FAQs

  1. Who can perform a marriage or civil union in the State of New Jersey?
  2. Where should you apply for a marriage or civil union license?
  3. When should you apply for a marriage or civil union license?
  4. What should you bring with you when you apply for a marriage or civil union license?
  5. Where/when should the marriage or civil union license be filed after the ceremony?
  6. When will the certificate be ready and where should it be picked up?
  7. Do I need to change my name?
  8. What are the different sections of a ceremony?
  9. What should you ask your celebrant before booking your ceremony?

FAQs specific to New Jersey civil unions.

  1. Are public officials who are authorized to perform marriages/civil unions required to perform my civil union ceremony?
  2. If we entered into a domestic partnership before New Jersey's Civil Union Act took effect is our domestic partnership still valid if we elect not to enter into a civil union?
  3. Is it true that as of February 19, 2007, when New Jersey's Civil Union Act took effect, only couples (same-gender or opposite-gender) 62 years of age or older can register for domestic partnerships?
  4. If I am in a domestic partnership and want to enter into a civil union with the same partner, do we need to terminate the domestic partnership before applying for our civil union license?

Who can perform a marriage or civil union in the State of New Jersey?

A marriage or civil union ceremony can be performed by any federal, state, municipal judge or magistrate (even if they are retired); any county clerk; any mayor or deputy mayor of a town; chairman of any township committee; and every minister/reverend of every religion, including Internet ministries.

This is an easy to read but detailed explanation of New Jersey's Marriage License Law.
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Where should you apply for a marriage or civil union license?

A marriage or civil union license in the State of New Jersey must be obtained from the Registrar in the municipality in which either applicant resides, if one (or both) is a resident in New Jersey. A license issued in this manner is good for use anywhere in the State of New Jersey.

Note: If both parties are not residents of New Jersey, the license must be obtained from the Registrar of the municipality where the ceremony is to be performed and is only good for use in that municipality.

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When should you apply for a marriage or civil union license?

A local Registrar can not issue a marriage or civil union license sooner than 72 hours after the application has been submitted (see example below). The application must be completed by both parties before the license will be issued and is valid for six months from the date filed. Once the license is issued, it is good for 30 days from the date of issuance.

Example: If your ceremony is scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday, the latest the application can be submitted is the preceding Tuesday in order to have your license back by Friday. However, waiting until this late is not recommended unless there is no other option. (Registrars are generally not available on Saturday, Sunday or any public holiday.)
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What should you bring with you when you apply for a marriage or civil union license?

Each applicant is required to provide the following, as applicable:

  • Valid identification that establishes your name, age, date of birth and proof of residency (e.g., driver's license, certified copy of a birth certificate, military identification, passport or state/county identification card).
  • Proof of your Social Security Number (State law requires that this be kept confidential).
  • If one or both parties are divorced, have had a previous civil union dissolved or previous domestic partnership terminated, you should bring a copy of the final legal decree(s).
  • If one or both parties have had a marriage legally annulled, you should bring the annulment documents.
  • If one or both parties were in a previous marriage, civil union or domestic partnership where the previous partner is deceased, you should bring a certified copy of the death certificate.
  • A witness whom is 18 years or older. Only one witness is necessary as long as he/she knows both parties.
  • The $28.00 application fee payable in cash or by check.
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Where/when should the marriage or civil union license be filed after the ceremony?

Your officiant must file the license with the Registrar of the municipality where the ceremony was performed. The license must be filed within five (5) days after the ceremony.
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When will the certificate be ready and where should it be picked up?

Your certified copy(ies) of the marriage or civil union certificate is usually available five (5) days after receipt by the appropriate Registrar. You may pick it up from the local Registrar in the municipality where the ceremony occurred.

You should call the appropriate Registrar to confirm that your certificate is ready, ask when you may pick it up and let them know how many certified copies you'd like. Be sure to ask what the cost is per certified copy.
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Do I need to change my name?

You are not obligated to change your name. However, if you choose to legally change your name, you need to let Social Security know so that you can get an updated corrected card. For more details check the Social Security Administration web site. The form you're required to submit to SSA for a name change is Form SS-5, which can be downloaded as a PDF file directly from the SSA web site.

If you do legally change your name, you may also need to change it for the following, as applicable:

  • Department of Motor Vehicles (driver's license and car registration)
  • Insurance (car, health, homeowner's, etc.)
  • Financial (bank accounts, credit card accounts)
  • Other (will, passport, voter registration, your employer)
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What are the different sections of a ceremony?

Generally, your ceremony will be comprised of the following elements and usually in the order as listed. Keep in mind that some of these elements are optional. Discuss the list below with your officiant to determine what elements you want to include in your ceremony. Also, if you wish to include inspirational readings and/or specific rituals, discuss with your officiant where they should occur during your ceremony.

Processional
The officiant, couple, witnesses and other participants, if applicable, enter the ceremony area, often with accompanying music, if desired.

Greeting/Welcome
Officiant's opening remarks welcoming your guests to your ceremony and announcing that everyone is there to celebrate your union.

Remembrance and/or Recognition
The officiant will acknowledge deceased friends and family of the couple, acknowledge friends and family who could not attend the ceremony and/or recognize certain people for the contribution they have made to either one or both of the partner's lives.

Invocation
Think of this section as the message from the officiant to the couple talking about the joy and importance of the relationship you are about to create as well as what will help to make the relationship successful. The comments are generally focused on love, friendship, mutual trust and respect.

Declaration of Intent
The officiant will ask you a couple of questions. Consider this your public announcement to all that are gathered that you are about to make vows to one another. The officiant also may take this time to speak about the commitment and responsibility that is assumed upon entering into this bond.

Introduction to Vows
The officiant speaks to you about the importance of the vows you are about to make to each other as witnessed by your invited guests.

Exchange of Vows
This is the emotionally binding part of your ceremony where you state your promises to each other. Your vows can be "read and repeat" (officiant reads each line, you repeat it), personally read by each of you to the other or any combination of these methods.

Introduction to Ring Vows
The officiant talks about the significance of the ring as an unbroken circle, a symbol of eternity with no beginning or end.

Exchange of Rings
You each state your ring vows then put the ring on your partner's finger.

Officiant's Best Wishes
This is when the officiant will offer his personal best wishes to you for a life filled with laughter and love, etc.

Declaration of Marriage or Civil Union
The officiant pronounces you husband and wife/wedded partners.

Introduction of Couple
The officiant introduces you to your guests in your new role as wedded partners.

Recessional
The recessional marks the conclusion of the ceremony and, like the processional, music often underscores the new couple's departure from the ceremony area.
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What should you ask your celebrant before booking your ceremony?

  1. How long have you officiated marriages or civil unions?
  2. Have you performed many marriages or civil unions?
  3. Will you come to my location to perform a ceremony?
  4. What type of ceremonies will you perform?
  5. What is your style?
  6. What are your rules as to photography?
  7. Do you have ceremony samples?
  8. What are the fees charged?
Be sure to contact an officiant in time before booking a rental hall or location so you're sure you have the right officiant for your ceremony.
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FAQs specific to New Jersey civil unions.

Are public officials who are authorized to perform marriages/civil unions required to perform my civil union ceremony?

Public officials who are authorized to perform marriages are authorized to perform civil unions. Public officials may choose whether or not to exercise this authority. However, if a public official agrees to perform marriages, he or she must agree to perform civil unions. If an official elects not to perform civil unions, he or she cannot perform marriages either.
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If we entered into a domestic partnership before New Jersey's Civil Union Act took effect is our domestic partnership still valid if we elect not to enter into a civil union?

Yes. Your domestic partnership is still valid as it was entered into under the law in place at the time. However, it's important to note that you continue to have only the rights afforded to domestic partners and not the full rights of married couples as are given to civil union couples.
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Is it true that as of February 19, 2007, when New Jersey's Civil Union Act took effect, only couples (same-gender or opposite-gender) 62 years of age or older can register for domestic partnerships?

Yes. As of February 19, 2007, domestic partnerships can only be established by couples 62 years of age or older, regardless of whether they are a same-gender or opposite-gender couple.
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If I am in a domestic partnership and want to enter into a civil union with the same partner, do we need to terminate the domestic partnership before applying for our civil union license?

No. Domestic partners who wish to enter into a civil union with the same person do not need to terminate their domestic partnership. Once they have entered into the civil union, their domestic partnership will automatically terminate if it was registered in New Jersey. If it was registered outside New Jersey, the laws of that state would determine the validity of the domestic partnership following the New Jersey civil union.
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More Information




"Ryan and I want you to know how much we appreciated all you did: from always being available to answer a question, to helping us to prepare a flawless ceremony, to having everything we needed right at our fingertips. We truly felt that our ceremony was perfect. You said everything we'd hoped you'd say just how we imagined you would say it and, of the entire evening, we have to say the ceremony was our favorite part."

Jessica & Ryan
David's Country Inn
Hackettstown, NJ
February 2012