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1. Where do I apply for my civil union license?

The application must be filed in the New Jersey
municipality in which either applicant resides and the license is valid
throughout the State. If neither applicant is a New Jersey resident, the
application must be filed in the municipality where the ceremony will occur and
the license is valid ONLY in the issuing municipality.

2. If I am in a domestic partnership and want to enter into a civil union with the same partner, do we need to terminate the domestic partnership before applying for a civil union license?

No. Domestic partners who wish to enter into a
civil union with the same partner do not need to terminate their domestic
partnership.  Once they have entered into the civil union, their domestic
partnership automatically terminates, if it was originally registered in New
Jersey.  If it was registered outside New Jersey, the laws of that state
would determine the validity of the domestic partnership following the civil
union.

3. If I was previously registered in a domestic partnership and neglected to legally terminate it when we ended our relationship, must I terminate that domestic partnership before I enter into a civil

Yes. If the
domestic partnership with a different partner was not legally terminated, or
was not terminated by the death of the previous partner, you must terminate the
domestic partnership before entering into a civil union with someone else.

4. Is my civil union registered in another state recognized by the State of New Jersey?

If your civil union meets the requirements of
the state in which you registered, then it is recognized by the State of New
Jersey.

5. Am I required to enter into a civil union in New Jersey if I am already in a civil union or same-sex marriage in another state or country?

No. You are not required to enter into a
civil union in New Jersey. If your civil union or same-sex marriage meets the
requirements of the state or country in which you registered, then it is
recognized by the State of New Jersey as a civil union. However, if you wish,
you may also elect to enter into a civil union in New Jersey.  In that
case, you would file for a Reaffirmation of Civil Union License in New Jersey.

6. After filing the civil union application, is there a waiting period before the civil union license can be issued?

Yes. There is a 72-hour waiting period
before the license can be issued. The waiting period begins once the
application has been filed by one or both applicants.  A Superior Court
judge can waive all or part of the 72-hour waiting period.

7. After filing a Reaffirmation of Civil Union application, is there a waiting period before the Reaffirmation of Civil Union License can be issued?

No. For a Reaffirmation of Civil Union
License, there is no waiting period, the license can be issued immediately
after the complete application has been filed.

8. Can Internet ministers perform my civil union ceremony?

Yes. It is recommended you check the
Internet website for the particular Internet ministry to verify that their
ministers are authorized to perform civil union ceremonies.

9. Are public officials who are authorized to perform marriages/civil unions required to perform my civil union ceremony?

 Public officials
who are authorized to perform marriages are authorized to perform civil
unions.  Public officials may choose whether or not to exercise this
authority.  However, if a public official agrees to perform marriages, he
or she must agree to perform civil unions.  If an official elects not to
perform civil unions, he or she cannot perform marriages either. Public
officials do have the right to exercise their authority only for residents of
their municipality.

10. Are members of the clergy required to perform my civil union ceremony?

No. Members of the clergy are not covered
by the Law Against Discrimination and have the right to decline to perform
civil unions.

11. Is the Local Registrar, or Deputy or Alternate Deputy Registrar, required to accept my application for a civil union License?

Yes. The
Registrar is required by law to accept for filing an application for a civil
union license so long as the application is provided to the Registrar of the
municipality in which either of the applicant’s reside or, if out of State
residents, in the municipality in which the ceremony will occur.

12. Am I eligible to assume my partner’s name or hyphenate our last names following our civil union?

Yes. However, please note that the federal
government does not recognize civil unions.  You may choose to consult an
attorney to legally establish a name change.

13. Do applicants for a civil union license have the right to create their own vows or make changes to existing vows that may be in place with public officials?

Yes. You can create or edit vows.  In
your vows, you may refer to each other using any terms you prefer, including
wife, spouse, lover, or life mate, and you may refer to the ceremony as a
marriage.  However, when the ceremony is completed, you are legally
entered into a civil union and considered a civil union couple.