Your Somerset County Marriage License

Somerset County is in central New Jersey and has 21 municipalities. Somerville serves as the county seat. Couples who want to marry in Somerset County need a marriage license from their local registrar. The county clerk does not issue these licenses. Instead, you go to the vital statistics office in the town where you or your partner lives. Both people must show up in person to apply. Each town in Somerset County has its own office for this task. A valid license must be in hand before the ceremony can be held.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Somerset County

Marriage licenses in Somerset County are issued by local municipal registrars. Steve Peter serves as the Somerset County Clerk. His office is at 20 Grove Street in Somerville, NJ 08876. You can call 908-231-7013 for general questions. The county clerk handles notary services, trade names, and certain public records. But the clerk does not process marriage licenses. For that, you must visit the registrar in your town.

Somerset County has 21 towns and boroughs. Each one has a registrar who can take your marriage license forms. Some of these offices are small, so hours may vary. It is best to call first to check when the registrar is open and what you should bring.

The image below links to the state list of Somerset County registrars. Use this tool to look up the registrar for your specific town.

If you are not sure which town you belong to in Somerset County, call the county clerk and they can help you find the right office for your marriage license.

Raritan Borough Vital Statistics

Raritan Borough is one of the towns in Somerset County that has its own vital statistics office. This office handles marriage licenses for people who live in Raritan. It also keeps records of births, deaths, and marriages that took place within the borough.

The Raritan Borough vital statistics page has details on how to reach the office. Below is a look at that page.

Raritan sits along the Raritan River in the heart of Somerset County. The borough is small but has a full set of municipal services. If you live here, this is your starting point for a marriage license in Somerset County.

Watchung Borough Vital Statistics

Watchung Borough also provides vital statistics services for its residents. This includes marriage license processing. The borough clerk handles the forms and can walk you through the steps.

You can find details on the Watchung Borough vital statistics page. The image below shows that page.

Note: Watchung is a smaller community in Somerset County. The clerk may have limited hours for vital statistics work. Call ahead to check on times and what you need to bring for your marriage license.

Franklin Township Marriage License Office

Franklin Township is the most populated municipality in Somerset County. Its registrar office is at 475 DeMott Lane, Somerset, NJ 08873. You can call 732-873-2500 and press extension 2305. The fee for a marriage license in Franklin Township is $28. This fee is paid at the time you submit your forms.

Franklin Township handles a high number of marriage license requests each year. The office deals with all vital records for the township. Both people must come in together to apply. Bring valid photo ID, your Social Security card, and any proof of a prior marriage ending if that applies to you.

The Franklin Township registrar page has more on the office and its hours. Franklin Township is a large area with many neighborhoods, and this one office serves all of them for marriage license needs in Somerset County.

Bridgewater and Somerset County Marriage Resources

Bridgewater Township is one of the larger towns in Somerset County. It offers a bilingual marriage and civil union brochure in both English and Spanish. This is a helpful tool for couples in Somerset County who speak Spanish at home. The brochure covers all the steps, forms, and fees for getting a marriage license.

Somerset County is home to a diverse group of residents. Many towns have staff who can help in more than one language. If you need help with forms or rules in a language other than English, ask your local registrar in Somerset County. They may have translated materials or staff who can assist.

Note: Not all towns in Somerset County offer bilingual forms. Bridgewater is one that does, so check with your own town to see what is on hand.

Somerset County Marriage License Requirements

The rules for a marriage license in Somerset County are set by New Jersey state law. Under Title 37, both people must be at least 18 years old. There is no blood test needed. You must bring a valid photo ID and proof of your Social Security number. If you had a prior marriage, bring a final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse.

All documents must be originals. Copies are not accepted at most Somerset County registrar offices. The fee is set at the state level, though some towns may charge a small amount for processing on top of that.

After you apply, the Somerset County registrar will review your forms. There is a 72-hour waiting period in New Jersey. You cannot use the license until three full days have passed from the time you filed. A judge may waive this wait in certain cases. Once the wait is up, the license is good for 30 days. Hold your ceremony within that window or you will need to apply again.

New Jersey Marriage License Laws

The NJ Department of Health marriage page covers the full process for getting a marriage license in New Jersey. It lists every rule, fee, and form. Somerset County registrars follow this guide when they process your application.

The New Jersey Department of Health vital records site also keeps records of marriages from across the state. If you need a copy of a marriage certificate for an event in Somerset County, you can request it through their office. Fees apply for each certified copy.

Under state law, the registrar of the town where either person lives issues the marriage license. You do not have to hold the ceremony in the same town. The wedding can take place anywhere in New Jersey. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and sends it back to the registrar. That office files it as a permanent record in Somerset County.

Cities in Somerset County

Somerset County has 21 municipalities. Each one has a local registrar who handles marriage license applications. Apply in the town where you or your partner lives.

Other towns in Somerset County include Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Bound Brook, Raritan, Watchung, and Warren. All issue marriage licenses through their local registrar.

Nearby Counties

These counties share a border with Somerset County. If you live near a county line, check your address to find out which registrar handles your marriage license. You must apply in the municipality where you reside.