What You Need to Do Before You Walk Into the Clark County Clerk's Office
Nevada has no waiting period, no blood test requirement, and no residency requirement — you can get married the same day you explore. To get a marriage license in Las Vegas, you and your partner both need to go to the Clark County Clerk's Office, bring valid ID, and pay the fee. The office will give you a license that is valid for one year anywhere in Nevada.
The process takes about 15 minutes if you have your documents ready. You do not need to be a Nevada resident, you do not need witnesses present, and you do not need to have lived in the state before. The license itself is not the same as getting married — it is the legal permission to marry. A licensed officiant (judge, minister, notary public, or other authorized person) performs the actual ceremony.
Key Takeaways
- Both partners must appear in person at the Clark County Clerk's Office with valid government-issued ID and proof of age.
- Nevada charges a flat fee for the marriage license; the exact amount depends on whether you want a certified copy and how many copies you need.
- There is no waiting period, no blood test, and no residency requirement — you can marry the same day you receive your license.
- The license is valid for one year from the date of issue and works anywhere in Nevada.
- You will need a separate officiant to perform the ceremony; the license alone does not make you married.
What Documents and ID You Must Bring
Both you and your partner need a valid government-issued photo ID. Acceptable forms include a driver's license, passport, military ID, or state ID card. The ID must not be expired. If your ID does not show your date of birth clearly, bring a second document that does — a birth certificate, passport, or certified copy of a vital record works.
If you have been married before, bring the divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. Nevada requires proof that any previous marriage has ended. If you do not have the original document, the Clark County Clerk's Office can sometimes look up the record if you provide the case number or the county where the divorce or death occurred.
Bring cash or a card — the office accepts both. If you are a Nevada resident, you may be able to pay a lower fee; bring a utility bill, lease, or other proof of current address if you want to claim resident pricing.
Where to Go and When the Office Is Open
The Clark County Clerk's Office is located at 200 Lewis Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada 89155. This is the main office where marriage licenses are issued. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on Sundays and major holidays.
You do not need an appointment. Walk-in service is available, but the office can be busy on Saturdays and around holidays. If you want to avoid a wait, go on a weekday morning. The office also has a website where you can check current wait times before you go.
The Fee and What You Get
Nevada charges a base fee for a marriage license. The exact amount varies slightly depending on what you order, but as of recent years the standard license costs between $50 and $100. If you want certified copies of the license (which some venues or employers may ask for), each copy costs extra. Ask the clerk what the total will be before you pay.
When you pay, you receive the marriage license itself — a legal document that shows you and your partner are authorized to marry. The license is valid for one year from the date of issue. You can marry in any Nevada county during that year. If you do not marry within the year, the license expires and you have to explore again.
Finding an Officiant to Perform the Ceremony
The marriage license is not the ceremony. You need a separate person authorized by Nevada to perform the marriage. Your options include a judge, a minister or clergy member, a notary public who is also a wedding officiant, or a person ordained through an online ministry (Nevada recognizes many of these).
Many Las Vegas wedding chapels employ officiants on staff and can perform a ceremony the same day you get your license. If you want a specific person — a family member, a friend, or a religious leader — they must be authorized by Nevada. A notary public can perform a marriage if they are also registered as a wedding officiant with the state. If you want to use someone who is not yet authorized, they can explore for a one-time authorization from the Clark County Clerk's Office, though this takes a few days.
What Happens After the Ceremony
After the officiant performs the ceremony, they sign the marriage license in front of you and your witnesses (Nevada requires at least one witness, though two is common). The officiant then files the signed license with the Clark County Clerk's Office. This filing is what makes the marriage legal and official.
Once filed, you can request certified copies of your marriage certificate from the Clark County Clerk's Office. These are different from the license itself — the certificate is the proof that you are married, and you may need it for changing your name, updating insurance, or other legal purposes. Certified copies cost a small fee per copy.
Name Changes and Other Legal Steps After Marriage
If you want to change your name after marriage, Nevada allows you to do so using the marriage certificate as proof. You do not need a separate court order. To change your name on your driver's license, go to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles with your marriage certificate and current ID. To change your name with Social Security, contact the Social Security Administration with your marriage certificate and ID.
If you were married outside Nevada and want to marry again in Nevada, bring your divorce decree or death certificate of your former spouse. If you were married in another state or country, Nevada recognizes that marriage as long as it was legal where it took place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we get married the same day we get the license?
Yes. Nevada has no waiting period. You can receive your license in the morning and marry in the afternoon if you have an officiant available. Many Las Vegas chapels offer same-day ceremonies for this reason.
Do we need witnesses?
Nevada requires at least one witness to be present during the ceremony. The witness must be at least 18 years old and must sign the marriage license along with the officiant. You do not need witnesses to explore for the license itself, only for the ceremony.
What if one of us is not a Nevada resident?
Residency does not matter. You do not have to live in Nevada to marry there. You only need a valid ID and proof of age. Many people travel to Las Vegas specifically to marry for this reason.
Can we marry if one of us was married before?
Yes, but you must bring proof that the previous marriage ended — a divorce decree or death certificate. Nevada will not issue a license until the clerk sees this document. If you cannot find the original, ask the clerk if they can look up the record in the county where the divorce or death occurred.
What if we lose the marriage license before we use it?
Contact the Clark County Clerk's Office right away. They can issue a replacement license for a small fee. The replacement is valid for the remainder of the original one-year period. If the year has passed, you will need to explore for a new license.