Elizabeth NJ Marriage License
Elizabeth is the county seat of Union County and one of the oldest cities in New Jersey. The Elizabeth Office of Vital Statistics at City Hall handles marriage license applications for Elizabeth residents. Both people in the couple must visit the Elizabeth office in person to apply for a marriage license. Elizabeth has a large and diverse population, which means the office processes many marriage license requests throughout the year. The Elizabeth registrar at 50 Winfield Scott Plaza serves as the main contact for all marriage license and vital records needs in the city.
Elizabeth Marriage License Facts
Where to Get a Marriage License in Elizabeth
The Elizabeth Office of Vital Statistics is where couples apply for a marriage license in Elizabeth. This office is part of the City Clerk's department on the ground floor of Elizabeth City Hall. The address is 50 Winfield Scott Plaza, Elizabeth, NJ 07201. You can call the Elizabeth marriage license office at 908-820-4082 to ask about hours or what to bring. Both people must go to the Elizabeth office together to fill out the marriage license application.
| Office | Office of Vital Statistics |
|---|---|
| Address | 50 Winfield Scott Plaza Elizabeth, NJ 07201 |
| Phone | (908) 820-4082 |
| Fee | $28.00 |
Elizabeth City Hall is in the heart of downtown near the Union County Courthouse. Street parking and lot parking are close by. NJ Transit trains stop at Elizabeth station, a short walk from the marriage license office. Bus lines also serve the area well. Bring a valid photo ID when you go to the Elizabeth office to get your marriage license.
The Elizabeth marriage license office staff can tell you what forms and documents you need. Call the Elizabeth office at 908-820-4082 before your visit to confirm their hours. The office may close or change hours around holidays.
Note: Call ahead to confirm hours before you visit the Elizabeth marriage license office, as they may change due to holidays or staffing.
Elizabeth Marriage License Requirements
To get a marriage license in Elizabeth, both people must go to the Office of Vital Statistics at the same time. Each person needs a valid photo ID. A driver's license, state ID card, or passport all work at the Elizabeth office. If you use a passport as ID, you may also need to show proof of your New Jersey address. The Elizabeth marriage license clerk will ask for Social Security numbers from both people. You do not need to bring the physical card, but you must know the number.
You also need a witness who is at least 18 years old and can speak English. The witness goes with you to the Elizabeth office when you apply for the marriage license. If either person was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. A certified divorce decree or death certificate is what the Elizabeth registrar needs to see. Without this proof, the Elizabeth office cannot issue a new marriage license.
The marriage license fee in Elizabeth is $28. The Elizabeth office takes cash and money orders. Ask the clerk about credit or debit cards, as accepted payment methods can vary. Once you pay the fee and the Elizabeth clerk reviews your documents, the marriage license application is filed. There is a 72-hour waiting period under New Jersey law before you can pick up your Elizabeth marriage license. After pickup, the marriage license is valid for 30 days. The marriage ceremony must happen within those 30 days, or the Elizabeth marriage license expires and you start over.
The Elizabeth registrar can give you a full list of what to bring. You can also check the New Jersey Department of Health website for statewide marriage license rules. The requirements come from Title 37 of the New Jersey Statutes, so they apply the same in Elizabeth as in every other town.
Marriage License Waiting Period in Elizabeth
New Jersey has a mandatory 72-hour waiting period for all marriage licenses, including those issued in Elizabeth. After you apply at the Elizabeth clerk's office, you must wait three full days before you can pick up your marriage license. The clock starts when the Elizabeth clerk accepts your completed application. Plan your timeline with this in mind, especially if your wedding date is set.
Many Elizabeth couples apply for the marriage license at least a week before the ceremony. This gives extra time after the 72-hour wait in case there are any issues with the paperwork at the Elizabeth office. Once you pick up the marriage license in Elizabeth, it is good for 30 days. The ceremony must take place within that window. If 30 days pass and you have not used the Elizabeth marriage license, it expires. You would then need to go back to the Elizabeth Office of Vital Statistics, pay the $28 fee again, and start a new marriage license application.
After the ceremony, the officiant signs the marriage license and returns it to the Elizabeth registrar. The Elizabeth registrar then files the completed marriage license as an official record. This creates the marriage record for the state of New Jersey. You can order certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Elizabeth registrar or from the Union County registrar's office after the marriage license is filed.
Marriage Ceremony Options for Elizabeth Couples
After you get your marriage license in Elizabeth, you need an authorized officiant to perform the ceremony. In New Jersey, judges, mayors, and ordained ministers can all officiate a marriage. Your marriage license from Elizabeth does not limit where you hold the ceremony. You can get married anywhere in New Jersey with an Elizabeth marriage license. Parks, churches, banquet halls, and private homes are all fine.
The Union County Surrogate's office offers free wedding ceremonies for couples who hold a valid New Jersey marriage license. This civil ceremony is performed at the Union County Surrogate's office in the courthouse. It is a simple and fast option for Elizabeth couples who want a civil marriage. You still need to have your marriage license from Elizabeth in hand before the ceremony.
The New Jersey Department of Health maintains the official rules for marriage ceremonies and marriage license filing. The officiant must sign the marriage license after the ceremony and return it to the Elizabeth registrar within the required time frame. If the marriage license is not returned and filed, the marriage may not be recorded. Check the Department of Health marriage page for full details on officiants and the marriage license return process.
Getting Marriage Certificate Copies in Elizabeth
Once your marriage license has been signed, returned, and filed by the Elizabeth registrar, you can request certified copies of your marriage certificate. The Elizabeth Office of Vital Statistics keeps records of all marriages filed in the city. You can go to the Elizabeth office in person to request copies, or you may be able to request them by mail. Each certified copy has a fee. Ask the Elizabeth clerk about the current price when you apply for your marriage license.
If you need a copy of a marriage certificate that was not filed in Elizabeth, you have other options. The Union County Clerk's office provides copies of marriage records filed anywhere in Union County. You can also search through the Union County public records portal. For older marriage records or records from other counties, contact the New Jersey Department of Health in Trenton.
Certified copies of a marriage certificate are often needed for legal name changes, insurance updates, and tax filing. A certified copy has a raised seal from the Elizabeth registrar that proves it is official. Plain copies lack this seal and may not be accepted for legal purposes. When you request marriage certificate copies in Elizabeth, ask for certified ones.
Note: The Elizabeth registrar can only issue copies for marriages recorded in Elizabeth. For marriages in other towns, contact that town's registrar or the Union County Clerk.
New Jersey Marriage License Records
The state of New Jersey keeps a central file of all marriage records through the Department of Health. Every marriage license issued in Elizabeth and every other town gets reported to this central office. The state registrar directory for Union County lists all offices where you can apply for a marriage license or get copies of marriage records in Union County, including Elizabeth.
Marriage records in New Jersey go back over a hundred years. Recent marriage records are held by the local registrar who filed them. The Elizabeth registrar holds all recent Elizabeth marriage records. Older marriage records may be at the Union County or state level. If you are looking for a marriage record from Elizabeth and you are not sure where it was filed, start with the Elizabeth Office of Vital Statistics. They can point you to the right office.
New Jersey law treats marriage records as public records with some limits. The full marriage license application may contain personal details like Social Security numbers that are not released. The marriage certificate itself, which shows names, date, place, and officiant, is a public record. Anyone can request a copy of a marriage certificate from the Elizabeth registrar by providing enough details to identify the record.
Union County Marriage License Records
Elizabeth is the county seat of Union County. The Union County Clerk's office handles marriage license records at the county level and can provide certified copies for marriages filed anywhere in Union County. For more on Union County marriage license offices, fees, and resources, visit the full county page.