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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000723458-08-000101.txt : 20081231
<SEC-HEADER>0000723458-08-000101.hdr.sgml : 20081231
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081231133626
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000723458-08-000101
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081229
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081231
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081231

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHRISTMAN THOMAS E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001208448

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-14783
		FILM NUMBER:		081278434

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		100 BACON RD
		CITY:			OLD WESTBURY
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11568

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STATE BANCORP INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000723458
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	STATE COMMERCIAL BANKS [6022]
		IRS NUMBER:				112846511
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 JERICHO PLZ
		CITY:			JERICHO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11753
		BUSINESS PHONE:		516-465-2200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2 JERICHO PLZ
		CITY:			JERICHO
		STATE:			NY
		ZIP:			11753
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-12-29</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000723458</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>STATE BANCORP INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>stbc</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001208448</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHRISTMAN THOMAS E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>100 BACON RD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>OLD WESTBURY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>11568</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>State Bancorp, Inc. Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-12-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11289</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Directors' Stock Plan</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>STBC Common</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>4532</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>4532</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares acquired are shares of stock awarded to Mr. Christman effective January 1, 2009 under the 2008 Non-Employee Directors Stock Plan in recognition of his service as a Director during 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Total includes 1000 shares of stock awarded to Mr. Christman effective January 1, 2009 under the 2008 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan in recognition of his service as a Director during 2008.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">N/A</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Directors who are not employees of the Company or its affiliates are granted share credits after each year of service.  These credits will be converted to STBC shares and paid to the Director only after he/she ceases being a Director.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Thomas E. Christman</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-12-31</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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