Marriage records in Union County, New Jersey, are available through several channels. UnionCourt.us allows you to quickly find public information about marriage records in the county. Additionally, you can contact the Union County Clerk's Office directly—in person, by mail, or through state online portals. Below is a practical guide on searching, ordering, and obtaining marriage documents.
Union Marriage Records Search
In New Jersey, marriage licenses are issued by Local Registrars in municipalities, but marriage records are also maintained at the county and state levels. The Union County Clerk's Office keeps records of marriage licenses issued within the county. The New Jersey State Archives holds historical marriage records for Union County, including early marriage returns for the period 1795–1878, which were previously submitted to the clerk's office.
The collection includes:
- Marriage licenses issued by municipal registrars of the county
- Marriage certificates registered after the ceremony
- Historical records kept in the New Jersey State Archives
For modern records (from 1878 and later), the primary source is the NJ Office of Vital Statistics and Registry and local municipal registrars in the county.
The Union County Courthouse is located at:
Information about Union County courts and contact details can be found on the official New Jersey court system website.
Certified Marriage Record Copies and Fees in Union
The cost of marriage record copies in New Jersey is set at the state and local registrar levels. Certified copies of marriage certificates can be ordered through the NJ Office of Vital Statistics and Registry or through the local registrar of the municipality where the license was issued.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Certified copy of marriage certificate (through the state) | $25.00 |
| Additional copy (in the same order) | $2.00 |
| Certified copy through local registrar | May vary—check with the municipality |
Fees are set in accordance with N.J.S.A. 26:8-72. The processing time for requests through the state is typically 4–6 weeks for standard orders. Expedited processing may be available for an additional fee through the online portal.
Order Marriage Certificates Online or In Person in Union
There are several ways to order a copy of a marriage certificate.
Online
The state of New Jersey offers online ordering of certified copies through the NJ Department of Health — Vital Records portal. You need to fill out an application on the website, providing the full names of the spouses, the date and place of marriage registration, and pay the fee by card.
In Person
Contact the Local Registrar of the municipality in Union County where the license was issued. Bring with you:
- A photo ID
- Payment of the established fee
- Marriage information—names, approximate date
The working hours of registrars vary depending on the municipality. Call in advance to confirm the schedule and find out if an appointment is needed.
By Mail
To order by mail through the NJ Office of Vital Statistics and Registry, send:
- A completed application for a copy of the marriage certificate
- A check or money order for $25.00, payable to "Treasurer, State of New Jersey"
- A copy of the applicant's ID
- A self-addressed stamped envelope
Necessary forms and blanks are available on the New Jersey court system website. If you need records related to court cases (e.g., divorce decrees), use the portal for requesting copies of court documents.
For very old records—before 1878—contact the New Jersey State Archives, where early Union County marriage records are kept. The collection includes documents submitted to the county clerk's office in the early period.