CAPE MAY CITY 

MARRIAGE INFORMATION

If you are getting married in New Jersey, you will find this information helpful to you and your future partner in planning your Ceremony. Read it carefully, if you have any questions please contact your local Registrar of Vital Statistics. If you plan to have your Ceremony in the City of Cape May, please contact the Deputy Registrar of Vital Statistics, Ashane Wilson, at 609-884-9529 or e-mail awilson@capemaycity.com.  Appointments are necessary. Please see “How to Apply for a Marriage License in the City of Cape May” below for appointment instructions.

Where should you apply for a marriage?

If the either partner is a resident of New Jersey, the marriage license must be applied for and obtained from the Registrar of Vital Statistics in the municipality where either partner lives. If one partner is a non-resident of New Jersey and the other partner is a resident of New Jersey, the license must be obtained from the Registrar in the municipality in which the partner resides in New Jersey. (For marriage purposes, active duty military members are residents of the posts at which they are stationed.) A license issued under either of the preceding circumstances is permitted for use anywhere in New Jersey. If both partners are nonresidents of New Jersey, the license must be obtained from the Registrar of the municipality where the ceremony is to be performed and is only permitted for use in that municipality.  A license may never be used outside of New Jersey and a license issued in another state may never be used in New Jersey. The license fee is $28.00 with check/cash/money order accepted (payable to the City of Cape May).

Who can perform a marriage?

According to state law, judges of a Federal District Court, United States magistrates, judges of a Municipal Court, judges of the Superior Court, judges of a Tax Court, retired judges of the Superior Court or Tax Court, or judge of the Superior Court or Tax Court who has resigned in good standing, and any mayor or deputy mayor, village president of New Jersey, County Clerks, and every minister of every religion may solemnize a marriage.

When should you apply for a marriage?

A local Registrar will not issue a license sooner than 72 hours after the application for a marriage license has been made, unless ordered to do so via an appropriate court order. If the marriage is scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday, the application must be made no later than the preceding Tuesday. If the application is made on a Wednesday or Thursday, the 72 hours will end on Saturday or Sunday, but the Registrar will not be available either day, or any federal holiday, to issue the marriage license. If both the partners are unavailable to complete the application at the same time, either applicant may complete their  part of the application with a witness age 18 or older and start the 72 hour waiting period. The other applicant must return with the same witness to complete their part of the application. Both parties must complete the application before the license will be issued. The marriage license expires 30 days after it is issued. 

What should you bring with you when you apply?

Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification (example: unexpired photo Driver’s License).  If the Driver’s License does not have the correct address listed, the applicant may instead provide a valid photo passport and proof of residency (example: utility bill/bank statement from within the last 90 days, vehicle registration/insurance card, etc.).  A witness 18 years or older (can be a friend or family member, but not the wedding officiant) with valid government-issued photo identification must accompany the applicants.  The application fee of $28.00 cash, check or money order must be paid at the time of the appointment.

Where should the marriage License be filed?

The officiant performing the ceremony must file the two white copies of the marriage license with the Registrar of the municipality in which the marriage was performed within five (5) days of the ceremony. Since failure to record the marriage may cause considerable inconvenience at a later date when proof of marriage is needed, you should make sure that this has been done. Certified copies of the marriage event may be obtained from the local Registrar in the municipality where the ceremony occurred or from the Office of the State Registrar of Vital Statistics.  The application to apply for certified copies of any vital record (including marriages) is here.  Instructions are available here.

TO APPLY FOR A MARRIAGE APPLICATION IN THE CITY OF CAPE MAY:

• If either partner resides in New Jersey, the application must take place in the municipality where the applicant resides.  If both partners are from out of state, THEY MUST APPLY IN THE MUNICIPALITY WHERE THE MARRIAGE IS TAKING PLACE.
• Applicants must provide valid government-issued photo identification (example: unexpired photo Driver’s License).  If the Driver’s License does not have the correct address listed, the applicant may instead provide a valid photo passport and proof of residency (example: utility bill/bank statement from within the last 90 days, vehicle registration/insurance card, etc.)
• A witness 18 years or older (can be a friend or family member, but not the wedding officiant) with valid government-issued photo identification.
• Application fee of $28.00 cash, check or money order.
• Appointments to apply for a marriage license are conducted in the City of Cape May Clerk’s Office Monday through Friday (excluding holidays) 9:00am to 2:45pm upon availability (Appointment Necessary). 
• For an appointment please call Ashane Wilson at (609) 884-9529 or e-mail awilson@capemaycity.com.
• E-Mail appointments – Please send the preferred appointment date, time, both partners’ full birth names, address, anticipated date of marriage, location of ceremony, and a day-time phone number.
• Applicants may apply up to 6 months in advance and leave the license with the Registrar until 30 days before the ceremony.  The week of the wedding is recommended to pick up the license. 
• Please note: If either applicant is divorced/has had a dissolution of Civil Union, the exact date and location of divorce/dissolution of Civil Union must be provided at the time of the application, along with the most recent spouse’s full name at birth.
• Additionally: At the time of the appointment, both applicants must provide the full birth names and birth locations of both parents (if applicable).
• Upon application for the marriage license, there is a 72-hour waiting period before the license can be issued to the applicants.  APPLICANTS MAY APPLY FOR A WAIVER OF THE 72 HOUR WAITING PERIOD WITH THE COUNTY OF CAPE MAY IN CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE, NJ. PLEASE MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TWO HOURS AFTER THE CAPE MAY CITY APPOINTMENT ON THE SAME DAY (609) 402-0100 ext. 47720 or ext. 47730.

BEACH WEDDINGS & CITY PROPERTY

A permit is required to hold a ceremony on City property (including beaches, parks, and City Hall). If you have additional questions regarding a City location or use of the Mayor/Deputy Mayor as an officiant, please call Terry Stickle at (609) 884-9534 or e-mail terrys@capemaycity.com.

Ceremonial fees:

Administrative fee: $100

City Location fee: $50

Mayor/Deputy Mayor fee (if requested to officiate): $225

*Per City Code 520-7 All ceremonial fees are non-refundable*

*NO BENCHES PERMITTED ON THE BEACH - CHAIRS ONLY*

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