The REG-77 Form, printed on the PDF as REG-77A, is the New Jersey Department of Health's bilingual English/Spanish Application for License for a marriage, remarriage, civil union or reaffirmation of civil union. In Jersey City it is handled by the City of Jersey City Municipal Clerk, and the Clerk's page says you apply for a marriage license in person, by appointment. On this page you can fill out the REG-77 Form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF is published on the City of Jersey City website.
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What is REG-77A?
The REG-77 Form, printed as REG-77A, Application for License, is the New Jersey Department of Health application for a marriage, remarriage, civil union or reaffirmation of civil union license, completed by both applicants, backed by an identifying witness and sworn before the registrar.
The Jersey City Clerk's page explains the purpose: you need a Marriage License to get married, and the REG-77 Form is the State's application for it. A Marriage Certificate, by contrast, is proof that you are married and is requested with a different form, the REG-37 Form.
The PDF has four pages, with English and Spanish text side by side:
- Page 1: Declaration of Applicant A and Declaration of Applicant B, lines 1 to 6 (name, residence, birth data, domestic status).
- Page 2: lines 7 to 11 for each applicant (prior marriages or civil unions, parents, relationship), then lines 12 to 16 completed by either applicant (ceremony municipality and date, telephone, officiant, mailing address) and the Social Security numbers.
- Page 3: Declaration of Identifying Witness, the Oath or Affirmation of Applicants and Identifying Witness, and the registrar's block for license number, date of issue and ceremony details.
- Page 4: Notes 1 to 5, which define terms such as legal residence and municipality of residence.
Once completed, the application is retained as a permanent record. The form states that giving false information constitutes perjury.
Who needs to file REG-77A?
Two people who intend to marry, enter a civil union, remarry, or reaffirm a civil union complete this application together. Each one fills in a declaration column (Applicant A and Applicant B) and signs the oath.
Conditions printed on the form:
- Both applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application (Note 2).
- Both applicants must provide their Social Security numbers (N.J.S. 37:1-17).
- An identifying witness must complete the Declaration of Identifying Witness on page 3. If only one applicant applies first to begin the waiting period, the same witness must return when the second applicant completes the application.
- For a remarriage to the same spouse, or a reaffirmation of civil union to the same partner, you indicate that on line 6 and enter the date and place of the original ceremony. Parental consent is required when a minor was previously joined in another state in a marriage or civil union with the same partner.
- If both applicants are nonresidents of New Jersey, the application must be made in the municipality where the ceremony will be performed (Note 4).
Do not use this form to request a copy of a Marriage Certificate; the Jersey City Clerk's page directs that request to the REG-37 Form.
When to file REG-77A
Complete the REG-77 Form before the ceremony, because a marriage license is needed to get married. The Jersey City Clerk's page says to call for an appointment and to be ready to give the date and location of your ceremony, which the form asks for on lines 12 and 13.
The form refers to a seventy-two hour waiting period. One applicant may apply first to begin that period, and the second applicant completes the application later with the same identifying witness. For a remarriage or reaffirmation of civil union, Note 3 says the waiting period is waived, and proof of the previous marriage or civil union must be submitted. The form and the Clerk's page print no other deadline or validity period.
Documents you need
- Proof of the previous marriage or civil union, required when you request a remarriage or reaffirmation of civil union license (Note 3).
- An affidavit showing the place and date of the contract, for a common law marriage that was legal before December 1, 1939 (Note 3).
- A divorce decree, dissolution of civil union or termination of domestic partnership, if you submit one with the application; the registrar's review does not confirm its validity (Note 5).
- Parental consent, for the remarriage or reaffirmation of a civil union of a minor previously joined in another state in a marriage or civil union with the same partner (Note 3).
How to fill out REG-77A
Print or type in both columns
Use the Declaration of Applicant A and Declaration of Applicant B columns on page 1. The form asks you to print or type, and giving false information constitutes perjury.
Enter name and residence
Line 1: first, middle and last name as given at birth or on the birth certificate, and line 1a for a current name if different. Add your street address (current legal residence), county, municipality of residence, state and ZIP code, following Notes 1 and 4.
Enter birth details and age
Line 2: date of birth. Line 3: birthplace. Line 4: check M, F or Undesignated/Non-Binary. Line 5: age, which must be at least 18 (Note 2).
Show your domestic status
Line 6: check your status at this time, such as Single, Widowed, Divorced, Annulled, or a current or former domestic partner or civil union partner, with the date and place where asked. For a remarriage or reaffirmation, enter the date and place of the original ceremony.
List prior marriages and civil unions
Lines 7a and 7b: the number of times married and the name of your most recent spouse, if any. Lines 8a and 8b: the same for civil unions, giving names as at birth.
Enter your parents' details
Lines 9a and 10a: each parent's full name as given at birth or on the birth certificate. Lines 9b and 10b: each parent's birthplace.
Answer the relationship question
Line 11: check Yes or No to whether you are related to the other applicant. If Yes, state how.
Complete the shared ceremony lines
Either applicant completes lines 12 to 16: the New Jersey municipality of the ceremony (Note 4), the intended date, a telephone number, the name and mailing address of the person performing the ceremony, and your mailing address after the ceremony.
Add Social Security numbers
Enter the Social Security number of Applicant A and of Applicant B in the boxes on page 2. The form says they are kept confidential.
Prepare the witness declaration
On page 3, the identifying witness gives a name and mailing address and answers whether the applicants correctly stated their ages and usual residences and whether they mentioned any legal impediment, explaining if Yes.
Sign the oath and leave registrar block
Both applicants, the witness and, if necessary, a second witness sign and date the oath. Do not complete the registrar's signature, license number, issue date or ceremony fields.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, dates, addresses and Social Security numbers against your identification. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and bring it to your appointment.
How to submit REG-77A
You apply in person, by appointment, with the City of Jersey City Municipal Clerk. The Clerk's page says a marriage license application must be made in person.
- Appointment: call 201-547-5150, option 3. Be prepared to give the date and location of your marriage ceremony.
- At the appointment: you and your partner complete the REG-77 Form, which is the State's application for a marriage license. The Clerk provides a copy at the appointment, and the page suggests you both review the form beforehand.
- Signatures: both applicants and the identifying witness sign the oath on page 3. The registrar completes the final block, so leave it blank.
The Clerk's page does not describe mail or online filing for this application. Its mail instructions apply to the REG-37 Form for Marriage Certificates, which is a different request. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Entering a mailing address as the municipality of residence; Note 4 says to give the municipality where you physically reside.
- Applying when either applicant is under 18; Note 2 requires both to be at least 18 at the time of application.
- Leaving out a Social Security number; the form states applicants must provide them.
- Requesting a remarriage or reaffirmation without marking line 6 accordingly and bringing proof of the previous marriage or civil union.
- Sending a different witness for the second applicant; the same identifying witness must return and sign again below the first signature.
- Writing in the registrar's block, such as the ceremony place and date; the form tells the registrar not to insert them until the completed certificate is returned.
- Trying to apply for the marriage license by mail; the Clerk's page says the application is made in person.
- Using the REG-37 Form, which requests a Marriage Certificate, in place of the REG-77 Form.
Frequently asked questions
What is the REG-77 Form?
The REG-77 Form, printed as REG-77A, is the New Jersey Department of Health Application for License for a marriage, remarriage, civil union or reaffirmation of civil union. The Jersey City Clerk calls it the State's application for a Marriage License.
Can I apply for a marriage license in Jersey City online or by mail?
The Jersey City Clerk's page says you must apply for a Marriage License in person. Call 201-547-5150, option 3, to set up an appointment, and be ready to give the date and location of your ceremony. The REG-77 Form is completed during that appointment.
How old do I have to be to use the REG-77 Form?
Both applicants must be at least 18 years old at the time of application, according to Note 2 on the form. A separate parental consent rule applies only to a minor who was previously joined in another state in a marriage or civil union with the same partner.
Do I have to give my Social Security number on the REG-77 Form?
Yes. The form states that applicants must provide their Social Security numbers under N.J.S. 37:1-17. It also says the numbers are kept confidential and may be released only for child support purposes.
What does the identifying witness do?
The identifying witness completes the declaration on page 3, stating whether the applicants gave their ages and usual residences correctly and whether they disclosed any legal impediment. The witness signs the oath. If the applicants apply separately, the same witness must return and sign again.
What changes for a remarriage or reaffirmation of civil union?
You indicate on line 6 that the parties are already married or joined in a civil union and enter the date and place of the original ceremony. Proof of the previous marriage or civil union must be submitted, and Note 3 says the seventy-two hour waiting period is waived.
What is the difference between the REG-77 Form and the REG-37 Form?
The REG-77 Form applies for the marriage or civil union license before the ceremony. The Jersey City Clerk's page directs requests for a Marriage Certificate, which is proof that you are married, to the REG-37 Form, by mail or in person.
Is the REG-77 Form a Jersey City property tax form?
No. The REG-77 Form is an application for a marriage, remarriage, civil union or reaffirmation of civil union license. It contains no property tax information.
Can I fill out the REG-77 Form online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the form; you complete the application with the Jersey City Municipal Clerk at your appointment.
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