Marriage records in Essex County, New Jersey, can be accessed through several channels. EssexCourt.us can help you find publicly available marriage record information for the county. You can also request records directly from the Essex County Clerk's office, which issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records. Requests may be made in person, by mail, or through the New Jersey Department of Health's online vital records ordering system. The New Jersey Judiciary website and official state portal offer additional resources for locating related public records.
Essex County Marriage Records Search
In New Jersey, marriage licenses are issued by the local registrar of vital statistics in the municipality where either applicant resides. However, the Essex County Clerk's office records and maintains marriage records for marriages that took place within Essex County. The New Jersey Department of Health also serves as the state-level repository for vital records, including marriage certificates, dating back to June 1878.
The Essex County Clerk's office holds:
- Marriage license applications filed in the county
- Marriage certificates returned after the ceremony
- Historical marriage records for events recorded in Essex County
For statewide searches or records from other counties, you can contact the New Jersey Department of Health, Office of Vital Statistics and Registry.
Essex County Clerk's Office
New Jersey Department of Health – Vital Statistics
For older or hard-to-locate records, contact the local registrar in the municipality where the marriage took place, or reach out to the state office in Trenton.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Essex County
Fees for marriage record copies in New Jersey are set by statute (N.J.S.A. 26:8-72). The table below reflects standard fees charged by the Essex County Clerk and the New Jersey Department of Health.
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (county or state) | $25.00 |
| Each additional certified copy (same order) | $2.00 |
| Search fee (state level, if no record found) | $25.00 |
Processing times:
- In person (county): Typically same-day if the record is on file.
- By mail (state): Allow 4–6 weeks for standard processing.
- Online (state): Processing times vary; expedited options may be available through the state's approved vendor.
Fees are subject to change. Confirm current amounts with the Essex County Clerk or the NJ Department of Health before submitting your request.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Essex County
There are three main ways to obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate for a marriage that occurred in Essex County.
Online
The New Jersey Department of Health partners with an authorized online vendor to process vital record requests. To order online:
- Visit the NJ Department of Health vital records ordering page at nj.gov/health/vital.
- Select "Marriage" as the record type.
- Provide the full names of both spouses, approximate date of marriage, and municipality.
- Pay by credit or debit card. Additional vendor processing fees apply on top of the state fee.
Online orders are fulfilled by the state office in Trenton, not the county clerk.
In Person
You can request a certified copy directly at the Essex County Clerk's office:
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Payment is typically accepted by check or money order made payable to the Essex County Clerk. Call ahead at (973) 621-4916 to confirm accepted payment methods and whether walk-ins are currently being served.
By Mail
To request a marriage certificate by mail from the county:
- Write a letter or complete a request form (if available from the county clerk's website) including:
- Full names of both spouses (including maiden names)
- Date of marriage (or approximate date)
- Place of marriage (municipality)
- Your relationship to the individuals on the record
- Your daytime phone number and return mailing address
- Include a photocopy of your valid government-issued photo ID.
- Enclose a check or money order for $25.00 payable to the Essex County Clerk.
- Mail to:
Alternatively, you can mail your request to the state office:
State mail requests typically take 4–6 weeks. Include the same information listed above plus a self-addressed stamped envelope if requested by the office.
For questions about related court records, such as divorce judgments or name changes processed through the Essex County Superior Court, you can request copies of court records through the Superior Court Clerk's Office. Divorce decrees specifically are available through the Superior Court Records Center. If you need to find a case in the New Jersey court system, the Judiciary's online search tools can help.
For additional guidance or to verify current procedures, visit EssexCourt.us or contact the Essex County Clerk's office directly.