N.J.S.A. § 37:1-13 • No Clergy Pre-Filing Primary-Source Reviewed (2026-10-31)

How to officiate a wedding in New Jersey

Covers all 21 Local Marriage Recording Jurisdictions in New Jersey under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 37:1-13.

Jurisdiction Summary • N.J. Stat. Ann. § 37:1-13 No State-Level Officiant Registry

Officiating in All 21 Jurisdictions in New Jersey: Under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 37:1-13, New Jersey recognizes ordained ministers in active standing without maintaining a statewide officiant registration office. Ecclesiastical ordination with Agape Church International is free ($0). Typical couple marriage-license fees at the Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (Municipality Where Ceremony Occurs) are $28.00 (waiting period: 72 hours; return window: 5 days—confirm exact local clerk procedures before ceremony day).

Check NJ eligibility & apply free ($0) Build ceremony script

Primary-Source Reviewed (2026-10-31) • New Jersey Department of Health — Official Marriage & Civil Union License Rules (N.J.S.A. § 37:1-13) ↗

Interactive Ceremony Deadline Calculator

Calculate your exact filing & ceremony dates

Wedding State or D.C.

Ceremony Date

Step 1 • Church Ordination ($0)
Complete Agape Ecclesiastical Ordination for New Jersey
Obtain your permanent Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital Certificate of Ordination ($0, zero renewal fees).
Sun, Nov 15, 2026
30 Days Before Ceremony
Confirm Local Clerk Ink & Return Rules (Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (Municipality Where Ceremony Occurs))
Under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 37:1-13(a), every member of the clergy of every religion (as well as judges, mayors, county clerks, and NJ-certified civil celebrants) is authorized to solemnize marriages and civil unions across New Jersey without pre-registering ministerial credentials with the state. IMPORTANT TIMING RULES: Couples must apply with 1 adult witness (age 18+) and wait at least 72 hours from application filing before the Local Registrar issues the license (valid for 30 days once picked up). After the ceremony, the officiant and 2 adult witnesses sign Copies 1–3 in black or blue ink, and the officiant files Copies 1 & 2 with the Local Registrar of the municipality where the ceremony occurred within 5 days. Confirm local municipal fees with the Registrar.
Mon, Nov 30, 2026
21 Days Before Ceremony
Complete Couple Questionnaire & Finalize Ceremony Script
Send the 10-question Couple Interview Link, confirm personal vows vs. repeat-after-me vows, and print your script in large altar type.
Wed, Dec 9, 2026
Waiting Period Buffer (72 hours)
Couple Secures New Jersey Marriage License & Certificate of Marriage
Ensure the couple obtains their New Jersey Marriage License & Certificate of Marriage early enough to clear New Jersey’s waiting period (72 hours) without expiring before ceremony day.
Wed, Dec 23, 2026
Within 5 Days After Ceremony
Return Signed New Jersey Marriage License & Certificate of Marriage to Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (Municipality Where Ceremony Occurs)
Witness Rule: At least 2 adult witnesses (age 18+, other than the officiant) must be present at the New Jersey wedding ceremony and sign the marriage license (in addition to the 1 adult witness who accompanied the couple at application).. Deliver in person or via tracked mail before Mon, Jan 4, 2027.
Mon, Jan 4, 2027

Ceremony countdown: 60 days from today • Always confirm holiday/office closures with Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (Municipality Where Ceremony Occurs).Open Couple Interview Questionnaire →

Three separate parts of a New Jersey wedding (N.J. Stat. Ann. § 37:1-13)

Under N.J. Stat. Ann. § 37:1-13(a), every member of the clergy of every religion (as well as judges, mayors, county clerks, and NJ-certified civil celebrants) is authorized to solemnize marriages and civil unions across New Jersey without pre-registering ministerial credentials with the state. IMPORTANT TIMING RULES: Couples must apply with 1 adult witness (age 18+) and wait at least 72 hours from application filing before the Local Registrar issues the license (valid for 30 days once picked up). After the ceremony, the officiant and 2 adult witnesses sign Copies 1–3 in black or blue ink, and the officiant files Copies 1 & 2 with the Local Registrar of the municipality where the ceremony occurred within 5 days. Confirm local municipal fees with the Registrar.

Couple’s Civil Marriage Document

New Jersey Marriage License & Certificate of Marriage

Recording / Issuing Office: Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (Municipality Where Ceremony Occurs)

Ceremony Witness Requirement

At least 2 adult witnesses (age 18+, other than the officiant) must be present at the New Jersey wedding ceremony and sign the marriage license (in addition to the 1 adult witness who accompanied the couple at application).

Spoken Ceremony Wording Rule

Both spouses must declare mutual consent to marry in the physical presence of the officiating clergy member and 2 adult witnesses before being pronounced married.

Ordination Cost vs. Physical Documents

Ordination: $0. Optional printed ordination certificate & ceremony binder—New Jersey does not require ordained clergy to register as civil celebrants with the Secretary of State.

4 clear steps before ceremony day in New Jersey

Complete free ecclesiastical ordination ($0): Apply online in under a minute to receive your Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital certificate—with no annual renewal fees.
Complete any required local clerk registration early: Confirm with the issuing Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (Municipality Where Ceremony Occurs) whether they request to inspect a printed credential or have county-specific signing instructions.
Prepare and rehearse the ceremony: Take our free 6-lesson first-time officiant course and customize a word-for-word script at /ceremony-scripts.
Execute & return the couple’s marriage license on time: Follow New Jersey’s witness rule (at least 2 adult witnesses (age 18+, other than the officiant) must be present at the new jersey wedding ceremony and sign the marriage license (in addition to the 1 adult witness who accompanied the couple at application).) and return the signed license to the issuing Local Registrar of Vital Statistics (Municipality Where Ceremony Occurs) within the statutory deadline (typically 5 days—confirm exact deadline printed on the couple’s license packet).