Union County NJ Marriage License

Union County sits in the northeast part of New Jersey and has 21 towns and cities. Elizabeth is the county seat. It is one of the most dense and active parts of the state. Couples who plan to wed in Union County need a marriage license from a local registrar. The county clerk does not issue marriage licenses. You must go to the vital statistics office in the town where you or your partner lives. Both people must show up in person. A valid marriage license from a Union County registrar is what makes your wedding legal in the state of New Jersey.

Where to Apply for a Marriage License in Union County

Marriage licenses in Union County are issued at the municipal level. Each of the 21 towns has a registrar who handles vital records. The Union County Clerk, Joanne Rajoppi, works at 2 Broad Street, Room 115, in Elizabeth, NJ 07207. You can call that office at 908-527-4966. The county clerk handles passports, trade names, and other county records. But for a marriage license, you go to your town registrar.

Elizabeth is the largest city in Union County. Its vital statistics office is at 50 Winfield Scott Plaza. Call 908-820-4082 to ask about hours and what to bring. Union Township also has a busy registrar at 1976 Morris Avenue. That office can be reached at 908-851-8507. Plainfield, Summit, Linden, and Rahway all have their own registrar offices as well. Each one takes marriage license requests from people who live in that town.

The page below is the official site for the Union County Clerk. It has links to services, forms, and contact details for the clerk in Union County.

Call your local registrar in Union County before you visit. Walk-in hours vary from town to town.

Union County Marriage License Requirements

New Jersey law sets the rules for all marriage license applications. In Union County, each registrar follows the same state rules. Both people must show up at the same time. You need to bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license or passport. A Social Security card or proof of your number is also required. If you had a prior marriage, bring a final divorce decree or a death certificate to prove it ended.

Both applicants must be at least 18. No blood tests are needed. The state fee for a marriage license in New Jersey is $28. Your local Union County registrar may charge a small added fee for processing. You can view the full list of what the state requires on the NJ Department of Health marriage page.

The New Jersey marriage statute under Title 37 gives the full text of the law. It covers who may marry, age rules, and what counts as a valid license in Union County and all other parts of the state.

Here is the Union County Clerk page for certificates and records. While the clerk does not issue marriage licenses, this page has details on how to get copies of other vital documents.

Note: Bring all original documents. Most Union County registrar offices do not accept photocopies or digital images as proof of identity.

Waiting Period and License Validity

After you submit your marriage license application in Union County, there is a 72-hour waiting period. This is a state rule. You cannot use the license for three full days after you apply. A judge can waive this wait if there is a good reason. Ask your Union County registrar how to request a waiver.

Once your Union County marriage license is issued, it stays valid for 30 days. You must hold your ceremony before it expires. If you miss that window, you will need to start over with a new application and pay the fee again. Most couples in Union County apply two to three weeks before the planned date.

Note: The 30-day window starts on the date the license is issued, not the date you apply. Keep this in mind if there is a delay at your Union County registrar office.

Free Wedding Ceremonies in Union County

Union County Surrogate Christopher Hudak offers free wedding ceremonies. This is a service that not all counties in New Jersey provide. Couples with a valid marriage license can schedule a ceremony through the Surrogate's office. There is no cost. The office is in the Union County Courthouse in Elizabeth.

The Union County Surrogate weddings page has details on how to book a ceremony. You can find out what days are open and what to bring. This is a popular choice for couples in Union County who want a simple, quick, and free wedding.

You still need a valid marriage license from your local registrar before you can have the ceremony. The Surrogate does not issue licenses. Get your marriage license first, then call the Surrogate in Union County to set up your wedding date.

Online Appointment System for Union County Clerk

The Union County Clerk now has an online system for scheduling appointments. You can book a time slot for passport services, notary work, and other clerk functions. This system helps cut down wait times at the office in Elizabeth.

Visit the Union County Clerk online appointment page to see what services are available. While marriage licenses are handled at the town level, the clerk can help with related needs such as certified copies and name changes after marriage.

For your marriage license, contact the registrar in your Union County town to ask if they use an appointment system. Some towns accept walk-ins. Others require you to call ahead and set a time.

Union County Marriage Records Access

Marriage records in Union County are kept by the municipality where the marriage took place. The NJ Office of Vital Statistics also holds copies of all marriage records filed in the state. You can request a certified copy from either source.

Records that are less than 50 years old have restricted access. Only certain people can get a copy. This includes the people named on the marriage license, their parents, legal guardians, spouses, children, grandchildren, or siblings. You must prove your relationship to the person on the record when you apply for a copy in Union County.

Marriage records that are more than 50 years old are open to the public. These older records are useful for genealogy and historical research. You can search for older Union County marriage records through the Union County records portal. This tool lets you look up public documents filed in the county.

Note: Processing times for marriage record copies vary by office. Plan ahead if you need a certified copy for legal reasons in Union County.

Union County Municipal Registrars

Each of the 21 municipalities in Union County has its own registrar. The registrar is the person who processes marriage license applications. They also file birth and death records. To find the registrar in your town, check the NJ registrar directory for Union County. It lists every local registrar with phone numbers and addresses.

Some of the larger towns in Union County include Elizabeth, Plainfield, Linden, Rahway, and Westfield. Smaller towns like Kenilworth, Garwood, and Fanwood also have registrar offices. No matter where you live in Union County, there is a local office that can help you get a marriage license.

• Elizabeth: Largest city in Union County with a full vital statistics staff.
• Plainfield: Has a registrar office that handles all vital records.
• Union Township: One of the busier offices for marriage license requests.
• Westfield: Serves residents in the western part of Union County.
• Linden: Handles a high volume of vital records each year.

All Union County registrar offices follow the same state rules. Fees and hours may differ slightly, so call ahead before you visit.

Cities in Union County

Union County has 21 municipalities. Each one has a registrar who handles marriage license applications. You must apply in the town where you or your partner lives.

Other towns in Union County include Linden, Rahway, Westfield, Summit, Cranford, Roselle, and Scotch Plains. All issue marriage licenses through their local registrar.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Union County. If you live close to a county line, check your address to see which registrar handles your marriage license. You must apply in the municipality where you reside.