By Distant Vows | March 6, 2026
If you are trying to figure out how to get married online in New Jersey, you will quickly see that New Jersey still relies on a traditional local registrar marriage license system with a mandatory waiting period and in‑state ceremony requirement. Most couples must appear in person at a municipal registrar’s office, provide specific documents, wait at least 72 hours, and then hold a ceremony in New Jersey within 30 days of license issuance. By using Utah’s fully legal online marriage system through Distant Vows, New Jersey couples can get married online in New Jersey 100% virtually and receive a U.S. marriage certificate that is valid in New Jersey and all 50 states.
How New Jersey Marriage Usually Works if You Don’t Get Married Online in New Jersey
New Jersey marriages are handled at the municipal level under New Jersey Revised Statutes Title 37 . Couples must apply for a marriage license with the local registrar in the municipality where either party resides, provide proof of age, identity, and residence, and then wait for a statutory 72‑hour waiting period before the license is issued. Once issued, the license is valid for 30 days and may only be used for a ceremony held within New Jersey.
The New Jersey Department of Health and local registrars explain the waiting period and validity in detail:
- The NJ Department of Health notes that there is a 72‑hour waiting period from the time the application is filed until the license can be issued, and that the license is generally valid for 30 days.
- Municipalities such as Vineland and Cherry Hill reiterate the 72‑hour waiting period and emphasize that the license must be used within its validity period for a ceremony in New Jersey.
Because of this 72‑hour wait, 30‑day validity, and in‑state ceremony rule, many couples look for a way to get married online in New Jersey instead of navigating registrar schedules and travel, especially if one partner is out of state or abroad.
Documents, Waiting Period, and Age Requirements in New Jersey
New Jersey sets clear minimum age and documentation rules for marriage licenses. Under N.J.S.A. 37:1‑6, both parties must be at least 18 years old to marry, and the state no longer issues marriage licenses to anyone under 18.
The state and municipal registrars list the documents you normally need to apply for a traditional New Jersey marriage license:
- Government‑issued photo ID such as a New Jersey driver’s license, state ID, military ID, or passport, often with proof of current address.
- Proof of residency in the municipality for at least one applicant, such as a driver’s license, lease, or utility bill, unless neither party lives in New Jersey.
- Social Security numbers, if issued, or other identifying information requested on the state marriage license application form.
- Proof of how any prior marriage or civil union ended (final judgment of divorce, dissolution, or certified death certificate) to ensure there is no existing marriage.
- One witness who is at least 18 years old must typically appear with you when you apply, as required by local registrars.
The 72‑hour waiting period begins when the completed application is filed with the local registrar, and in most cases can only be waived by a Superior Court judge. Once issued, your New Jersey marriage license is valid for 30 days, and your ceremony date must fall within that 30‑day window.
Are Online Weddings Allowed Directly if You Want to Get Married Online in New Jersey?
Some New Jersey municipalities allow you to start your marriage license application online or by email, but the license is still a New Jersey license that can only be used for a ceremony performed within the state. For example, Hudson County municipalities may coordinate virtual steps around the application, but couples and the officiant must all be in New Jersey at the time of the ceremony.
New Jersey law does not yet provide a statewide system where the legal marriage is created entirely by video with an out‑of‑state officiant, without using a New Jersey license. That is why couples who want to get married online in New Jersey often choose to marry under Utah law via a live video ceremony and then use their Utah marriage certificate in New Jersey.
4 Steps to Get Married Online in New Jersey with Distant Vows (Through Utah)
With Distant Vows, the same four‑step process applies whether you want to get married online in New Jersey, New York, Wisconsin, or Georgia. The legal engine is always Utah’s online marriage system, which allows couples to apply for a license and hold a ceremony entirely over video while still being recognized nationwide.
Step 1 – Verify Your Eligibility
First, you confirm that you and your partner meet basic Utah requirements and complete Distant Vows’ quick intake form. Typically, you both must be 18 or older, not currently married to anyone else, and able to join a live video call together. This is the foundation that lets you later get married online in New Jersey in a way that is fully valid under Utah law.
- Confirm you are legally free to marry (single, divorced, or widowed).
- Gather valid government‑issued photo IDs, such as a New Jersey driver’s license, state ID, passport, or military ID.
- Make sure you have a stable internet connection and a device with audio and video so you can comfortably get married online in New Jersey.
Step 2 – Choose Your Package and Ceremony Date
Next, you choose a Distant Vows package and select a ceremony date and time that works for your schedule in Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, Atlantic City, or anywhere else. You can keep the ceremony short and simple or personalize it with vows, readings, and guests watching online as you get married online in New Jersey.
- Select a basic legal‑only ceremony or a more personalized experience.
- Pick a time that works for your time zone and any guests joining from New Jersey or overseas.
- Tell us if you need witness support, custom vows, religious or civil wording, or language options.
Step 3 – Apply for Your Utah Online Marriage License
After you pick your date, you complete a Utah online marriage license application. Utah County’s system lets you submit everything digitally: your information, ID uploads, and signatures. You never have to visit a Utah courthouse, and you do not need to appear at a New Jersey local registrar’s office for this license because it is issued by Utah, even though your goal is to get married online in New Jersey.
- Fill out the secure Utah County application form online from your home in New Jersey.
- Upload clear images of your IDs and any requested documents, such as divorce decrees if applicable.
- Respond to any brief follow‑up from the Utah clerk if they need clarification before issuing the license.
A Utah online marriage license is valid for 32 days from the date it is issued, and Distant Vows schedules your ceremony within that 32‑day window so that your marriage is properly created under Utah law.
Step 4 – Attend Your Online Ceremony and Get Your Certificate
On your wedding day, you and your partner join a live video ceremony with a Utah‑licensed officiant. Two adult witnesses are required; they can join from anywhere in the world, and Distant Vows can provide witnesses if you do not have friends or family available.
- You can join from your home in New Jersey or from anywhere in the world, as long as you are both on the same live video call.
- Participate in a real‑time ceremony where you exchange vows and say “I do.” This is the moment you actually get married online in New Jersey, even though the legal ceremony is taking place under Utah law.
- After the ceremony, your officiant files the certificate in Utah and you receive your official Utah marriage certificate digitally and, if requested, by mail.
New Jersey In‑Person Marriage vs Online Utah Marriage
Before you decide how to get married online in New Jersey, it helps to compare the traditional New Jersey local‑registrar process with a Utah online wedding through Distant Vows.
| Feature | Traditional New Jersey Marriage | Get Married Online with Distant Vows (Utah) |
|---|---|---|
| Where the license is issued | New Jersey local registrar in the municipality where either party resides, or where the ceremony will occur if neither party lives in New Jersey. | Utah County Clerk via a secure online application. |
| Waiting period | Mandatory 72‑hour waiting period after filing the application before the license can be issued; waivable only by court order in emergencies. | No in‑person waiting room; your Utah license is issued after online review, and Distant Vows schedules your ceremony once it is approved within the 32‑day Utah validity. |
| License validity | License is generally valid for 30 days from issuance and can only be used for a ceremony in New Jersey. | Utah license is valid for 32 days; ceremony can be attended from New Jersey or anywhere in the world. |
| Where the ceremony happens | In person in New Jersey, using a New Jersey license and an officiant authorized under N.J.S.A. 37:1‑13. | Live video ceremony with a Utah‑licensed officiant; you can join from New Jersey or another country. |
| Recognition in New Jersey | Valid in New Jersey. | Valid in New Jersey and all 50 states once properly issued and filed in Utah, because New Jersey generally recognizes marriages valid where celebrated. |
| Online options | Some online or email applications and scheduling, but the system is still built around a local license and in‑person ceremony. | Designed from the ground up for fully online licensing and ceremony. |
| International use | May require apostille or legalization, depending on the foreign country’s rules. |
Utah certificate can receive an apostille for use in many countries, even if you get married online in New Jersey. Learn more at Distant Vows apostille services. |
Immigration and Long‑Distance Couples in New Jersey
Many New Jersey couples use a Utah online marriage when one partner lives abroad and the other is in New Jersey. As long as your ceremony is live, follows Utah law, and is not a mere paper proxy, a Utah marriage certificate can generally support spousal visa and green card applications, subject to federal immigration rules and consular requirements.
If you need your marriage recognized by another country, Distant Vows can also help you obtain an apostille so your Utah certificate can be used internationally where that process is accepted. This is especially helpful if you get married online in New Jersey while your partner remains overseas. You can see how our apostille process works here:
do you need an apostille.
Using Your Utah Certificate in New Jersey
After you get married online in New Jersey through Utah, your certified Utah marriage certificate becomes the key document for updating your records. New Jersey agencies and businesses generally look for a valid U.S. marriage certificate, not a specific state name.
- Change your name with the Social Security Administration.
- Update your New Jersey driver’s license or ID through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission.
- Adjust your name and marital status with banks, employers, schools, and insurance providers.
This is why couples who get married online in New Jersey through Utah can still handle all their legal and practical updates locally without any issues.
FAQ: Getting Married Online in New Jersey
Is it legal to get married online in New Jersey?
New Jersey recognizes marriages that are valid where they are performed. When you get married online in New Jersey through Utah’s system, your marriage is valid in Utah and must generally be recognized in New Jersey, even though the ceremony happens over video.
Do we still need to apply for a New Jersey marriage license?
No. If you choose the Utah online route, your license is issued by Utah, not by a New Jersey local registrar. You do not need to apply for a New Jersey license to be legally married if you get married online in New Jersey through Utah instead.
What documents are required if we follow the traditional New Jersey process?
Typically you need government‑issued photo ID, proof of residency for at least one applicant, Social Security numbers (if issued), one adult witness, and proof of how any prior marriage ended. You must also observe the 72‑hour waiting period between filing your application and license issuance.
Can military couples get married using the Utah process?
Yes. The Utah online marriage process works very well for military couples where one partner is deployed or stationed away from New Jersey. Both partners can join from different locations as long as they are on the same live video call, which makes it easier to get married online in New Jersey without coordinating leave, travel, and registrar appointments. You can read more about how this works for service members at military online weddings.
Do we have to travel to Utah?
No. You never have to travel to Utah. All four steps – eligibility, package selection, license application, and ceremony – are handled online while you stay in New Jersey or wherever you live and plan to get married online in New Jersey.
Can same‑sex couples get married online this way?
Yes. Same‑sex marriages are treated the same under Utah and federal law, so same‑sex couples in New Jersey can get married online in New Jersey through Utah and receive the same legal certificate as any other couple.
How fast can we get married online from New Jersey?
Many couples complete all four steps and receive their digital certificate in just a few days, and rush options can make it possible to get married online in New Jersey and be legally married even sooner, depending on schedule availability.
Ready to Get Married Online in New Jersey?
If you are ready to get married online in New Jersey, Distant Vows makes the process simple. Our four‑step system walks you from eligibility to your official U.S. marriage certificate, with licensed Utah officiants, witness support, and clear guidance at every stage.
Start today, choose your date, and let us handle the legal details so you can get married online in New Jersey without leaving home. You can begin by completing our intake form at get married online.