Look Up Hudson County Marriage Records

Hudson County was created in 1840 from Bergen County. It sits directly across the Hudson River from New York City, with Jersey City as its county seat. Marriage records in Hudson County are available through the county clerk, local registrars, and state agencies. The county is home to a dense and diverse population, and its municipal offices handle a high volume of marriage licenses each year. This page covers where to search for marriage records and how to get copies in Hudson County.

Finding Marriage Records in Hudson County

The Hudson County Clerk is located at Hudson County Plaza, 4th Floor, 257 Cornelison Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07302. This office handles a range of public records for the county. For marriage certificates, the local registrar in each municipality is typically the first place to check. Each town keeps records of marriages performed in its jurisdiction.

Hudson County is made up of several cities and towns, each with its own vital statistics office. Jersey City, Bayonne, Hoboken, Union City, North Bergen, and West New York all maintain their own marriage records. The registrar who issued the license will have the certificate on file. If you are not sure which town holds the record, start with the county clerk or the state.

The Hudson County Clerk office serves as a central resource for public records in the county.

The clerk can point you to the right municipal office for your marriage record request.

For copies of marriage certificates from any location in New Jersey, the NJ Department of Health is an option. They hold records from May 1848 to the present. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at their Trenton office.

How to Search Hudson County Marriage Records

The best way to search for a marriage record in Hudson County depends on when the marriage took place and where. For recent marriages, go to the town registrar. They can search by the names of the spouses and the date. Bring as much detail as you can. A specific date speeds up the search.

The Hudson County Court public records page provides information on how to obtain copies of various records. For marriage certificates, they direct you to the NJ Department of Health. For court-related records such as divorce filings, contact the Hudson County Family Court at 595 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07306, or call 201-748-4400.

You can also search through the New Jersey State Archives for older Hudson County marriage records. The Archives hold microfilm and indexes that cover many decades. Their reading room in Trenton is open to the public for research.

Note: If you need records from before Hudson County was created in 1840, check Bergen County records, since Hudson was carved from Bergen.

Municipal Marriage Record Offices

Each town in Hudson County runs its own vital statistics office. These offices issue marriage licenses, record marriages, and provide certified copies. Hours, fees, and accepted payment methods vary by town. Below are details for two of the larger offices.

The Secaucus Vital Statistics office can be reached at 201-330-2020. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. Marriage license applications are by appointment only, from 10 AM to 3 PM. They hold marriage certificates from May 1971 to the present and domestic partnership records from 2004 forward. The fee is $15 for the first copy and $5 for each extra copy. They accept cash, check, and money order only.

The North Bergen Vital Statistics office is at 201-392-2050. Hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 3:30 PM. They have marriage certificates from January 1928 to the present. A marriage license costs $28. A marriage certificate copy costs $10. They accept money orders and credit or debit cards only. No cash is accepted at this office.

Other towns in Hudson County operate similar offices. Call your local town clerk to ask about hours and what records they have on file. Most offices require appointments for marriage license applications in Hudson County.

Marriage License Process in Hudson County

To get a marriage license in Hudson County, both partners must visit a local registrar together. The license fee is $28 across all municipalities. New Jersey law sets a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued. The license expires after 30 days, so plan your ceremony within that window.

Bring valid photo ID for each person. A driver's license or passport works. You also need proof of your Social Security number. If either person has been married before, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate. The registrar fills out the application and collects payment. No blood test or physical exam is required.

You can apply for the license in any town in New Jersey. It does not have to be the town where the wedding will happen. Many couples in Hudson County apply where they live for convenience. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the registrar within 72 hours. The registrar then files the marriage certificate and sends a copy to the state.

• Both partners must appear in person
• Valid photo ID and Social Security proof required
• $28 fee at all Hudson County registrars
• 72-hour wait before ceremony
• License valid for 30 days

Getting Copies of Marriage Certificates

The fastest way to get a certified copy of a marriage certificate in Hudson County is through the local registrar who recorded the marriage. Call the town clerk to confirm fees, hours, and what you need to bring. Most offices can issue copies while you wait if the record is in their system.

For marriages anywhere in New Jersey, the NJ Department of Health issues certified copies. You can order online, by mail, or walk in to their Trenton office. Mail orders may take several weeks. Online orders are processed faster. The state holds marriage records from 1848 forward, covering all of Hudson County.

Certified copies are needed for legal uses. Name changes, passport applications, insurance claims, and immigration cases all require a certified marriage certificate. Plain copies work for personal reference. When you order, make sure to specify which type you need from Hudson County.

Note: Some Hudson County offices only accept money orders or cards. Call first so you bring the right form of payment.

Marriage Record Resources for Hudson County

Hudson County residents can tap into several resources when looking for marriage records. The county clerk office in Jersey City is a good starting point for general questions. Municipal offices handle the actual records. State agencies fill in the gaps for older records or when you do not know which town holds the file.

The New Jersey State Archives in Trenton has marriage records on microfilm for counties across the state, including Hudson. Their collection covers decades of records and is open for public research. Genealogy platforms like Ancestry and FamilySearch have indexed some New Jersey marriage records that may include Hudson County entries. These are helpful when you want to search by name across multiple counties at once.

For legal matters connected to marriage, the American Marriage Ministries has a summary of New Jersey marriage laws. This covers who can officiate, license requirements, and other rules that apply in Hudson County. Local libraries in Jersey City, Bayonne, and Hoboken may also have genealogy sections with indexed marriage records and research guides for Hudson County.

Cities in Hudson County

Hudson County has 12 municipalities. Each one handles marriage licenses and certificates through its own vital statistics office. The county clerk in Jersey City can help with general record questions.

Other municipalities include Secaucus, Kearny, Harrison, East Newark, Guttenberg, and Weehawken. All handle their own marriage records in Hudson County.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Hudson County. Marriage records are kept in the town where the ceremony took place. If you are unsure which county applies, check the address on the license.