What You Need to Do Before You Walk Into the Clark County Clerk's Office

You can walk into the Clark County Clerk's office in Las Vegas with your partner and walk out with a marriage license the same day, with no waiting period and no blood test required. Nevada has some of the fastest marriage license rules in the country. You will need to bring both partners' government-issued photo IDs, pay the fee in cash or card, and answer a few questions on a form. The whole process takes about 15 minutes.

The Clark County Clerk's office is located at 200 Lewis Avenue in downtown Las Vegas. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. They are closed on Sundays and major holidays. If you cannot visit in person, you cannot get a license by mail or online—one or both partners must appear at the office.

Key Takeaways

  • Both partners must bring a valid government-issued photo ID (passport, driver's license, or state ID card) to the Clark County Clerk's office.
  • Nevada has no waiting period, no blood test, and no residency requirement, so you can get married the same day you get your license.
  • The license fee is $102 if you pay in cash or $104 if you pay by card, and the license is valid for one year from the date issued.
  • The license itself is not the same as a marriage certificate—after you marry, you must file the signed license with the Clark County Clerk to get a certified marriage certificate.
  • You do not need to be a Nevada resident, and you do not need to live in Clark County to get married there.

What ID You Need and What It Must Show

Both you and your partner must bring a government-issued photo ID. This can be a driver's license, state ID card, passport, or military ID. The ID must be current and not expired. The Clark County Clerk will check that the name on your ID matches the name you write on the license form.

If your ID is expired, you can still use it as long as it has a photo and shows your name clearly. However, if you have changed your name since your ID was issued—through marriage, divorce, or legal name change—bring a document that shows the name change, such as a divorce decree or court order. A marriage certificate from a previous marriage also works.

If you do not have a photo ID, you cannot get a marriage license. There is no exception process. If your ID was lost or stolen, you will need to get a replacement from your state's DMV or the issuing agency before you can marry in Las Vegas.

The Fee and What Payment Methods Work

The marriage license fee in Clark County is $102 if you pay in cash or $104 if you pay by card (debit or credit). The Clark County Clerk's office accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. They do not accept checks or money orders.

Bring the exact amount or be prepared for change if you pay cash. The fee is non-refundable, even if you change your mind before the license is issued. Once you have the license, you have one year to get married. If you do not marry within that year, the license expires and you will need to pay the fee again to get a new one.

The Form You Fill Out at the Office

When you arrive at the Clark County Clerk's office, you will be given a marriage license process form. You do not fill it out ahead of time—the clerk will walk you through it. The form asks for both partners' full legal names, dates of birth, Social Security numbers, current addresses, and whether either of you has been married before.

If either partner has been married before, you will need to state how the previous marriage ended: divorce, death, or annulment. You do not need to bring divorce papers or a death certificate to the office, but if the clerk asks for proof, you should have it available. In most cases, they will not ask.

The form also asks whether you are related by blood. Nevada law does not allow marriage between certain relatives—parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, or siblings. If you are related in any of these ways, you cannot get a license. Cousins can marry in Nevada.

No Waiting Period, No Blood Test, No Residency Requirement

Nevada does not require a waiting period between getting your license and getting married. You can get the license on a Monday and marry on the same day if you have an officiant ready. You do not need to wait 24 hours, 3 days, or any other amount of time.

Nevada also does not require a blood test or medical exam to get a marriage license. Some states still require this; Nevada does not. You do not need to be a Nevada resident or live in Clark County. You can be from any state or country and still get married in Las Vegas.

The license is valid for one year from the date it is issued. If you marry within that year, the license is good. If a year passes and you have not married, the license expires and you must pay the fee again.

What Happens After You Get the License: Filing for Your Marriage Certificate

The marriage license is not the same as a marriage certificate. The license is the document you take to your officiant (a judge, minister, or other authorized person) to sign during the ceremony. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and you must file it with the Clark County Clerk to get a certified marriage certificate.

You can file the signed license in person at the Clark County Clerk's office, or you can mail it. If you mail it, send it to Clark County Clerk, Marriage License Bureau, 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89155. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope if you want the certified certificate mailed back to you. Processing by mail takes about two to three weeks.

The certified marriage certificate costs $15 for the first copy and $5 for each additional copy. You will need certified copies for changing your name, updating your Social Security record, getting a new driver's license, or updating insurance and bank accounts. Order extra copies when you file—it is cheaper than ordering them later.

Where to Find an Officiant to Perform the Ceremony

Once you have your marriage license, you need someone authorized to perform the ceremony. In Nevada, this can be a judge, a minister or priest, a rabbi, an imam, or a notary public who has been commissioned to perform marriages. Las Vegas has many wedding chapels on and off the Strip that employ officiants and can perform ceremonies the same day you get your license.

If you want a judge to perform the ceremony, you can contact the Clark County District Court. They have judges available for civil ceremonies, though you may need to schedule a few days in advance. Wedding chapels range from very straightforward (under $100 for the ceremony alone) to elaborate (several hundred dollars or more). Some chapels include flowers, music, and a witness; others do not. Call ahead to ask what is included in the price.

You do not have to use a chapel. If you know a minister, rabbi, or other authorized officiant, they can perform the ceremony anywhere—your hotel room, a park, a restaurant, or anywhere else. The officiant must sign the license during or when ready after the ceremony, and you must file it with the Clark County Clerk within a certain time frame (Nevada allows up to one year, but filing sooner is better).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a marriage license if I am under 18?

Nevada allows marriage at 16 and 17 with parental or judicial consent. If you are 16 or 17, you will need a parent or legal guardian to sign the process form in person at the Clark County Clerk's office. If you cannot get parental consent, you can petition a district court judge for permission. You must be at least 16; there is no exception for younger ages.

What if my partner and I have the same last name?

That is not a problem. The form asks for your full legal name, and the clerk will write down whatever name you provide. Having the same last name does not prevent you from getting a license or getting married.

Do I need a witness to get married in Nevada?

No. Nevada does not require a witness to be present during the ceremony. Some couples invite friends or family, and some chapels include a witness as part of their package, but it is not legally required. Only the officiant and the two people getting married need to be present.

What if I want to change my name after I get married?

You can change your name using your certified marriage certificate. Take the certificate to your local DMV to update your driver's license, to Social Security to update your record, and to your bank and employer to update their records. You do not need a court order to change your name after marriage in Nevada—the marriage certificate is sufficient proof.

Can I get a marriage license if I am already married to someone else?

No. The Clark County Clerk will ask on the form whether you are currently married. If you are, you cannot get a license until your previous marriage is legally ended by divorce or annulment. You will need to show proof of the divorce or annulment if the clerk asks.