{"id":4006,"name":"Jersey City","state_id":39,"county_id":1985,"created_at":"2019-08-20T10:32:42.958-07:00","updated_at":"2024-09-20T12:11:48.897-07:00","meta_description":"Jersey City Wedding Ceremony Guide For Ministers and Couples","head_tag":"A guide for officiating weddings and planning ceremonies in Jersey City","tagline":"Chilltown Wedding Time! ","intro_section":"\u003cp\u003eSo, you\u0026rsquo;re getting married in Jersey City! Or perhaps you were asked to officiate a wedding ceremony for some of your buds. Either way, congratulations are in order, and you\u0026rsquo;ve got a big day ahead to prepare for.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eJersey City is so close to Manhattan that some Garden State couples choose to cross over the GW for their wedding festivities -- but JC has its own unique flavor to offer, and let\u0026rsquo;s be honest, less of the Bennies. (There\u0026rsquo;s a reason we call it Chilltown!)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOur guide gives you the need-to-knows of getting married in Hudson County for both the officiant and the couple -- from the legal mumbo-jumbo to our favorite spots to get hitched in the Jersey City limits. So sit back, relax, and let\u0026rsquo;s get started.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","officiant_section":"\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eLet\u0026rsquo;s start with getting the officiant registered. According to \u003ca href=\"https://nj.gov/state/dos-civil-celebrant.shtml\"\u003eNew Jersey state law\u003c/a\u003e, \u0026ldquo;every member of the clergy of every religion is authorized to continue to solemnize marriages.\u0026rdquo;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re not a priest or pastor, no sweat. You can \u003ca href=\"/ordination-application\"\u003eget ordained\u003c/a\u003e with AMM, which is a certified IRS 501C3 non-profit church, to qualify. The process is free and takes just a few minutes.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it comes time to perform your duties as the officiant, Hudson County may ask you to present documentation, which AMM provides for a fee. (You can call the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office before you perform the ceremony to ask if they will require you to bring the certificate in person.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 2: Prepare for the Wedding Ceremony in Hudson County\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNow that the easy part is out of the way, it\u0026rsquo;s time to prepare for the ceremony itself. Being asked to perform a wedding ceremony is a true honor, but we realize it can also be a bit stressful if it\u0026rsquo;s your first time. Be sure and check out our \u003ca href=\"https://theamm.org/officiant-training\"\u003ewedding training\u003c/a\u003e pages, which will help you brainstorm how to write your ceremony script and ensure that everything goes smoothly.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eHere you can find an abundance of sample wedding ceremony scripts and other tips for preparation to help you get started.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eSTEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen it\u0026rsquo;s time to sign the marriage license, it\u0026rsquo;s the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license, but just be sure to double-check that they have a valid marriage license before the ceremony.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce the license is issued, it is good for 30 days from the date of issuance. The officiant must file the license and certificate with the Registrar of the city in which the ceremony was performed. \u0026ldquo;Since failure to record the certificate may cause considerable inconvenience at a later date when proof of certificate is needed, you should make sure that this has been done,\u0026rdquo; says the\u003ca href=\"https://www.nj.gov/health/forms/reg-d30.pdf\"\u003e New Jersey Department of Health.\u003c/a\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you have returned the complete marriage license, you have successfully performed all of your functions as the wedding officiant. Your part is done!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","couple_section":"\u003cp\u003eNow let\u0026rsquo;s move on to the couple\u0026rsquo;s responsibilities, You can obtain a marriage license application at any county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office in New Jersey, or you can find a PDF to print out \u003ca href=\"https://healthapps.state.nj.us/forms/index.aspx#reg-77\"\u003ehere\u003c/a\u003e. Note that if neither one of the applicants are residents of New Jersey, the license must be obtained from the registrar of the city where the ceremony will be performed and is only good for use in that municipality.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eTo complete your marriage license, you both members of the couple will have to visit the Hudson County clerk\u0026rsquo;s office at 257 Cornelison Ave on the fourth floor.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhen you go, just remember to bring:\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cul style=\"margin-left: 40px;\"\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eProof of identity (driver\u0026rsquo;s license, passport or state/federal ID)\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eProof of your residency\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eYour social security card or social security number\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003eA witness, 18 years of age or older\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\t\u003cli\u003e$28 application fee\u003c/li\u003e\r\n\u003c/ul\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a three-day waiting period in Jersey City, so just make sure you schedule your visit to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office at least four days before your actual wedding. After the ceremony, your officiant will return the completed marriage license to the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office, which is mentioned in the previous section.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","wedding_tips":"\u003ch3\u003eThe Basics\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWhen choosing your wedding date and place, just be sure to double-check Jersey City\u0026rsquo;s \u003ca href=\"https://jcdowntown.org/events\"\u003ecalendar\u003c/a\u003e to make sure there are no major events scheduled near your venue on the same day. You don\u0026rsquo;t want to end up competing for parking while the street fair rages nearby. As far as venue ideas, we have a few suggestions to help kick off your search.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a good handful of venues in town outside of the major hotels, which are good options for large weddings, but kind of drab, to be honest. The Rooftop at Exchange Place is a restaurant and bar that also hosts weddings, and is devastatingly chic and elegant. The Instagram photo ops are also a major draw. Or you might like \u003ca href=\"https://www.battellojc.com/weddings/\"\u003eBatello\u003c/a\u003e, the Italian seafood spot in Newport, which is another one of our favorites. The interior is ideal for a glamorous celebration, with its high ceilings, live entertainment space, and huge windows that look out over the bay. The restaurant\u0026rsquo;s management is plenty familiar with hosting weddings -- it even has a bridal suite -- and obviously, your catering will be in good hands. Done and done!\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eBut if you want to check out some more unique options, we have a couple of ideas. How about saying your \u0026ldquo;I do\u0026rsquo;s\u0026rdquo; aboard a \u003ca href=\"https://www.eliteprivateyachts.com/new-york-metro/wedding-venue?campaign=New%20York%20-%20Elite%20-%20Wedding\u0026amp;network=g\u0026amp;as_kwd=yacht%20weddings%20nj\u0026amp;source=AdWords\u0026amp;gclid=CjwKCAiA6vXwBRBKEiwAYE7iS8dVPM5-3H93kENxTjAlPuynfz88oz1mzK09oGH4XFQ42jLH1OU_ehoC7EMQAvD_BwE\"\u003eprivate yacht\u003c/a\u003e against the stunning views of the New York skyline? Then, take shelter in the cabin for an elegant dinner celebration after sunset. What could be more elegant? There are a few yacht services located in Jersey City. We linked you to one search engine, but you\u0026rsquo;ll want to do some calling around to find the best price.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eWe also love the idea of a wedding in Liberty State Park, an economical option for a couple that wants to incorporate their love of the outdoors into their wedding day. The bayfront park is clean, spacious and has stunning views of Manhattan, Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Visit the city\u0026rsquo;s\u003ca href=\"https://www.state.nj.us/dep/parksandforests/parks/liberty_events.html\"\u003e webpage\u003c/a\u003e for info on getting a permit to get married in the park. But remember, if you go with an outdoor option, you want to pick a day when the weather is most likely to be the perfect temperature (not in the height of summer or too early in the chilly spring), but the tourist crowds are not in full force. June or early September are ideal.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eTransportation\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eIf you\u0026rsquo;re a local, you already know that public transportation in Jersey City is a mixed bag. The bus system has a good network of routes, but the dense traffic and frequent construction mean delays are common, and during poor weather days, buses can be so crowded that you can end up waiting at the stop while full buses pass you by. The \u003ca href=\"https://www.panynj.gov/path/en/index.html\"\u003ePath train system and Light Rail \u003c/a\u003eare much more reliable. If you don\u0026rsquo;t want to tangle with NJ public transit, Lyft and Uber\u0026rsquo;s ride-sharing services are a better bet for getting around, and less stressful than renting a car (if you\u0026rsquo;re coming in from out of town.)\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch3\u003eWeather\u003c/h3\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eFall in New Jersey is lovely. It stays pretty dry and doesn\u0026rsquo;t start to get cold until mid to late October. But winters can be brutal -- snow, sleet, windchill -- the whole nine yards. Spring varies from year to year. It\u0026rsquo;s usually cold and rainy, but there are some surprisingly sunny, warm days. So, if you\u0026rsquo;re planning an early spring wedding and crossing your fingers for a nice day, choosing a venue with both outdoor and indoor spaces is your best bet. New Jersey summers are lovely, but can get quite hot and humid during the peak in August. There are some cloudy and rainy days, but showers usually only last half an hour and temperatures average in the 90s.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eChoose a date in early summer or late fall for your best chance at ideal weather, but if you\u0026rsquo;re not too concerned about that aspect, picking a date in off-season -- during fall, winter or early spring -- you\u0026rsquo;ll get the best deals on venues and catering.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","faq":"\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we get married the same day that we apply for a marriage license in Hudson County?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, there is a 72-hour waiting period, so make sure to visit the county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office to obtain your marriage license at least four days before your actual wedding is scheduled.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWho returns the marriage license to the Hudson County county clerk\u0026rsquo;s office after the wedding?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the officiant\u0026rsquo;s duty.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo we need to have our social security cards or birth certificates to apply for a marriage license?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eNo, these documents aren\u0026rsquo;t required, but you do need to know your social security numbers if you are U.S. citizens.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003ch4\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan we use our Hudson County marriage license anywhere in New Jersey?\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/h4\u003e\r\n\r\n\u003cp\u003eOnce you\u0026rsquo;ve obtained your marriage license, assuming at least one applicant is a resident of New Jersey, your license is good to be used anywhere in the state.\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","content_live":true,"marriage_licensing_info":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuance Office:\u003c/strong\u003e 257 Cornelison Ave 4th floor\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eFee:\u003c/strong\u003e $28\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eWaiting Period:\u003c/strong\u003e 72 hours\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eExpiration:\u003c/strong\u003e 6 months\u003cbr /\u003e\r\n\u003cstrong\u003eReturn:\u003c/strong\u003e by Officiant\u003c/p\u003e\r\n","meta_description_esp":null,"head_tag_esp":null,"tagline_esp":null,"intro_section_esp":"","officiant_section_esp":"","couple_section_esp":"","wedding_tips_esp":"","faq_esp":"","content_live_esp":false,"marriage_licensing_info_esp":""}