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Getting Your Marriage License: What To Expect

Getting Your Marriage License: What To Expect

Before you can tie the knot, you must get your marriage license. The process for completing this varies depending on the location you are in. You need to understand the timeline for getting your marriage license so that you have enough time to complete all the steps required so that your wedding day can run smoothly. We will provide a general overview to give you an idea of what to expect, but it will be important to check the specific requirements in your area to make sure you stay within the correct timeframe.

Where To Apply

You need to check and see if you can pick up a marriage license in any area within the state you reside or if it is limited to where either party lives. For New Jersey, the application is picked up where either party lives and is valid throughout the entire state. If by chance, neither applicant is a resident, then you need to see if you can go to the area where you will be married and pick up a license there. In New Jersey, if you pick up an application in a specific municipality and are not a resident of New Jersey, then you will be limited to the municipality where you picked up the license. This can add time you weren’t expecting if you do not check far enough out.

Documents

There are several documents that are required when filling out the marriage application. You will need to prove residency, show your birth certificate, potentially show your passport or driver’s license, and show your social security card. You will need a witness who is considered an adult (over 18 years of age). There might be other items necessary to finish this process, so make sure you check in your municipality to have the complete documents ready.

Fees/Waiting Period

When you apply for a marriage license, there is normally a fee associated with it and there could be a waiting period before you get your license. Additionally, you want to know how long your marriage application is good for to make sure you don’t get it too early. If you submit your application too early and it ends up expiring, you might have to go through the entire process again. Additionally, find out before you show up what forms of payment are accepted for the fee. You want to make sure you have the correct form of payment so that you are not unnecessarily delayed.

This entire process, depending on many factors, can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. This is why it is important to understand all the intricacies of the process for your specific area. You want to know what needs to get filled out when and if there are items that need to wait until a later date, such as signing the forms. There are a number of things that can throw a wrench into your plans if you wait until the last minute. By following these general rules and checking with your local municipality, you can make sure this process runs as smoothly as possible.

 

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