Getting married in Las Vegas is famous for being fast, easy, and refreshingly free of red tape. There’s no waiting period, no blood test, and same-day licenses are the norm — but the fee, required documents, and a few of the rules have changed in recent years. Here’s exactly what you need to know before you go, current as of 2026.
Quick Facts
| Where | Clark County Marriage License Bureau, 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101 |
| Hours | 8:00 AM – 12:00 Midnight, 7 days a week, 365 days a year (including holidays) |
| Cost | $102, cash or credit/debit card (card payments carry an added convenience fee) |
| Waiting period | None — get married the same day |
| Blood test | Not required |
| Minimum age | 18 (limited exception for 17-year-old Clark County residents, below) |
| License validity | One year from date of issue |
Where to Get Your Marriage License
Marriage licenses are issued at the Clark County Marriage License Bureau, located at 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101 — a few blocks south of the Fremont Street Experience and about six miles north of the Strip. The bureau has its own dedicated entrance separate from the county’s other clerk services.
The office is open 8:00 AM to midnight, every single day of the year, including holidays — a detail that surprises a lot of couples planning a spontaneous or holiday wedding. It’s walk-in only; there’s no way to book an appointment for the license itself.
If you’d rather not travel downtown, Clark County also issues licenses at the Mesquite office (Wednesday–Thursday) and the Laughlin office (Thursday–Friday), though hours are far more limited than the main downtown bureau.
How Much Does a Las Vegas Marriage License Cost?
The current fee is $102, payable by cash or credit/debit card. If you pay by card, expect an additional convenience fee on top. Personal checks are not accepted under any circumstances — so if cash isn’t an option, bring a card.
What You Need to Bring
Both people getting married must appear together, in person, with valid identification. Acceptable ID must be an original (no photocopies or digital images) and include a recent, clear photo. Accepted forms include:
- A driver’s license or driver’s instruction permit
- A state or territory-issued ID card
- A passport or foreign government-issued ID (must show date of birth)
- A Matricula Consular card
- A U.S. military ID or military dependent ID
- A Certificate of Citizenship or Naturalization
- A Permanent Resident Card
Your name will appear on the license and certificate exactly as it’s shown on your ID — so if you want your full middle name reflected, make sure your ID shows it in full, not just an initial.
U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number on the application (no physical card required). If you were never issued one, you’ll simply mark “none.”
Non-U.S. citizens only need a valid passport to apply. Some home countries require an apostille or a copy of the marriage license to formally register the marriage abroad — it’s worth checking with your country’s consulate before you travel.
Requirements at a Glance
- Both applicants must be at least 18 years old
- You cannot be currently married to someone else
- You cannot be more closely related than second cousins (or cousins of half-blood)
- 17-year-old applicants: the only exception to the age requirement is for 17-year-old Clark County residents, who must obtain a court order from a Nevada District Court judge before applying. There is no general parental-consent path for minors.
Divorced or Widowed Applicants
If you were previously divorced or widowed, you’ll need to provide the month and year, plus the city and state, of the divorce or death. You do not need to bring the physical divorce decree or death certificate — the date and location are sufficient.
No Waiting Period, No Blood Test
Nevada issues marriage licenses the same day you apply, with no mandatory waiting period before the ceremony. No blood test is required. Once issued, your license is valid for one full year, giving you flexibility if your ceremony date shifts.
One thing to know: Nevada marriage records are public documents. The state does not offer confidential or sealed marriage licenses.
Save Time: Complete the Online Pre-Application
Clark County strongly recommends completing the online marriage pre-application before you arrive. It takes a few minutes, generates a confirmation number, and lets you use the express line at the bureau instead of starting from scratch in person. Pre-applications stay in the system for 60 days.
If you’re marrying on a high-demand date — think 6-6-26, 8-8-26, or similarly repeating dates — the bureau gets significantly busier. Picking up your license a day or two ahead of your ceremony is a smart way to avoid a long wait on your wedding day itself.
Can Only One Person Apply? (Single-Party Exceptions)
If one partner can’t physically make it to the bureau due to hospitalization or incarceration, Clark County allows a single-party marriage license under specific documented exceptions. Both situations require a specific affidavit form, available through the Clark County Clerk’s office.
Who Can Perform the Ceremony
Your officiant — whether a minister, religious official, or Nevada notary public — must hold a valid Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages issued by a Nevada county clerk. Most established wedding chapels and churches already work exclusively with authorized officiants, but it’s worth confirming if you’re using an independent officiant. Out-of-state officiants can apply for a one-time permission certificate to perform a single Nevada ceremony.
Your ceremony can legally take place almost anywhere in the state — a chapel, a church, an outdoor location, or a favorite spot on the Strip — as long as your officiant is authorized to perform it there.
After the Ceremony
Your officiant has up to 10 business days to file your signed marriage certificate with the Clark County Clerk. Once it’s recorded, you can order a certified copy of your marriage certificate — the actual legal proof of marriage — through the county’s online system. The license itself is only permission to marry; the certificate is your proof it happened.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a marriage license in Las Vegas? The current fee is $102, payable in cash or by credit/debit card (card payments include an added convenience fee). Personal checks are not accepted.
Do I need an appointment to get a marriage license? No. The Clark County Marriage License Bureau is walk-in only, open 8:00 AM to midnight every day of the year. Completing the online pre-application in advance will speed up your visit but doesn’t require a set appointment time.
Is there a waiting period to get married in Las Vegas? No. Nevada has no waiting period — you can get married the same day your license is issued.
Do I need a blood test to get married in Nevada? No blood test is required to obtain a Nevada marriage license.
How long is a Nevada marriage license valid? One year from the date it’s issued.
Can non-U.S. citizens get married in Las Vegas? Yes. Requirements are the same regardless of citizenship or gender — non-U.S. citizens simply need a valid passport as identification.
Getting your license is step one — capturing the day is step two.
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