How to Perform a Marriage in Essex County

Researched and edited for you by trained team members at GetOrdained.org

Have you been asked to officiate a wedding in Essex County? Performing a wedding is an exciting job, but it’s also a tremendous responsibility. This comprehensive guide will explain the process in detail to ensure you know everything there is to know. We’ll dive into important questions like what you’ll need to officiate, how to contact the office that handles marriage licenses, and how to properly register the wedding you perform in accordance with the rules in Essex County.

1. How to Become a Minister in Essex County

The first step you’ll need to take is to become an ordained ULC minister (assuming you haven’t completed this part already). Get Ordained™ provides ordination through the Universal Life Church free of charge and welcomes all who feel called to ministry. It’s also easy to join; the process can be done entirely online and takes only a few minutes from start to finish. Once ordained, you’ll have the authority to perform legal marriage ceremonies! To begin, just click the button below.

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Important Info for Ministers in Essex County

ULC Ordination Accepted:: Yes
Minister Registration Required:: Sometimes
Documents Required:: N/A
Minister's Residency:: Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:: 18

2. Learn Essex County Marriage Requirements

Your next step will be to reach out to the office that processes marriage licenses in Essex County. Let them know that you’re an ordained minister and that you’re curious about what documents or credentials they need to see from you, as the wedding officiant, before performing a ceremony in their jurisdiction. You’ll find contact information for the Essex County office listed below.

Office Address:: 465 Dr. Martin Luther King Blvd., Room 246
Newark, NJ 7102
Office Phone Number:: (973) 621-4921
Office Website:: Essex County Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Essex County?

One great candidate: You! (At least, as soon as you are ordained). We all know that weddings are notoriously spendy, but one way that couples are reducing their costs – and bringing deeper meaning to the event – is by choosing an officiant they know personally.

For loved ones who are asked to officiate, this is an incredible honor; serving in the role of officiant signifies a deep level of faith and trust between you and the couple. But not all couples are aware this is an option! If someone you love has an upcoming wedding, you might offer to preside over the ceremony as an ordained minister in case they hadn't considered it. In the end, the decision will of course be theirs.

Average Cost of a Wedding in Essex County:: $62,000

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in Essex County

After speaking with the office in Essex County, you should have a clearer idea of what you might need to order from our online catalog. Many of our ministers in Essex County decide to get an Classic Wedding Kit, though your choice may vary based on the specific requirements in place.

With all that prep work out of the way, you’ll be set to officiate the wedding! Woohoo! If this is your first time performing a wedding (or you just want to brush up on your knowledge) head over to our wedding training center, where you’ll find all sorts of useful tools and resources.

5. How Essex County Marriage Licenses Work

After the ceremony is over, your last (and vital) responsibility will be to sign and return the marriage license. In Essex County, a marriage license is valid for 30 days. Once it has been picked up, there is a mandatory 3-day waiting period before the wedding ceremony may be performed. Please keep in mind that the license must be returned within the prescribed period after signing.

This is a legal document, so please double-check that it is correctly filled out before returning it to the office that issued it. For detailed instructions on how to fill out a marriage license, visit our marriage license training page.

Marriage License Waiting Period:: 3 Days
Marriage License Valid For:: 30 Days
Return Within:: By Expiration

6. Performing a Wedding in Essex County

This is the second most populated county in the state of New Jersey and home to the popular city of Newark. This is the other county which borders New york city and also has the east side along the Hudson River. There are an abundance of attractions in this county as well as venues, so finding a fun spot to explore and celebrate a wedding should be a breeze. What better way to celebrate a couple getting married in a beautiful city and then going down to Newark Museum and experiencing the largest Museum in New Jersey.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in Essex County

In Essex County July has an average temperature hovering in the high 80s, the spring months are comfortable so we recommend planning a wedding for the spring months.

Now that you know everything there is to know about Essex County weddings, don’t forget to take that all-important first step in this process by officially becoming ordained with the ULC! Click the button below to get the ball rolling.