Marriage Records for Middlesex County

Middlesex County is one of the original counties in New Jersey, established on March 7, 1683. The county seat is New Brunswick, home to Rutgers University. Marriage records in Middlesex County date back to the late 1700s and are available through the county clerk and through local municipal offices. Researchers, family members, and legal professionals can search for marriage records by contacting the clerk or visiting in person. The county has a large and diverse population spread across many towns and cities.

Middlesex County Clerk Office

The Middlesex County Clerk is located on Bayard Street in New Brunswick. This office processes marriage records for the entire county. Staff can help you search for a record, request a copy, or verify that a marriage took place in Middlesex County. Walk-in visits are welcome during regular hours.

New Brunswick has a long history as the center of government in Middlesex County. The city is also home to Rutgers University, one of the oldest colleges in the country. The City of New Brunswick has its own clerk office that handles vital records for marriages performed within city limits. For marriages that took place in other parts of Middlesex County, the county clerk is the right place to start your search.

The New Brunswick City Clerk can be reached at P.O. Box 1110, New Brunswick, NJ 08903, or by phone at 908-745-5016. This office serves as an additional resource for marriage records in the New Brunswick area of Middlesex County.

Perth Amboy is another major city in Middlesex County with its own clerk office. You can reach the Perth Amboy Clerk at 1 Olive St., Perth Amboy, NJ 08861, or call (732) 826-0549 ext. 4309 for questions about marriage records filed in that city.

Historical Marriage Records in Middlesex County

Middlesex County has some of the oldest marriage records in New Jersey. The earliest surviving records date to 1788. The collection includes records from 1794 through 1886, with a few gaps. Additional records exist from 1889 through 1890, 1892, and 1895 through 1896. These older records are a rich source for anyone tracing family history in Middlesex County.

The New Jersey State Archives holds many of the original marriage books from Middlesex County. Researchers who want to view the originals can visit the archives in Trenton. The State Archives staff can help you find the right volume and year. For copies, you may also be able to request them by mail.

Many of the towns in Middlesex County have their own rich histories that show up in these marriage records. Edison Township, for example, was originally called Raritan Township when it was formed in 1870. The name changed to Edison in 1954. Old Bridge was known as Madison Township when it was incorporated in 1869 and did not take its current name until 1975. Woodbridge Township is one of the oldest in the state, incorporated all the way back in 1669. Marriage records from these areas reflect these name changes, so keep that in mind when searching older records in Middlesex County.

The Reclaim the Records project has filed requests to make New Jersey vital records more open to the public. Their work has helped bring attention to the historical marriage records held by counties like Middlesex.

Note: Township name changes can affect how older marriage records are indexed in Middlesex County.

Ways to Search Middlesex County Marriage Records

You can search for marriage records in Middlesex County in several ways. The most direct method is to visit the county clerk in New Brunswick. Bring the names of both spouses and an approximate date. Staff will search the index and pull up the record for you.

Phone requests are another option. Call the clerk at (732) 745-3005 and ask about the record you need. They can tell you if the record is on file and what steps to take next. Mail requests are also accepted. Send a letter to the clerk with the details of the marriage and a return envelope.

For statewide searches, the New Jersey Department of Health keeps a central index of all marriage records from 1848 forward. This is helpful if you are not sure whether the marriage took place in Middlesex County or a neighboring county. The Department of Health can issue certified copies of marriage certificates for any county in New Jersey.

Here is what you will need for a search:

• Full names of both spouses
• Approximate date or year of the marriage
• Municipality where the marriage may have taken place
• Any other identifying details you have

Marriage Licenses in Middlesex County

A marriage license in Middlesex County is obtained from the local registrar in the town where one of the two people lives. Both must appear together. You will need valid ID and your Social Security numbers. There is a 72-hour wait after the license is issued before the ceremony can happen. The license stays valid for 30 days.

After the wedding, the person who performed the ceremony signs the certificate and sends it back to the registrar. That office records it and sends copies to the county and state. This is how the marriage record enters the Middlesex County system. It can then be looked up through the county clerk or the municipal clerk where it was filed.

Middlesex County has many municipalities where licenses are issued. The larger towns like Edison, Woodbridge, and Old Bridge each have their own registrars. Smaller towns also issue licenses through their municipal clerks. No matter where in Middlesex County the license is issued, the record eventually reaches the county clerk in New Brunswick.

Note: If neither spouse lives in New Jersey, they can still apply for a license in the municipality where the ceremony will take place in Middlesex County.

Requesting Copies of Marriage Records

Copies of Middlesex County marriage records can be obtained from the county clerk, the municipal clerk, or the New Jersey Department of Health. Which office you use depends on the situation.

For a recent marriage, the municipal clerk where the ceremony happened is often the fastest source. They keep the original filing and can make certified copies on the spot. The county clerk in New Brunswick also has copies and can handle requests by walk-in, phone, or mail. For marriages that took place a long time ago, the State Archives may be the best resource.

Certified copies carry a raised seal or official stamp. These are required for legal matters such as name changes, immigration, or insurance claims. Plain copies are available for a lower fee but do not work for legal use. When you request a copy of a Middlesex County marriage record, let the clerk know if you need a certified version.

Cities and Towns in Middlesex County

Middlesex County has a large number of municipalities, each with its own clerk office that handles vital records. The biggest towns include Edison, Woodbridge, Old Bridge, Piscataway, Perth Amboy, and New Brunswick. Each of these has an active vital records office where you can request marriage certificates for events that took place in that town.

Knowing which municipality in Middlesex County handled a marriage helps speed up the search process. If you are unsure, start with the county clerk in New Brunswick. They maintain an index that covers all of Middlesex County.

Other towns in Middlesex County include South Brunswick, North Brunswick, East Brunswick, Sayreville, South Plainfield, Monroe Township, and Carteret. All file marriage records with the county clerk.

Nearby Counties

Middlesex County borders several other counties in central New Jersey. If you are not sure where a marriage record was filed, it may help to check the neighboring county clerk offices as well. Marriage records are filed based on where the license was issued.