Panicking about a witness

Is it normal to need a witness when you get a marriage license?  I don't have anyone who can come all the way to Jersey City first thing in the morning.  I'm in a total panic.

You need one in NJ when getting the marriage license. Not sure why, really. But, yes, I believe it is a state-wide requirement.

When do you need to get it? I tend to have lots of free time on my hands, live fairly close by and am easily bribed.

We could bribe you with breakfast, but you'd have to lie.  We need someone whose known us for 6 months.  The place is only open in the mornings and we were planning on going Aug 19.

Oh, didn't realize you had to know the person for 6 months! How annoying. I'd be happy to be bribed with breakfast, too. Sort of prevents anyone from eloping to New Jersey, now doesn't it.

Not to mention the witness needs to know the applicants, plural, for 6 months. So does that mean that the applicants themselves have to have known each other for at least 6 months and have known someone in common for that long? That actually seems like a fairly tricky condition, especially for LDRs. Sorry, not to hijack, but I'm a little bit annoyed by the requirement.

Was this a new thing? I got married in NJ YEARS ago and we just went ourself.

Well technically we all have known each other for 6 months but no way we would know your man.  I wonder if they even ask. hmmm

aimlesstraveler - you are the witness woman! I think it is great

I would just phone the clerk's office (or wherever they issue them in NJ), explain the situation, and ask how to proceed.  I'm sure you're not the only one who's had trouble with the 6 months requirement.  They're bound to have some kind of exemption or alternative in place. 

(And if they really don't, then it's best to find out ASAP, so you can arrange to get married in a different state.)

It does seem like an odd requirement.  It might not be all NJ though, each county does their own thing.  I looked into NYC city hall and it just requires a witness.  Unfortunately we are booked at the Maritime Parc in Jersey City, we have 50 people coming to the wedding.  It’s not movable. 

I have a friend who will do it, but it’s really horribly inconvenient for her.  She has a newborn and to go that far (about an hour from the UES) is a lot to ask.  I’m trying to avoid that at all costs. 

I’m going to give them a call tomorrow to see what they say.  The woman who answers the phone there is pretty rude, I’ve called a few times before.  But who knows!

I looked at the requirements for the town where I'm from in NJ and they require a witness to show up with you when you get the license but there's nothing about having known the witness for any period of time. So it might depend on the county/town? I have heard of the witness being there when getting the license before, though, a friend of mine did it for two of his friends awhile back.

I keep looking it up like it can't possibly be true, and then its right there:

Applicants must provide:
Birth certificate.
Proof of current address.
Social Security Number.
Witness:
Must know applicants for at least six months.
Must be over 18.
Can be a relative.
Must provide proof of current residence.
If an applicant has been previously married, divorce papers or death certificate must be submitted.

Luckily a coworker of mine (the one nice one) should be able to go.  She's only met Edward about 3 times, but it's been over the last year so I'm guesing it couts.  What kind of proof can you show that you know someone?

What kind of proof can you show that you know someone?

With us they never asked - witness just signed their bit and proved who they are and that was it. It was my wife's father which may have meant they just assumed it, and the fact that it was in a fairly rural area (Hunterdon County) may have helped too. You have any relatives you can take along?

Ever

With us they never asked - witness just signed their bit and proved who they are and that was it. It was my wife's father which may have meant they just assumed it, and the fact that it was in a fairly rural area (Hunterdon County) may have helped too. You have any relatives you can take along?

Unfortunatly my family lives in Maryland.

I really wouldn't think you would have to show any proof, I mean what kind proof would someone have, other than stating yes, I have known the couple for six months- I am sure she would have to sign a statement to that fact and then that's it, they issue you the license and you are done!

Luckily it looks like one of my coworkers will be able to help me out.  The panic might be over.

I wouldn't stress too much about it, especially now that you have someone to be your witness, I wouldn't think they would delve too deeply into how well your witness knows you both, as long as she states it's over six months, you should be fine!