Southampton Marriage License

Southampton marriage license applications are processed at the Town Clerk's office on Hampton Road. The Town of Southampton is one of the largest towns in Suffolk County, stretching across the east end of Long Island. Couples who want to get a marriage license here can visit the clerk in person with their partner. You don't need to live in Southampton or even in Suffolk County to apply. Any clerk in New York State can issue your license. The Southampton Town Clerk handles marriage license requests along with other vital records and town services throughout the week.

Southampton Marriage License Filing

Marriage licenses in Southampton are filed through Suffolk County. The Town of Southampton Clerk is the local office that handles these applications. You do not need to be a resident of Southampton to apply for a marriage license here. Under DRL Section 13, any couple can get a marriage license from any town or city clerk in New York State. The license works for a ceremony held anywhere in the state, not just in Southampton or Suffolk County.

Suffolk County has multiple town clerks who can issue marriage licenses. The towns of Brookhaven, Islip, Huntington, Smithtown, and Babylon all have their own clerk offices. Southampton is one of the eastern towns in the county and serves couples from the Hamptons area and beyond. The Suffolk County Clerk handles land records and court filings but does not issue marriage licenses directly. That job falls to the town clerks.

How to Get a Marriage License in Southampton

Both partners must show up together at the Southampton Town Clerk's office. The office is at 116 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY 11968. Bring a valid photo ID such as a driver's license, state ID, or passport. You also need a certified birth certificate that shows your parents' names. Have your Social Security number ready. The fee is $40.

If either person was married before, bring proof that the prior marriage ended. That means a final divorce decree or a death certificate for the former spouse. All previous marriages must be fully dissolved before a new license can be issued. Once the clerk processes your application, you get the license that same day. A 24-hour waiting period then kicks in per DRL Section 13-b. You cannot hold your ceremony on the same day you pick up the license. The Southampton marriage license stays valid for 60 days after that waiting period ends and works for any ceremony held in New York State. Active military members get 180 days instead of 60.

The screenshot below shows the Southampton Town Clerk website with information on services and office details.

The Town Clerk's site lists the office location, phone number, and services that include marriage license processing.

Note: No blood test or medical exam is needed to get a marriage license anywhere in New York State.

After the Southampton Wedding Ceremony

After your wedding, the officiant must return the signed marriage license to the Southampton Town Clerk's office within five days. This applies whether the ceremony took place in Southampton or somewhere else in the state. The officiant, both spouses, and at least one witness all sign the license at the ceremony. Per DRL Section 14, the clerk fills out the license form and hands it to the couple, who then give it to their officiant for the big day.

Under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, many types of people can perform your ceremony. Judges, mayors, ordained clergy, and appointed one-day marriage officers all qualify. Any person who is at least 18 years old can apply to become a one-day marriage officiant through the town clerk. Once the officiant sends the signed license back to the clerk, it gets filed with the state. You should get a Certificate of Marriage Registration in the mail within about 20 days.

The image below shows the Southampton Town government site with general town information.

This site provides an overview of Southampton town departments and services.

Southampton Marriage License Copies

You can get a certified copy of your Southampton marriage license from the town clerk who issued it. The fee is $10 per copy. Bring a photo ID and pay in person, or mail a written request with a check or money order for $10 made payable to the Southampton Town Clerk. Mail it to 116 Hampton Road, Southampton, NY 11968. Include the full names of both spouses and the date of the marriage.

The New York State Department of Health also provides certified copies for $30 each. Processing takes 10 to 12 weeks through regular mail. Priority handling adds $15 to the cost. For faster service, VitalChek offers rush orders at a higher price. The NYS Department of Health genealogy section handles requests for records over 50 years old when both spouses are deceased. Suffolk County Clerk's office maintains marriage records from 1908 to 1935. For records after 1935, contact the town clerk where the license was purchased.

Note: Only the bride or groom can request a certified copy unless the record is over 50 years old and both spouses have passed away.

Southampton Town Clerk Contact

The Southampton Town Clerk handles a wide range of town services. Marriage licenses are just one part of what they do. The office also processes birth certificates, death certificates, dog licenses, and other vital records. For questions about marriage license applications or to check hours before your visit, call the office directly. Walk-ins are typically accepted, but calling ahead can save you time, especially during busy summer months in the Hamptons area.

If you plan to hold your wedding in one of the villages within the Town of Southampton, such as Southampton Village, Westhampton Beach, or Sag Harbor, your marriage license from the town clerk covers all of them. The license is valid for any ceremony location in New York State.

Nearby Cities

These cities and towns near Southampton also issue marriage licenses through their local clerks.