Ah, marriage licenses, nothing encapsulates the joy and magic of weddings like compiling all of your personal information and filling out forms at the County Clerk’s office. Only in this, does getting married involve the same enthusiasm and footwork as filing your taxes.
And yet, the only thing worse than applying for a marriage license, is dealing with complications when something goes wrong or is overlooked. Yes, this reading may be as exciting as listening to a drowsy Ben Stein read off the periodic table of elements, but it can save you a lot of trouble in the long run.
When to apply for a marriage license?
All marriage licenses have an expiration date. In Morris County, once a license is issued, it’s only valid for 30 days. So have your documentation in order. If the ceremony is scheduled for a Saturday or Sunday, the application should be made no later than the following Tuesday.
How long until the license is issued?
In Morris County, after submitting the paperwork, the process takes at least 72 hours. If you don’t receive any word back from the county clerk (or similar entity) in one week’s time, contact them.
Okay what documentation should we have ready?
- Proof of Identification
- Proof of Residency
- Social Security card
- A Witness – age 18 or older
- $28 Application fee
You may not need all of these, depending on your State and County, but it’s not a bad idea to have this all on hand, just in case.
Okay, you’re a trooper for reading that. We’re trying to keep it short and concise for you. It’s better to go into the registration process prepared than fumble in the dark. Next week, we’ll conclude this Public Service Announcement and then get back to the fun stuff. We promise.
For more information contact The Park Savoy
