Frequently Asked Questions

After the bride and groom have applied for the marriage license, they can only pick up the license or the child of the individuals listed on the marriage license (with birth certificate and valid ID). This is the document that is needed before the wedding. However, whoever picks it up is responsible for reviewing the license to ensure all information is correct.

Once the license is sent to the health department after the ceremony, the bride or groom can pick up the marriage certificate when it is ready or a child of the individuals listed on the marriage certificate with a copy of there birth certificate and valid ID.

The Health Department does not require an officiant to show their credentials before performing a wedding ceremony in Hamilton.

The Mayor performs marriage/civil union ceremonies on Friday afternoons.  Please contact the Mayor’s Office at 609-890-3507 or mayor@hamiltonnj.com to request a date.

Nonresidents are $250.00 and Hamilton Residents are $100.00

 Additionally, Hamilton’s Municipal Court Judge performs ceremonies at the Hamilton Court House on Mondays and Thursdays.  You must contact the Court by e-mailing Hamilton.MC@njcourts.gov to request a date. Someone from the courts will get back to you so please provide all contact information. 

Requirements for Applying for a Marriage License Hamilton Township, Mercer County

1. One or both applicants must be a Hamilton Township Resident.
2. Applications are done by appointment only. Appointments are made at least THREE weeks before the set date of ceremony. To schedule appointment call 609-890-3826.
   1. There is a seventy-two hour waiting period from the time of application until the license is ready for pick-up.
3. On the day of appointment please bring:
   1. Completed application. Application can be obtained at local registrar's office
      1. View the English Spanish Application (PDF)
      2. Do not sign the marriage application form before going to the Local Registrar. You must sign the application, while under oath, in the presence of the issuing authority
   2. Witness 18 years of age or older with valid ID
   3. Name, address and phone number of officiate
   4. Birth Certificates (or passports)
   5. Social Security Card (or last year's W-2)
   6. Proof of residency (i.e. utility bill from last 90 days {electric, gas, telephone, water})
   7. If ever in marriage/civil union/domestic partnership:
      1. Provide date and location of divorce
      2. Death Certificate
   8. If in a marriage to current significant other: (remarriage only)
      1. Bring marriage certificate
   9. $28 license fee, collected in the form of cash, money order, or debit/credit (2.9% service charge)

After the license is picked up from our office, it is valid for 30 days only. Upon applying, the application will only be kept on file for six months.

If you cannot find your birth certificate, you can substitute this with a passport.

Yes, you must have your birth certificate translated and notarized.

If the applicants live in another state, but are getting married in Hamilton, they have to apply in Hamilton and the ceremony must take place in Hamilton. The license is not valid in any other municipality in NJ; only valid in Hamilton.

If the Hamilton resident is getting married in a different state, they have to contact the state where the wedding is taking place for the marriage license.

If the applicants live in NJ but not in Hamilton and are getting married in Hamilton, they must apply in the municipality where they live. The license is valid for Hamilton or anywhere in NJ.

If the applicants live in Hamilton they must apply for the license in Hamilton and the license is valid for Hamilton or anywhere in NJ.

If one applicant lives in Hamilton and the other lives in another municipality in NJ they can apply through either municipality and the license is valid in Hamilton or anywhere in NJ.

In addition to your birth certificate and social security card or W2 form, you will need a death certificate or a divorce certificate.

If the marriage took place in Hamilton Township, once the marriage is official, the Officiant signs the license and sends it to the Hamilton Township Health Office.

The certificate cannot be picked up until the Health Office has received the signed license. Contact the Health Office via Citizen Service Request or call 609-890-3826 to see if the license has been received.

Once received, the bride and/or groom must go to the Health Office; Monday through Friday from 9 am to 4 pm If a child of the individuals is picking up the marriage certificate, they must bring there birth certificate (marriage certificate if the name is different) with valid ID. Must be 18 years or older. At the office, they will fill out a short form and show identification. There is a $15 fee for a certified copy of the Marriage Certificate payable in the form of cash, money order, or debit/credit (2.9% service charge).

If you live in Hamilton and therefore applied for a license in Hamilton, but the marriage took place in another municipality, you must contact that municipality for your marriage certificate.

If the applicants live in Hamilton, they must apply for the license in Hamilton and the license is valid anywhere in NJ.

If one applicant lives in Hamilton and one lives in another municipality in NJ, they can apply through either municipality and the license is valid anywhere in NJ.

If the applicant is a Hamilton resident and getting married in a different state, then they have to contact the state where the wedding is taking place for the marriage license.

The license stays on file in the municipality where the event took place.