ASSEMBLY JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

ASSEMBLY, No. 2347

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED:  JANUARY 19, 2023

      The Assembly Judiciary Committee reports favorably Assembly Bill No. 2347.

     This bill would authorize a marriage or civil union license to be issued and solemnized by audio-visual technology.

     This bill permits a couple, as well as a witness, who wish to marry or enter into a civil union to appear via audio-visual technology before a licensing official in order to obtain a marriage or civil union license.  Additionally, this bill will permit solemnization of the marriage or civil union by an individual, religious society, institution, or organization via audio-visual means.  Current law requires that individuals who wish to marry or enter into a civil union appear personally before a licensing official and that the marriage or civil union be solemnized in the physical presence of an officiant and two witnesses.

      Under the bill, receiving a license and having it solemnized via audio-visual technology requires: the video conference be live and allow for interaction between the couple, the licensing official or officiant, and witnesses; members of the couple and witnesses provide valid photo identification and any other documents necessary to allow the licensing official or officiant to fulfill their statutory duty; and each member of the couple and the witnesses sign the pertinent documents and transmit the documents, once signed by all signatories, to the licensing official or officiant.