Bill
A 583
Expands who can solemnize marriages to deputy county clerks and municipal clerks, boosting access to ceremonies and flexibility for couples.
Title: Relates to county committee designations of candidates for certain offices (amends R.S.37:1‑13)
Status (select milestones)
- Introduced in the Assembly: January 9, 2024
- Reported out of Assembly Regulated Professions Committee with amendments: October 24, 2024
- Passed Assembly: December 19, 2024 (70–2–0)
- Received in the Senate and referred to Senate Community & Urban Affairs Committee: January 14, 2025
- Reported favorably by Senate Community & Urban Affairs Committee: November 10, 2025
- Recorded status entry: Referred to Election Law (January 8, 2025)
- Effective date (if enacted): immediately
Primary sponsors (per bill text)
- Assemblyman Sterley S. Stanley; co-sponsor in the reprint: Assemblyman Joe Danielsen. (Committee materials also note additional co-sponsors.)
Purpose and intent
- To expand the list of public officials authorized to solemnize marriages and civil unions in New Jersey by explicitly permitting deputy county clerks and municipal clerks to perform those ceremonies. The intent is to increase the pool of officials able to legally solemnize marriages and civil unions, improving accessibility and administrative flexibility.
Key provisions
- Amends R.S.37:1‑13 to add:
- Deputy county clerks to the list of public officials authorized to solemnize marriages and civil unions.
- Municipal clerks (added by Assembly Regulated Professions Committee amendment on 10/24/2024) to that same list.
- Leaves intact existing authorizations for judges (federal, municipal, Superior Court, Tax Court, administrative law judges, retired judges, former judges of certain discontinued courts), county clerks, surrogates, mayors (and certain former mayors), township committee chairmen or village presidents, members of the clergy, and certified civil celebrants.
- Retains the civil celebrant certification scheme administered by the Secretary of State (eligibility, course requirements, application fee range $50–$75, and revocation/hearing provisions).
- Specifies the act would take effect immediately upon enactment.
Who is affected / likely impact
- Deputy county clerks and municipal clerks: gain explicit statutory authority to solemnize marriages and civil unions.
- County clerk offices and municipal clerks’ offices: may see expanded service offerings; may need to adopt internal procedures for authorizing clerk-performed ceremonies.
- Individuals seeking marriage or civil union ceremonies: likely increased access and scheduling flexibility, particularly where county clerks or judges are not available.
- State/local fiscal impact: not specified in the bill text. Impacts are likely administrative (scheduling, possible small operational adjustments) rather than large fiscal changes.
Related legislation
- Companion bill: S4104 (and other prior-session bills cited).
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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