry Office or with your local registrar in the municipality or county where the marriage occurred. You may complete the appropriate amendment form and use the Instruction for Completing Amendment guide to fill the form correctly.

The exact fee to amend marriage certificates differs by county. Usually, it ranges from $20 to $50. Amending marriage certificates from the State's Vital Statistics and Registry Office costs $ 25.