Nevada Marriage Records

Nevada marriage records contain official information about marriage unions established within the Silver State. Before civil records were standardized, churches and individuals often maintained personal records of marriages, which were typically written documents. Such records include data generated through the marriage process, from the license application to documents filed after the marriage. Some of the general information that is contained in a record includes the following:

• The full names of the bride and groom
• The date of the event
• Where the marriage occurred
• Name of the event officiant

Nevada marriage records may include additional information about the parties, such as their occupation and age. Civil records and Nevada family court records, maintained by government authorities, are now the primary source for official marriage documentation. State and local government agencies keep records for various reasons. Records are often required during processes that call for proof of identity and marriage. Genealogy researchers also use marriage records when tracing family lines.

What Types of Marriage Records Are Available in Nevada?

Nevada maintains different types of marriage records, which may include the original record, a copy, or digital images of the documents. These records range from information created during the license application to certified records that affirm the existence of a wedding.

Nevada Marriage Certificate

Nevada marriage certificates are created after a wedding and serve as prima facie evidence of a couple's legal union. After the legal marriage ceremony, the officiant signs and completes the marriage license, which the city or county clerk then files. Unlike licenses, Nevada marriage certificates have no expiration date. However, marriage certificates become invalid if the couple annuls the marriage or gets a divorce.

Nevada Marriage License

A Nevada marriage license is a county-issued document that couples obtain before marriage. The license serves as an official notice of the couple's intended marriage. It gives couples the right to marry anywhere within the state. Some of the requirements that applicants must meet to obtain a marriage license include the following:

• Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
• Applicants must be unmarried at the time of application
• Applicants must pay the licensing fee.

After a license is issued, couples must marry within a year, or the permit expires. The marriage ceremony must also be held in any county in Nevada.

Are Nevada Marriage Records Public?

Nevada marriage records are generally open to the public. Residents and non-residents can search for records by contacting the clerk’s office in charge of such records. Some records may be available online, while others may only be in person or via mail. Access to certain records may be limited to an in-person visit at specific county offices, especially for more recent records or those with restricted availability.

How to Find Marriage Records in Nevada

Nevada marriage records are available at the state and county levels for residents and non-residents who wish to verify or obtain them. Residents can visit the official county website to search for marriage records and may be required to enter details such as full names and marriage dates in the online search form.

Verifying Nevada Marriage Records

At the state level, the Office of Vital Records processes marriage verification requests for unions filed across the state. It maintains records of marriages recorded between 1968 and September 2005.

To verify the existence of records during this period, applicants are required to submit a request that contains

• The full name of the registrant as listed on the record
• The city or county where the marriage occurred
• The approximate date of when the marriage occurred

Applicants must also provide personal information, such as their name, address, and phone number. Marriage verifications have a non-refundable $10.00 fee for each searched name, payable by credit card, money orders, or checks, depending on the medium used. Office of Vital Records:

4150 Technology Way, Ste 104
Carson City, NV 89706
Phone: (775) 684-4242
Fax: (775) 684-4156

Obtaining Nevada Marriage Certificates

Members of the public who wish to obtain certified copies of a marriage record or a certified copy of a marriage certificate will need to contact the county recorder’s office in the county where the license was issued. Certified copies can be obtained in person, by mail, or online, depending on the procedures of the county office. The department responsible for issuing certified copies is typically the county recorder’s office. Certified documents are typically issued with a raised seal and signature, making them suitable for official processes with government agencies, such as changing names or filing taxes.

How to Get a Marriage License in Nevada

A Nevada marriage license authorizes the recipients to marry within any county in the state. Anyone can get a license by following these steps:

Step 1. Meet the Marriage License Requirements

Couples who wish to get married must meet the state license requirements. For instance, both parties must be old enough and not currently married. County clerks will only issue licenses to persons 18 years or older. Both parties must also not be related by blood. Applicants caught falsifying their information when applying for a license will be guilty of a gross misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $2000, a year in prison, or both.

Step 2. Collect the Necessary Information

License applications generally require that both parties provide some information about themselves, such as their names, ages, genders, dates of birth, occupations, and residences. Applicants must also provide the full name of their intended spouse. If you were previously married, you must provide proof of your annulment or divorce. However, a death certificate is not required for widowed applicants. Other details that may be needed during an application include the parents’ names for both parties, social security numbers, and mailing information.

Step 3. Submit your Application

Most County Clerks require that both spouses appear together in person to submit the license application. However, a marriage license may be issued to only one party in specific scenarios. For instance, some counties provide single-party marriage license exceptions in cases where the second applicant is incarcerated or hospitalized.

For such scenarios, applicants must either provide a signed affidavit with a signed statement from the applicant’s physician or a signed affidavit witnessed by a prison official, along with a Nevada Offender Tracking Information System Offender Detail Record.

Marriage licenses cost approximately $102, but a convenience fee may be included for credit card/debit card payments. Unlike some states, Nevada has no waiting period, and licenses can be issued on the same day of application.

Note: Unlike some states, Nevada does not require a blood test for marriage licenses. However, both parties must provide a valid government-issued photo ID to prove their identity. Some acceptable options include a driver’s license, a U.S. passport, a military ID card, a permanent resident card, and a naturalization certificate.

Who Can Obtain Marriage Records in Nevada?

Almost anyone can obtain marriage records in Nevada. The Office of Vital Statistics maintains an index of all marriage information filed in the state from 1968 through 2015. Record seekers can obtain marriage certificates by writing to the county recorder’s office where the marriage occurred, or the town clerk’s office if applicable. Requesters can also obtain marriage information by searching through the database maintained by the custodian’s office.

Can You Lookup Online Marriage Records For Free in Nevada?

Some counties provide online access to marriage records. For instance, the Clark County Clerk’s Office maintains an online record search system that residents can use to view marriage records. Such records typically provide publicly accessible information, such as the names of the married parties and the marriage date.

Record seekers may also be able to look up some marriage records for free using third-party platforms. Operating as private entities independent of the Nevada state government or any official agency, such sites provide access to records compiled from multiple jurisdictions across the state. Access to some records may require essential information, such as the subject’s name or marriage location. Users can often refine their search by entering a specific date or a date range to narrow down the results.

Is Nevada a Common Law State for Marriage?

Nevada no longer recognizes common law marriages after they were abolished in 1943. However, Nevada still acknowledges the validity of any common law marriage created in states that permit such unions.

Common law marriages refer to unions where a couple presents as married without the formalities of obtaining a marriage license or having a wedding ceremony. Such marriages are fully or partially recognized in several states, including Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, South Carolina, and Texas. Although the rules for common law unions vary across different states, some of the general requirements include:

• The couple must cohabit for a fixed period.
• Both parties must be single, unrelated, and old enough to marry.
• Both parties must indicate their consent and willingness to marry.
• The couple must behave as if they're married. They must hold themselves as married to friends, family, and the community.

To be married in Nevada, couples must obtain a license and have a wedding ceremony with a recognized officiant.

Note: While common law marriages may not be legal, Nevada recognizes the rights, protection, and benefits established in alternative civil contracts, such as domestic partnerships. Residents who wish to register a domestic partnership must file a declaration signed in the presence of a notary.