Single crystals of bis-glycine sodium nitrate (BGSN), a semi-organic nonlinear optical (NLO) material, have been grown by slow cooling method. Good optical quality single crystals with dimensions up to 1.6 x 1.6 x 1.0 cm(3) are obtained. Using a single-crystal diffractometer, the morphology of BGSN crystal was identified. Powder X-ray diffraction confirms the crystalline nature of BGSN. The grown crystals were characterized by optical transmission spectrum (UV) and FTIR studies. The NLO property of the crystal was confirmed by Kurtz second harmonic generation (SHG) test, and the output power generated by the crystal was compared with that of KDP. The thermal stability of the crystal was studied by thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential thermal analysis (DTA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Micro hardness study was carried out for different planes, and the anisotropy behavior of the crystal was observed. (C) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.