Bill > A3737

Introduced Session

This bill requires a marriage or civil union license be issued immediately upon application, but continues to require a 72-hour waiting period. Under current law, after a couple applies for a marriage or civil union license there is a 72-hour waiting period before the license can be issued by the licensing officer. The Superior Court may, by order, waive all or any part of the 72-hour period in cases of emergency, upon satisfactory proof being shown. This bill would provide that a marriage or civil union license would be issued by the licensing officer immediately upon filing the application. However, individuals would still be required to wait 72 hours before the marriage or civil union ceremony could be performed. The intent of the bill is not to change the current 72-hour waiting period before the ceremony can occur, but to save couples the additional trip to the licensing officer to pick up the license. The bill provides that all or part of the 72-hour waiting period between issuance of the license and the marriage or civil union ceremony could be waived by order of the Superior Court in cases of emergency, upon satisfactory proof being shown. The bill also provides that the 72-hour waiting period between issuance of the license and the ceremony would not apply to an applicant who is an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Carol Murphy (D)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 02/22/2024)

Official Document