All ministers and "other persons authorized to perform marriages" must obtain a Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages from the County Clerk. The performance of marriages is a serious responsibility. Getting married changes a couple's vital records. In addition, it often affects their finances, including disbursement of retirement account, distribution of Social Security benefits and beneficiary designations on life insurance policies, to name just a few. It is the Clerk's responsibility to ensure that individuals who solemnize marriages perform this duty responsibility, and process vital documents according to state law.
For Ministers who currently hold a Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages in the State of Nevada
We have updated and revised the instructions for processing the documents associated with the wedding ceremony. That information can be accessed here. We have also provided these instructions in Spanish and that information can be accessed here. Please review this information before submitting documentation to the Clark County Recorder's Office.
Nevada Ministers Public Search
The Nevada Secretary of State's office has created a database containing information on ministers, military chaplains and other persons authorized who have been granted Certificates to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada. Each county clerk updates the database when an individual from his/her county is approved or removed from active status. The Nevada Minister Public Search allows the public to search by name, church affiliation, or county.
For Ministers who wish to apply for a Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages in the State of Nevada
Chapter 122 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) governs the issuance of Certificates of Authority to Solemnize Marriages. You must be a licensed, ordained, or appointed minister or other person authorized to solemnize a marriage in good standing within your church or religious organization; your church or religious organization must be incorporated, organized or established in this state (except for out-of-state ministers); and your ministry must be one of service to a church or religious organization. NRS 122.062 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) outlines the authority to perform marriages.
To obtain a Certificate of Authority to Solemnize a Marriage in the State of Nevada, please complete and submit the appropriate application from the Application section of this page.
Application Processing
Processing of the application, including completion of the background check, requires approximately 45 days. To avoid delays in processing, applicants should ensure all questions are answered and the documents are signed by the appropriate party and notarized. Applicants must submit original documents with original signatures and notary stamps. Your certificate will be sent to you via U.S. mail.
Background checks are required for Permanent, Retired Status, and Temporary Replacement Applications. The non-refundable fee for this background check is $45.00. Additional information is contained in the individual application packets.
Temporary Applications (out-of-state ministers) do not require a background check. However, Temporary Applications should be submitted 30 days in advance to allow sufficient processing time.
Applications
To apply for a Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages in the State of Nevada, click on the appropriate application below. Applications are interactive. This enables the user to enter information directly into the appropriate fields and print out the completed form. Applications cannot be submitted online or faxed.
Permanent Certificate of Authority (Local Applicants only)
For first-time applicants or previous certificate holders who have been removed, changed churches or religious organizations.
Temporary Certificate of Authority (Out-of-State Applicants) For out-of-state applicants: NRS 122 provides that a licensed, ordained or appointed minister, or other person authorized to solemnize a marriage in good standing with his/her church or religious organization, or who is retired if he/she had active charge of a church or religious organization for a period of at least 3 years, whose residence and church or religious organization is in another state may perform marriages in the county if authorized to do so by the county clerk. A separate authorization is required for each marriage performed. Such a minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages may perform not more than five marriages in this state in any calendar year.
For temporary replacement applicants: A temporary certificate may be obtained for a local applicant filling in for another minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages during an absence for a period not to exceed 90 days. Please contact Minister Licensing at 671-3061 for instructions.
Retired Status Certificate of Authority (Local Applicants only)
For current certificate holders wishing to change their certificate to "Retired Status" or applicants who wish to file an initial application for a "Retired Status" Certificate. NRS 122 states that the fact that a minister is retired does not disqualify him from obtaining a certificate of authority to perform marriages if, before his/her retirement, he/she had active charge of a church or religious organization for a period of at least 3 years.
When a Nevada retired minister, or other person currently authorized to solemnize a marriage in the State of Nevada, moves from one county to another, his/her certificate remains valid. A Notice of Relocation of Resident County must be submitted to the County Clerk in the new county of residence. This Notice of Relocation can be accessed here or through our Forms page.
Retired Status - Temporary Certificate of Authority (Out-of-State Applicants Only)
For those persons who are retired and wishing to apply for a Temporary Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages in the State of Nevada.
Military Chaplain
For military chaplains in the Armed Forces of the United States stationed in Nevada. The application must be accompanied by proof of military status and current assignment as a military chaplain.