Our Government

Marriage License Information

Town of North Hempstead
Town Clerk Registrar's Office
200 Plandome Rd.
Manhasset, NY 11030
Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.
(516) 869-6311


**PLEASE NOTE: The Clerk's Office recommends an appointment for Marriage Licenses.  We can't guarantee accommodations for walk-ins.  Couples should call 311 or 516-869-6311, or email feedback@northhempsteadny.gov to make an appointment**

Marriage Frequently Asked Questions:

On June 24, 2011, the New York State Legislature passed the Marriage Equality Law, which was signed into law by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo the same day. This new law went into effect on July 24, 2011. The Town Clerk's Office now issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples. State law requires couples to wait 24 hours after receiving a license before they can be married.

* EXTENDED HOUR WEDNESDAYS
The office may have late hours available on Wednesdays at our discretion.  Late hour Marriage Licenses are issued from 4:15 PM to 6:30 PM and BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

A couple who intends to be married in New York State must apply in person for a marriage license at any town or city clerk in the State. The application for a license must be sworn and signed in the presence of the issuing clerk by both individuals.

A representative cannot apply for the license on behalf of the couple. This applies even if the representative has been given the Power of Attorney. Notarized marriage license affidavits signed by the individuals getting married cannot be substituted for their personal appearance.

All applicants must bring valid forms of identification when applying for a marriage license. Expired forms of identification will not be accepted. 

Photocopies of the above documents will not be accepted as proof of identity.

All foreign documents, not in English, require an official certified translation from an official certified translation service.  Also acceptable are those produced by consulates, embassies, and universities.

Information regarding all previous marriages must be furnished in the application for a marriage license. This includes whether the applicants are divorced, whether the former spouse or spouses are living and, if so, when, where and against whom the divorce or divorces were granted.

A certified copy of the last Decree of Divorce with Official Seal or a Certificate of Dissolution of Marriage is required. Divorce papers in a foreign language must be accompanied by an official certified translation. If widow or widower, a certified copy of death certificate must be presented.

$40.00 fee must be paid in exact change or money order, no personal checks! Fees are set by the State of New York and may be changed at any time.

A marriage license is valid for 60 days.  Before you can get married, there is a 24-hour waiting period from the time the license is issued.

Age Requirements:
If either applicant is under 17 years of age, a marriage license cannot be issued.

If either applicant is 17 years of age, such applicants must present the written consent of both parents and a justice of the Supreme Court or a judge of the Family Court having jurisdiction over the town or city in which the application is made.

If both applicants are 18 years of age or older, no consents are required.

Marriage Licenses can also be obtained at the following locations:

No premarital examination or blood test is required to obtain a marriage license in New York State.

Marriage Certificate Information

Married couples who have received their marriage license in person at the Town of North Hempstead Registrar Office are able to obtain an official copy of their Marriage Certificate through our office. 
Regardless of residency, we will only have the certificate if the couple received the license in our office originally.

Who can receive a copy of the Marriage Certificate? 

• Must be the bride or groom
• Power of attorney, legal need for document—and provide all documents stating the need
• CANNOT be a parent, stepchild, ex-spouse

How can I obtain a Marriage Certificate?

• Office:
  
  The health and safety of our staff and constituents in our community is our highest priority and we will continue to follow State Guidelines with this in mind.  Please call 516-869-6311 to schedule an appointment or see below for mail request instructions.
• Mail request: Write a letter including the following:

• Groom’s name
• Bride’s name with maiden name
• Date of the marriage
• Phone number MUST be included (in the event we need to contact the requester)
• Copy of state issued photo ID (and any other required documents)
• $10 money order per copy, payable to Town of North Hempstead (personal checks not accepted)
• Self-addressed envelope (UPS Overnight or Fed-Ex if want sent back overnight)
• *Address to send it to at top of document*

PLEASE NOTE:

For DMV purposes, Marriage Licenses obtained prior to 1986 did not have the option to identify “surname after marriage” as do the licenses in 1986 and thereafter.