What You Need to Do to Get Married in Las Vegas
To get married in Las Vegas, you need a marriage license from the Clark County District Court. You and your partner must go to the office together, show valid identification, and pay a fee. There is no waiting period in Nevada — you can get the license the same day and marry when ready if you want. The whole process takes about 15 minutes.
Las Vegas makes this straightforward on purpose. The county clerk's office handles thousands of licenses every year and has streamlined the paperwork. You do not need a blood test, a premarital class, or anyone's permission. You do need to be at least 18 years old (or 16 with parental consent), not currently married to anyone else, and not closely related to your partner.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear in person at the Clark County District Court clerk's office with valid ID to get a marriage license.
- Nevada has no waiting period, so you can marry the same day you receive your license.
- The license fee is currently $102 for a standard license, though the exact amount can change and you should confirm the current fee when you visit.
- Your license is valid for one year from the date it is issued, so you have that long to actually marry.
- You do not need witnesses, a blood test, or anyone's permission, but you do need proof you are not already married to someone else.
Where to Go and What Hours They Keep
The Clark County District Court Marriage License Bureau is located at 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89155. This is the only place in Clark County that issues marriage licenses. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to midnight, and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to midnight. They are closed on major holidays.
Because they stay open so late, you can get a license in the evening or on weekends. Many couples come on Friday night or Saturday to avoid taking time off work. There is usually a line, especially on weekends and evenings, but it moves quickly. Bring both partners and plan to spend 30 to 45 minutes from arrival to walking out with the license in hand.
What Identification You Must Bring
Each partner needs one form of valid government-issued photo identification. A driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card all work. The ID must not be expired. If your ID has your old name on it and you have changed your name since, bring a document that shows the name change — a divorce decree, marriage certificate, or court order.
If you do not have a photo ID, you can bring two forms of non-photo ID instead, such as a birth certificate and a Social Security card. The clerk will tell you on the spot if what you brought is acceptable. If you are unsure, call the Marriage License Bureau at (702) 671-0600 before you go.
Proof That You Are Not Already Married
Nevada requires you to state under oath that you are not currently married to anyone else. You do not have to bring a divorce decree or proof of a previous marriage ending — you just sign a form saying you are single or divorced. However, if you were married before, be ready to say when and where the marriage ended.
If you are divorced, you do not need to bring the divorce papers, but you should know the date and location of the divorce. If your previous spouse is still living and you are unsure whether the divorce was finalized, contact the court in the county where you divorced to confirm. The clerk will ask you these questions during the appointment, and lying on the form is a crime.
The Fee and Payment Methods
The marriage license fee is $102. The clerk's office accepts cash, debit cards, and credit cards. They do not accept checks. If you are short on cash, there is an ATM in the building. The fee covers the license itself; it does not include the cost of a ceremony or an officiant to perform the marriage.
The $102 fee has not changed in recent years, but you should confirm the current amount by calling (702) 671-0600 or checking the Clark County District Court website before you go. Some counties in Nevada charge different amounts, but Clark County (which includes Las Vegas) uses the $102 standard fee.
How Long the License Is Valid and What Happens Next
Your marriage license is valid for one year from the date it is issued. You can marry anytime during that year — the same day, a month later, or 11 months later. Once the year is up, the license expires and you would need to get a new one if you still want to marry.
After you marry, your officiant (a judge, minister, or other authorized person) will sign the license and return it to the county. The county records the marriage and issues a certified marriage certificate, which you can order separately. You do not receive the certificate automatically — you have to request it and pay a small fee, usually around $15 to $20 per copy.
Finding an Officiant and Planning the Ceremony
Getting the license and getting married are two separate steps. The license gives you permission to marry; an officiant actually performs the ceremony. Las Vegas has many options: you can hire a wedding chapel, ask a judge to perform a civil ceremony, find a minister or rabbi, or ask a friend or family member who is ordained online.
If you want a judge to marry you, the Clark County District Court can arrange that. Call (702) 671-0600 and ask about civil ceremonies. Judges perform these ceremonies in their chambers, usually for a small fee. Wedding chapels on the Strip and downtown Las Vegas range from very straightforward (under $100) to elaborate (several hundred dollars). Some chapels include flowers, music, and a witness; others are bare-bones. Shop around and read reviews if you are booking a chapel.
What to Know About Name Changes and the Marriage Certificate
If you want to change your name after marriage, you can do so through the marriage certificate. When you marry, you can choose to keep your name, take your spouse's name, or use a combination. You tell the officiant which name you want on the marriage certificate, and that becomes your legal name for most purposes.
To change your name on a driver's license, Social Security card, or passport, you will need to bring the certified marriage certificate to those agencies. The marriage certificate is the official proof of your name change. You can order certified copies from the Clark County District Court for about $15 to $20 each, so order several if you plan to update multiple documents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we get a marriage license if one of us is not a Nevada resident?
Yes. Nevada does not require either partner to live in Nevada. You just need valid ID and to be physically present at the clerk's office together. Many people from out of state come to Las Vegas specifically to get married because of the short timeline and straightforward process.
What if one partner cannot go to the clerk's office in person?
Both partners must appear together. There is no way around this — you cannot send someone else, get a power of attorney, or mail in a form. If one partner is out of state or unable to travel, you will need to wait until both of you can be in Las Vegas at the same time.
Do we need witnesses to get the license or to marry?
You do not need witnesses to get the license. Nevada does not require witnesses for the marriage ceremony either, though some officiants or chapels may ask for them. If you want witnesses, you can bring friends or family, or the chapel can provide them.
What if we change our minds after we get the license?
You do not have to use the license. If you do not marry within the one-year validity period, the license straightforward expires. There is no penalty or fee for not using it. You can get a new license anytime if you decide to marry later.
How do we get a certified copy of the marriage certificate after we marry?
After the officiant returns the signed license to the county, you can order certified copies from the Clark County District Court. You can request them in person at 200 Lewis Avenue, by mail, or online through the county website. Each copy costs around $15 to $20, and you can order as many as you need.