How do I get a marriage license?

County Clerk (county level - each of Nevada's 16 counties plus Carson City, an independent city)

Step by Step

How to do it

Both parties appear in person at any Nevada county Clerk's office; bring required ID for both parties; Clark County allows online pre-application to speed up the in-person process
Complete the marriage license application; present valid government-issued photo ID for both parties
Pay the fee; license issued immediately - NO waiting period; can marry same day, same hour
License valid for 1 year from date of issuance; can be used anywhere in Nevada but NOT in another state or country
No witnesses required at the ceremony under Nevada law
Officiant completes the marriage certificate after the ceremony and files it with the County Clerk
Certified copy of marriage certificate: available from the County Recorder in the county where the license was issued (typically $20 in Clark County); or from the Nevada Office of Vital Records for marriages 1968+ ($18 per copy at state level)

Details

What you need to know

Required Docs

Valid government-issued photo ID (original, not digital copy) showing name and age: driver's license, passport, military ID, permanent resident card, or other government-issued photo ID; the name on your ID becomes the name on the license
Must not currently be married (to anyone)
Must not be nearer to kin than second cousins or cousins of half-blood
Must be at least 18 years old (no exceptions for adults; see below for minors)
If 17 years old: must be a Nevada resident AND obtain a Nevada District Court order
If previously married: disclosure of prior marriages required (some counties require more documentation)

Fee

Varies by county - Clark County (Las Vegas): $102; Washoe County (Reno): $92; smaller counties: $77-$90; most rural Nevada counties: $85; verify with specific county

Waiting Period

NONE - license effective immediately LICENSE VALIDITY: 1 year from date of issuance WITNESSES: NOT required by Nevada law ONLINE PRE-APPLICATION: Clark County and Washoe County offer online pre-applications (valid 90 days) to speed up in-person process - recommended for busy periods CLARK COUNTY HOURS: Marriage License Bureau (201 E. Clark Ave., Las Vegas): open 365 days/year, 8 AM-midnight including holidays WHERE TO GO: County Clerk in any Nevada county or Carson City; Clark County Marriage License Bureau for Las Vegas

Where to Go

County Clerk in any Nevada county or Carson City; Clark County Marriage License Bureau for Las Vegas

County-specific variations apply

Fees vary considerably. Clark County (Las Vegas): $102; open 365 days/year 8 AM-midnight. Washoe County (Reno): $92; regular business hours. Carson City and other urban counties: $77-$90; regular weekday hours. Rural Nevada counties (Mineral, Churchill, Pershing, Esmeralda, etc.): $85 or set fee; often have very limited hours - call ahead. Some rural counties offer after-hours licenses for an additional fee. Online pre-application available at Clark and Washoe county websites.

Nevada Notes

Important state-specific details

No waiting period - marry immediately.
No blood test; no residency required.
1-year validity - very generous.
Marriage records in Nevada are PUBLIC DOCUMENTS and cannot be made confidential or sealed (per NRS).
Certified copies of marriage certificate: from County Recorder where license was issued OR from Nevada Office of Vital Statistics (dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/BirthDeath) for marriages 1968 to present ($18 state; $20 Clark County Recorder).
Apostille for international use: $20 from Nevada Secretary of State (nvsos.gov); state office can also transmit directly to foreign government.
Common law marriage NOT recognized in Nevada.

Official Source

State office contact

State Office

Nevada Secretary of State (general info) - nvsos.gov; Clark County Marriage License Bureau - clarkcountynv.gov/government/elected_officials/county_clerk | (702) 671-0600; Nevada Office of Vital Statistics - dpbh.nv.gov/Programs/BirthDeath | (775) 684-4242