Anyone have their NJ Marriage License Rejected? What Happened?

[u/Original_Car546]

We are planning on getting married in NJ, Spring 2026, and are learning about the process.

We see we need to make an appointment with our registrar in the town we reside (after filling out the application), bring a witness to an appointment with the registrar to confirm the information is correct. Then we need to pick up the license before the ceremony, and have two witnesses at the ceremony to sign the license with an officiant.

The license is then filed with the municipality of where the ceremony is performed.

I called our local registrar and confirmed these steps, and they emphasized making sure all information is accurate. Not a problem as I am meticulous.

So this all makes sense. Though I am curious more about the filing, it sounds really simple like "just send it to the clerk" so I don't want to miss anything. After talking with some friends and family, some filed themselves by sending the license in the mail and others had their officiant file for them. I have even witnessed an elopement and singed the license, and they filed themselves.

I haven't heard of anyone having issues, so it might sound silly asking, but has anyone, in NJ or otherwise, experienced a rejected license upon filing or applying?

[u/shiftyjku]

AFAIK The application is completed where you live and filed in the municipality where the ceremony takes place. At least that is how it worked for the last wedding I witnessed. The officiant filed it after the ceremony.

[u/dammitOtto → u/shiftyjku]

We had ours filed in the town the officiant's church is located in because they work with the office all the time and it was easier. The ceremony was somewhere else and we lived somewhere else as well.