Marriage License in Mercer County

Mercer County sits in the central part of New Jersey and is home to Trenton, the state capital. Couples looking for a marriage license in Mercer County can apply through any of the 12 municipal registrars or the County Clerk office. The county has kept marriage records since 1919 and also maintains domestic partnership records from 2004 and civil union records from 2007. Whether you live in Trenton, Princeton, or Hamilton Township, the process for a marriage license in Mercer County follows the same state rules. This page walks through each step.

Mercer County Clerk Marriage License Services

Paula Sollami Covello serves as the Mercer County Clerk. The clerk office handles marriage records, property filings, and other public documents. For questions about a marriage license, you can email the office at ctozour@mercercounty.org. The clerk office in Trenton can help with record searches, certified copies, and general questions about the marriage license process in Mercer County.

Mercer County has records of marriages from 1919 to the present. The office also holds domestic partnership records starting from 2004 and civil union records from 2007. If you need a copy of a past marriage record, the clerk office can search these files. For recent records, the process is quick. Older records may take a bit more time to locate in Mercer County.

The Mercer County records portal gives you access to search for property and other public records online.

How to Apply for a Marriage License in Mercer County

To get a marriage license in Mercer County, both people must go to a local registrar together. You apply in the municipality where either person lives. If one of you lives in Hamilton Township and the other in Ewing, you can apply in either town. The registrar will ask for your identification and basic personal details.

Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need proof of your Social Security number. If you were born in another country, bring your birth certificate with a certified English translation. Proof that a prior marriage ended is required for anyone who was married before. A certified copy of the final divorce judgment or a death certificate will meet this need in Mercer County.

After you submit your application, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the marriage license becomes active. The license is then valid for 6 months. In Mercer County, you can request an extension to make the license valid for up to 1 year if you need more time. Ask the registrar about this option when you apply.

Mercer County Municipal Registrar Locations

Each of the 12 municipalities in Mercer County has a registrar who can issue a marriage license. These towns include Trenton, Princeton, Hamilton Township, Lawrence Township, Ewing Township, and others. The registrar is usually part of the municipal clerk office at the local town hall.

The New Jersey Department of Health maintains a full directory of registrars in Mercer County. This directory shows the address, phone number, and contact person for each town.

You can view the registrar list at the NJ Department of Health registrar directory for Mercer County. Ewing Township also provides information about vital records and marriage licenses on its own site at ewingnj.org/vital-records. Call the registrar in your town to check hours and whether you need an appointment.

Note: Trenton, as the county seat and state capital, tends to have the most foot traffic. Plan for a wait if you visit during busy hours.

Expedited Marriage Certificates in Mercer County

Mercer County offers expedited processing for marriage certificates. If you need a certified copy of your marriage certificate quickly, ask about this option at the clerk office. Expedited service can save time when you have a tight deadline for a name change, insurance update, or travel plans.

Standard processing times vary depending on how busy the office is. With the expedited option in Mercer County, you can often receive your certified copy much sooner. Fees for expedited service are in addition to the regular copy fee. Contact the Mercer County Clerk office to confirm the current cost and turnaround time for this service.

Mercer County Marriage Records at State Archives

In addition to the local clerk office, marriage records from Mercer County are also kept at the state level. The New Jersey Office of Vital Statistics in Trenton has copies of marriage records from across the state. Since Trenton is right in Mercer County, visiting the state office is convenient for local residents.

State archives and third-party record sites can also help with searches. The New Jersey State Records page for Mercer County provides access to various public records. For the state rules on marriage licenses, the NJ Department of Health website has full details.

The full text of New Jersey marriage law is available at Title 37 of the NJ Statutes. This covers who can marry, what documents are needed, and the role of the registrar. Reviewing this can help you prepare before you visit a registrar in Mercer County.

After the Ceremony in Mercer County

Once the wedding ceremony takes place, the officiant and two witnesses must sign the marriage license. The officiant then returns the signed license to the registrar who issued it. This is a required step. The registrar records the marriage and sends the information to the NJ Office of Vital Statistics.

After filing, you can request certified copies of the marriage certificate. Most couples need at least two or three copies. These are useful for:

• Changing your name on a driver's license or passport
• Updating bank accounts and financial records
• Adding a spouse to health insurance
• Updating Social Security records

Certified copies carry a raised seal and are accepted by courts, banks, and government agencies. Request them from the registrar in Mercer County or the County Clerk office in Trenton. You can also order copies by mail from the state vital records office.

Cities in Mercer County

Mercer County has 12 municipalities. Each town has its own registrar who can issue a marriage license. The two largest communities with city pages on this site are listed below.

Other municipalities in Mercer County include Princeton, Lawrence Township, Ewing Township, Hopewell Township, West Windsor, East Windsor, Robbinsville, Hightstown, Hopewell Borough, and Pennington. All of these towns can issue a marriage license through their local registrar.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Mercer County. You must apply for a marriage license in the town where you or your partner lives. Check which county your town falls in if you are close to a county line.