The Complete Bergen County Courthouse Wedding Guide: Marriage Licenses, Ceremony Tips, and Beautiful Photo Locations

If you’re planning a Bergen County courthouse wedding, the biggest questions usually come before the ceremony itself: where to get the license, who to contact, how early to arrive, what to bring, and where to take portraits afterward.

This guide is built to answer all of it. The process is simpler than most couples expect, and the photography possibilities afterward are genuinely beautiful. I’ve covered Bergen County weddings for over 30 years, from full venue days to intimate civil ceremonies just like this one, and I want to help you go into yours prepared.

If you’d like to see what this kind of day actually looks like through the lens, I covered a real Bergen County courthouse wedding at the Clerk’s Office in Hackensack with a full session afterward, including portraits at the gazebo and Waterside Restaurant.

Is a Bergen County Courthouse Wedding Right for You?

The couples who tend to be happiest with this choice have already thought it through. They’re not settling; they’re simplifying.

Some are planning a larger celebration with family later in the year and want the legal ceremony done cleanly and privately first. Some are remarrying and prefer something meaningful over something elaborate. Some just don’t want a production: they want the vow, the moment, and the people they love most.

Take a look at our wedding pricing guide to understand how coverage options scale for an intimate day like this. A courthouse wedding typically works well with two to three hours of coverage, from the ceremony through outdoor portraits nearby.

The Marriage License Process in Bergen County

Start here, and start early. The most common mistake couples make is not leaving enough time.

Step 1: Apply at your local registrar, not the County Clerk. Marriage licenses in New Jersey are issued by the local registrar of the municipality where either applicant resides. The Bergen County Clerk’s office does not issue marriage licenses. If neither of you lives in New Jersey, you apply in the town where the ceremony will be performed.

Step 2: Appear together in person. Both applicants must be present at the registrar’s office. Bring one witness who is at least 18 years old with valid photo ID.

Step 3: Bring the right documents.

• Valid government-issued photo ID (driver’s license or passport)
• Proof of Social Security number (Social Security card, W-2, or pay stub showing the full number)
• Proof of residency if you are a New Jersey resident
• If either of you was previously married: a certified copy of the divorce decree, annulment, or death certificate
• The application fee is $28

Step 4: Wait 72 hours. New Jersey requires a mandatory 72-hour waiting period after the application is filed with the local registrar before the license can be issued. Plan your ceremony date around this. Once issued, the license is valid for 30 days.

The New Jersey Department of Health maintains the official directory of local registrars by town. Find your local registrar here before you do anything else.

Scheduling the ceremony: The Bergen County Clerk’s Office performs civil marriage ceremonies by appointment for couples who already have a valid New Jersey marriage license. Call (201) 336-7006 for scheduling and current availability. Spring and fall tend to book earlier, so don’t wait once you have your date in mind.

What to Expect on the Day: A Practical Timeline

A Bergen County courthouse wedding is a compact event. Here’s what a typical day looks like so you’re not guessing.

Before you arrive Confirm your appointment time and arrive five to ten minutes early. Courthouse schedules move at their own pace, and being rushed walking into a ceremony is never ideal. Parking at One Bergen County Plaza in Hackensack is available in the county garage off State Street.

The ceremony itself The civil ceremony runs approximately 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll need two witnesses present at the ceremony, both at least 18 years old with valid ID. The officiant is the Bergen County Clerk or a deputy clerk. The setting is dignified and official rather than theatrical, which is exactly right for what it is.

Immediately after Most couples spend a few minutes with family and guests outside the Clerk’s Office before moving to outdoor portraits. I always recommend building at least 45 to 60 minutes of portrait time into the post-ceremony plan. The courthouse exterior is a natural first stop, and several excellent portrait locations are within a short drive.

If you’re adding a celebration Many couples continue to a restaurant lunch or small dinner with close family the same day. Others plan a separate gathering weeks later. Both approaches work.

Best Portrait Locations Near the Bergen County Courthouse

This is where courthouse weddings become genuinely beautiful. The ceremony is brief; the portraits can be stunning.

The historic Bergen County Courthouse exterior The Bergen County Courthouse at 10 Main Street in downtown Hackensack, completed in 1912 in American Renaissance style, gives you strong architectural character for portraits. The stone steps, classical columns, and ornate detailing photograph well in almost any light, and it’s a short walk from the Clerk’s Office.

Gazebo at Bergen County Plaza The grounds around One Bergen County Plaza include a gazebo that works well for both ceremonies and couple portraits, with a softer, garden feel. It’s steps from the Clerk’s Office and gives you a clean, intimate backdrop right on site.

Johnson Park in Hackensack A few minutes away by car, Johnson Park offers open lawns, mature trees, and natural light that softens things after the formality of the courthouse. This is a good place to catch the relaxed moments once the ceremony adrenaline settles.

Waterside Restaurant, North Bergen The waterfront at Waterside Restaurant on River Road, about 15 minutes from Hackensack, puts the Manhattan skyline behind you across the Hudson. It’s one of the most photographically striking secondary locations available to Bergen County couples, and many couples pair portraits here with a celebration dinner afterward. The Bergen County courthouse wedding session I covered moved from the Clerk’s Office to the gazebo and then Waterside — a good example of how a compact day like this flows.

Liberty State Park, Jersey City About 30 minutes from Hackensack, Liberty State Park gives you the NYC skyline with space to spread out, and the waterfront promenade photographs well in almost any light. For a sense of what sessions there look like, take a look at the Liberty State Park engagement photos post.

Downtown Ridgewood and surrounding Bergen County towns Tree-lined streets, small parks, and historic architecture throughout Bergen County make for warm, natural portraits at almost any time of year.

How to Plan Courthouse Wedding Photos Without Feeling Rushed

The question I hear most often from couples planning an intimate ceremony is: how much time do we actually need for photos?

Here’s a realistic framework.

Two hours of coverage covers the ceremony, a few minutes with family outside the Clerk’s Office, and 60 to 75 minutes of outdoor portraits at one nearby location. Most couples find this is enough.

Three hours of coverage gives you the ceremony, family time, and room to visit two locations, typically the courthouse exterior and a second spot like the Waterside waterfront or Johnson Park, without feeling rushed at either.

What to wear Think about where you’ll be taking portraits, not just where the ceremony is. Lighter fabrics and solid colors tend to read well in outdoor natural light. Formal attire works everywhere. Whatever you choose, make sure you feel like yourself in it.

When to schedule If portrait time can fall in the two hours before sunset, the light will do most of the work. Soft, warm, and directional. This is especially valuable if you’re heading to the Hudson River waterfront, where the Manhattan skyline and the evening sky together make for genuinely memorable images.

Who to bring Keep the guest list small enough that you’re not coordinating a crowd. A handful of people who truly matter makes the day calmer, more intimate, and it shows in the photos.

If you’re comparing local options and want a sense of how I approach wedding coverage throughout New Jersey and NYC, the wedding photographer near me page is a good place to start.

If your courthouse wedding is part of a bigger proposal-to-wedding season, the NJ proposal photographer page explains how proposal coverage works too.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bergen County Courthouse Weddings

Where do we get a marriage license for a Bergen County courthouse wedding? Marriage licenses are issued by the local registrar in the municipality where either applicant resides, not by the Bergen County Clerk’s office. Find your town’s registrar at the NJ Department of Health website.

Does the Bergen County Clerk issue marriage licenses? No. The Bergen County Clerk’s Office performs civil marriage ceremonies but does not issue marriage licenses. Those come from your town’s local registrar or, if neither of you lives in New Jersey, from the registrar in the town where the ceremony will take place.

How far in advance should we schedule the ceremony? Schedule the ceremony appointment with the Bergen County Clerk’s Office as soon as you know your date, especially in spring and fall. You’ll also need to account for the 72-hour waiting period after filing your license application before the license can be released.

How long does a courthouse wedding ceremony take? The civil ceremony itself runs 10 to 15 minutes. Plan for about 30 minutes total at the Clerk’s Office, including arrival, paperwork, the ceremony, and a few moments with guests outside.

Where can we take photos after a Hackensack courthouse wedding? The courthouse exterior and the gazebo at Bergen County Plaza are right on site. Within a short drive you have Johnson Park in Hackensack, Waterside Restaurant in North Bergen for Manhattan skyline portraits, and Liberty State Park in Jersey City for waterfront shots. Most couples choose one or two locations based on how much time they’ve built in.

How much photography coverage do we need for a courthouse wedding? Two to three hours covers most couples well. Two hours works for a ceremony plus one outdoor portrait location. Three hours gives you the ceremony, family time, and two portrait locations without rushing.

Ready to Plan Your Bergen County Courthouse Wedding?

The planning for a courthouse ceremony is simpler than most couples expect. The photography possibilities afterward are better than many realize.

If you’re getting married at the Bergen County Clerk’s Office in Hackensack and want a photographer who documents the real moments of your day rather than staging them, I’d be glad to talk.

You can reach me through the contact page or by calling 917-992-9097. Tell me your date and what you’re planning, and we’ll figure out what coverage makes sense for your day.