WHERE DO I APPLY?

If the ceremony is in New Jersey: The couple must apply in the municipality where either the bride or groom or partner A or partner B legally reside.

If both reside outside of New Jersey: They must apply in the municipality where the ceremony will occur.

WHEN DO I APPLY?

The recommendation is to apply about two weeks prior to the ceremony.

There is a mandated 72-hour waiting-period from the time of application until the license can be released to you. (Weekends are counted in the waiting period.) The Registrar's Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:45 PM, to pick up the completed license, once the waiting period is over, and prior to the ceremony.

After the 72-hour waiting period, you may designate someone to pick up the license for you.

Once the license has been picked up, it may be used in the State of New Jersey for thirty (30) days, after which time the license expires.

Eligibility Requirements for registering a Domestic Partnership

Couples wishing to register a Domestic Partnership must be same sex or opposite sex couples who are both 62 years of age or older. Couples must:

1. Share a common residence in New Jersey or any other jurisdiction provided that at least one of the applicants is a member of a New Jersey State-administered retirement system;

2. Both persons are jointly responsible for each other's common welfare as evidenced by joint financial arrangements or joint ownership of real or personal property;

3. Both persons agree to be jointly responsible for each other's basic living expenses during the domestic partnership;

4. Not be party to a marriage or civil union recognized by New Jersey law or a member of a domestic partnership with another individual;

5. Not be related to each other by blood or affinity up to and including the fourth degree of consanguinity(simply stated, individuals who are first cousins or more distantly related);

6. Chose to share each other's lives in a committed relationship of mutual caring;

7. Not have legally terminated another domestic partnership within the last 180 days. (This prohibition does not apply when the previous partnership ended due to the death of the other partner).

If the 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 Pensions and Benefits:

1. A Personal Benefits Statement from the current or previous year;

2. a 1099R from the current or previous year or

3. a Certificate of Pension Membership.

Filing of the documents

The Registrar of Vital Statistics in the municipality in which you register your Domestic Partnership will retain a copy of both the Affidavit of Domestic Partnership and the Certificate of Domestic Partnership. These documents will also be retained at the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration. To show proof of a Registered Domestic Partnership, you must obtain a certified copy of the Certificate of Domestic Partnership. A certified copy can be obtained from either the Local Registrar where the event was registered or the State Bureau of Vital Statistics and Registration. To obtain a copy of the certificate, you must identify the date and location of the filing for the Domestic Partnership, and provide identification to establish your identity.