New Brunswick Marriage Record Services
New Brunswick marriage records are managed by the City Clerk and Middlesex County. As the county seat of Middlesex County and home to Rutgers University, New Brunswick has a long history reaching back to 1730. Marriage records from the city cover nearly three centuries. Searching for marriage records in New Brunswick involves the city clerk for recent filings, the county clerk for older documents, and the state for statewide access. The process is direct once you know where to look.
New Brunswick Quick Facts
Where to Get New Brunswick Marriage Records
The New Brunswick City Clerk is the primary local source for marriage records. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1110, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. You can reach the clerk by phone at 908-745-5016. Walk-in requests are accepted during business hours. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of your relationship to the people named on the record.
The New Brunswick City Clerk's office handles marriage records and other vital statistics. The image below shows the clerk's office. Visit the city website for directions and hours.
Staff at the clerk's office can tell you if the record is on file locally or point you to the county or state level.
As the county seat, New Brunswick also houses the Middlesex County Clerk's office. The county clerk holds older marriage records for New Brunswick and other Middlesex County municipalities. This is convenient for researchers who need both city and county records in one trip.
The New Jersey Department of Health maintains statewide marriage records from 1848 onward. Mail-in requests are available for people who cannot visit New Brunswick.
New Brunswick Marriage License Requirements
Couples applying for a marriage license in New Brunswick must have both parties appear at the City Clerk's office. Each person needs valid photo ID, a Social Security number, and proof of address dated within the last 90 days. The clerk verifies all documents before processing the application.
The image below shows the type of marriage license information available through the New Brunswick City Clerk. Visit the city website for the full list of requirements.
After the application is filed, a mandatory 72-hour waiting period begins. The license remains valid for 30 days once the waiting period passes. You may marry anywhere in New Jersey during that window.
The officiant signs the license at the ceremony and returns it to the New Brunswick City Clerk. That signed document becomes the official marriage record. If either party was previously married, proof that the earlier marriage ended is required. A certified divorce decree or death certificate meets this need.
Note: Proof of address must be dated within 90 days of the application for a New Brunswick marriage license.
Searching for New Brunswick Marriage Records
Start with the names of both spouses and the approximate year. The City Clerk can search by name and date. A certificate number speeds up the process if you have one. Walk-in and phone requests are both accepted.
Online genealogy platforms carry indexed New Jersey marriage records. Some include New Brunswick filings specifically. Others group records under Middlesex County. Check multiple databases for the best coverage. Free and paid options exist.
New Brunswick's role as a university town and county seat means its records are relatively well preserved and organized. The concentration of government offices in the city makes it a convenient hub for marriage record searches across Middlesex County.
Historical Marriage Records in New Brunswick
New Brunswick has been a population center since the colonial period. Marriage records from the city date back to 1730. These early records are among the oldest in Middlesex County. The city's position on the Raritan River made it a key settlement during the colonial and early national periods.
The New Jersey State Archives hold historical vital records from across the state. Their New Brunswick collections include marriage records, indexes, and related documents from the colonial era through the 1900s. Researchers tracing family lines through New Brunswick should contact the archives in Trenton.
The state archives preserve historical documents related to New Brunswick marriage records. The image below shows the type of archival material available. Visit the state archives for research services.
Holdings include original record books, microfilm, and typed indexes covering marriage filings from New Brunswick across several centuries.
Dutch Reformed church records from New Brunswick are especially rich for the colonial and early American periods. The Reformed Church was a central institution in the community for generations. Other denominations, including Presbyterian and Episcopal, also maintained marriage registers. These church records often predate civil registration and fill important gaps in the official record.
Rutgers University's special collections division may also hold materials related to New Brunswick's history, including documents that touch on marriages and family life in the area.
Getting Copies of New Brunswick Marriage Records
The City Clerk provides certified and informational copies of marriage records. Certified copies have a raised seal and are accepted for legal purposes. Informational copies are for personal reference only.
To request copies, provide:
- Full names of both spouses
- Date of the marriage
- Valid photo ID
- Proof of your connection to the parties on the record
- The approximate location where the marriage took place
The NJ Department of Health also accepts mail-in requests. Download the application form from the state website. Processing takes several weeks. The state office covers marriage records from all New Jersey municipalities, including New Brunswick.
Middlesex County Marriage Records
New Brunswick is the county seat of Middlesex County. All marriage records filed in New Brunswick are part of the broader Middlesex County vital records system. The county clerk holds older records and handles some requests that the city clerk does not. For more about marriage records across Middlesex County, visit the county page.