Don’t forget! New Jersey marriage licenses are free until June 2023

Published Tuesday, Jan. 10th, 2023

There is no fee to apply for a New Jersey marriage license through June 30th, 2023! The usual application fees for marriage and civil union licenses were waived as part of a "one year fee holiday" passed by Gov. Phil Murphy and other legislators, making a NJ wedding a little easier and more affordable than ever. So start planning that Spring wedding ceremony now! Then, ask a friend or relative to get ordained online to officiate.

NJ marriage license application fees have been waived! Learn how and where to apply for your license for free

New Jersey couples who got engaged over the holidays are in for another happy surprise:

There's no fee to apply for a state marriage license or civil union license through June 30th, 2023.

That’s right! Marriage and civil union license applications continue to be free in the Garden State through the end of June… so start planning those sweet spring weddings now!

5 Great Reasons to Ask a Friend to Officiate Your Wedding

Application fees have been waived since July 1st, 2022, as part of a state-wide “one-year fee holiday” designed to make the marriage process easier for couples. Governor Phil Murphy and other legislators passed Assembly Bill 4400 to make it happen, appropriating up to $2,000,000 in funds for the cause.

Usually, it costs $28 to apply for a NJ marriage or civil union license, including a $3 fee and $25 fee to issue the license.

With an estimated 45,000-50,000 people marrying in the state each year, and 54,000 weddings predicted in 2023 (according to NJ State Treasurer Elizabeth Maher Muoio), marriage fees bring in a lot of revenue. Even during the first year of the coronavirus pandemic, when wedding numbers were notably low across the country, 38,334 couples were married in New Jersey (2020 data from New Jersey State Health Assessment Data).

The one-year fee holiday has spared New Jerseyans more than the cost of marriage license fees over the past seven months -- driver license renewal fees and state park entrance fees have also been waived. (Which makes us wonder... why not combine the savings and get married in a state park this year?)

Where to apply for a New Jersey marriage license

Couples should apply for their New Jersey marriage license with the Local Registrar’s office in the municipality where either party lives. This license will be valid anywhere in the state.

If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, the couple must apply in the municipality where the wedding ceremony will be held. In this case, the license is only be valid in that municipality.

Find out more about the marriage application process by visiting the State of New Jersey Department of Health: Marriage License website.

Then, choose a wedding officiant to marry you! Ask a close friend or family member to get ordained online with AMM to perform your ceremony.

_________ ♡ _________

Get ordained online to officiate weddings!

Read How to Become a Wedding Officiant in New Jersey

Conviértase en un Oficiante de Bodas en New Jersey

Friends and family members can perform wedding ceremonies in New Jersey if they’ve been ordained. Get ordained online with AMM to get started.

Browse New Jersey Wedding Articles

Jessica Levey

Lead Staff Writer & Illustrator

Jessica loves exploring the history and magic of ritual, the connections between people and places, and sharing true stories about love and commitment. She's an advocate for marriage equality, LGBTQ+ rights, and individuality, and is an ordained Minister with AMM. When she’s not writing or illustrating for AMM, she enjoys city hikes, fantasy novels, comics, and traveling.

Last Article:

A Short Introduction to Informal & Common Law Marriage

Indiana lawmakers introduce bill to protect same-sex marriage in 2023