Last Updated: October 5th, 2023
5 Essential Facts to Know Before Officiating a Wedding in New Jersey
The facts below cover all the important aspects of what requirements you need to meet to be able to legally officiate a wedding ceremony in New Jersey.
1.
Who Can Officiate Weddings in New Jersey?
This is the relevant exerpt from the New Jersey Permanent Statutes § 37:1-13.
" Each judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, each judge of a federal district court, United States magistrate, judge of a municipal court, judge of the Superior Court, judge of a tax court, retired judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court, or judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court, the former County Court, the former County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, or the former County District Court who has resigned in good standing, surrogate of any county, county clerk and any mayor or the deputy mayor when authorized by the mayor, or chairman of any township committee or village president of this State, and every minister of every religion, are hereby authorized to solemnize marriages or civil unions between such persons as may lawfully enter into the matrimonial relation or civil union; and every religious society, institution or organization in this State may join together in marriage or civil union such persons according to the rules and customs of the society, institution or organization. "
Basically, this means that as long as you are ordained through any church, you can officiate weddings.
2.
Are Online Ordinations Recognized in New Jersey?
Yes. All online ordained ministers, including those ordained through AMM are recognized in New Jersey.
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3.
Is Government Registration Required to Officiate a Wedding in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Government does not license, register, or certify ministers or wedding officiants. Officiant registration is not required in New Jersey to officiate a wedding.
4.
What Office Do I Register with Before Officiating a Wedding in New Jersey?
The New Jersey Government does not have any office that licenses, registers, or certifies wedding officiants.
5.
What is the Minimum Legal Age to Officiate a Wedding in New Jersey?
All Wedding Officiants in New Jersey must be at least 18 years old.
Preparing to Officiate a Wedding in New Jersey
As there is no officiant registration required in New Jersey, once ordained your next step is to start preparing to officiate the wedding. If you have not officiated a wedding before, or it has been a while, check out our New Jersey Officiant Ceremony Preparation page.
PREPARE FOR THE NEW JERSEY WEDDING CEREMONY