Hempstead Marriage Records

Marriage records for the Town of Hempstead are filed with the Hempstead Town Clerk in Nassau County. Hempstead is the most populous town on Long Island and one of the largest in the entire state. The Town Clerk handles marriage license applications, issues licenses, and maintains copies of marriage certificates for ceremonies performed within town limits. With a large and diverse population, the clerk's office processes a high volume of marriage-related requests each year.

Hempstead Town Clerk's Office

The Hempstead Town Clerk is Kate Murray. The office is at 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Call (516) 812-3014 for questions or to check hours. The clerk's office is open on weekdays and handles a wide range of town records including marriage licenses, vital records, and local filings.

When you visit, bring a valid photo ID for both applicants. A driver's license or passport works. If either person was previously married, bring a certified copy of the divorce decree or death certificate that ended the prior marriage. The staff will review your documents and process the application. The fee is $40, which is the standard rate for towns outside New York City.

Both people must be there. No one can send a representative on their behalf. The clerk will ask for names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, and addresses. This information goes on the license under Domestic Relations Law Section 15. The whole process usually takes about 20 to 30 minutes if your paperwork is in order.

Finding Marriage Records in Hempstead

The Town Clerk keeps copies of all marriage certificates for ceremonies that took place in Hempstead. If you know the approximate date and the names of the couple, the clerk can search their files and provide a certified copy. The fee for a certified copy is $10. In-person requests are usually handled the same day if the record is on file.

The Hempstead Town Clerk's vital records portal is shown below.

For mail requests, send a letter to the Hempstead Town Clerk at 1 Washington Street, Hempstead, NY 11550. Include the names of both spouses, the date of marriage, and a check or money order for $10 payable to the Town of Hempstead. Mail requests typically take two to three weeks. The office will send the certified copy back to you by regular mail.

If the town clerk does not have the record, try the Nassau County Clerk. The county maintains copies of marriage certificates filed within its borders. The NYS Department of Health is another option. They hold marriage records from 1881 onward for all of New York State outside of New York City. A mail order through the state costs $30.

Getting a Marriage License in Hempstead

The process is straightforward. Both people go to the town clerk's office with their IDs. You fill out the application, pay the $40 fee, and the clerk issues the license. Then you wait 24 hours. That waiting period is set by state law. A judge can waive it in special situations, but this almost never happens.

The license is good for 60 days after it is issued. If you do not have a ceremony within that time, the license expires. You would need to apply again and pay another $40. There is no residency requirement. Anyone from any state or country can apply for a marriage license in Hempstead. The NY.gov marriage page covers all the statewide requirements.

After the ceremony, the person who officiated must sign the license and return it to the town clerk within five days. The clerk then files the completed marriage certificate and sends a copy to the state Department of Health. This creates the official record of the marriage. The couple can request certified copies once the certificate has been filed.

Marriage Records Access and Privacy

New York State restricts access to marriage records less than 50 years old. Only the people named on the certificate, their attorneys, or someone with a proper legal purpose can get copies of recent records. This means you cannot just walk in and request someone else's marriage certificate without a valid reason.

Records older than 50 years are public. Anyone can request them. The New York State Archives holds indexes to older marriage records that are useful for genealogists. The Nassau County public libraries also have local history resources that can help with older record searches.

The minimum age to marry in New York is 18. No exceptions exist. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old on the day they apply for the license. There is no parental consent option for minors. This rule took effect in 2021 and applies statewide.

There is a clear cost difference between getting copies locally and going through the state. The Hempstead Town Clerk charges $10 per certified copy. The NYS Department of Health charges $30 by mail and about $45 through the online vendor. If you know the marriage took place in Hempstead, going to the town clerk saves money. The state option is better when you are not sure which clerk issued the license or when you live far from Long Island.

You should also know about the NYS Archives marriage indexes. These records are available at select research libraries across the state and go back to 1881. They list names, dates, and the clerk office where each license was filed. This can be a useful starting point if you are not sure where a marriage took place. Domestic Relations Law Section 20-B also outlines the specific documents the clerk must check before a license is issued, including proof that any prior marriages ended through divorce or death.

Nassau County Marriage Records

Hempstead is part of Nassau County. The county clerk also handles marriage records and can be a useful backup if the town clerk cannot locate what you need.

Nearby Cities

These nearby towns on Long Island also have their own clerk offices for marriage records.