To get a Brookhaven marriage license, both applicants go together to the Town Clerk’s Office at 1 Independence Hill in Farmingville, bring valid ID and proof of birth, and pay a $40 fee. The office issues licenses Monday through Friday on a walk-in or appointment basis. New York does not require a blood test, but no ceremony can take place until 24 hours after the license is issued.1New York State Department of Health. Information on Getting Married in New York State
Who Can Apply
Both applicants must be at least 18. New York allows no exceptions for parental or judicial consent below that age.1New York State Department of Health. Information on Getting Married in New York State Residency is not required. You can live anywhere and still apply in Brookhaven, though the ceremony itself must happen somewhere in New York State.
State law prohibits marriage between an ancestor and descendant, between siblings (including half-siblings), and between an uncle and niece or aunt and nephew.2New York State Senate. New York Domestic Relations Law DOM 5 If either applicant was married before, that earlier marriage must be fully dissolved before the clerk can issue a new license.
Documents to Bring
Each applicant needs proof of birth and proof of identity.
For birth, bring an original or certified copy of your birth certificate. A baptismal certificate also works if it shows your birth name, date and place of birth, and your parents’ names, and if the baptism happened before you turned twelve.3Brookhaven, NY. Marriage Licenses The statute also accepts passports, naturalization records, and immigration records that show your date of birth.4New York State Senate. Domestic Relations Law 15 – Duty of Town and City Clerks
For identity, bring a valid driver’s license, state-issued non-driver ID, or current passport. A government or school photo ID card also satisfies this requirement.
Prior Marriages
If either applicant has been married before, bring divorce judgments from every prior marriage, not only the most recent. If a previous spouse died, bring a certified death certificate that lists you as the surviving spouse.5Brookhaven, NY. Marriage License This is where applications often stall. Tracking down a decades-old judgment takes time, so start early if this applies to you.
Foreign-Language Documents and Social Security Numbers
Any document in a language other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation and a notarized affidavit from the translator confirming accuracy.
Both applicants must provide their Social Security numbers on the marriage license affidavit.4New York State Senate. Domestic Relations Law 15 – Duty of Town and City Clerks The numbers do not appear on the publicly issued marriage certificate.
Pre-File Online and Book the Appointment
Brookhaven uses an online portal where you enter biographical information, parental details, and Social Security numbers before your visit.5Brookhaven, NY. Marriage License Completing this step ahead of time means the in-person portion focuses on verifying documents and signing rather than filling out paperwork from scratch.
After you submit online, schedule an appointment through the town’s booking system. The Town Clerk’s office is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with extended hours on Mondays until 7:00 p.m. Marriage license applicants must have the application completed and arrive no later than 4:00 p.m.6Brookhaven, NY. Town Clerk Double-check every field you entered online before your appointment. Errors in names or dates create problems when the completed certificate is filed.
The Appointment and Fee
Both applicants must appear together. One person cannot apply on behalf of the couple. The clerk verifies your identities against the documents you brought, compares them to the online submission, and has both of you sign the license under oath.
The fee is $40, which includes the Certificate of Marriage Registration mailed to you after the completed license is returned by your officiant.1New York State Department of Health. Information on Getting Married in New York State The fee is non-refundable whether or not the ceremony takes place. Brookhaven accepts cash, money orders, and credit cards, though card transactions may carry a small processing surcharge.
Waiting Period and How Long the License Lasts
The ceremony cannot happen until 24 hours after the license is issued. A court can waive that waiting period, but judges typically grant waivers only in genuine emergencies such as imminent military deployment.7New York State Senate. Domestic Relations Law 13-B – Time Within Which Marriage May Be Solemnized To seek a waiver, both applicants appear before a judge with the license and a signed petition explaining the circumstances.
Once issued, the license is valid for 60 calendar days. After that, you would need to apply and pay again.7New York State Senate. Domestic Relations Law 13-B – Time Within Which Marriage May Be Solemnized Active-duty members of the U.S. uniformed services get 180 days, provided they furnish proof of active-duty status when applying.8New York State Senate. Veterans’ Services Law 10
Who Can Officiate
New York authorizes clergy and ministers of any religion, leaders of Ethical Culture societies, and judges at every level from local courts to federal circuit courts. Current and former governors, mayors, county executives, New York City clerks, and state legislators can also perform ceremonies, though legislators cannot charge a fee.9New York State Senate. New York Domestic Relations Law DOM 11 – Who Can Perform Marriages
To have a specific friend or family member officiate, Brookhaven offers a One-Day Marriage Officiant License. The application goes to the same Town Clerk’s office that issued the marriage license, and the one-day authorization expires after the ceremony or when the marriage license expires, whichever comes first.10Brookhaven, NY. One-Day Marriage Officiant License
At least one witness must be present at the ceremony. The couple must state, in the presence of the officiant and that witness, that they take each other as spouses.1New York State Department of Health. Information on Getting Married in New York State No other form or ceremony is legally required beyond that exchange.
After the Ceremony
Immediately after the wedding, the officiant and witnesses sign the completed license. The officiant then returns the signed license to the Brookhaven Town Clerk’s office within five days. New York’s Domestic Relations Law ยง14 sets that deadline, and it runs in calendar days, not business days, so a weekend does not extend it. A late return delays the official Certificate of Marriage Registration, which you will need for name changes and other legal updates.
Once the clerk receives and processes the completed license, the Certificate of Marriage Registration is automatically mailed to both applicants, typically within 15 calendar days.1New York State Department of Health. Information on Getting Married in New York State Additional certified copies later on carry a separate per-copy fee at the Town Clerk’s office.