Part 1: The Application

Where To Go

You can apply for a marriage license (a license that gives you the authority to marry) at the municipality in which one spouse lives. So if one lives in Maplewood and the other in Newark, they can apply in Maplewood or Newark with the municipality's Registrar.

The Application & What To Bring

Once you choose a municipality to get married in, based on the address of either spouse, you will check whether or not the Registrar requires appointments. In the Township of Maplewood, you are required to make an appointment online to meet with the Registrar during normal business hours. They will confirm with you, by telephone or e-mail, when you can come in.

Click this link to go to the application for marriage and to make an appointment. 

Defining each option:

1. Marriage: Is for anyone over the age of 18
2. Re-marriage/ Reaffirmation of Civil Union: Recognizes a previous marriage or union after it has been dissolved
3. Civil Union: Is for same-sex couples over 18 only

Things To Look Out For

• Make sure for #1 you put the name on your birth certificate
• For Domestic status, we need the full date, month, day, and year, and place, if your status is anything but single.
• Blanks aren't allowed and will be rejected. So, for example, if you don't know your birth parents' names or where they were born, you would put a dash through it.
• You do not have to fill out the bottom portion of page 1, regarding when the ceremony is to be performed, when filing the application. You will need to before getting the license to marry.
• For Witnesses: Read number 3 read carefully. Remember, marriage is considered a legal contract and all information on this application is part of the legal document.

What To Bring Once The Registrar Confirms Your Appointment

Both spouses, and their witness over 18, are required to bring a State or Federally issued photo ID. This witness should know both parties, as they are signing a legal document. 

Note: At least one person getting married has to have their ID say they live in the municipality they are applying in.

Cost

It costs $28.00 which can be paid in exact cash, check, money order, or by a debit or credit card. 

The Waiting Period

Once you submit your application, the Registrar is legally required to hold your license to get married for 72 hours (3 calendar days - holidays and weekends count). 

Part 2: Getting Married

Issuances & Paperwork

After 72 hours have passed, you can request your marriage license from the Registrar. The issuing Registrar will give you four copies of your marriage license, in which they’ll only fill out the bottom part.

Either spouse, or a representative, can pick up the license.

Justice Of The Peace

If one of the spouses are a Maplewood resident, the Township judge can marry the couple. This is done only on Thursdays, starting at 10:30 AM and strictly by appointment. The Registrar DOES NOT make an appointment for you, you will have to do that on your own and the Judge requires you to have applied for your marriage license before making an appointment. 

You can call: (973) 762-2839 to make an appointment.

Becoming An Officiant

Municipalities are not required to keep a list of officiants. However, as of May 1, 2024, the State now certifies "Civil Celebrants." 

You can find further information on how to become aa Civil Celebrant in the State of New Jersey here: https://www.nj.gov/state/dos-civil-celebrant.shtml

Expiration

Your marriage license application is held for six months automatically, and a couple can request an additional six-month hold before they are required to reapply all over again.

Your marriage license, once picked up, is valid for only 30 calendar days. After day 30, it expires, and you have to start the whole process again.

Things To Look Out For

1. When choosing an officiant, ensure they have the legal authority to marry someone. The issuing Registrar is not required to provide you a list or review the officiant.
2. It is recommended to begin with copy 3 or 4, before completing copies 1 and 2 of the marriage license. Copies 1 and 2 are permanent government records, which need to be legible without markings of any kind, while copy 3 is a copy for the couple's personal records and copy 4 for the officiant's records. 

Returning The Marriage License

If you got married in Union, but got your marriage license from Maplewood, you would go to the Registrar in Union to deliver copy 1 and 2 of your marriage license and check if everything looks good to them. When delivering copies 1 and 2 of your marriage license to the Registrar of the Municipality you got married in, it is STRONGLY recommended to check with the Registrar if there are any issues which could impede you being able to get a certified copy.  

Mistakes made can potentially be rectified at the discretion of the issuing Registrar. However, there can be circumstances where you may have to do an amendment with the receiving Registrar, which involves the State's Vital Statistics Department. Amendments can take months to be approved by the State after being sent off by the local Registrar so follow the directions given to you by the Registrar to avoid any delays.

Part 3: Getting A Certified Copy Of Your Marriage Certificate

Your marriage application, marriage license, and marriage certificate are three different things. You DO NOT automatically get your marriage certificate after handing in your marriage license and if it is mailed or interofficed, the Registrar isn't required to notify you once it is received. You would have to request your marriage certificate from the Registrar who works in the Municipality you were married in.

Requesting Your Marriage Certificate (or Certificate of Marriage)

• You must complete an application for a “Certified copy of a vital record.”
• The cost varies per government entity or Municipality, but in Maplewood, it is $15 for the first copy, and each additional copy is $5.
• You are required to provide what the State deems as acceptable identification and prove your relationship to the person on record. Acceptable identification Includes: 

A current, valid photo driver's license or photo non-driver's license OR A current, valid driver’s license without photo and one alternate form of ID OR Two alternate forms of ID, one of which must have current address.

Alternate forms of ID are: Vehicle registration, Vehicle insurance card, Voter registration, US/Foreign Passport, Immigrant Visa, Permanent Resident Card (Green card), Federal/State ID, County ID, School ID, Bank Statement (within previous 90 days), Utility bill(within the previous 90 days), W-2 for current/previous tax year

• Once the identification and application are reviewed, the Registrar will confirm their office holds the record and will send out a payment link.
• After payment is received, the certified copy will be produced and either the requestor can pick up or have the certified copy sent to them. It is at the discretion of the Registrar how to handle someone being designated to receive the certified copy who isn't the applicant.

FAQS

What About Domestic Partnerships?

Domestic partnerships are not licensed, have no gender requirements, and are only available for those 62 or older. You also wouldn't use the Marriage application. What you would present is an affidavit of domestic partnership that notes the name, ages, and mailing addresses of both parties, alongside a statement that, at the time the affidavit is signed, both parties meet the requirements of the Act and wish to enter into a domestic partnership with each other. In order to file such an affidavit, neither person can have been a partner in a domestic partnership that was terminated less than 180 days prior to the filing of the current Affidavit of Domestic Partnership, except that this prohibition does not apply if one of the partners died.

How Do I Get My Name Changed?

You would have that done by the Social Security Administration. Information on the process can be found here.

If I Don't Live In New Jersey, What's The Process To Get Married In Maplewood?

If neither you or your spouse are residents of New Jersey, you would follow the same process as a Maplewood resident by applying via our online form (link).

Take Note

You should schedule additional time to finish the application process. Once you finish the online form, the registrar will have to meet with you, in person, see government issued ID from you and your future spouse, and you would need to bring a witness over 18 - all of whom will have to sign documents. From there, New Jersey has a 72 hour hold between completing the application and being issued a marriage license. 

If I Can't See The Registrar During The Hours Posted, What Are My Options?

The Registrar only meets with applicants between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM, during days Maplewood Town Hall is open.

To request an appointment, complete the online application.