What Are Nevada Marriage Records?

Nevada marriage records, maintained since 1864, document marital unions within the state and serve as official proof of marriage. These records typically include two key components: marriage licenses and marriage certificates.

A marriage license is issued before the wedding and authorizes the couple to marry, while a marriage certificate is provided after the ceremony as legal proof that the marriage occurred. Both documents contain important information, such as the following:

• The names of the couple
• The date and location of the marriage
• Witnesses
• Officiant details

For further details, Nevada Revised Statutes, Chapter 122, outlines the legal framework governing marriage documentation.

Marriage records are essential for various legal and personal purposes. They verify marital status for matters like estate planning, spousal benefits, and immigration. Additionally, they hold genealogical value, helping individuals trace family histories.

Are Marriage Certificates Public Records?

In Nevada, marriage certificates are not fully accessible to the general public per the Nevada Public Records Act. Access to these records is limited to specific individuals, such as the following:

• The spouses named on the certificate
• Immediate family members
• Legal representatives
• Those with written authorization from one of the spouses

This restriction guarantees the protection of sensitive information while granting access to those with a legitimate connection or need.

While the certificates themselves are private, some basic details from marriage records, like the following, may be available to the public:

• Names of the spouses
• Date of the marriage

However, sensitive information, such as personal addresses, telephone numbers, or other identifying information of a natural person, is typically redacted.

How To Look Up Marriage Records in Nevada?

Marriage records in Nevada are maintained by various government agencies, primarily the county clerk's offices. Some counties began keeping marriage records as early as Nevada's statehood in 1864. These counties are authorized to issue certified copies of these records.

Additionally, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) through the Division of Public and Behavioral Health (DPBH), Office of Vital Records, maintains statewide indexes for marriage records. However, the index is only for historical and statistical purposes, and the office does not issue certified copies of marriage records.

To look up or obtain copies of marriage records, individuals typically need to provide the necessary details and pay the associated fees.

How To Search Marriage Certificates?

Individuals can obtain either a certified or informational copy of a marriage certificate in Nevada:

• Certified Copy: This is an official document issued by the county clerk's office and is typically used for legal purposes, such as name changes or spousal benefits.
• Informational Copy: This contains the same details but is marked as "informational" and is not valid for legal use.

In Nevada, individuals can obtain marriage certificate copies in several ways:

In-Person

To obtain a certified copy of a marriage certificate:

• Identify the county clerk where the marriage license was issued.
• Prepare the necessary information, such as:
  • Full names of the spouses
  • Date of marriage
  • Location or marriage
• Go to the identified county clerk's office and complete the appropriate request form.
• If necessary, submit proof of identity, such as a current government-issued ID.
• Pay the required fees.
• Submit the request and wait for processing.

Mail

Individuals can also request marriage records by mail through the following:

• DPBH Office of Vital Records
  • Print and complete the Request for Marriage or Divorce Search of Records.
  • Fill out the form with the required information, such as the following:
    • Type of search, e.g., marriage
    • Names of the bride and groom
    • The requester's name, address, and phone number

  • Prepare a check or money order of $10 addressed to the Office of Vital Records for the fees.

    Note: Credit cards are also accepted but will require anAuthorization for Credit Card Use form and a valid ID.

  • Mail the forms and fees in a single package addressed to:

• County Clerk's Office

  Identify the county clerk's office that issued the marriage license. Some counties do have online requests, but only for a limited number of records. In this case, these counties offer mail requests. Make sure to double-check it with the county.

  The specific steps may vary slightly, but this example uses Washoe County as a reference: Requests for their marriage records before 1965 must be submitted by mail. Here are the steps:

• Complete the Request for Marriage Record (Copy Request) form.
• Provide the necessary information.
• Mail the form with the $15 check or money order to:

Email copies will take 24 to 48 hours, while paper copies will take 5 to 10 business days.

Online

For online requests, individuals can:

• Go to the search portal of the county clerk's office that issued the marriage license. Here are some examples:
  • Washoe County Clerk Self-Service Web
  • Carson County Clerk Search Portal
  • Clark County Clerk Marriage Record Search
• Enter the necessary information and pay the required fees.
• Wait for the processing time to receive the results by email or mail.

How To Search Marriage Licenses?

Marriage licenses are maintained by the county clerk's office, where the license was originally issued. To obtain a copy of a marriage license, the steps may vary per county but generally be as follows:

• Identify the specific county where the license was issued.
• Provide the required information, such as full names, date of marriage, and license number, if available.
• Submit a request through the appropriate request forms.
• Pay associated fees.

Some counties offer online search tools where, aside from marriage certificates, marriage licenses can be searched. To confirm if online searches are available, reach out to the county clerk's office that issued the license.

How To Search Marriage Records Online?

In addition to official county resources, several online options are available for searching marriage records in Nevada:

• Nevada State Archives: The State Archives have marriage records for genealogical purposes. However, these records are usually from before the 1900s. Check their digital resources to access their records online.
• Commercial Record Retrieval Services: Websites like RecordsFinder.com provide tools to search for marriage records online. While these services do not issue certified copies, they can confirm whether a marriage occurred and provide basic details.

Depending on the platform, individuals may need specific details and pay fees to access or download information to use these online resources.

When Can You Access Confidential Marriage Records?

A confidential marriage is a type of marriage in which the record is not made available to the general public for the privacy of the couple involved. Couples may choose a confidential marriage to protect their personal information from being accessed, whether for safety, personal, or professional reasons.

In Nevada, confidential marriages are not permitted, as the state does not recognize this type of union. All marriage records in Nevada, while private to some extent, are required to be registered and accessible to authorized individuals under Nevada law.

For couples in Nevada concerned about privacy, there are limited options available. While they cannot obtain a confidential marriage license, they can take steps to limit the dissemination of their marriage information. This may involve court intervention to seal certain records or restrict access to specific details.

How Do You Apply for a Marriage License?

Individuals who want to obtain marriage licenses in Nevada must meet the following requirements:

Identification Required

Both partners must present valid, government-issued photo identification, such as a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. This ensures that the applicants' identities and ages are verified.

Age Requirements

To marry legally in Nevada, individuals must be at least 18 years old. Applicants aged 16 or 17 can marry with the written consent of at least one parent or legal guardian who must be present during the application process. Those under 16 years old require a court order in addition to parental consent.

Residency Requirement

Nevada does not require applicants to be state residents, making it accessible for out-of-state and international couples seeking to marry in the state.

License Validity

Marriage licenses in Nevada are valid for one year from the date of issuance. Couples must marry within this timeframe, or they will need to apply for a new license.

Waiting Periods

Nevada does not have a waiting period for marriage licenses, so couples can marry as soon as they receive their license.

Officiants and Witnesses

While Nevada does not require witnesses for a marriage ceremony, the officiant performing the ceremony must be authorized to do so under Nevada law. Officiants must be licensed or registered within the state to ensure the marriage is legally binding.

Blood Test Requirement

Nevada does not require blood tests or medical examinations for marriage license applicants.

Proxy Marriage

Proxy marriages are not permitted in Nevada. Both individuals must be present during the application process and the marriage ceremony.

How Do I Correct a Mistake on My Marriage Certificate?

Corrections to marriage certificates are possible in Nevada, but the process varies depending on the error and the issuing county.

The types of errors that may occur include the following:

• Spelling mistakes in names (first, middle, or last names)
• Incorrect dates (e.g., marriage date or birth date)
• Typos in addresses or places of birth
• Errors in officiant or witness information

To correct the errors, individuals can follow these general steps:

• Contact the county clerk's office where the marriage license or certificate was issued, as procedures may vary slightly by county.
• Prepare supporting documents that verify the correct information. This typically includes:
  • A government-issued ID
  • A birth certificate or other legal documents
  • The marriage certificate or license with the error
• Visit the county clerk's office in person, although some counties may accept requests by mail or online.
• Complete the appropriate affidavit of correction form. For example, Washoe County has the Affidavit for Correction of a Marriage Certificate.
• Pay the processing fees, which can vary by county. In Washoe County, corrections incur a recording fee of $38.

Note: If the errors were clerical mistakes made by the county clerk, no fee is charged.

After submitting a correction request, processing times can vary but generally take around 2 to 4 weeks once all necessary information is received.

Are Marriage Records Under the Nevada Confidentiality Address Program (CAP) Accessible?

Nevada's Confidentiality Address Program(CAP) offers protection to victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and other related crimes. The program provides a substitute address for use in public records to keep the participant's physical address confidential and safe from potential threats.

While Nevada does not permit fully confidential marriages, CAP participants can use the substitute address on marriage records, including licenses and certificates. These records are also not accessible to the general public. Access is restricted to authorized individuals or by court order.

To enroll in the CAP, individuals must meet specific criteria and apply through a certified advocate.

Nevada Marriage Statistics and Trends

As of 2019, approximately 53% of U.S. adults aged 18 and older were married, a decline from 58% in 1995. This decrease is more pronounced among younger adults, with only 18% of those under 30 married in 2019, compared to 31% in 1995.

Conversely, cohabitation has risen, with 7% of adults living with an unmarried partner in 2019, up from 3% in 1995.

As for Nevada, the table below breaks down different marriage statistics:

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