Like Nassau, Suffolk County has no single county marriage license office — licenses are issued by the individual town clerks that make up the county, such as Brookhaven and Islip, the two largest.
| License fee | $40, the standard fee for licenses issued outside New York City. |
|---|---|
| Waiting period | 24 hours after issuance (New York statewide rule), waivable only with a judicial waiver. |
| Documents / ID required | Proof of age and photo identification for both applicants. |
| License validity | 60 days, beginning the day after issuance (New York statewide rule). |
| Where & how to apply | Apply in person, together, at any town or city clerk’s office in New York State — for example, Brookhaven Town Clerk (1 Independence Hill, Farmingville) or Islip Town Clerk (655 Main Street, Islip). |
| Office hours | Varies by town; Brookhaven offers extended hours Monday evenings 5:00–7:00 p.m. in addition to standard 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. weekday hours. |
Special notes
How to get a marriage license in Suffolk County (Long Island), step by step
- Pick a town clerk. New York lets you apply at any town or city clerk in the state, so you do not have to use the office nearest your home. In Suffolk, Brookhaven (1 Independence Hill, Farmingville) and Islip (655 Main Street, Islip) are the two largest.
- Bring proof of age and photo identification for both of you. Both applicants must sign the application in front of the clerk.
- Pay the $40 license fee.
- Wait 24 hours after the license is issued (only a judge can waive this) — and have your ceremony within 60 days, counted from the day after issue.
- After the ceremony your officiant returns the license to the clerk that issued it within five days.
What to bring to the Suffolk County office
- Proof of age and photo ID for both applicants
- $40 (confirm the clerk’s accepted payment methods)
- For anyone previously married: the details of how the marriage ended
When to apply for your Suffolk County license
New York has a 24-hour wait after issuance, so apply at least a day before the ceremony — in practice earlier, because clerks’ hours are limited. The license is valid for 60 days starting the day after it is issued. Suffolk offices keep different hours: Brookhaven adds Monday evenings from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on top of standard 9:00–4:30 weekday hours, which is useful if you both work days.
After the ceremony: filing your Suffolk County license and getting certified copies
The officiant must return the completed license to the town or city clerk that issued it within five days of the ceremony, usually by mail. Certified copies are then available from that clerk (New York State lists $10 for licenses issued outside New York City) or from the State Department of Health. (Filing rules checked September 2026.)
You will need a certified copy for name changes and other paperwork — see our guide to what to do after the wedding.
Local tips for Suffolk County
- Compare the towns’ hours before you choose. Extended hours, like Brookhaven’s Monday evenings, can save a day off work.
- Suffolk County spans ten towns, and any one of them — or any other town or city clerk in New York — can issue the license.
- The 24-hour wait can only be waived by a judge, so do not plan on skipping it.
More questions about getting married in Suffolk County
Which office do we go to in Suffolk County?
Any town or city clerk in New York State can issue the license. Many Suffolk couples use the clerk nearest home or the venue, such as Brookhaven or Islip.
Does the license work in another county?
Yes. A New York marriage license is valid statewide once issued.
Can only one of us go to the clerk?
No. Both applicants must sign the application in front of the clerk, and a representative cannot apply on your behalf.
Waiting periods by state → What licenses cost by state →
Last verified: August 2026
Read our general step-by-step guide →
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