Wedding Planner Permit Requirements in Paterson, 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. Paterson Mercantile License

   All businesses operating in Paterson must register and obtain a Mercantile License under City Ordinance, administered by the City's Department of Health & Human Services, Mercantile Licensing division (125 Ellison St., 973-321-1242) — not the City Clerk's Office. Wedding planners operating as sole proprietors, LLCs, or corporations need this license to conduct business, and a city inspector verifies compliance. Renewed annually.

   Official government source

   Set by City Ordinance and varies by business category — confirm the current fee with Paterson Mercantile Licensing (973-321-1242).·Licensing includes an inspection; confirm current processing time with Mercantile Licensing.

   Set by City Ordinance and varies by business category — confirm the current fee with Paterson Mercantile Licensing (973-321-1242).

   Licensing includes an inspection; confirm current processing time with Mercantile Licensing.

2. DBA (Trade Name) Registration — Passaic County Clerk

   If operating as a sole proprietorship or general partnership under a trade name (e.g., "Perfect Day Events"), file a Certificate of Trade Name with the Passaic County Clerk before accepting payments under that name. The application must be notarized — the Clerk's Office can notarize it at filing for an extra $3.00. LLCs and corporations do not file with the county; they register an alternate name with the NJ Division of Revenue and Enterprise Services at the state level.

   Official government source

   $50.00 Certificate of Trade Name application fee (credit/debit card or money order payable to Passaic County Clerk); optional $3.00 notarization·1–2 weeks

   $50.00 Certificate of Trade Name application fee (credit/debit card or money order payable to Passaic County Clerk); optional $3.00 notarization

   1–2 weeks

Official Sources

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

Related Guides