Las Vegas is one of the easiest destinations worldwide in which to get married, hence its reputation as the unofficial ‘wedding capital of the globe’. Couples can marry indoors, outdoors, in a chapel or at a drive-thru. And anyone from a Priest to a Rabbi, or even Elvis can officiate, provided they are appropriately authorized of course!
Here’s the process you’ll need to follow in order to legally marry in Las Vegas.
Last updated: October 19, 2026
Obtain a Marriage License
Las Vegas falls under the jurisdiction of Clark County Nevada, and both applicants will need to appear in person before a Clerk of the Clark County Marriage Bureau. The main bureau is located in downtown Las Vegas at 201 E Clark Avenue, Las Vegas. No appointment is necessary and the bureau is open from 8:00am until midnight, seven days a week, including all holidays. There are several other bureaus located throughout Nevada, and you can also obtain a marriage license from any of these, however opening hours will be shorter so you should check ahead of time if you are planning on visiting an outlying bureau.
The paperwork can be completed at the bureau, or you can complete it online prior to visiting the marriage bureau. Couples who plan to obtain their marriage license during holidays and peak periods such as Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve are advised to complete an online application to avoid lengthy delays. Once you have completed an online application, the information remains in the system for one year. Couples who have completed their application online can proceed directly to an ‘Express Window’ at the bureau, where you will just need to provide your reference number, along with the relevant identity documents.
Marriage licenses are issued to couples immediately after their application has been processed by the Clerk. There is no waiting period to get married after the license has been issued, and the license is valid for one year from the date of issue. Please note that a Marriage License simply allows couples to marry in the State of Nevada. It is not proof of marriage.
Legal Requirements
The requirements are the same for both U.S. and non U.S. citizens.
1. You must both be at least 18 years of age. A limited exception applies to 17-year-olds: both parties must be Nevada residents, and parental or legal guardian consent and a district court order are required.
2. You must not be related (no nearer of kin than second cousins or cousins of half-blood)
3. You must not be currently married, either to another spouse or to the current applicant. A new marriage license is not needed for an ordinary vow renewal. Nevada law has a limited exception allowing an already-married couple to be rejoined in marriage when their original marriage record has been lost, destroyed or is otherwise unobtainable. If you wish to renew your vows, you can do so in a symbolic, non-legal ceremony, and you should contact your wedding chapel or wedding officiant to discuss this.
Identification Requirements
You will both need to provide documents that show your name and date of birth. You can view a full list of acceptable documents on the bureau’s website. U.S. citizens will also need to quote their Social Security number (you do not need to present your card), and non U.S. citizens or those without a Social Security number can simply indicate ‘none’ in the relevant field. Note that your marriage license will be prepared with your name exactly as it appears on your identity documents. For example, if you would like your full middle name or names to appear on the license, be sure to provide documents that state your full middle name/s and not just your initials.
Fees
The fee for a marriage license is USD $102. Credit and debit cards are accepted, with an additional processing fee of 2% plus $1.25. Checks and money orders are not accepted for marriage licenses. Check the bureau’s current payment options before your visit.
The Wedding Ceremony
Once you have obtained a marriage license, your wedding ceremony can take place in any church, chapel, or any other venue or location within the state of Nevada, where your marriage officiant is willing to perform the ceremony. You can also marry at the Office of Civil Marriages in Las Vegas, at 330 S. 3rd Street, 6th floor, Suite 660, Las Vegas, however all ceremonies are by appointment only.
The person performing your ceremony must be authorized under Nevada law. Ministers, other religious officials and private marriage officiants need a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages issued by a Nevada county clerk. Certain public officials, including judges and commissioners of civil marriages, are authorized separately under Nevada law. Almost all commercial wedding chapels, churches and other wedding venues in Las Vegas only use authorized officiants, however you should always confirm this prior to your ceremony. You can do so via this online database of registered marriage officiants. Couples who wish to have their own minister from outside the State of Nevada perform their marriage, can arrange for him/her to obtain authorization to solemnize a single marriage ceremony in Nevada. The minister must complete Clark County’s single-ceremony application process. Applications must be received at least 30 days before the ceremony and should not be submitted more than three months in advance.
Once the officiant has performed your ceremony, they have ten calendar days to deliver the completed marriage certificate to the Clark County Clerk’s Office. After it has been filed, you can order a certified copy of your marriage certificate online from the Clerk’s Office.
Considerations for Non U.S. Citizens
Some countries require an apostille to authenticate a certified marriage certificate for use abroad. Your own embassy can advise you if this is necessary. If so, you will need to obtain it through the Nevada Secretary of State after obtaining a certified copy of your marriage certificate from the Clark County Clerk’s Office. Certified marriage documents can be ordered online through the Clerk’s Office. A marriage license alone is not proof that the wedding took place.
Same-Sex Marriage
It is possible for same-sex couples to legally marry in Las Vegas. Same-sex marriage became legally recognized in the State of Nevada on the 9th of October, 2014.
Divorced or Widowed Applicants
Divorced applicants will need to advise the date that their divorce was finalized, along with the city and state where it was finalized. Similarly, widowed applicants will need to advise the date, city and state of their spouse’s death. A death certificate is not required. A divorce decree is not normally required, unless you are relying on it to use a name different from the name on your current valid government-issued photo ID.
For more information, visit; http://www.clarkcountynv.gov
NOTE: The information contained in this article is not legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Couples should always seek the advice of their own Embassy to request accurate and up to date information on the requirements for legal marriage in Las Vegas. These requirements may vary, depending upon your own personal circumstances.
Photography: 1. Inquirer.com / 2. & 4. Trip Savvy / 3. Visit Las Vegas
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