At a Glance
| Total cost | ~$180 (license + civil ceremony) |
| Marriage license fee | $102 (cash) / ~$105 (card) |
| Civil ceremony fee | $77.75 (credit/debit only) |
| Address | 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101 |
| Bureau hours | 8:00 AM - Midnight, 365 days/year (including all holidays) |
| Waiting period | None |
| Guest limit | Contact Clark County Clerk’s Office to confirm |
| Residency required | No |
| Witness required | Yes, at least one |
| Online pre-application | clarkcountynv.gov (up to 90 days in advance) |
What Makes a Las Vegas Courthouse Wedding Special
Clark County processes more marriage licenses than any other jurisdiction in the United States. The entire system is designed to make getting married in Las Vegas as simple as possible. No waiting period. No blood test. No residency requirement. You can fly in from anywhere on the planet and be legally married the same day.
The Clark County Marriage License Bureau at 201 E. Clark Avenue is open from 8 AM to midnight, 365 days a year. That includes Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and every holiday in between. No other courthouse or marriage bureau in the country offers that kind of availability for couples who want to get married on their own timeline.
What surprises most couples planning a Las Vegas wedding is the cost. A fully legal courthouse wedding, with a Clark County marriage license and a civil ceremony, comes to about $180 total. If you want more than a basic civil ceremony, the options run from budget-friendly chapel packages starting at $89 all the way up to helicopter ceremonies over the Grand Canyon. The legal part? It’s fast, inexpensive, and straightforward.
Step by Step: How to Get Married in Las Vegas
1. Pre-apply for your Clark County marriage license online. Go to the Clark County website and complete the online pre-application up to 90 days before your visit. This gets you into the express line at the Marriage License Bureau and saves significant wait time on busy days.
2. Visit the Marriage License Bureau together. Both of you must appear in person at 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101. The bureau is open 8 AM to midnight every day of the year. Walk-ins only; no appointment is needed for the license itself.
3. Bring valid photo ID. Each of you needs an original, physical government-issued photo ID. Driver’s licenses, passports, state IDs, and military IDs all work. Digital copies and photocopies are not accepted. U.S. citizens also need to provide their Social Security Number (you can memorize it; the card isn’t required). Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport.
4. Pay the marriage license fee. The Las Vegas marriage license costs $102 if you pay cash or approximately $105 with a credit or debit card (includes a processing fee). Checks are not accepted. Your license is valid immediately and stays valid for one year anywhere in Nevada.
5. Choose your ceremony type. The Clark County Clerk’s Office offers a civil ceremony for $77.75 (credit/debit only, appointment required). You can also book a Las Vegas wedding chapel, hire a private officiant, or choose something like a drive-thru ceremony. Whatever you pick, make sure your officiant is licensed in Nevada.
6. Bring at least one witness. Nevada law requires at least one witness at your wedding ceremony, in addition to the officiant. If you’re eloping without guests, some chapels and officiants can provide a witness for you.
7. Have your ceremony. Your officiant performs the ceremony, you exchange vows, and both of you sign the marriage license along with your witness. The officiant handles filing the completed paperwork with the Clark County Recorder’s Office.
8. Order certified copies of your marriage certificate. You’ll need certified copies for name changes with the Social Security Administration, updating bank accounts, insurance policies, and passport applications. Order these through Clark County after your ceremony.
Marriage License Details
What You Need to Bring
Both parties need an original, physical government-issued photo ID to obtain a Clark County marriage license. Accepted forms include:
- Driver’s license or instruction permit (any U.S. state or territory)
- State-issued ID card
- U.S. or foreign passport
- Military ID or Military Dependent ID
- Permanent Resident Card
- Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship
- Matricula Consular Card
- Official foreign government-issued ID (must include date of birth)
U.S. citizens must provide their Social Security Number. You don’t need the physical card; just know the number. Non-U.S. citizens need a valid passport only and don’t need an SSN.
If you were previously married, know the exact date (month, day, year) and location (city and state) where your divorce was finalized or your former spouse passed away. You generally don’t need to bring physical divorce papers or death certificates unless a previous divorce changed your legal name. To be safe, bring documentation if your situation involves a name change.
Your name on the marriage license will appear exactly as shown on your ID. If your preferred legal name is different, resolve that discrepancy before applying.
Fees and Validity
The Clark County marriage license costs $102 in cash or approximately $105 by credit or debit card. Checks are not accepted.
Your license is valid immediately upon issuance, with no waiting period. It remains valid for one year and can be used for a ceremony anywhere in the state of Nevada.
Both parties must be at least 18 years old, currently unmarried, and appear together in person at the Marriage License Bureau. There is no Nevada residency requirement. Couples from any state or country can obtain a Las Vegas marriage license.
Verify current pricing at clarkcountynv.gov before your visit, as fees are subject to change.
Ceremony Details
Understanding License vs. Ceremony
This trips up more couples than you’d expect. Getting a marriage license and having a wedding ceremony are two separate legal steps in Las Vegas.
Your marriage license is official authorization to marry. You get it at the Clark County Marriage License Bureau. It costs $102. It does not, by itself, make you legally married.
Your wedding ceremony is where you exchange vows before a licensed officiant. The officiant signs your marriage license and files the completed paperwork with the Clark County Recorder’s Office. That filing is what makes your marriage legal.
A license without a ceremony does not constitute a legal marriage in Nevada.
Civil Ceremony at the Clark County Clerk’s Office
The Clark County Clerk’s Office offers a straightforward civil ceremony for $77.75 (credit/debit card only, includes a $2.75 processing fee). You need to book an appointment in advance.
This is a basic, no-frills civil ceremony. If you want personalized vows, music, decorations, or a themed Las Vegas wedding experience, look at chapel or private venue options instead.
Other Las Vegas Wedding Ceremony Options
Las Vegas offers more ceremony variety than anywhere else in the country:
| Option | Approximate Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wedding chapel packages | $89 - $2,199+ | Many themes available (including Elvis-themed); often include photography, flowers, music |
| Private officiant | $199 - $475 | Flexible on location; confirm your officiant is licensed in Nevada |
| Outdoor venue ceremonies | Varies | Red Rock Canyon, Valley of Fire State Park; permits may be required |
| Drive-thru wedding | Budget-friendly | A uniquely Las Vegas option |
| Helicopter ceremony | Premium pricing | Typically requires a deposit in advance |
Whichever ceremony option you choose, verify that your officiant is properly licensed in Nevada and will handle filing your paperwork with the county.
Photography and Guest Tips
Photography at Your Las Vegas Wedding
Our research did not find specific photography or video policies for civil ceremonies at the Clark County Clerk’s Office. Contact the clerk’s office directly before your visit to confirm what’s allowed.
For chapel and private venue Las Vegas weddings, photography packages are widely available and often included in wedding packages. Many Las Vegas wedding photographers offer elopement packages designed for couples who want professional photos without a large production.
Guest Information
Guest capacity for civil ceremonies at the Clark County Clerk’s Office was not specified in our research. Contact the clerk’s office to confirm how many guests you can bring to a courthouse wedding ceremony.
Chapel and private venue ceremonies have flexible guest limits depending on the venue. Most Las Vegas wedding chapels accommodate anywhere from a handful of guests to several dozen, with larger venues available for bigger celebrations.
If you’re traveling without friends or family, many chapels and officiants can provide a witness for your ceremony to satisfy Nevada’s one-witness requirement.
Practical Tips for Your Las Vegas Courthouse Wedding
Pre-apply online for the express line. Complete the Clark County online pre-application up to 90 days in advance. You’ll skip the standard line at the Marriage License Bureau and move through the process faster.
Go at off-peak times. Sundays and Tuesdays tend to be less busy at the bureau. The 8-10 AM window and the late evening window (8 PM to midnight) typically have shorter waits than midday.
Watch out for popular wedding dates. Dates like 6/6/26, 8/8/26, and 6/26/26 will draw massive crowds to the Marriage License Bureau. If your Las Vegas wedding falls on one of these days, get your license one to two days early.
Budget beyond the basics. The license and civil ceremony cost about $180 total. Add certified marriage certificate copies ($20 to $120 depending on processing speed), and budget for gratuities if you’re using a chapel or private officiant ($60 to $200 is customary).
Handle your paperwork after the ceremony. Your officiant files paperwork with the Clark County Recorder’s Office. Order certified copies of your marriage certificate through the county. You’ll need them for name changes, insurance updates, and passport applications.
International couples: check Apostille requirements. If your home country requires it, you may need an Apostille for your Las Vegas marriage certificate to be recognized internationally. Several Las Vegas wedding services can assist with this process.
Nevada marriage records are public. Your marriage record cannot be sealed or made confidential under Nevada law.
Planning a courthouse wedding in another city? Check out our guides for San Francisco, New York City, Los Angeles, Boston, Atlanta, and Detroit courthouse weddings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we get married in Las Vegas the same day we arrive?
Yes. There is no waiting period in Nevada. You can walk into the Clark County Marriage License Bureau at 201 E. Clark Avenue (open 8 AM to midnight, every day of the year), get your marriage license, and have a Las Vegas courthouse wedding ceremony the same day. Pre-applying online speeds up the license process, and many wedding chapels accept same-day bookings.
Do we need to live in Nevada to get married in Las Vegas?
No. Nevada has no residency requirement for marriage. Couples from any U.S. state or any country in the world can obtain a Clark County marriage license and get married in Las Vegas.
What if one of us was previously married?
You’ll need to know the exact date and location where your previous marriage ended, whether by divorce or death of a spouse. You generally don’t need to bring physical documentation, but we recommend bringing your divorce decree or death certificate if your previous marriage involved a name change.
Do we need a witness for our Las Vegas wedding?
Yes. Nevada law requires at least one witness present at your wedding ceremony, separate from the officiant. If you’re eloping without guests, many Las Vegas wedding chapels and officiants can arrange a witness for you.
