Registry Division
Wedding Ceremonies
Wedding ceremony room
Congratulations!
Now that you’ve decided to have a civil marriage ceremony, please review the steps and requirements below to have your wedding officiated at the Bergen County Clerk’s Office.
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Step 1
Schedule an Appointment
Couples interested in having the Bergen County Clerk officiate can schedule their ceremony by calling our office at (201) 336-7006.
You will receive a confirmation email with the details of your ceremony.
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Step 2
Apply for a Marriage License
Couples may apply for a marriage license in the town where either spouse resides. Since most towns handle marriage licenses through their Health Department, please contact the department in the appropriate town to determine what documentation you will need to bring with you when applying for your marriage license. Some offices may require that you have an officiant first before applying. If neither spouse is a resident of New Jersey, then the couple should apply for the license with the Hackensack Health Department.
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Step 3
Be Married!
The couple must bring all four (4) copies of their wedding license, valid IDs, a suggested $35 (cash/check) donation and two (2) witnesses, over the age of 18 with valid ID.
After the ceremony you will be issued a temporary Marriage Certificate. You will pick up your official Marriage Certificate from the Hackensack Health Department at 215 State Street, 7 to 10 days after the ceremony.
FAQ
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Can I get my Marriage License at the County Clerk’s Office?
No. Marriage Licenses are issued by town/municipal offices. You must come with your marriage license on the date of your ceremony.
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Is there a waiting period after we get our Marriage License or can we get married right away?
There is a 3 day/72 hour waiting period.
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How long is the Marriage License valid for?
The Marriage License is valid for 30 days from the day you pick it up. Be sure the scheduled date of your wedding is before your Marriage License expires!
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How long is the ceremony?
There is a bit of paperwork to complete with your witnesses before the short but sweet exchange of rings and vows. The total time in the office is around 30 minutes.
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Do we need to exchange rings?
No. If the couple chooses not to exchange rings, the Clerk will skip that part of the ceremony.
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Can we invite our family and friends?
Yes. The room can accommodate up to 10 guests. Pets are not allowed.
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What if we cannot provide our own witnesses?
If needed, the County Clerk’s Office can provide the witnesses required for the paperwork.
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Can we take pictures and videos?
Of course! You are more than welcome to take pictures and videos in the wedding room, building lobby, or outside.
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Do you offer the ceremony in Spanish?
Si! You can choose to have your ceremony officiated by a Spanish speaking officiant when you schedule your appointment.
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Are same sex ceremonies provided?
Yes! ALL are welcome here.
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What is the process for making a name change after the ceremony?
After you pick up the certified copy of the marriage certificate from the Hackensack Health Dept. you can bring it to your local social security office, NJ MVC, etc. We can provide you with the forms to update your Voter Registration and Passport.