Clark County's Marriage Bureau was specifically designed to accommodate the wedding tourism industry that Nevada intentionally cultivated. The extended hours, walk-in policy, no waiting period, and year-round operation aren't accidents — they're features. Approximately 80,000–100,000 marriage licenses are issued in Clark County each year, making it one of the busiest marriage license offices in the country.
The Clark County Marriage Bureau — Location and Hours
Marriage licenses in Clark County are issued by the Clark County Marriage Bureau, located at 201 East Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101 — in the Clark County Government Center building, about a mile from the northern end of the Las Vegas Strip.
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 8:00 AM to 11:59 PM — 365 days a year, including all holidays. This is not a typo. The bureau is open on Christmas, Thanksgiving, New Year's Eve, and every other day of the year. On December 31st and certain popular wedding dates (like 2/22/22 or 7/7/7), lines can stretch for several hours in the evening — arrive by 9 PM on those dates if you want to be seen.
No appointment is required or offered — it is strictly walk-in. Both parties must be present.
The $102 Fee — What It Covers
The Clark County marriage license fee is $102.00 as of 2025. This fee is set by the Clark County Commission and covers the license itself. It does not include:
- Ceremony fees (if you get married at the bureau's on-site civil ceremony room)
- Chapel fees if you use a wedding chapel
- Certified copies of the marriage certificate (ordered separately after recording)
The bureau accepts cash, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover. No checks accepted.
Civil Ceremony at the Marriage Bureau
Clark County offers civil ceremonies in a dedicated ceremony room at the Marriage Bureau building, available during bureau hours. The ceremony fee is $75.00 (separate from the license fee). You do not need to use the bureau's ceremony — you can take your license anywhere in Nevada and have it performed by any authorized officiant.
For the civil ceremony option: after receiving your license, simply ask the bureau staff about the ceremony room availability. On busy nights, there may be a short wait. The ceremony takes about 5 minutes and is legally complete. A commissioner performs it.
Required Documents
Clark County requires the following from both applicants:
- Valid photo ID: Driver's license, state ID, U.S. passport, military ID, or foreign passport. Must not be expired.
- Age: Both parties must be 18 or older. Nevada permits 16–17 year-olds to marry with parental consent + notarized affidavit (see below).
- Social Security Number: Required on the application.
- Divorce or death information: If either party was previously married, you must provide the date and location (state/country) where the divorce was finalized, or the date of the spouse's death. You do not need to bring documents for divorces finalized more than a year ago — the clerk will ask verbally. For divorces finalized within the past 6 months, having the decree available is wise.
No Waiting Period — Marry the Same Night
Nevada law (NRS 122.040) imposes no waiting period between license issuance and marriage. Your Clark County marriage license is valid the moment it's issued. If you receive your license at 10:30 PM, you can have a ceremony at 10:35 PM in the bureau's ceremony room and be legally married before midnight.
This is the operational heart of the Las Vegas wedding industry. Chapels on the Strip stay open late specifically to accommodate couples who get their license from the bureau in the evening. The chapel industry and the bureau's hours are designed to work together.
One Year Validity — A Unique Nevada Advantage
A Clark County marriage license is valid for one full year (365 days) from the date of issue. This is one of the longest validity windows in the country and means couples can apply during one visit and hold the ceremony on a subsequent trip if they wish. The license is valid for ceremonies performed anywhere in Nevada.
Out-of-State and International Couples
There is no Nevada residency requirement. The vast majority of couples who marry in Clark County come from out of state or internationally. All that's required is that both parties appear in person and meet the age and ID requirements. Your home state will recognize a valid Nevada marriage.
International couples: foreign passports are accepted as ID. If neither party speaks English, you may bring a translator — the bureau does not provide translation services. The application form is available in Spanish at the bureau.
After the Ceremony — Getting Certified Copies
After your officiant completes and returns the signed license to Clark County, it is recorded and becomes available as a certified marriage certificate. Certified copies cost $17.00 each and can be ordered through the Clark County Recorder's office (separate from the Marriage Bureau) or online through VitalChek.
Allow 4–6 weeks after the ceremony for the certificate to be available. For urgent name change purposes, many agencies accept the original signed marriage license as proof while you wait for the certified copy.
Minors (Ages 16–17)
Nevada permits marriage at 16 or 17 with both parents' written, notarized consent and a notarized affidavit of consent from the minor. This requires an additional step at the bureau. Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Nevada under any circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. A legally performed marriage in Nevada is recognized as valid in all 50 states and U.S. territories under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution, as well as in most foreign countries. There is no asterisk on a Las Vegas marriage — it is identical in legal standing to any other marriage performed in the United States.
Getting married at the bureau means a simple civil ceremony (about 5 minutes) in a government ceremony room, performed by a county commissioner. No decorations, no photos provided. Cost: $75 for the ceremony + $102 for the license. A wedding chapel provides a venue, officiant, photography, and packages ranging from $200 to several thousand dollars. Both are equally legal. The bureau is the most affordable option for couples who just want the legal ceremony without frills.
On a typical weekday morning, wait time is under 30 minutes. Weekend evenings and popular dates can mean 1–3 hour waits. New Year's Eve is the busiest night of the year — if you're planning a midnight wedding on December 31st, arrive by 8 PM at the latest. Weekday mornings (8–11 AM) are consistently the least crowded times.
Yes, and the bureau can also provide witnesses if you don't have any. Nevada law does not require witnesses for the marriage ceremony itself (only the officiant and both parties are legally required), but if your ceremony room experience is important to you, inviting a small number of guests is permitted.
An unused Clark County marriage license simply expires after one year. No cancellation process is needed. It is not recorded unless a signed ceremony return is filed. No refunds are available on the license fee.
Clark County Marriage Bureau
201 East Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101
Phone: (702) 671-0600
Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 11:59 PM, 365 days/year
clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/clerk/marriage