Getting married in Las Vegas is famously easy, and the marriage license is the one piece of “paperwork” you actually have to do. The good news: it is quick, it is open late, and if you pre-apply online you can be in and out in about 20 minutes. Here is the whole thing, start to finish, with nothing left out.
The 20-minute version (the short answer)
- Pre-apply online before you travel so you can use the faster Express line.
- Both of you go in person to the Marriage License Bureau at 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101.
- Bring a government photo ID each (driver’s license or passport). Your names on the application have to match your ID exactly.
- Pay the $102 fee (a small convenience fee is added if you pay by card).
- Walk out with your license. There is no waiting period, so you can get married that same day.
That is really it. No blood test, no residency, no appointment required. Let’s go through each part so nothing surprises you.
Your Las Vegas marriage license at a glance
| What | The detail |
|---|---|
| Fee | $102 (small convenience fee for card payments) |
| Where | Marriage License Bureau, 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101 |
| Hours | 8:00 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week, every holiday |
| ID | Government photo ID each (driver’s license or passport) |
| Waiting period | None, marry the same day |
| Witness | One required, not your officiant |
| Valid for | One year from the date issued |
| Appointment | Not required (pre-apply online for the Express line) |
Step 1: Pre-apply online (this is the time-saver)
Clark County lets you fill out the application online in advance through the County Clerk’s pre-application portal. Both people complete their own information, and again, the names have to match your ID exactly. Once you pre-apply, your application stays in the system for a full year, and it lets you skip into the faster Express line when you get there. If you are flying in, do this before you leave home. It is the single easiest way to make the in-person part fast.
Step 2: Go to the Marriage License Bureau
Both of you have to appear together in person to pick up the license. Here is where and when:
- Address: Marriage License Bureau, 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101
- Phone: (702) 671-0600
- Hours: 8:00 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week, every single holiday, no exceptions
Those late hours are a lifesaver. You can land in the evening and still grab your license the same night. If you pre-applied and it is not a peak rush, many couples are in and out in around 20 minutes. On busy weekends and holidays the line runs longer, so give yourself a little buffer.
Step 3: Bring the right ID
Each of you needs a current, government-issued photo ID. A driver’s license works, and so does a passport, which is what most of my international couples use. Two things to remember: you both need to be at least 18 and currently unmarried, and the names on your application have to match your IDs exactly. If your ID has your full middle name, use your full middle name on the application.
Step 4: Pay the $102
The Clark County marriage license fee is $102. You can pay cash or by card, and paying by credit or debit adds a small convenience fee. That is the county fee for the license itself. Your chapel or officiant is separate.
Step 5: Get married (no waiting period)
There is no waiting period in Nevada, so the moment you have the license you can head straight to your ceremony. The license is valid for one year from the day it is issued, which is why plenty of couples pick up the license the day before and keep the wedding day relaxed.
You will need one witness at the ceremony. Someone other than your officiant has to witness you saying your vows. If it is just the two of you, do not worry, your chapel or officiant can provide a witness for you.
Step 6: After the ceremony (filing and your certificate)
Here is the part almost nobody explains. After you say “I do,” your officiant signs the license and returns it to the County Clerk to be filed. That filing is what makes the marriage official on the record.
The marriage license and the marriage certificate are not the same thing. The license is your permission to marry. The certificate is the proof that you did, and it is what you will need for name changes, banks, immigration paperwork, and anything official. You order the certified certificate separately from the County Clerk after the license is filed. If you are changing your name, request a certified copy (or a few), because that is the document offices will ask for.
One thing I beg my couples to do
Siga’s tip: Keep your marriage license on you before you leave your hotel or Airbnb on the wedding day. The one hiccup I see is a couple who left the license back at the room, got to the chapel, and could not start until someone drove back for it. You cannot get married without it. Tuck it in your bag the night before and you are golden.
Marriage license FAQ
How much is a Las Vegas marriage license?
It is $102 in Clark County. Paying by credit or debit card adds a small convenience fee. Cash avoids that fee.
Is there a waiting period to get married in Las Vegas?
No. Nevada has no waiting period, so you can get married the same day, and even the same hour, that you get your license.
Where do you get a marriage license in Las Vegas?
At the Clark County Marriage License Bureau, 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101, open 8:00 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, including every holiday.
Do we need an appointment?
No appointment is required. Pre-applying online lets you use the faster Express line, and if it is not a peak time you can often be done in around 20 minutes.
What ID do we need for a Las Vegas marriage license?
Each person needs a current government photo ID, such as a driver’s license or a passport. The names on your application must match your ID exactly, and you both need to be at least 18 and currently unmarried.
Do we need a witness?
Yes, you need one witness, and it has to be someone other than your officiant. If you are eloping just the two of you, your chapel or officiant can provide a witness.
How long is the marriage license valid?
One year from the date it is issued. That is why some couples pick it up the day before the wedding.
Do we need a blood test?
No. Nevada does not require a blood test.
How do we get the marriage certificate afterward?
After your officiant files the signed license, you order the certified marriage certificate separately from the Clark County Clerk. That certificate is the document you use for name changes and anything official, so request a certified copy if you plan to change your name.
Ready for the fun part?
The license is the errand. The wedding is the good part. If you are marrying at the famous Little White Wedding Chapel, or you want to bring your own photographer so your day looks like you and not a template, that is exactly what I do almost every day. Marrying soon and short on time? Here is my last-minute Vegas elopement page. And if you are flying in from abroad, read Eloping to Las Vegas from the UK, Australia & Beyond next, since your passport does the job at the bureau and there is one extra step to know about back home.
Have a question about your timeline or your license run? You can send it to me right here, and I am happy to help you map out the day.
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