Nassau County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Nassau County are not handled by the county clerk for current licenses. Marriage licenses are issued by the three town clerks and two city clerks in the county: the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay, and the cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach. The Nassau County Clerk at 240 Old Country Road in Mineola does hold a set of marriage records from 1907 through April 29, 1935. For anything after that date, you must contact the municipality where the license was obtained. Nassau County is the most densely populated county in New York outside of New York City.

Where to Get Nassau County Marriage Records

This is where people get confused. The Nassau County Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. That job falls to the five municipal clerks in the county. If you want a marriage license today, you go to one of these offices: the Town of Hempstead Clerk, the Town of North Hempstead Clerk, the Town of Oyster Bay Clerk, the City of Glen Cove Clerk, or the City of Long Beach Clerk. Each one can issue a license, and each one keeps the completed marriage record after the ceremony.

The Nassau County Clerk's office at 240 Old Country Road, Mineola, NY 11501 does hold marriage records from 1907 through April 29, 1935. Copies from this historical collection cost $5 each. That is cheaper than the $10 you would pay at a municipal clerk or the $30 from the state. If your record falls in that window, the county clerk is the most affordable option. Call ahead to make sure the specific record is in their collection.

Under Domestic Relations Law Section 15, both parties must appear in person at a clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. The fee is $40. There is a 24-hour wait after the license is issued. The license stays good for 60 days.

Nassau County Municipal Clerks and Marriage Licenses

Nassau County is structured differently from most New York counties. It has only three towns and two cities. The Town of Hempstead is the largest town in the state by population. North Hempstead and Oyster Bay are also massive. Between the three towns and the two cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach, the entire county is covered. There are no unincorporated areas. Every Nassau County resident falls under one of these five municipal clerks for marriage license purposes.

The Town of Hempstead Clerk handles a huge volume of marriage licenses. That makes sense given the town's population. North Hempstead and Oyster Bay also process a large number. The cities of Glen Cove and Long Beach are smaller but still issue licenses. You can get a license from any of these offices regardless of where in the county you live. The license is valid statewide anyway.

Marriage licenses in Nassau County are maintained by the municipality where they were obtained. If a couple got their license in Oyster Bay, that is where the record lives. The completed certificate goes back to the issuing clerk after the officiant signs it. Years later, when someone needs a copy, they have to go to that same clerk. Knowing which municipality issued the license is essential for getting a copy.

How to Search Nassau County Marriage Records

First, figure out which municipality handled the license. If the couple lived in Levittown, that falls under the Town of Hempstead. Great Neck is in North Hempstead. Massapequa is in Oyster Bay. If you know the couple's address at the time they got married, that usually tells you which town clerk to contact. Most couples get their license in the town where they live.

For records from 1907 to 1935, try the Nassau County Clerk at (516) 571-2664. Copies are only $5. For records after 1935, contact the municipal clerk directly. If you cannot figure out which municipality issued the license, the New York State Department of Health can search their statewide database. Mail orders cost $30, online orders are $45, and priority processing adds $15.

The New York State Archives holds marriage indexes from 1881 onward. Records more than 50 years old are open to the public. These indexes can help you confirm that a marriage took place and narrow down the date before you order a certified copy. The archives reading room in Albany is free.

Historical Nassau County Marriage Records

Nassau County was created in 1899 when it separated from Queens County. Before that, marriage records for what is now Nassau County were filed in Queens. The county clerk's collection starting in 1907 captures the early years of the county's existence. For records before 1907, check with the Queens County Clerk or the state archives.

The period from 1907 through April 29, 1935 is well covered at the county level. After that date, records shifted entirely to the municipal clerks. Nassau County's population grew rapidly in the mid-20th century, so there are a lot of marriage records in the municipal clerk offices from the 1940s through the 1970s. Those suburban boom years saw thousands of couples getting married across the county.

For genealogy research, the Long Island Room at the Hempstead Public Library and the Nassau County Museum collections are useful supplements to the official records. Church records from the many Catholic, Protestant, and Jewish congregations on Long Island fill in gaps that government records miss, especially for the pre-1907 period.

Marriage License Requirements in Nassau County

Both people must appear in person. Bring valid photo ID. If either person was married before, bring the certified divorce decree or death certificate of the former spouse. Both parties must be 18 or older. No blood test is needed. New York has no residency requirement for a marriage license. The fee is $40 at every clerk in the county.

After the license is issued, wait 24 hours. A judge can waive the wait. The license is valid for 60 days. If it expires, you start over. The officiant must sign the license and return it to the issuing clerk within five days of the ceremony. The NY.gov marriage page has full details on the process and requirements.

Fees for Nassau County Marriage Records

Marriage license: $40 at any municipal clerk. County clerk copy (1907-1935 records): $5. Local clerk certified copy: $10. State copy by mail: $30. State copy online: $45. Priority state processing: add $15. The county clerk's $5 rate for historical records is one of the lowest in the state for that service.

Cities in Nassau County

Nassau County's three large towns each have dedicated pages on this site.

Nearby Counties

Nassau County is bordered by Suffolk County to the east and Queens County to the west.