Bill would end New Jersey’s wedding license waiting period

Two New Jersey lawmakers are proposing a bill to eliminate the state’s 72-hour waiting period for couples seeking a license to wed.

Assemblyman Louis Greenwald and state Sen. Nicholas Scutari say the law is antiquated and getting rid of it would give New Jersey a competitive edge in the wedding tourism market.

Other nearby states, like New York and Delaware, only have 24-hour waiting periods.

The bill also makes changes to the state’s residency requirements for those seeking licenses, eliminating a requirement that couples must apply for a marriage or civil union license in the municipality where either lives.

The lawmakers say that makes it less convenient for residents to get hitched at a resort or other wedding destination.