Are Nevada Marriage Records Public?
Marriage records in Nevada are generally presumed to be public records. As such, they are available to any member of the public upon request. The Marriage Bureau units of the County Clerk and Recorder Offices disseminate these records. In some counties, these offices are known as County Clerk Offices or County Clerk and Treasurer Offices. It is important to note that marriage records are not alternatively managed in the Office of the Nevada Department of Public Health. The office is only capable of searching and verifying marriage records generated within the state.
Family Court records can include marriage records and divorce records. These records contain personal information of those involved and their maintenance is critical should anyone involved wish to make changes. Because of this both marriage and divorce records can be considered more difficult to locate and obtain than other public records and may not be available through government sources or third party public record websites.
How to Find Nevada Marriage Records
In Nevada, The easiest way to find marriage records is through the county clerk and recorder's office that issued the marriage license. Most County clerk and recorder offices maintain online search portals on their website, which members of the public can use to find, inspect, and order copies of public marriage records such as marriage licenses, certificates, and applications.
Nevada marriage records are documents describing marriages registered and contracted in the state. There are different types of marriage records available in Nevada. How these records are administered, where they are kept, and who can request them differ from one record type to another. While Nevada County Clerks and Recorders file, store, and release marriage records, the State Department of Public Health (DPBH) can help members of the public search and verify marriages that occurred within the state’s limits. The DPBH also maintains other Nevada vital records. The DPBH can verify divorces that took place within the state in addition to marriages. To obtain copies of divorce certificates, record seekers must contact the clerk's office of the county where the divorce was granted.
How to Find Out if Someone is Married in Nevada
Anyone seeking to determine if someone is married in Nevada can do so by searching for the subject's marriage records by using any of the methods listed below:
- Contact the Nevada Division of Health's (DPBH) Office of Vital Records to request a marriage record search.
- Make a request for the relevant marriage records to the clerk and recorder of the county where the marriage is thought to have taken place.
- Use online marriage record search portals maintained by county clerks and recorders on their websites.
How to Check Marriage Status Online
The easiest way to check a Nevada resident's marriage status is by using online marriage record search portals maintained by county clerks and recorders in the state. Most county clerks host these portals on their websites. These portals contain marriage records of recent marriages in a particular county that inquirers can inspect to verify a marriage’s status online. Some examples of these search portals are Washoe County self-service web portal, Clark County record search system, and Carson City record search portal.
Inquirers can find these portals by navigating the marriage section of a county’s official website or the county’s clerk or recorder website. Inquirers would need to provide certain details about the desired record on the search form provided on the search portal. These include the names of either spouse named in the record, the marriage year or range of possible wedding dates, and the marriage certificate number (if known).
How to Check Marriage Records for Free
Most marriage record search portals maintained by county clerks and recorders offices in Nevada are free to use. Thus members of the public can use these portals to perform marriage record searches in Nevada for free. To make further inquiries on how to check marriage records for free, inquirers can contact the county clerk or recorders. Inquirers may also be able to inspect Nevada public marriage records in person at a county clerk or recorder’s office.
What is Considered a Marriage Record in Nevada?
Nevada marriage records are official documents describing marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships approved in the state. These records include marriage licenses, marriage certificates, and other documents establishing the validity of marital unions. While different, these records share certain information and provide the following details:
- Names of the persons joined in domestic unions
- Dates and places of state-approved marriage ceremonies
Both government websites and organizations may offer divorce and marriage records. Similarly, third-party public record websites can also provide these types of records. But because third party organizations are not operated or sponsored by the government, record availability may vary. Further, marriage and divorce records are considered highly private and are often sealed, meaning availability of these types of records cannot be guaranteed.
How to Change Your Name After Marriage in Nevada
The first step for parties to change their name after marriage in Nevada is to obtain a marriage license before the wedding. A name change is not official until the party has registered their new name with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Then, they will need to visit an SSA office to complete a form-SS5 and provide a valid means of identification plus a copy of their marriage certificate.
The next step is to inform the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles about the name change. Nevadans can only do this after 48 hours of officially changing their name after marriage (after the SSA has approved the name change). After that, they will need to complete an application form and bring a copy of their marriage certificate and updated Social Security Card.
What is Considered a Marriage Certificate in Nevada?
Marriage certificates in the State of Nevada are official documents issued by authorized county offices after the completion of state-approved marriage ceremonies. These certificates serve as proof of marriage and exist in these three forms: certified certificates, certified abstracts, and apostilles. These three documents serve different purposes. Certified copies of marriage certificates are copies of the original certificates usually requested by government and private organizations. Certified abstracts and apostilles are needed by some agencies and foreign governments under special circumstances such as when applying for dual citizenship, during immigration, and for establishing inheritances and property ownership.
How Do I Obtain a Copy of My Marriage Certificate in Nevada?
Order for a Nevada marriage certificate or proof of marriage at the County Clerk and Recorder Office of the particular county where the marriage license was purchased. Generally, these offices allow the public to submit their requests:
- In person
- By mail
- Online
In Person:
Visit the County Clerk and Recorder Office in the county where the marriage of interest was recorded. Make sure to bring along the appropriate fees and required documents. The fee for a certified copy of a marriage certificate varies from one county to another but is usually between $5 and $20. Contact the County Clerk and Recorder Office beforehand to ascertain their current rates.
By mail:
Where this service is available, requesters will be required to send written applications, copies of acceptable IDs, applicable fees, and self-addressed stamped envelopes to the County Clerk and Recorder Office of interest. Some of these offices provide downloadable marriage certificate application forms on their websites to ease the application processes. Also, call the office to determine the actual copy fee for obtaining marriage certificates and the acceptable methods of payment.
Online:
Most counties in Nevada accept online requests for copies of marriage certificates. To submit an application online, visit the website of the county or city where the marriage record of interest was generated. Find the webpage for the city or county’s Clerk and Recorder and then navigate to the marriage record order page.
What is Considered a Marriage License in Nevada?
Marriage licenses in Nevada must be acquired by prospective couples before performing formal marriage ceremonies within the state’s borders. A marriage license usually contains the personal information of the two parties intending to marry such as their full names, dates of birth, and places of residence. If either party was previously married, the license will also include the number of previous marriages, as well as the times and locations of divorces ending these prior unions. To be eligible to obtain Nevada marriage licenses, applicants must be 18 years or older. Minors above 17 years but are not yet 18 years of age must obtain parental consents and court orders from the state District Courts.
Are Marriage Licenses Public Record in Nevada
Pursuant to the provisions of NRS 239.010, documents pertaining to marriage licenses are public records. As such, these records and documents are open for public inspection and copying. There are no eligibility requirements for requesting or inspecting copies of public marriage license records.
Nevada Formal Marriage Licenses
Formal marriage licenses in Nevada are the state-issued documents procured by potential couples before their marriage ceremonies. These documents are strictly issued at the county level by the various County Clerks and Recorders in the state. Typically, Nevada marriage licenses usually take one year to expire. To be eligible to apply for a marriage license in the State of Nevada, applicants must be 18 years or older, non-blood relatives, and not in any current marriage. The state does not demand additional requirements such as medical examinations, blood tests, and residency. However, minors (older than 17 years but not 18 yet) must prove they are residents of Nevada before obtaining court orders approving their marriages.
Nevada Common Law Marriage Licenses
Nevada is one of the earliest states to abolish common-law marriages. A common law marriage is a type of marriage in which two parties are considered to be legally married simply out of habit and living together. While this type of marriage is not possible in Nevada, the state allows unmarried cohabiting partners to enter cohabitation agreement contracts. These contracts grant cohabiting couples permission to mutually establish property rights and obligations. Given that cohabitation agreement contracts lack the strength of marriage certificates, separation benefits such as alimony, spousal support, and child support, will not be upheld by any court in the state.
How Do I Get a Marriage License in Nevada?
Potential couples can obtain marriage licenses from the Marriage License Bureau Units of the various County Clerk and Recorder Offices in person only. Both partners must visit the office of interest with valid IDs, applicable fees, and birth certificates. Most county Clerk and Recorder Offices provide downloadable marriage license application forms on their respective websites. Find the webpage for the county’s Clerk and Recorder Office, then navigate to the marriage license order page to access the form. Save time when applying for a marriage license in person by printing and completing this form before visiting the specific office of choice.
Submitted identity cards must be government-issued photo documents. Acceptable IDs include driver’s licenses, passports, U.S identity cards, and state employee cards. The actual fees for procuring marriage licenses vary from one office to another. However, the average fee schedule across counties is between $60 and $75. Acceptable payment methods include cash, money order, credit cards, and debit cards.
Are Prenups Public Record in Nevada?
Per NRS 123A.030, a prenup also known as a premarital agreement is an agreement between prospective spouses made before their marriage and becomes effective upon marriage. There are no provisions in state legislation that require prenuptial agreements to be open to the public or kept private.
