Wedding Planner Permit Requirements in Jersey City, NJ

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees, operate as an LLC/corporation, or file certain business tax returns. Free from the IRS. Sole proprietors with no employees may use their SSN instead.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online)

   Free

   Immediate (online)

1. New Jersey Business Registration Certificate

   All businesses operating in New Jersey must register with the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services (Form NJ-REG) and collect sales tax where applicable; NJ-REG registration itself has no listed filing fee. LLCs and corporations additionally pay a separate Certificate of Formation/Authorization fee (~$100 for-profit, $50 domestic nonprofit) when forming the entity.

   Official government source

   Free (NJ-REG); ~$100 for-profit / $50 nonprofit entity formation fee (separate, LLC/corp only)·1–2 weeks

   Free (NJ-REG); ~$100 for-profit / $50 nonprofit entity formation fee (separate, LLC/corp only)

   1–2 weeks

2. General Liability Insurance (Recommended)

   Wedding planners in New Jersey are not legally required to carry liability insurance, but most venues require proof of $1M–$2M general liability coverage before allowing a planner to work on-site. Many clients also require it in your contract.

   $400–$1,200/year·Same day (online quotes)

   $400–$1,200/year

   Same day (online quotes)

1. Jersey City Business Licensing — No General Business License

   Jersey City does not issue a general business license, and the City Clerk does not license businesses. Licensing is activity-specific: the Division of Environmental Health (Bureau of Licensing) licenses food, animal care, cosmetology, body art, childcare, laundries and vending machines; the Division of the Construction Code Official issues construction permits and Certificates of Occupancy; and the Division of Zoning confirms the use is permitted. A wedding planner with no storefront, food service or public-space vending typically needs no city business license beyond New Jersey business registration — confirm with the Division of Commerce if unsure.

   Official government source

   $0 — no general city business license exists; fees apply only to activity-specific licenses·Not applicable — there is no general business license to apply for

   $0 — no general city business license exists; fees apply only to activity-specific licenses

   Not applicable — there is no general business license to apply for

2. DBA (Certificate of Trade Name) Registration — Hudson County Clerk

   Sole proprietors and general partnerships operating under a trade name (e.g. "Perfect Day Events" rather than your legal name) must file a Certificate of Trade Name with the Hudson County Clerk's Division of Public Records before accepting payments under that name. Four notarized original copies are mailed to 257 Cornelison Avenue, 4th Floor, Jersey City NJ 07302; in-person filing is by appointment only (201-369-3470, option 5). LLCs and corporations instead register an alternate name with the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services.

   Official government source

   $54.00 filing fee by money order, plus $2.00 for each additional certified copy·1–2 weeks

   $54.00 filing fee by money order, plus $2.00 for each additional certified copy

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

• City of Jersey City — Business Licensing
• New Jersey Secretary of State
• IRS — Apply for EIN

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