Granted, it’s not as easy as the movies make it look. You still need to get your marriage license before you say “I do”. Getting a Las Vegas marriage license requires no waiting period, no blood test, and no appointment. You quite literally just show up with the right documents and walk out with a license in hand. Here’s exactly what that looks like to make your elopement planning experience seamless.





The Clark County Marriage License Bureau is open every single day of the year, holidays included, from 8am to midnight. No appointment necessary (we know, it feels a little unreal if you’re used to government offices, especially in the U.S).
If you want to shave a few minutes off your visit, you can fill out the online pre-application ahead of time. It will hold your info in the system and provide a confirmation number to bring along. It does not replace the in-person step, so both you and your partner will need to show up together.
$102, payable in cash or by card only. No checks are accepted. If you pay by card, it will bump your total up a few dollars for the county’s card processing fee. Fees are set by the Nevada State Legislature and/or the Clark County Board of Commissioners, and are subject to change or modification without prior notice, so always be sure to take this as a general guide and check the actual Clark County Marriage License Bureau website.
Thankfully there’s no waiting period. No blood test. No witness required to get the license itself, though you will need one for the actual ceremony. Nevada doesn’t make this complicated, which is most of why people fly here to do it in the first place.
The Bureau doesn’t take appointments, and lines stretch long on Saturdays, holidays, and any date with repeating numbers (yes, that’s a real thing here). If your elopement lands on one of those days, grab your license a day or two early instead. Nothing about the process requires same-day timing, so there’s no upside to risking the line.
Your license stays valid for one year from the day it’s issued. Once you’re married, your officiant has up to ten days to file the marriage certificate. Need it sooner? Just ask your officiant directly, most are used to the request. A certified copy of your marriage certificate runs $20.
Coming from outside the US? Most countries will want that certified certificate plus an Apostille from the Nevada Secretary of State before they’ll recognize the marriage back home.
Once you’ve got that paperwork in hand, the next question is where you’re actually saying “I do.” If you’re eyeing the neon-lit classic, our Little White Chapel master guide covers everything you need to know before you book. Not sure what your day should include? Our guide to choosing the right Las Vegas elopement package breaks down your options so you
Planning the whole thing from scratch? Start with how to plan a Vegas elopement. And when you’re ready to lock in your photographer and your personal paparazzi, reach out to us. We’d love to hear your story.
Want your day to be memorable and not just legal? Here are 10 ways to make your Las Vegas elopement iconic.
Thanks for checking out these tips & tricks! We’re a husband-and-wife photography + content creation team based in Las Vegas. We photograph your special day while also creating the candid BTS clips and highlight video you actually want to keep after the ceremony. If you already know you want Fremont Street in the mix, tell us what you’re envisioning and we’ll help you build the route around it.
Inquire with us by filling out the form on our website. Let’s create something iconic together!

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