Marriage/Civil Union/Domestic Partnership License
ANSWER: There are several requirements for a marriage/ civil union application which are listed below.
PLEASE NOTE: An APPOINTMENT is necessary. Application may be made in the Board of Health Office, Department of Community Development (124 South Main Street), between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. (Except Holidays).
Please call for an appointment 1-609-693-1100, ext 2250
- Application must be made in the New Jersey municipality in which either applicant resides. (For these purposes, soldiers are residents of the posts at which they are stationed). A license issued under the proceeding circumstances is good for use anywhere in the State of New Jersey .
- If both parties are not residents of New Jersey, the license must be obtained from the Registrar of the municipality where the ceremony is to be performed and is only good for use in that municipality.
- A New Jersey marriage or civil union license may never be used outside of the State of New Jersey and a license issued in another state may never be used within the State of new Jersey.
- The applicant's must bring proof of Lacey residency (Driver's License, Voter's Registration Card, Ocean County Identification Card, Utility Bill, Lease Agreement or Tax Return).
- The applicant's must be 18 years of age or older.
- Both applicants must supply proof of identity by presenting your driver's license, passport or state/federal ID. Each applicant must supply valid identification that establishes name, age, date of birth and proof of residency.
- The witness (parent, relative or friend) must be at least 18 years of age and must appear with the applicants at the time an application is taken and must present ID. The witness must know both parties.
- The following documents are REQUESTED and Helpful but NOT REQUIRED at the time of application:
- Copy of Birth Certificates to establish your parents' names and related birth information
- Copy of Divorce Papers to determine correct dates and location
- Widowed - Certified copy of deceased spouse Death Certificate.
If any of the above documents are in a foreign language, they must be translated into english and notarized.
- Parent's names, including Maiden name of each Mother and birthplace of parents (City and State) must be provided.
- Date of Marriage, name, address and telephone number of the person performing the marriage ceremony is required.
- Marriage License Fee: $28.00, payable at the time of application. (Cash, Check of Money Order are acceptable - made payable to the "Township of Lacey")
- There is a three-day (72 hour) waiting period from the time an application is made until the license can be issued and picked up by the applicants.
- Marriage / Civil Union License is valid only in the State of New Jersey.
If Necessary, Marriages / Civil Unions May Be Scheduled And Performed By The Following Township Officials Depending On Availability:
Judge Benjamin Mabie: 609-693-1100, Ext. 2237
Mayor: 609-693-1100, Ext. 2200
Renewal of Vows back to top
ANSWER: If you are a couple already legally married and want to renew your vows you must apply for a re-marriage license.
PLEASE NOTE: An APPOINTMENT is necessary. Application may be made in the Board of Health Office, Department of Community Development (124 South Main Street, Forked River), between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. (Except Holidays).
- Application must be made in the municipality in which the applicant's resides.
- The couple must present proof of the original marriage certificate. (Certified Copy Only.)
- Applicants and one witness must provide Photo I.D. with signature.
- The witness (parent, relative or friend) must be at least 18 years of age and must appear with the applicants at the time an application is taken. The witness must know both the Applicants.
- Date of Re-Marriage, name, address and telephone number of the person performing the marriage ceremony is required.
- Re-Marriage License Fee: $28.00, payable at the time of application. (Cash, Check or Money Order are acceptable - made payable to the "Township of Lacey")
- There is no waiting period for a re-marriage license.
Domestic Partnership back to top
ANSWER: There are certain requirements that must be met to register a Domestic Partnership.
Under the original Domestic Partnership Act same-sex couples age 18 or older and opposite-sex couples age 62 or older had to meet the requirements of the Act to register a Domestic Partnership. The implementation of the Civil Union Act amended this requirement such that effective February 19, 2007 same-sex or opposite-sex couples must be age 62 or older and meet the remaining eligibility requirements of the Domestic Partnership Act to register as Domestic Partners.
(Domestic Partnerships registered prior to February 19, 2007 are still valid and are afforded the rights and benefits of Domestic Partners.)
PLEASE NOTE: An APPOINTMENT is necessary. Application may be made in the Board of Health Office, Department of Community Development (124 South Main Street, Forked River), between the hours of 8:30 am and 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. (Except Holidays).
- An Affidavit of Domestic Partnership form must be obtained from a Local Registrar of Vital Statistics in any municipality throughout the State of New Jersey. The Affidavit of Domestic Partnership does not have to be obtained (or filed) in the municipality in which the domestic partners reside. A list of Local Registrars is available by accessing the Department of Health and Senior Services website at http://www.state.nj.us/health/vital/regbycnty.shlml
- Lacey Township does provide the necessary notary service if the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership is executed and signed by both applicants at the same time, in front of the Local Registrar. (Valid identification established name, age and date of birth are required - examples - birth certificate, driver's license, military identification or state/county identification card.)
- Applicant's must bring with them proof of residence is outside the State of New Jersey, at least one of the applicants must provide proof of membership in a New Jersey State-administered Retirement System by providing one of the following documents issued by the Division of Pension and Benefits:
- A Personal benefits Statement from the current or previous year
- A 1099R from the current or previous year
- A Certificate of Pension Membership
- Applicants must provide proof of joint financial responsibility, evidenced by at least one of the following documents:
- Joint deed, mortgage agreement or lease
- Joint bank account
- Designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary in the other person's will
- Designation of one of the persons as primary beneficiary in the other person's insurance policy or retirement plan
- Joint ownership of motor vehicle
- Domestic Partnership Fee: $28.00, payable at the time of application. (Cash, Check or Money Order are acceptable - made payable to the "Township of Lacey")
Certified Copies back to top
ANSWER: To obtain a certified copy of a Birth, Marriage, Civil Union, Domestic Partnership, or Death Certificate the following requirements need to be met. (Certain copies of vital records can be obtained from the municipality where the vital event occurred.)
- These copies are only issued to those individuals who have a direct link to the individuals named on the vital record event, provided that the requestor is able to identify the vital record and provide the necessary proof.
- Applicant must fill out application form completely, including name, address, telephone number, reason record is being requested and all information regarding the vital event located on the application form.
- The applicant must provide a Driver's License.
- Certified Copy Fee: $10.00 per copy, payable at the time of application. (Cash, Check or Money Order are acceptable - made payable to the "Township of Lacey")
- We provide a 24-hour service from the time an application is made until the time the certified copy is ready for pick-up.
- Application must be made in the Board of Health Office, Department of Community Development (124 South Main Street, Forked River), between the hours of 8:30 am and 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday. (Except Holidays) 609-693-1100 ext. 2250.