EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WEDDINGS IN JERSEY CITY

You do NOT need to get married in City Hall or in the Court House, but you do need a marriage license in order to get married and a marriage certificate (to prove that you are married).

TO APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE

Applications must be made in person, by appointment only.

1. CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY

  • At least one of the partners currently lives in Jersey City or
  • Both partners live in another State and they are getting married in Jersey City

 If either of these describe you, move on to step 2.
2. SCHEDULE YOUR MARRIAGE CEREMONY

  •  Marriage Licenses are only valid for 30 days
  • Staff at the Clerk’s Office cannot marry couples; they can only issue Marriage Licenses.
  • You must have your marriage ceremony arranged before you schedule your Marriage License appointment.

3. SELECT YOUR "MARRIAGE OFFICIANT" (THE PERSON WHO WILL PERFORM THE CEREMONY). 

Judges and religious officials (ministers, rabbis, imams, etc) can serve as Marriage Officiants.

  • Marriage ceremonies must take place within New Jersey.
  • The Clerk’s Office needs three (3) weeks’ notice prior to your ceremony to schedule your Marriage License appointment.

 Click [here] to learn about getting married at the Municipal Court or in City Hall.

4. SCHEDULE YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE APPOINTMENT

  • Make sure you are eligible to get a Marriage License from Jersey City (see #1 above)
  • Assure you have already arranged your marriage ceremony (see #2  and #3 above)
  • Complete your Marriage License Application (REG-77 Form) [available here].
  • Now you are ready to book your Marriage License appointment by calling 201-547-5150/Option #3.

On the date of your appointment, you and your partner will need to bring:

  • Application fee - $28 CASH (No credit or debit cards are accepted)
  • A valid, government-issued photo ID (cannot be expired);
  • Proof of Jersey City residency (if applicable) such as a utility bill, bank statement, etc.;
  • One (1) eyewitness;
  • A completed Marriage License Application (REG-77 Form) [available here].
During your appointment, you will make another appointment to pick up your License at least 72 hours later. Only one (1) partner needs to be present to pick it up. 

5. YOU ARE READY TO GET MARRIED!

  • You've picked up your License from the Clerk’s Office. There will be 4 copies to sign
  • Give all 4 copies to the Marriage Officiant
  • Ceremony is performed and you are married (congratulations!)
  • Officiant signs all four (4) copies of the License

6. STEPS TO GETTING YOUR MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

Marriage Certificates are not automatically sent out; you must request and pay a fee for it. If you got married in Jersey City, you can request a copy of your Marriage Certificate through the mail or make an appointment to apply for it in person.

  • If you got married in another city, request your Marriage Certificate through that city even if you received your Marriage License from Jersey City.
  • File signed Marriage License copies #1 and #2 within five (5) days of the ceremony in the  city where your marriage ceremony took place. 

IN PERSON

  • Bring copies #1 & #2 of your signed marriage license to the city where you were married within five (5) days of the ceremony or
  • If you got married in Jersey City, you or your Officiant can drop copies #1 & #2 of your Marriage License in the drop box located in the lobby of City Hall -no appointment is necessary!
  • To drop off your signed in license in person, make an appointment for your Marriage Certificate by calling 201-547-5150 / Option #3

BY MAIL

  •  Download the Application (REG-37 Form) [available here]
  • Mail it to the address at the top of the form. You will need:
    • A photocopy of your Driver’s License (or some other Government-issued photo ID)
    • A self-addressed stamped envelope
    • A check or money order made payable to the “City of Jersey City” for the copies.
      • $20 for the 1st copy
      • $10 for each additional copy.

HELPFUL LINKS

Wedding Officiator Instructions

 

People Getting Married or Forming a Civil Union Instructions

 

Marriage License Frequently Asked Questions 

If you would like your wedding ceremony performed at a City location, you have two choices:

Municipal Court
365 Summit Avenue
Jersey City NJ 07306

Municipal Council Chambers
280b Grove Street, 2nd floor
Jersey City NJ 07302

Fees for both locations:

  • One or both individuals are Jersey City residents  - $75
  • Neither individual is a resident of Jersey City - $100.

Fees must be paid at the City Clerk’s Office in advance of the ceremony. Call to schedule an appointment for payment.

PLEASE NOTE: Only Judges of the Municipal Court can perform wedding ceremonies at the Municipal Court and only the Mayor, or ordained Council Members can perform wedding ceremonies at City Hall. Neither the Municipal Court nor City Hall are available to rent.