nj marriage licenses- state site is wrong

[Deleted User]

I called all around the Essex and Hudson county areas to find a town that is open at a decent hour of the day, since most only issue marriage licenses between the hours of 9-12 (upon hearing this, I confirmed that both my fiance and I and our witness would all have to take off from work for this process).  The state website says that as long as one of the people getting married is a NJ resident, you can obtain a license in ANY NJ municipality.  Today I learned the state's website is WRONG.  It seems you must submit your application in the town in which one of you resides (or perhaps it was in the town you will be married in- I burst into tears after being told she could not issue us a marriage license and missed the explanation).  The state had contacted people she had submitted applications for and told them they had to get married again with a new license because of this error.  Ultimately, she fudged some paperwork and submitted it (I am sure this is totally illegal, but at just a week away, I am stressed and will take what I can get). 

Be warned- call ahead and confirm prior to seeking the marriage license! 

katiepie33

That is horrible!    I got married in Philly, where my husband attended med school, and I remember them saying we had to get the marriage license in the town where the bride resides, and then they send it to Philly for processing, etc.  Such a pain!

Heather822

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_nj-marriage-licenses-state-wrong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:90Discussion:088a6ec6-a944-4951-9413-03ba5f3fb52cPost:e7b408a0-1f0f-4ec8-8abd-c3b901238290">nj marriage licenses- state site is wrong</a>:
[QUOTE]I called all around the Essex and Hudson county areas to find a town that is open at a decent hour of the day, since most only issue marriage licenses between the hours of 9-12 (upon hearing this, I confirmed that both my fiance and I and our witness would all have to take off from work for this process).  The state website says that as long as one of the people getting married is a NJ resident, you can obtain a license in ANY NJ municipality.  Today I learned the state's website is WRONG.  It seems you must submit your application in the town in which one of you resides (or perhaps it was in the town you will be married in- I burst into tears after being told she could not issue us a marriage license and missed the explanation).  <font class="Apple-style-span" color="#FF0000">The state had contacted people she had submitted applications for and told them they had to get married again with a new license because of this error.</font>  U<font class="Apple-style-span" color="#0000FF">ltimately, she fudged some paperwork and submitted it (I am sure this is totally illegal, but at just a week away, I am stressed and will take what I can get). </font> Be warned- call ahead and confirm prior to seeking the marriage license! 
Posted by kav131[/QUOTE]<div>
<div>
</div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#008080">I am so sorry this happened to you! Definitely incredibly frustrating!</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#008080">But based on what you said in red, I can't believe what you wrote in blue!!!!!</font></div><div><font class="Apple-style-span" color="#008080">Is this really the best idea...?</font>

</div></div>

felicia220

I have to agree with Heather.  Whats the point in getting a marriage license if it isn't going to be legit and you will have to get it redone down the road?  I am also confused as to why you didn't apply for it until a week before your wedding?  I would call this woman tell her to rip up those papers, get legit papers even if it is after your wedding.  Your not legally married until 3 days after your wedding anyway, so its not a big deal. 

This just seems like an overall bad idea. 

mbcdefg

Can't you just take off work on Monday and file in the proper town?

tinydancer842

I have no idea where you got that information because the dep't of vital stats clearly says:

Where to apply:The marriage license application is to be made in the New Jersey municipality in which either party resides and the license is valid throughout the State of New Jersey.If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, submit the application in the municipality where the marriage ceremony will be performed, the license is only valid in the issuing municipality.Please contact the Local Registrar to determine if license applications are handled during business hours or by appointment. source: http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/marriage_apply.shtmlAlso you need to bring proper ID when you apply in person so I don't know why they did not turn you away then. Just take a long lunch or go in late one day & get it done the right way like pp said. 

tinydancer842

also you don't have to bring someone you know -- you can grab anyone -- ask if someone at the office can be a witness.

goaliegirl

This is why it is always best to call ahead before going to get your marriage license.   And I agree with the pp, I would not use the paperwork that the lady "fudged" and I would go back and legitimately file the correct paperwork.

mrs.spunky1508

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_nj-marriage-licenses-state-wrong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:088a6ec6-a944-4951-9413-03ba5f3fb52cPost:a6ad62f7-b93f-4880-80f1-d20d5a622b0d">Re: nj marriage licenses- state site is wrong</a>:
[QUOTE]also you don't have to bring someone you know -- you can grab anyone -- ask if someone at the office can be a witness.
Posted by tinydancer842[/QUOTE]

This is wrong too. The witness has to be someone that knows the both of you, preferably someone who has known one if not both for 5 years or more.

felicia220

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_new-jersey_nj-marriage-licenses-state-wrong?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local Wedding BoardsForum:90Discussion:088a6ec6-a944-4951-9413-03ba5f3fb52cPost:69a2cac0-eea9-47ce-b846-89c124f81402">Re: nj marriage licenses- state site is wrong</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: nj marriage licenses- state site is wrong : This is wrong too. The witness has to be someone that knows the both of you, preferably someone who has known one if not both for 5 years or more.
Posted by mrs.spunky1508[/QUOTE]

This is not necessarily true, it depends on the town.  We lived 45 mins from anyone we know, so they allowed us to use a woman that worked in the office as our witness. 

Didn't want to beat a dead horse but wanted to clarify this just in case someone looked at this for advice.