Because there are no hospitals and no funeral homes in Montgomery Township, the Registrar of Vital Statistics records very few birth and death certificates. Births and deaths at a hospital will be recorded in the town where the hospital is located. If you require a copy of a birth or death record that is on file locally, you may obtain a certified (sealed) copy of the document from the Registrar for $20.00 per copy by calling (908) 359-8211, extension 227, or by mailing a request and providing the appropriate identifying information.

While the Registrar will make every effort to handle drop-in requests, we can provide better service if we know in advance when you need a copy of a record on file locally.

GETTING A MARRIAGE OR CIVIL UNION LICENSE IN NEW JERSEY
Frequently Asked Questions

It is Important to Know
In New Jersey, postal addresses are NOT necessarily the same as the incorporated municipality (i.e., while your postal address may be Skillman, Belle Mead, Princeton, Blawenburg, etc., the incorporated municipality can be Montgomery Township or Hillsborough if your address is Belle Mead - A Princeton address can be located in any number of municipalities in several counties). Unless you know for certain, it is ALWAYS best to ask the registrar how to determine the incorporated municipality in which you live.

Q. Do I need an appointment?
A. Yes, contact Jennifer Jankay, Registrar of Vital Statistics, at (908) 359-8211 ext. 227.

Q. How do I apply?
A. The prospective couple and a witness over the age of 18 will appear before the registrar in the appropriate municipality to apply for a license. By appointment only: Monday thru Friday between the hours of 9:00am and 3:00pm.

Please note also that you cannot apply until you have a set date of marriage.

Q. When?
A. You can apply for the license as much as six months in advance, but you must apply for the license at least 3 days (72 hours) before you want to pick up the license. Remember to account for weekends and holidays, when the Registrar is usually not available (i.e., if you want the license for a Saturday wedding, you must apply by the preceding Tuesday (or earlier, if Friday is a holiday).

Q. Where Should I Apply?
A. To know this you must answer several questions.

Q. What do I need to bring?
A. Both parties will need to provide a valid driver's license AND your original birth certificates1 or valid passports. If you have been married before and are divorced or widowed, you will need to bring a copy of your divorce decree or the death certificate of your former spouse. The bride will also have to have documented proof that she is a resident of Montgomery Township. (This can be a letter addressed to her, a tax bill, a driver's license, etc.)

Q. How much does it cost?
A. The marriage license costs $28.00, to be paid for at the time of application. You may pay with a personal check or with cash (if you pay in cash, please bring exact change. Note: If you are getting married in Montgomery Township, you may pay for certified copies in advance - they will be mailed to you as soon as the officiant files the license with the registrar. Certified copies are $20.00 per copy. You may not purchase certified copies from Montgomery Township if you are getting married in another municipality.

Q. Does the Registrar have any evening or weekend hours?
A. Unfortunately, no, not at this time.

Q. How can I get a certified (sealed) copy of my marriage license?
A. You will need to request sealed (certified) documents from the Registrar of Vital Statistics in the incorporated municipality in which the marriage was performed, or from the State Registrar (this usually takes longer). You will need to provide the last name of the husband, the maiden name of the wife, and the date the marriage took place. Husband or wife may apply for certified copy. If you have pink copy of marriage license please bring with you. If not please bring driver's license with you for identification. The certified copy will be issued while you wait as long as we have it on record. The cost for a certified copy in Montgomery Township is $20.00 per copy.

1Please note that as of July 1, 2010, residents born in Puerto Rico will have to obtain a new certified copy of their birth certificate under a new law passed by the government of Puerto Rico. Call 787-767-9120 or go to http://www.salud.gov or http://www.prfaa.com/birthcertificates