What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in Vegas?
Published October 11, 2022
Las Vegas has long been a hotspot for weddings. It’s known for its numerous iconic chapels, world-class entertainment, and otherworldly venues. But if you’re more interested in the practical side of Vegas, you might be more familiar with the fact that Vegas has one of the fastest marriage processes in the world. In fact, a lot of people may tell you that it takes less than an hour to get a marriage license in Vegas.
That can make you wonder, is it really that fast, and if so, what’s the reason for Las Vegas’ speedy marriage process? And to be even more precise, “What documents do I need to get married in Vegas?”
What Documents Do I Need to Get Married in Vegas?
Las Vegas is lenient with document requirements. However, the requirements would depend on your age.
For instance, those aged 16 to 17 must provide more documents than those aged 18 and above if they want to get married. That being said, here’s a look at what you need if you’re over 18 years old:
- Any government-issued document for proof of name and age (e.g., driver’s license, passport, etc.)
That’s pretty much the only document you need. By now, you should be starting to understand why many people go to Vegas to get married. But again, it depends on your age, whether you’re underage or not.
If you’re 16 to 17 years old, which is highly unlikely, you need a couple more documents, including:
- A certified/original copy of birth certificates from both parties
- A notarized affidavit of consent showing your birth date and your relationship with the person giving the consent and writing the affidavit
- Proof of identity of your parents and other people who need to give consent
- Proof of legal guardianship of the people who have given you consent to marry
That’s the only scenario where you must provide documents other than proof of identification. And no, if you’re widowed or divorced, you won’t need to bring the records proving so, though they would help.
You do need to provide the date (month, day, and year) when and place (city and state) where you finalized the divorce. The place is easy to remember, but you might struggle to recall the exact date. If so, you don’t need to provide the precise date. Just enter a date closest to what you recall. Lastly, you must provide your social security number if you’re a US citizen. But you don’t need to bring the card.
That’s pretty much all the document requirements for how to get a marriage license in Las Vegas. If you thought marriages in Las Vegas were just slightly more lenient, this might’ve caught you by surprise.
They’re on a completely different level of convenience, especially when compared to other states in the US. Now, you might wonder, “Is it normally this easy to get married, and if not, how hard is it usually?”
What Are The Requirements To Get Married In Usa?
It’s important to understand that the marriage process in Las Vegas is not normal. That may be difficult to comprehend if you’re not aware of the document requirements of other states, so here’s a breakdown:
- A government-issued document for proof of identity
- A birth certificate, in some states
- Certificate of divorce, if you’re divorced
- Death certificate, if you’re widowed
These four documents are not that hard to obtain, so is there really such a massive difference in speed and convenience between marriages in Las Vegas and other states? you may ask. Well, for one, the Las Vegas marriage requirements aren’t the only reason why the city is called the “marriage capital of the world.”
Other Reasons Why Vegas is the “Marriage Capital of the World”
Most of the documents you must prepare during the entire “getting married” process are for the Vegas marriage license requirements. Apart from getting a license, there are other things you need to do.
However, in Las Vegas, those other things are also made easier, and here’s why:
- There’s no waiting period.
Normally, you must wait for one to six weeks before the Bureau mails the marriage license.
- You don’t have to take a blood test, but you don’t have to in most states, too, except in New York.
- You only need one witness, which most chapels in Las Vegas can provide for free.
Other states require two witnesses, usually one parent from each partner.
- You can pre-register for a license via a website to speed things up.
Keep in mind that both of you must be present when getting a marriage license. In addition, you must pay $102 via debit or credit card. These are requirements in other states as well, not just in Las Vegas.
The Bottom Line
You now know how to get married in Vegas, as well as just how easy it is to gather all the documents you need. But while that may give you a reason to do things at the last minute, it’s best if you do things the way you would in other states. That way, you can save time, and you can then spend that time on other things, like taking a trip around Vegas and enjoying your last few days as an unmarried couple.
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About The Author
Lenard Arceo is an experienced blogger and writer who enjoys learning to code in his spare time. His commitment to delivering factual content is what has helped him create hundred of helpful articles that have reached millions of people.