Mercer County Marriage Certificates

Mercer County marriage records go back to the early 1800s. The county seat sits in Trenton, which also serves as the state capital of New Jersey. Residents and researchers can search for marriage records through the Mercer County Clerk or through local municipal offices. Whether you need a copy of a recent marriage certificate or want to trace an older record, the clerk staff can help you find what you are looking for. Marriage records in Mercer County cover licenses, certificates, and related vital records.

Mercer County Clerk Office

The Mercer County Clerk office handles marriage records for the county. This office is in Trenton on South Broad Street. You can visit in person to request copies of marriage certificates, look up old records, or ask about the filing process. Staff are available on weekdays during regular business hours.

Mercer County was incorporated on February 22, 1838. Since that time, the clerk office has kept records of marriages performed within the county. Trenton is both the county seat and the state capital, which means many state-level archives are also close by. The New Jersey State Archives owns the original marriage books for Mercer County, and these can be reviewed by researchers who visit the archives in person. The clerk office in Trenton can still provide copies and help with searches for Mercer County marriage records.

The Trenton City Clerk also handles vital records for marriages that took place within city limits. You can reach the city through their official website for more details on local filing procedures.

Searching for Marriage Records in Mercer County

There are a few ways to search for marriage records in Mercer County. You can visit the clerk office in Trenton during business hours and ask staff to look up a record. Phone requests are also accepted at the number listed above. For older records, you may need to contact the New Jersey State Archives, which holds the original marriage books from Mercer County.

When you search for a marriage record in Mercer County, it helps to have as much detail as possible. At a minimum, you should know the full names of both spouses and a rough idea of when the marriage took place. A specific date or year will make the search go faster. The clerk can look through the index and pull the right record for you.

Hamilton Township is one of the largest municipalities in Mercer County. Residents who were married in Hamilton can also contact the Hamilton Township vital records office for copies of their marriage certificates. Each municipality in Mercer County keeps its own set of vital records in addition to what the county clerk maintains.

The Hamilton Township vital records office can assist with records for marriages performed within the township limits.

Keep in mind that older Mercer County marriage records may only be available on microfilm or in the original bound books at the State Archives.

Note: Some very old records may have gaps due to incomplete filing in early years.

Historical Marriage Records in Mercer County

Mercer County has marriage records dating back to 1815. The historical record collection covers scattered years in the early part of the 1800s and then becomes more complete as time goes on. Specific years with surviving marriage records include 1815, 1832, 1836, 1841, 1843, and 1848 through 1881. Additional records exist from 1884, 1886 through 1887, and 1897 through 1910.

These early marriage records in Mercer County are valuable for genealogy research. They list the names of the bride and groom, the date of the marriage, and often the name of the officiant. Some records also include the ages and places of birth of the couple. The Reclaim the Records organization has worked to make New Jersey vital records, including marriage records from Mercer County, more accessible to the public through freedom of information requests.

The New Jersey State Archives holds the original bound marriage books from Mercer County. Researchers can visit the archives in Trenton to examine these records in person. Because Trenton is both the Mercer County seat and the state capital, this is convenient for anyone doing research. You do not need an appointment for most visits, but it is a good idea to call ahead and confirm that the records you need are available.

Genealogists and family historians often pair Mercer County marriage records with other vital records like birth and death certificates. The New Jersey Department of Health maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of marriage certificates for events recorded after 1848.

Getting a Marriage License in Mercer County

Couples who want to get married in Mercer County must first obtain a marriage license. The license is issued by the local registrar in the municipality where either the bride or groom lives. You do not go to the county clerk for a new license. Instead, visit your local town hall or municipal clerk.

Both people must appear together to apply. You will need to bring valid photo identification and know your Social Security numbers. There is a 72-hour waiting period in New Jersey between when the license is issued and when the ceremony can take place. The license is valid for 30 days after it is issued. If you do not use it within that time, you must apply again.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage certificate and returns it to the registrar. The registrar then files the record with both the municipality and the state. A copy also goes to the Mercer County Clerk. This is how marriage records end up in the county system. According to New Jersey marriage law, any ordained minister, judge, or mayor can perform a marriage ceremony.

Note: Couples from out of state can also get married in Mercer County as long as they obtain their license from a New Jersey registrar.

How to Get Copies of Mercer County Marriage Records

There are several ways to get copies of marriage records from Mercer County. The method you choose depends on when the marriage took place and what type of copy you need.

For recent marriages, the municipal clerk where the marriage was performed is usually the fastest source. They have the original filed certificate and can make certified copies. You can also request copies from the Mercer County Clerk office at 209 S. Broad St. in Trenton. Walk-in requests are handled during business hours, and you can also submit requests by mail.

For statewide searches or if you are not sure which municipality in Mercer County handled the marriage, contact the New Jersey Department of Health. They maintain a central index of all marriage records in the state going back to 1848. You can request copies online, by mail, or in person at their Trenton office.

• Visit the Mercer County Clerk in person at 209 S. Broad St., Trenton
• Call the clerk at (609) 989-6464 to ask about mail requests
• Contact the municipal clerk where the marriage took place
• Request from the NJ Department of Health for statewide searches
• Visit the State Archives for historical Mercer County marriage records

Certified copies are needed for most legal purposes. A certified copy has a raised seal or stamp from the issuing office. Plain copies without certification may be available for a lower fee but are not accepted for legal use.

Cities and Towns in Mercer County

Mercer County has several municipalities where marriage records are filed locally. Each town clerk keeps records of marriages performed within their borders. The two largest cities in Mercer County are Trenton and Hamilton Township. Both have active vital records offices that handle marriage certificates.

When you need a marriage record from Mercer County, it helps to know which municipality the marriage was performed in. This lets you go directly to the local clerk for the fastest service. If you are unsure, the Mercer County Clerk can search their index to help you find the right location.

Other municipalities in Mercer County include Princeton, Ewing Township, Lawrence Township, Hopewell Township, West Windsor Township, East Windsor Township, Robbinsville Township, and Hightstown. All of these towns have their own local clerks who file marriage records.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Mercer County. If you are searching for a marriage record and are not sure which county it falls in, check the address where the marriage license was issued. Each county maintains its own set of marriage records.