Frequently Asked Questions

 No. Just as with opposite-sex couples, so long as your out-of-state marriage is consistent with the laws and public policy of New Jersey, your marriage is valid and recognized in this State and you will not need to enter into a New Jersey marriage.

No. Your domestic partnership will remain intact and will still be on file with the local municipality where the ceremony was performed or the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry after you enter into marriage with your domestic partner.

You will not have to dissolve your civil union in order to enter into marriage so long as you are marrying your current civil union partner.  However, if you wish to marry someone other than your civil union partner, then you must have your civil union dissolved before you can enter into marriage with someone else. 

Civil unions remain valid.  Your civil union will remain intact and will still be on file with the local municipality where the ceremony was performed or the Office of Vital Statistics and Registry after you enter into marriage with your civil union partner.

Civil Unions will not automatically convert to marriages. Civil unions remain valid and couples may continue to enter into civil unions if those so choose.  A civil union couple will have to apply for and receive a marriage license and thereafter engage in a marriage ceremony in order to receive a marriage certificate.

Yes. The Civil Union Act remains in full force and effect.

The couple would be entering into a remarriage. Any couple married outside of the State that wishes to renew their marriage commitment in New Jersey may do so by applying for and receiving a remarriage license and thereafter engage in a remarriage ceremony, as set forth at N.J.S.A. 37:1-7. The 72 hour waiting period does not apply to remarriages. 

Yes. All individuals, including those already in a civil union, who apply for marriage licenses must comply with the 72 hour waiting period unless a New Jersey Superior Court Judge enters an order waiving the wait period due to emergency circumstances.

Couples who are currently in a civil union and have not entered in a valid marriage outside of this State must apply for a marriage license, not a remarriage license, and must wait 72 hours before receiving their marriage license.