Search Nassau County Marriage License

Nassau County marriage license records are managed by town and city clerks across Long Island's most populated suburban county. With nearly 1.4 million residents, Nassau County has three large towns and two cities that all issue marriage licenses. You can apply at the Town of Hempstead, Town of North Hempstead, Town of Oyster Bay, or the city clerks of Glen Cove and Long Beach. The County Clerk in Mineola holds older marriage records from 1908 to 1935 for research purposes. A marriage license from any Nassau County clerk is valid for use anywhere in New York State for 60 days.

Nassau County Clerk

The Nassau County Clerk office is at 240 Old Country Road in Mineola. This office does not issue new marriage licenses. That falls to the town and city clerks. But the County Clerk holds original marriage records from 1908 to 1935. If you need a copy of a marriage record from that era, the fee is $5 per copy or abstract. Checks or money orders should be made payable to "Nassau County Clerk."

You can request old marriage records in person or by mail. For in-person visits, write down the full name, the year, and the certificate number, then bring that info along with $5 to the public counter. Staff will make a copy for you. Only clerk staff can handle the original books because of their age and condition. Mail requests should go to Nassau County Clerk, Marriage Certificate Request, 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, New York 11501. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Mailed requests may take four to six weeks to process.

Where to Get a Nassau County Marriage License

Nassau County has three towns and two cities. Each one has a clerk who issues marriage licenses. Both people must appear in person. The fee is $40. DRL §13 requires the license before any ceremony can happen. After you get it, DRL §13-b sets a 24-hour waiting period. Then the license is valid for 60 days.

The Town of Hempstead clerk is at One Washington Street, 1st Floor, Hempstead, NY 11550. Call (516) 489-5000 for hours and to check what documents you need to bring. The Town of Oyster Bay clerk is at Town Hall North, 54 Audrey Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY 11771, phone (516) 624-6332. The Town of North Hempstead clerk sits at 200 Plandome Road, Box 3000, Manhasset, NY 11030, phone (516) 869-7646.

The City of Glen Cove has its clerk at Glen Cove City Hall, 9 Glen Street, Glen Cove, NY 11542, phone (516) 676-3345. The City of Long Beach clerk is at City Hall Room 307, 1 West Chester Street, Long Beach, NY 11561, phone 516-431-1000 Extension 314. Any of these offices can process your marriage license application.

Nassau County Marriage License Online

The Nassau County Clerk website provides information about records and services available at the county level.

From this page you can find department contacts, recording information, and details about how to request old marriage records from the 1908 to 1935 collection.

The Nassau County records site offers broader county information and links to local services for residents.

Birth, marriage, and death records are maintained by the clerk of the town or city where the event took place. If you are not sure which clerk issued the original license, you can request a copy from the New York State Department of Health instead.

Marriage License Requirements

Bring proof of age and proof of identity when you apply. For age, the clerk needs an original birth certificate with a raised seal, a baptismal record, naturalization papers, or a census record. For identity, use a driver's license, passport, or other government-issued photo ID. If either person was married before, bring the divorce decree or a death certificate for the prior spouse.

New York no longer requires a blood test. Both applicants must be 18 or older. Under DRL §15-a, marriages of minors under 17 are not allowed. The ceremony must be performed by someone authorized under Section 11 of the Domestic Relations Law, which includes judges, mayors, clergy, and state legislators. At least one witness must be present.

Historical Nassau County Marriage Records

The Nassau County Historical Society is at PO Box 207, Garden City, NY 11530. Call (516) 538-7679 for research help. The county historian's office at 240 Old Country Road in Mineola, phone (516) 383-1557, can also assist with genealogy questions about marriage records and other vital records in Nassau County.

The Nassau County Surrogate's Court at 262 Old Country Road, Mineola, phone (516) 493-3800, holds probate records from 1899 to the present with an onsite computerized index. Most public libraries in Nassau County also have special collections with local history materials, newspapers, maps, and photographs that may be useful for family research.

For statewide records, the New York State Department of Health keeps marriage records from 1881. Certified copies cost $30 each. The DOH genealogy page explains how to get uncertified copies of older records for $22 per search. The New York State Archives has microfiche indexes covering vital records outside of New York City.

Cities in Nassau County

These towns and cities in Nassau County have their own pages with local marriage license details.

Nearby Counties

Nassau County sits on Long Island between Queens and Suffolk County. Your marriage license from any New York clerk works across the whole state.