Procedure for Obtaining A Marriage or Civil Union License

This should be done no more than 30 days before and not less than 72 hours before the ceremony.

By Appointment Only. Contact Tenafly Registrar at 201-568-6100, ext. 5511.  No weekend appointments.

Go to the Local Health Department that applies to you. 

• The Marriage or Civil Union license shall be issued by the licensing officer in the municipality in which either party resides and is valid in any municipality in the State of New Jersey.
• If neither party are RESIDENTS of New Jersey, the application is to be made in the MUNICIPALITY WHERE THE PROPOSED MARRIAGE OR CIVIL UNION IS TO BE PERFORMED.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (No Exceptions):

• $28.00 fee (exact change or two checks: one in the amount of $25.00 and another in the amount of $3.00; both made payable to the Borough of Tenafly).
• One witness over the age of 18 years old.
• Birth certificates or naturalization papers.
• Proof of residence. (NO PROOF IS REQUIRED FOR OUT OF STATE RESIDENTS)
• Divorce decree if either party has been married before; or
• Death certificate if widowed; or
• Dissolution of a Civil Union; or
• Termination of Domestic Partnership
• Social security numbers.

1.    There is a 72-hour waiting period (3 days) to process the application.

2.    After the waiting period, applicants will return to the Health Department and pickup the license.

3.    Five days after the ceremony:  Your marriage license/civil union certificate will be on file in the city, township or borough you were married/union in.

The application can be accessed on the Web. Click here.