Bergen County Marriage License

Bergen County has more municipalities than any other county in New Jersey, with over 70 towns, boroughs, and cities. Each one has its own local registrar who handles marriage license applications. The Bergen County Clerk at One Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack does not issue marriage licenses. Instead, you apply at the registrar in the town where you or your partner lives. Both of you must appear together with a witness who is at least 18 years old. Bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The fee is $28 and a 72-hour wait applies before the license is released.

Where to Get a Bergen County Marriage License

The Bergen County Clerk office at One Bergen County Plaza, Room 150, Hackensack, NJ 07601 handles many county services. However, it does not issue marriage licenses. This is a common point of confusion. The clerk's phone number is 201-336-7000, and staff there can direct you to your local registrar. In Bergen County, the municipal registrar in your town of residence is the only office that can accept your marriage license application.

Hackensack, the county seat, has its own Health Department at 215 State Street that handles vital records including marriage licenses for Hackensack residents. You can call 201-646-3965 to ask about hours and whether you need an appointment. Teaneck Township also has an active registrar office that serves Teaneck residents applying for a marriage license in Bergen County. Ridgewood Village Clerk handles applications for those who live in Ridgewood. Each of these Bergen County offices follows the same state rules but may have different hours and appointment policies.

The New Jersey Department of Health maintains a full list of registrars for every municipality in the state. This is the best way to find the right office in Bergen County for your situation. Search by town name to get the address, phone number, and registrar name.

Note: Some Bergen County registrar offices require appointments while others accept walk-ins, so always call first.

Bergen County License Requirements

Every person applying for a marriage license in Bergen County must meet the same requirements set by New Jersey law. Both parties appear in person at the registrar. No exceptions. A witness aged 18 or older must join you. The witness needs a photo ID but does not have to be a Bergen County resident.

You each need to bring a current, government-issued photo ID. A driver's license or passport works best. You also need to prove your Social Security number. Your Social Security card is ideal, but a W-2 or pay stub showing the full number will work too. If either of you was born in another country, bring your birth certificate with a certified English translation if needed. Bergen County registrars follow strict state guidelines on acceptable documents.

If you or your partner had a previous marriage, bring proof it ended. A certified copy of a divorce judgment, annulment decree, or death certificate is required. The Bergen County registrar cannot process your application without this proof. Under New Jersey Title 37, all prior marriages must be legally dissolved before a new license can be issued. Both people must be at least 18 years old. There is no blood test needed in Bergen County or anywhere else in New Jersey.

Marriage License Rules in Bergen County

The New Jersey Department of Health sets the rules that every Bergen County registrar follows. The application fee is $28 statewide. After you submit your application, a 72-hour waiting period begins. You cannot pick up your license or hold your ceremony during this time. Once the wait ends, the registrar releases your license and it stays valid for 30 days.

Your ceremony must happen within the 30-day window. If it does not, the license expires. You would then need to reapply at your Bergen County registrar and pay the $28 fee again. There are no extensions. A judge, mayor, or authorized minister can perform the ceremony anywhere in New Jersey. You do not have to marry in Bergen County just because you got your license there. The officiant signs the license after the ceremony and returns it to the issuing registrar.

New Jersey does not require residency in the state to get married here. However, at least one person must apply at the registrar in the municipality where they live. If neither person lives in Bergen County, you would apply in the county where one of you does reside. After the wedding, the registrar files the marriage certificate with the New Jersey Department of Health for permanent record keeping.

Note: Couples can marry anywhere in New Jersey regardless of which Bergen County municipality issued their license.

Find Bergen County Marriage Records

Marriage records from Bergen County are kept by the local registrar who issued the license and by the state. If you need a copy of a marriage certificate, start with the town where the license was filed. The registrar can issue certified copies for a fee. In Bergen County, this is usually around $25 for the first copy and $2 for each extra copy ordered at the same time.

The state registrar directory helps you track down the right Bergen County office. With over 70 municipalities, it can be hard to know which one holds the record you need. If the couple lived in Fort Lee when they married, the Fort Lee registrar has the record. If they lived in Paramus, check with Paramus. The registrar search tool makes it simple to find contact details for any Bergen County municipality.

For older records or when you do not know which town issued the license, contact the New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton. They have marriage records from across the state, including Bergen County, going back many years. You can request copies by mail or visit their office at 140 East Front Street, Trenton, NJ 08625.

Bergen County Wedding Officiants

New Jersey law allows several types of people to perform a marriage ceremony. Judges, mayors, and ordained clergy can all officiate. In Bergen County, the municipal court judges and the county's numerous religious leaders provide many options. You can also have a friend get ordained online, as New Jersey recognizes online ordinations for wedding purposes.

The officiant plays a key role in the marriage license process for Bergen County couples. After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the license by filling in the date, location, and their credentials. They sign it and return it to the registrar within five days. The registrar then processes the marriage certificate. If the officiant is slow or forgets, your marriage may not be recorded on time. Pick someone reliable. Make sure they understand their duties under Bergen County and New Jersey procedures.

Resources like NJ Wedding can help you find officiants and plan your ceremony in Bergen County. The site also covers venue options and vendor recommendations throughout the area. For a summary of who can legally marry you in New Jersey, US Marriage Laws has a clear breakdown.

Bergen County Historical Marriage Data

Researchers looking for older marriage records from Bergen County have several options. The New Jersey State Archives holds vital records that date back to the 1800s. These include marriage records from Bergen County communities that existed long before many of today's municipalities were formed. The archives are open to the public and staff can assist with searches.

Bergen County is one of the original four counties created in the Province of East Jersey in 1683. It has a long history of record keeping. Early marriage records may be found in church records, as civil registration did not start in New Jersey until 1848. Local historical societies in Bergen County towns like Hackensack, Englewood, and Teaneck sometimes have copies of early marriage records or can point you to where they are stored. For genealogy work, combining state archives with local Bergen County resources gives you the best chance of finding what you need.

Note: Marriage records older than 80 years are generally considered open to the public in New Jersey.

Nearby Counties

These counties are next to Bergen County. If your partner lives in one of these counties, you may need to apply for your marriage license at a registrar in their town instead of in Bergen County.