Search Gloucester County Marriage Records

Gloucester County is one of the oldest counties in New Jersey, formed in 1686 from Burlington County. The county seat is Woodbury, and it sits just across the Delaware River from Philadelphia. Marriage records in Gloucester County go back centuries, with some of the most extensive historical collections in the state. You can search for marriage certificates, licenses, and older records through the county clerk, local registrars, or state agencies. This guide covers where to look and how to get the records you need.

Where to Find Gloucester County Marriage Records

The Gloucester County Clerk in Woodbury is the primary office for marriage records in this county. The clerk holds historical marriage records and can direct you to the right source for newer certificates. For recent marriages, the local registrar in the town where the ceremony took place will have the certificate on file.

Gloucester County has an unusually large set of historical records. The collection includes documents from as early as the 1660s and 1670s, with extensive records running from 1679 through 1878. These cover a period when Gloucester County was much larger than it is today. Parts of what are now Camden and Atlantic counties were once part of Gloucester County, so older marriage records from those areas may be found here.

The Gloucester County Clerk office provides access to historical and current marriage records.

Walk-in visits are welcome during regular business hours at the courthouse in Woodbury.

For statewide searches, the New Jersey Department of Health has marriage records from May 1848 to the present. The State Archives in Trenton holds older records on microfilm. Both are good options when the county clerk does not have what you need.

How to Search Marriage Records

Start your search with the names of both spouses. An approximate year helps narrow the results. The county clerk can search by name and date range. If you have a specific town in mind, you can also go to the local registrar in that municipality for faster service on recent marriage records in Gloucester County.

Mail requests are accepted at the county clerk office. Include the full names of both parties, the approximate date of the marriage, and your contact details. Enclose the fee by check or money order. The clerk will search and mail a copy if the record is found in Gloucester County. Phone requests cannot produce certified copies, but staff can confirm if a record exists.

For online research, the Ancestry collection for New Jersey marriages includes indexed Gloucester County marriage records from 1684 to 1850. These records are available on microfilm reels 0441462, 0850324, and 0853720. FamilySearch also has some of these records available for free. These digital collections are a strong starting point for genealogy work tied to Gloucester County.

Note: When searching historical records, keep in mind that spellings of names varied widely in older documents. Try alternate spellings if your first search comes up empty.

Historical Marriage Records in Gloucester County

Few counties in New Jersey can match the depth of Gloucester County's historical records. The earliest items date to the 1660s and 1670s, well before New Jersey became a state. The bulk of the early collection spans 1679 to 1878, covering nearly two centuries of marriages in the region.

These old records are valuable for family research. They document marriages from a time when Gloucester County covered a much bigger area. Families who lived in what is now Camden County, for instance, may find their ancestors in Gloucester County marriage records. The same is true for parts of Atlantic County and other areas that split off over time.

The New Jersey vital records directory lists county-level sources for marriage records across the state. You can use it to compare what Gloucester County holds against other county collections.

Researchers should also check the New Jersey State Archives. Their microfilm collection includes Gloucester County marriage records that may not be available at the county level. The Archives reading room in Trenton is open to the public for in-person research.

Gloucester County Marriage License Process

Getting a marriage license in Gloucester County follows New Jersey state rules. Both partners must go to a local registrar together. The fee is $28. After the license is issued, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony. The license stays valid for 30 days.

Bring a valid photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. If either person was married before, you need a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The registrar fills out the application and collects the fee. No blood test is needed in New Jersey.

The Gloucester Township clerk is one of the local registrars that handles marriage license applications in the county.

Other towns in Gloucester County also issue licenses through their own registrars.

After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the registrar within 72 hours. The registrar records the marriage and sends a copy to the state. This creates the official marriage certificate for Gloucester County. You can then order certified copies from the registrar or from the NJ Department of Health.

Getting Copies of Marriage Certificates

For recent marriages in Gloucester County, the fastest way to get a certified copy is through the local registrar where the marriage was recorded. Each municipality keeps its own files. Call the town clerk to ask about fees and turnaround time.

The NJ Department of Health also issues certified copies of marriage certificates for any marriage that took place in the state from 1848 forward. You can order online, by mail, or visit their office at 140 East Front Street in Trenton. Mail orders can take several weeks. In-person requests are often handled the same day.

• Local registrar: best for recent Gloucester County marriages
• County Clerk: historical records before 1878
• NJ Department of Health: statewide records from 1848
• Ancestry and FamilySearch: indexed records from 1684 to 1850
• State Archives: microfilm collections

Certified copies are needed for legal purposes like name changes, passport applications, and insurance. Plain copies work for personal reference and family history. The type of copy you need depends on how you plan to use it.

Note: Fees for certified copies vary by office. Call ahead to confirm current rates and accepted payment methods in Gloucester County.

Marriage Record Resources

Gloucester County residents and researchers have several resources for finding marriage records. The county clerk in Woodbury is the hub for local records. Beyond the clerk, online databases and state agencies round out the available sources.

Ancestry has a dedicated collection of New Jersey marriage records that covers Gloucester County from 1684 to 1850. This is one of the most complete online indexes for early marriages in the county. FamilySearch offers similar records at no cost. Both platforms let you search by name, date, and location. If you are looking for a Gloucester County marriage record from the colonial or early American period, these sites are worth checking first.

The Gloucester County Historical Society in Woodbury is another resource. They hold local records, maps, and documents that can support marriage record research. Their collection includes church records, which often recorded marriages before civil registration was common in Gloucester County. Local libraries may also have genealogy sections with indexed records and guides to searching Gloucester County marriage records.

Cities in Gloucester County

Gloucester County includes more than 20 municipalities. Marriage licenses are issued by the local registrar in each town. The county clerk in Woodbury handles historical marriage records for the full county.

Other municipalities include Woodbury, Deptford, Washington Township, Monroe Township, Mantua, and Pitman. Each has its own registrar for marriage records in Gloucester County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Gloucester County. Marriage records are filed where the ceremony took place. If you are not sure which county holds the record, check the town where the license was issued.