Former Nj Mayor: Can They Officiate Weddings?

In New Jersey, a former mayor can perform a wedding as long as they are not currently serving on the municipal governing body. This is because, in New Jersey, there are no requirements for wedding officiants to register with any government office before performing a marriage. However, local regulations in New Jersey stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of Minister be ordained by a religious organization.

Who can officiate weddings in New Jersey?

The requirements for officiants in New Jersey are quite broad. The state recognizes both religious and civil figures who have been given authority to solemnize weddings by a larger institution. This includes:

• Religious officiants like priests, ministers, and members of the clergy of every religion.
• Civil officiants like judges, mayors, deputy mayors, and other representatives of the municipality.
• Certified civil celebrants who are authorized by the Secretary of State to solemnize marriages.

It's important to note that while registration with a government office is not required for officiants in New Jersey, they must be ordained by a religious organization or have the appropriate credentials to solemnize weddings legally.

Online Ordination

Online ordination is accepted in New Jersey, and ordained ministers from organizations like the Universal Life Church (ULC) have successfully performed thousands of legal marriages in the state. However, some counties may require ministers to display proof of their ordination, so it's a good idea to have the necessary documentation ready.

Marriage License Requirements

To obtain a marriage license in New Jersey, the couple must visit the town/municipal clerk or state registrar and provide photo identification. There is a mandatory waiting period of 72 hours after obtaining the license before the wedding can be legally conducted. The signed license must be returned to the issuing office within 30 days of approval and within five days of the wedding.

Do former mayors need to be ordained?

In New Jersey, former mayors are authorised to solemnise weddings. However, they must not be currently serving on the municipal governing body.

While there are no laws requiring officiants to register with any government office, former mayors must be ordained by a religious organisation. This is a broad requirement, and ordination can be obtained online through organisations such as the Universal Life Church.

The Universal Life Church considers its ordained ministers to be members of the clergy, and New Jersey law authorises every member of the clergy of every religion to solemnise weddings. Ministers of the Universal Life Church have successfully performed thousands of legal marriages in New Jersey.

The ordination process is free and can be completed in a few minutes. Once ordained, former mayors may be asked to produce specific documentation to prove their status. The ULC offers a Classic Wedding Package that includes all the necessary paperwork.

What are the requirements to perform a wedding in New Jersey?

The requirements to perform a wedding in New Jersey are relatively broad. The state recognises both religious and civil figures who have been given authority to solemnise weddings by a larger institution. This includes religious officiants like priests and ministers, as well as judges and other representatives of the municipality.

Who can perform a wedding in New Jersey?

According to New Jersey Marriage Code, the following people are authorised to solemnise marriages:

• Each judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• Each judge of a federal district court
• United States magistrate
• Judge of a municipal court
• Judge of the Superior Court
• Judge of the Tax Court
• Administrative law judge
• Retired judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court
• Retired administrative law judge
• Judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court, the former County Court
• The former County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
• The former County District Court who has resigned in good standing
• Surrogate of any county
• County clerk
• Any mayor or former mayor not currently serving on the municipal governing body
• Deputy mayor when authorised by the mayor
• Chairman of any township committee or village president of this State
• Every minister of every religion
• Any civil celebrant who is certified by the Secretary of State to solemnise marriages or civil unions

Registration requirements

There are no statewide laws requiring officiants to register with any government office in New Jersey. However, non-resident ministers may be required to register, and even resident ministers may be asked to display proof of their ordination.

Marriage license requirements

To obtain a marriage license in New Jersey, the couple must visit the town/municipal clerk or state registrar to receive an application. The state requires both members of the couple to be physically present at the time of requesting the application, though an attorney-in-fact can fill in as a substitute in certain circumstances. The couple must bring photo identification and at least one other item to verify their identities. The cost of the application is $28.

Once a couple receives the application for a license, New Jersey state law requires that they wait a minimum of 72 hours before they can receive the license. However, this waiting period can be waived by following the proper channels through a Superior Court. When picking up the marriage license, the couple must bring along one individual of legal age to act as a witness to the transaction.

After the wedding is conducted, the officiant must bring the completed license back to the town/municipal clerk or state registrar where it was issued. This must be done within 5 days of the ceremony in order for the license to be considered valid.

What is the cost of a marriage license in New Jersey?

The usual cost of a marriage license application in New Jersey is $28, which includes a $3 application fee and a $25 fee to issue the license. However, there was a period from July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, during which these fees were waived as part of a "one-year fee holiday" enacted by Governor Phil Murphy and other legislators. This initiative was designed to make the marriage process more accessible and affordable for couples in the state.

To obtain a marriage license in New Jersey, couples must visit the town/municipal clerk or state registrar to submit their application. Both members of the couple must be physically present when requesting the application, though there are certain circumstances in which an attorney-in-fact can act as a substitute. If neither party is a resident of New Jersey, they must apply in the municipality where the wedding ceremony will take place, and the license will only be valid in that specific municipality.

What is the waiting period for a marriage license in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, there is a 72-hour waiting period between filing your application to obtain your marriage license and your wedding date. This means that couples can apply for their license up to six months before their wedding date, but the latest they should apply is 72 hours in advance.

For example, if you are getting married over the weekend, the latest you should apply for your license is Tuesday, as you will not get your license until Friday.

The 72-hour waiting period begins when the application is filed with the Local Registrar. However, there is no 72-hour waiting period for remarriage; in this case, you must bring a certified copy of your existing marriage.

The marriage license application is valid for six months from the date it is accepted, unless the Registrar has given prior approval to extend the validity of the application to a maximum of one year. Only one marriage license may be granted per application, and if the license expires before being used, a new application must be made, with another $28 fee paid.

The only exception to this is if a civil and religious ceremony are to be performed on the same day. In this case, the Local Registrar will photocopy the marriage application, marking one "A" and one "B", and issue the corresponding marriage licenses, also marked "A" and "B". One copy will be used for the religious ceremony and the other for the civil ceremony.

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