How to Apply for a Marriage License in Bergen County
New Jersey handles marriage licenses at the town level, not through one county court. A couple applies at the Local Registrar in the municipality where either applicant lives. If neither lives in New Jersey, they apply in the town where the ceremony will happen, and that license is valid only there. The Bergen County Clerk does not issue all licenses; most towns run them through their health department.
The basic path is the same across Bergen towns, with local payment and copy fees set by each registrar.
- Find the correct registrar: where either applicant lives, or the ceremony town if neither lives in New Jersey.
- Contact that municipal health or vital records office for an appointment and payment method.
- Bring ID, residency proof, a Social Security number, a witness age 18 or older, and the fee.
- Sign the application under oath at the registrar, then wait 72 hours unless exempt.
- Use the license within its validity period and return it after the ceremony for registration.
Bergen County Clerk Ceremonies
The Bergen County Clerk performs marriage ceremonies, and the office reported 1,353 weddings in its 2025 statistics. A ceremony with the Clerk is separate from getting the license. A couple must already hold a valid New Jersey marriage license before the Clerk will perform the ceremony. Appointments for a Clerk ceremony go through 201-336-7006.
The Clerk's ceremonies page explains the split between the license and the ceremony.
See the Bergen County Clerk ceremonies page for the appointment process.
New Jersey Marriage Requirements
The New Jersey Department of Health sets the statewide rules. Applicants must be at least 18 and not already party to a marriage, civil union, or domestic partnership. One New Jersey applicant must show residency proof. U.S. citizens give a Social Security number, kept confidential. A witness age 18 or older is required, and foreign-language documents need a certified English translation.
The Department of Health page lists every requirement in one place.
Read the NJ marriage license requirements before your appointment.
Marriage License Application Fields
The marriage application asks for identity, residence, and family details, and it must be signed under oath in front of the issuing authority. The inventory below shows the main fields on the application.
| Field | Type | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applicant names | Text | Yes | Legal names of both applicants. |
| Residence | Text | Yes | Sets the issuing municipality. |
| Date and place of birth | Date / text | Yes | Vital record information. |
| Parent names and birthplaces | Text | Yes | Vital record information. |
| Social Security number | Text | U.S. citizens | Kept confidential. |
| Prior marriage / union | Yes/no | Conditional | Need dissolution or death details. |
| Witness information | Text | Yes | Witness must be 18 or older. |
| Oath and signature | Signature | Yes | Sign before the issuing authority. |
Marriage and Divorce Record Fees
The state sets the marriage application fee, while copy and divorce filing fees depend on the office. The table below shows the documented charges; confirm current amounts with the registrar or court.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Marriage license application fee | $28 |
| New application if license expires unused | Another $28 |
| Certified marriage copy | Set by municipality or state vital records |
| Divorce filing fee / fee waiver | Set by NJ Courts; waiver if indigent |
A marriage license application stays valid six months from acceptance, unless the registrar extends it to a maximum of one year.
The 72-Hour Waiting Period
New Jersey requires a 72-hour wait before a license is issued. The clock starts when the application is filed, not when the couple decides to marry. A remarriage of the same couple, or a court waiver or emergency, can skip the wait. Plan the application date with the 72 hours in mind so the license is ready before the ceremony.
Note: The 72-hour wait runs from filing, so apply at least three days before any planned ceremony unless an exception applies.
Certified Copies of Marriage Records
After a marriage is registered, certified copies come from the municipality or the state vital records office, not the courts. A certified copy is the version accepted for legal needs like name changes, benefits, and immigration. An uncertified printout is not the same and is usually not accepted for those purposes, so order the certified version for any official use. The state vital records FAQ answers common questions about copies, civil unions, and the waiting period.
See the NJ vital records FAQ for how to request certified copies.
Divorce in Bergen County Family Part
Divorce is not a vital-records function; it is a court case. In Bergen County, divorce is filed and heard through the Family Part of the Superior Court at the Bergen County Justice Center. The Family Division main line is 201-221-0700 ext. 25170. Divorce records are court records, but many family materials are restricted or need a records request. The Electronic Access Program includes FACTS divorce data for subscribers.
Use the NJ Courts divorce self-help pages for official forms and procedures. The Family Division handles related matters too, such as custody, child support, and post-judgment motions to change an order. Many of those filings share the same Bergen Family Part venue, so a person with an open divorce often deals with one office for several connected issues.
How to File for Divorce in Bergen County
Filing for divorce follows a set order, and the right packet depends on the case. The steps below outline the process through the Bergen Family Division.
- Confirm New Jersey residency and grounds using NJ Courts divorce self-help pages.
- Choose the correct packet: contested or uncontested, with or without children.
- Prepare the complaint, confidential litigant information sheet, and any child support or custody papers.
- File with the Superior Court Family Division, or the electronic pathway if eligible.
- Serve your spouse, file proof of service, and follow case management and mediation steps.
- Request a certified divorce judgment from the court record custodian if you need a copy.
Divorce Records Access and Restrictions
Divorce dockets can be limited compared with ordinary civil cases. Family files often hold sensitive material, so custody, support, and domestic violence records carry access limits under Rule 1:38. Some divorce docket information is searchable, but full files may need a records request. For the broader access framework, see Bergen County court records and the Surrogate's Court for related family matters like guardianship. Recorded documents and name changes tie into the Bergen County Clerk as well.