Search New Jersey Marriage Records
New Jersey marriage records date back to May 1848, giving the state one of the longest spans of vital records in the Mid-Atlantic region. The Office of Vital Statistics holds marriage certificates from 1951 to the present. The State Archives keeps older marriage records from 1848 through 1950. You can search these New Jersey marriage records online, by mail, or in person. County clerks also hold local marriage license files across all 21 New Jersey counties.
New Jersey Marriage Records Quick Facts
Where to Find New Jersey Marriage Records
Two main offices hold marriage records in New Jersey. The Office of Vital Statistics keeps marriage certificates from 1951 to the present day. This office is part of the New Jersey Department of Health. You can order certified copies by mail or visit the walk-in center at 140 E. Front Street in Trenton. Mail requests take four to six weeks. Walk-in service is often same day. The office also accepts phone orders through VitalChek at 877-622-7549 for 24/7 service.
The New Jersey State Archives holds older marriage records from 1848 through 1950. These files are a key resource for family history research. Marriage records from 1848 to 1878 are in handwritten ledger books. Formal marriage certificates began in June 1878. The Archives also holds Colonial Marriage Bonds from 1711 to 1795. Before statewide registration started in 1848, marriages were filed with the County Clerk starting in 1795. The State Archives is a rich source for marriage records that span more than two centuries.
The New Jersey Department of Health portal shows how to order marriage certificates and other vital records.
This is the starting point for most requests for marriage certificates from the state level.
Note: New Jersey vital records are not considered public records under state law, so access may require proof of eligibility.
New Jersey Marriage License Steps
Getting a marriage license in New Jersey starts at the local registrar. Both parties must apply in person. The marriage license fee is $28. There is a 72-hour waiting period after the marriage license is issued, and the license stays valid for 30 days. Both people must be at least 18 years old. Neither person can be party to another marriage at the time of the application.
You will need to bring specific documents when you apply for a New Jersey marriage license. These items are required for each marriage license application:
- A valid driver's license or passport
- Proof of residency in New Jersey
- Social Security number for each party
- A witness who is at least 18 years old
- Proof that any prior marriage ended, if applicable
The marriage license requirements page lists all the details. Once you have your marriage license, you can hold the marriage ceremony any time within the 30-day window.
The Department of Health explains what you need to get a marriage license in the state.
Review the full list of documents before you visit the registrar's office.
Ordering Marriage Certificates in New Jersey
There are several ways to get a copy of a New Jersey marriage certificate. You can mail a marriage certificate request to the Office of Vital Statistics, P.O. Box 370, Trenton, NJ 08625. Include the full names of both spouses, the date of the marriage, and the town where it took place. A check or money order should be made payable to the Treasurer, State of New Jersey.
Walk-in service is available at 140 E. Front Street in Trenton during business hours. This is often the fastest way to get a marriage certificate. You can also order a marriage certificate by phone through VitalChek for rush service. The vital records forms page has the mail-in marriage certificate application you can print and fill out.
The forms page on the Department of Health site provides all printable applications for marriage records.
Download the correct form before sending your request by mail.
Historical Marriage Records in New Jersey
New Jersey has one of the best collections of historical marriage records in the region. Statewide marriage registration began in May 1848. That gives researchers access to more than 175 years of marriage records. The State Archives holds the bulk of these older files. The key periods for New Jersey marriage records include:
- Colonial Marriage Bonds from 1711 to 1795
- County Clerk marriage filings from 1795 to 1848
- Statewide marriage ledger books from 1848 to 1878
- Formal marriage certificates from June 1878 onward
The New Jersey State Archives marriage database indexes roughly 492,000 marriage records from 1848 to 1900. This free online tool lets you search by name and date. It is a great starting point for genealogy work. The index covers a period when many immigrants arrived and settled across the state.
The State Archives marriage database lets you search New Jersey marriage records from 1848 to 1900.
This free tool indexes nearly half a million early New Jersey marriage records.
County-level marriage records also exist across the state. The county marriage catalog at the State Archives shows which records are available for each of the 21 counties. Some counties have marriage records that predate statewide registration. Before 1848, marriages were filed with local County Clerks starting in 1795. These county files are vital for tracing family lines.
The State Archives county marriage catalog helps you find which marriage records exist at the county level.
Check the catalog to see what your county holds before you visit in person.
New Jersey State Archives Marriage Collection
The State Archives is the main repository for older New Jersey marriage records. It holds marriage certificates and marriage registers from 1848 through 1950. Researchers can visit the Archives in Trenton to view original marriage documents. Staff can help you locate specific marriage records in the collection. The Archives reading room is open to the public on weekdays.
The main page for the State Archives shows all available collections and research tools.
Use the Archives site to plan your visit and check hours before you go.
Online Databases for Marriage Records
Reclaim The Records obtained a massive New Jersey marriage index through an OPRA request. This marriage index covers 1901 to 2016 and contains roughly five million marriage records. It is free to search and is one of the largest collections of marriage records available online. The group also released a smaller set of New Jersey marriage records from 1901 to 1903 as part of an earlier request.
The Reclaim The Records project made millions of New Jersey marriage records freely available online.
This is one of the best free resources for finding marriage records from the 20th century.
Ancestry has compiled New Jersey marriage records in a searchable database. This marriage records collection draws from multiple sources and can help fill in gaps. FamilySearch also maintains a guide to New Jersey vital records that includes tips on where to find marriage certificates, marriage indexes, and related documents. Both sites are useful for genealogy work in the state.
The Ancestry compiled marriages collection brings together marriage records from many sources.
Search this database if you cannot find what you need in the state's own indexes.
Note: Free indexes show basic details like names and dates, but you may still need to order a certified copy from the state for legal use.
New Jersey Marriage Laws
State law governs who can marry and how marriage records are created in New Jersey. Section 37:1-4 of the New Jersey statutes sets the 72-hour waiting period after a marriage license is issued. Section 37:1-13 defines who can solemnize a marriage in the state. This includes judges, mayors, and ordained clergy. Section 26:8-44 requires that all marriage records be indexed as a matter of public record.
The American Marriage Ministries guide to New Jersey marriage laws provides a clear summary of the rules. Both parties must be 18 or older. Neither can be in an existing marriage. The marriage license must be used within 30 days. These marriage laws apply in every county across New Jersey.
This guide covers age requirements, waiting periods, and who can officiate a marriage.
Review state law before applying for a marriage license in New Jersey.
Access Rules for Marriage Records
New Jersey vital records are not public records in the traditional sense. State law limits who can get certified copies of marriage certificates. Generally, you need to be a named party on the marriage record, a parent, a legal guardian, or have a court order. However, the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) has been used to obtain marriage indexes from the state. Reclaim The Records used OPRA to get the 1901 to 2016 marriage index released to the public.
The OPRA statute defines what government records the public can request in New Jersey.
This law played a key role in making millions of marriage records freely available.
Genealogy researchers can still access older marriage records at the State Archives. Marriage records over 80 years old are generally available for research purposes. The Archives staff can guide you through their marriage certificate holdings. For newer marriage records, you may need to show your relationship to the people named on the marriage certificate.
Note: Always contact the Office of Vital Statistics first to confirm which marriage records they can release for your request.
Browse New Jersey Marriage Records by County
Each county in New Jersey has a local registrar and County Clerk that handle marriage licenses and marriage records. Pick a county below to find local resources for marriage records in that area.
Marriage Records in Major New Jersey Cities
Residents of these New Jersey cities can get marriage licenses and marriage records through their local registrar. Pick a city below to learn more about marriage records in that area.