Getting Married in Las Vegas

What do I need in order to get married in Vegas?

A willing participant would be a good first start, but after that all you need is a marriage license from the Clark County Marriage Bureau. A license from your state is no good here.

Where do I get a license?

The Clark County Marriage Bureau is located at 201 Clark Avenue in Downtown Las Vegas. They are open open 7 days a week from 8am until midnight. Amazing but true.

How much does it cost?

$77 payable by cash, cashier’s check, or money order. You can pay with a credit card online but there are additional fees of about $5. If you pay online, you still have to go to the bureau to get the actual license.

Do I need to make an appointment?

No, just show up. Although be warned that you may have a substantial wait, especially on busy weekends or holiday periods. Budget a couple of hours for this process. Note that you can fill out the application online up to 60 days ahead of your wedding date, which may say you time at the marriage license office.

Is there anything I need to bring with me?

Your partner – both must be present and accounted for in order to get a license. You also will need to prove how old you are (with a birth certificate, driver’s license, passport, or the like) and provide your social security number.

Do I need to get a blood test first?

Nope – they’ll trust you.

Is there a waiting period?

No. So if you want to marry that guy you met a couple of hours ago in line at the seafood buffet, you’re good to go.

How old do you have to be?

18 is the minimum age although you can get married as young as 16 if you have parental consent.

I’m divorced. Do I need to bring along any paperwork or proof?

All you really need is to know the month, year, city, and state in which it was final but bring along the papers anyway. It’s not required but it’ll help speed up the process.

Is gay marriage legal in Nevada?

Yes, it is legal in all 50 states. It’s worth nothing that you may feel more welcome at one of the major hotel chapels than one of the smaller independent places – laws may change but it takes awhile for hearts and minds to catch up.

How do I contact the Clark County Marriage Bureau if I have more questions?

You can call them at 702-455-4415 or you can visit their website at Clark County Marriage License Information.

Most of the major (and many of the minor) hotels and resorts in Las Vegas have full-service wedding chapels on site. Here are a few that I have seen that I thought were special enough to mention to you.

There are dozens of wedding chapels in Las Vegas offering every type of wedding imaginable. These are just a few of the ones that we have toured that stood out for one reason or another.

Cupid’s Wedding Chapel
827 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 800-543-2933, 702-598-4444
This is probably the friendliest chapel on The Strip, where you may very well see the staff crying right along with you as you get married. They specialize in family weddings that will include your kids – a nice touch.

Graceland Wedding Chapel
619 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 800-824-5732, 702-382-0091
A pleasant and very friendly “mom & pop” style chapel that may not be the nicest in terms of surroundings, but still offers a laid back atmosphere in which to tie the proverbial knot.

Little Chapel of the Flowers
1717 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 800-843-2410, 702-735-4331
Billed as the largest freestanding chapel in Vegas, there are multiple chapels on the grounds (from big to intimate), all lovingly designed and decorated. They have a full array of services to make your special day as easy as possible.

Little Church of the West
4617 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 702-739-7971
This quaint little chapel on the south end of The Strip is consistently voted a favorite by Las Vegas locals. It’s small but filled with charm and personality.

Special Memory Chapel
800 S. Fourth St. (near downtown). 800-962-7798, 702-384-2211
This clean, modern facility is designed to resemble a New England style church and features a large (by Vegas standards), airy, high-ceilinged chapel and a bridal mini-mall for flowers, tuxes, gowns, and more. Very friendly staff too.

Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel
1205 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 800-574-4450, 702-384-0771
A very large chapel with a southwestern motif offers soaring ceilings and plenty of light – something rare in Vegas chapels. Be sure to check out their themed weddings – from beach party to disco – they’re a hoot!

Wedding Bells Chapel
2955 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 800-305-9040, 702-731-2355
The chapel itself is nothing to write home about but the outdoor garden gazebo weddings will allow you to get married with the Las Vegas Strip as a backdrop.

Wee Kirk o’ the Heather
231 Las Vegas Blvd. South. 800-843-5266, 702-382-9830
They claim to be the oldest wedding chapel in Las Vegas – since 1940! In a town that seems to delight in tearing down its history, we feel this small, friendly chapel is worth including just for that.

It’s pretty easy to get married in Las Vegas. All you need is a photo ID and a willing participant to get a marriage license. Perhaps that’s why 86,203 of them were issued in 2012. That’s more than Chicago, Miami, and Dallas issued that year combined!

Of that rather stunning total, about 1,500 will get used on Valentine’s Day, the busiest single day of the year for weddings in Vegas. Many of the hotel and stand-alone chapels stay open 24 hours, with people lined up for their chance to say “I Do.”

Yes, marriage is big business for Las Vegas, so it is no surprise that you can get married almost anywhere. Need proof? Here are some one-of-a-kind spots in Sin City where you can exchange vows:

Bellagio Fountains
People pay a lot of money for stunning backdrops for their wedding photos but just imagine the iconic dancing waters at Bellagio framing your happy couple pose. The hotel offers a variety of packages that allow you to get married overlooking the Bellagio Fountains and even chose your own show soundtrack.

Eiffel Tower Ride
There are many great views in Vegas but few of them are as stunning as those from the Eiffel Tower Ride at Paris Las Vegas. Couples can get married atop the tower with other couples getting married at the Bellagio Fountains across the street as a backdrop.

Kiss by Monster Mini Golf
I had an opportunity to watch a wedding at the chapel at this Kiss themed attraction and it was as silly as you’d expect it to be – but also kinda sweet. A Gene Simmons impersonator officiates and there will be singing involved.

The Mob Museum
Maybe a shotgun wedding is more your style? You can work out your Bugsy Siegel or Vito Corleone fantasies at this fantastic facility dedicated to the history of organized crime. Let’s just hope your spouse is all you wake up in bed with afterward.

The Neon Museum
Among the rescued signs at the terrific Neon Museum are several from long-gone wedding chapels around town. The facility offers couples the chance to get married among these historic masterpieces, giving you a one-of-a-kind backdrop.

Mirage Volcano
Speaking of backdrops, picture yourself standing in front of a mountain of fire and water in the form of the Mirage Volcano. Get a night time slot for the best photo opportunities.

New York-New York Roller Coaster
Thrill seekers can come here to New York-New York and get married while flying along at more than 60 miles per hour on the hotel’s roller coaster….

Stratosphere Thrill Ride Weddings
…or they can come here to The Stratosphere and get married on any of the hotel’s sky-high thrill rides. With Sky Jump you could take the plunge literally!

Viva Las Vegas Wedding Chapel
Of all the independent chapels in town, this one is the most classically Vegas offering all manners of themed weddings from Elvis to vampires to showgirls to aliens and beyond. If you want to take your marriage seriously but want a fun wedding, this is the place you should go. Visit their website.