Union County Marriage License Records
Union County is in northeastern New Jersey, formed in 1857 with its county seat in Elizabeth. The county clerk office maintains a large collection of marriage records that stretches back to 1850. Union County also operates a satellite office in Westfield with extended hours for added convenience. You can search for marriage records through the county clerk or through state offices. Both recent marriage certificates and older historical documents are available for residents, researchers, and anyone with a legal need for these records.
Union County Quick Facts
Where to Get Union County Marriage Records
The Union County Clerk is the main office for marriage records. The clerk is Joanne Rajoppi. The main office is at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Phone: 908-527-4787. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Staff can look up marriage certificates and provide copies.
Union County also runs a satellite office at 300 North Ave East, Westfield, NJ 07090. Phone: 908-654-9859. This office has extended hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 7:30 p.m., and is open Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The Westfield office is a good option if you cannot get to Elizabeth during regular weekday hours.
The Union County Clerk website lists all services, hours, and fees. You can check the site for forms and instructions on how to request records by mail.
The main clerk office in Elizabeth handles the largest volume of marriage record requests in Union County.
Fees for certified copies are $8 for the first page, $2 for each additional page, plus a $5 Homeless Trust Fund surcharge. Credit cards are accepted with a minimum charge of $10.
Note: The Union County Clerk also offers a Property Fraud Alert service at www.propertyfraudalert.com/NJUnion, which can help protect your real estate records.
Historical Marriage Records in Union County
Union County holds historical marriage records from several time periods. The earliest records date to 1850, just seven years before the county was formed. Records also exist for 1852, 1854 to 1878, 1897, 1903 to 1910, and 1964. These documents cover more than a century of marriage history in the county.
The New Jersey State Archives catalog lists Union County marriage records spanning 1850 to 1878. The collection fills 1.25 cubic feet across 5 boxes and 3 microfilm reels. The archives also hold non-resident marriage licenses from 1901 to 1910. These were licenses issued to people who lived outside Union County but chose to marry there.
The State Archives in Trenton stores these records and makes them available to researchers. You can visit the reading room in person or request copies by mail. The archives staff can help you navigate the collection and find specific records.
The Union County Clerk also holds naturalization records from 1906 to 1984. You can reach the naturalization records desk at 908-527-4966. These records may help with genealogy research when paired with marriage records from the same time period.
Searching for Marriage Records
There are several ways to search for marriage records in Union County. The fastest method is to visit the clerk office in Elizabeth or the satellite office in Westfield. Bring the full names of both spouses and a rough date. Staff will search their files.
Mail requests are accepted at both offices. Write to the Union County Clerk at 2 Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07207. Include the names, the date of the marriage, and your return address. Enclose the fee by check or money order.
The City of Elizabeth handles vital records through its own clerk office. If the marriage took place in Elizabeth, the city clerk may have the record.
The Elizabeth city clerk office serves as a local source for marriage records filed within the county seat.
For a statewide search, the New Jersey Department of Health holds marriage records from May 1848 to the present. You can order copies online, by mail, or in person at their Trenton office.
The Union Township vital records office handles requests for marriages performed within that municipality.
Union Township keeps its own set of marriage records for ceremonies that took place within its borders.
Applying for a Marriage License
Both partners must appear in person at a local registrar in Union County. Bring a valid photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate.
New Jersey law requires a 72-hour waiting period after the license is issued. The license remains valid for 30 days. You can apply at any registrar in New Jersey. The ceremony does not have to take place in the same town where the license was issued.
Union County has many municipalities, including Elizabeth, Plainfield, Union Township, Westfield, Cranford, and Summit. Each town has a registrar who handles marriage licenses. Elizabeth, as the county seat and largest city, processes the most license applications.
- Elizabeth handles the highest volume of marriage licenses in the county
- The Westfield satellite office offers evening and weekend hours
- Smaller towns like Summit and Cranford may have shorter wait times
- Both partners must appear together with valid identification
- Previous marriages require proof of termination
After the wedding, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the registrar. The registrar files the marriage certificate with the state, creating the official public record.
Getting Copies of Marriage Certificates
Certified copies of marriage certificates are available from the local registrar where the marriage was filed or from the NJ Department of Health. The local registrar is usually faster for recent records. Certified copies are needed for name changes, immigration, and insurance purposes.
The Union County Clerk charges $8 for the first certified page and $2 for each additional page. A $5 surcharge for the Homeless Trust Fund applies to each request. Credit cards are accepted with a minimum of $10. You can get copies at the Elizabeth office or the Westfield satellite location.
For marriages that happened anywhere in New Jersey, you can order copies from the state. The NJ Office of Vital Statistics accepts requests online, by mail, or in person. Mail orders may take a few weeks. In-person requests at the Trenton office are usually same-day.
Note: The Westfield satellite office is a good option for people who need copies outside of standard business hours.
Resources for Union County Marriage Records
Union County researchers have multiple paths to find marriage records. The county clerk in Elizabeth and the satellite office in Westfield are the best local starting points. State agencies and online platforms cover broader searches.
The New Jersey State Archives holds Union County marriage records on microfilm, covering 1850 to 1878 across 3 reels. The archives also have non-resident marriage licenses from 1901 to 1910. Their reading room in Trenton is open to the public. Genealogy platforms like Ancestry and FamilySearch have indexed some New Jersey marriage records, which can help when the exact county or town is unknown.
The county clerk office also maintains property records, naturalization records, and court documents. These related records can help fill in gaps when building a family history. Marriage records often serve as the connecting thread between generations, and the clerk staff can guide you to other useful collections in Union County.
Cities in Union County
Union County has over 20 municipalities. Marriage licenses and certificates are filed through the local registrar in each town. The county clerk in Elizabeth handles historical marriage records for the whole county.
Other municipalities in Union County include Westfield, Cranford, Summit, Rahway, Linden, Roselle, and Scotch Plains. Each town has its own registrar for marriage records.
Nearby Counties
These counties border Union County. If you are unsure which county holds the marriage record you need, check the town where the license was issued. Marriage records are filed where the ceremony took place.