How to Officiate a Wedding in Hempstead, New York

Dreamy Long Island -- known for its 24-hour diners, delicious seafood and relaxing beaches -- is the perfect place to plan a wedding, and one of our favorite areas in the state of New York. It's just far enough away from the hustle and bustle to feel secluded, but not so far that it feels isolated. And you’ll find that there’s no shortage of desirable wedding venues from Hempstead to Gardiners Bay, so you’re sure to find one that suits your fancy in the area.

If you’re planning a wedding or you’ve been asked to officiate a ceremony in Nassau County, you’ve come to the right place. We have everything you need to know about the process -- from obtaining your marriage license to getting your marriage certificate -- right here in our guide. And later on, some wedding planning tips for the couple! So, let’s get into it.
 

STEP 1: Get ordained with American Marriage Ministries

Let’s start with the ordainment process. According to Nassau County Clerk’s website, “a member of the clergy or minister who has been officially ordained and granted authority to perform marriage ceremonies from a governing church body in accordance with the rules and regulations of the church body” may perform wedding ceremonies.

You can get ordained with us to become a minister with AMM. The process is free and takes just a few minutes!

STEP 2: Prepare for the Ceremony in Nassau County

Now that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but can feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly. 

Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts, to  brainstorming prompts, tips for preparation, and more.

STEP 3: Officiate the Wedding and Complete the Marriage License

When it comes time to completing the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain it from the county clerk’s office, but just be sure to double check that they have a valid marriage license on hand before you perform the ceremony.

After the ceremony, help them fill it out and notarize it correctly. It’s also your job as the officiant to return the marriage license to the county clerk’s office to be filed. You have five days to do so, so mark your calendar!
 

File for the Marriage License from Town of Hempstead Town Clerk's Office

Now let’s turn our attention to the couple’s responsibilities.

You can download a marriage license application on the city’s website or by clicking here. Once you’ve filled it out, call the town clerk’s office to make an appointment to come in and pick it up. Their phone number is 516-812-3014.

When you go, just remember to bring:

• Valid, state-issued ID (driver’s license or passport)
• $40 for the marriage license fee (cash, credit card, check or money order are acceptable, payable to Kate Murray, Town Clerk)

Once you are issued your marriage license, there is a 24 hour waiting period before you can hold your ceremony. On the day of the wedding, your officiant will help you complete it correctly and return it to the clerk’s office for you afterward.
 

The Basics

When narrowing down your wedding date, take into account the local events that take place in Long Island, like festivals and marathons. You probably don’t want to choose a wedding date that overlaps with one, as they draw crowds and create traffic jams, and limit parking. But if you choose a venue that is far enough away, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Speaking of venues, we have some recommendations in the area. If you’ve never been to a wedding at Sand Castle Venue and Restaurant, don’t let the name fool you. This venue isn’t a barefoot-in-the-sand kind of place! You can take a live tour of this grand Long Island venue on their website. The Westbury Manor and the Swan Club are also perfect spots for black-tie affairs near Hempstead.

If you head east on Long Island, you can find some venues that are a bit more off-the-beaten-path. Two of our favorites are The Vineyards at Aquebogue and the Peconic River Herb Farm.

If you don’t like any of the options near Hempstead, you can get married anywhere in New York state with your Nassau-issued marriage license. (But remember, if you’d like to choose a venue in New York City proper, then your officiant needs to register his or her credentials with the city. See our FAQ below for more details.)

Transportation

Nine bridges and 13 tunnels link Long Island into other boroughs, making it one of the most accessible islands on the planet. If you plan on coming in from the city, just note that Long Island Expressway is usually jammed between 6-8 a.m. and 4-7 p.m. The Long Island Railroad is also prone to delays. So, just factor in extra time when utilizing these services.

If you’re coming in from out of town and want to save money on renting a car, you can utilize the Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE) bus to get around during your stay. However, bus routes aren’t too frequent and don’t run past 6 p.m. So, ride-sharing services Lyft and Uber are good alternatives to take advantage of.

Weather

Long Islanders experience four distinct seasons. It usually snows from November all the way through March, and occasionally April. Temperatures can be as cold as 20 degrees. In the springtime, temperatures rise, but the weather stays quite rainy. But the summers make it all that worth it. Temperatures can reach into the 90s but are moderated by ocean breezes -- perfect for an outdoor wedding. Early fall can also be ideal, when the leaves are changing color and the temperatures are still mild.