Frequently Asked Questions
• Is there a fee for processing an Application for Authority to Solemnize Marriages?
No. However, background checks are performed on all applicants, with the exception of the temporary out-of-state minister applicants and U.S. Armed Forces chaplain applications. There is a $45 fee for the background check which goes to the third party vendor conducting the investigation. Details regarding payment of these fees are included in the application instructions.
Send it to Washoe County Clerk's Office, Minister Licensing, P.O. Box 30083, Reno, NV 89520. If you are sending it via express mail, send to 75 Court Street, Reno, NV 89501.
NRS 122.064, Subsection 3 (c), mandates that "…the county clerk shall, before approving an initial application, satisfy himself that: …the applicant has not been convicted of a felony, released from confinement or completed his parole or probation, whichever occurs later, within 10 years before the date of the application." A background check will be conducted by a third party vendor on all Permanent Applications, Retired Status (local ministers only) Applications and Temporary Replacement Applications. The nonrefundable fee for this background check is $45 payable by the applicant. Additional information is contained in the individual Application packets.
The turnaround time for a permanent authorization is 2-3 weeks, depending on the results of the background check. If everything is in order, the certificate will be mailed to the home address of the applicant. If there is a problem with the paperwork, there will be a delay in issuing the certificate until any and all issues are resolved.
Yes, just make sure to include the special instructions when you submit your application. Please note that we cannot express or priority mail certificates unless it is through the post office using a self-addressed, pre-paid Express Mail or Priority Mail envelope that is provided to us with your application package.
Address changes for church or religious organization or the minister's home address require completion of a Change of Address form. Please notify us of address changes on the appropriate form and return it to the address listed above. Certificate holders will need to reapply if they change to a new church or religious organization. Applications can be obtained online.
Certificate holders will need to reapply if they change to Retired Status. There is a separate application for a Retired Status Certificate. To obtain a Retired Status Certificate you must have had active charge of a church or religious organization in the State of Nevada for a period of at least three years.
Removal of a minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages is accomplished by an Affidavit of Revocation of Authority to Solemnize Marriages which needs to be completed by someone authorized to speak on behalf of the church or religious organization. We will also accept a letter from the minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages if he or she wishes to voluntarily notify us.
NRS 122 provides that the form be signed by an individual authorized to speak on behalf of your church or religious organization. It could be someone such as a member of the board, an officer of the organization, or someone else within your organization who has authority to speak for your church or religious organization. You cannot sign on your own behalf.
According to NRS 122.066, it is valid until: (a) The county clerk has received an Affidavit of Revocation of Authority to Solemnize Marriages stating that the minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages from the church or religious organization is no longer authorized to solemnize marriages for the church or religious organization; (b) The county clerk has received a written statement that the minister to whom a certificate of permission was granted is no longer a minister; (c) The county clerk has reason to believe that the minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages is no longer in good standing within his church or religious organization, or that he is no longer a minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages, or that such church or religious organization no longer exists. The clerk may require satisfactory proof of the good standing of such minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages. If such proof is not presented within 15 days, the county clerk shall revoke the Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages; and (d) If any minister to whom a Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages has been issued servers ties with his church or religious organization or moves from the county in which his certificate was issued, the certificate shall expire immediately upon such severance or move and the church or religious organization shall, within 5 days after the severance or move, file an Affidavit of Revocation of Authority to Solemnize Marriages. If the minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages voluntarily advises the county clerk of the severance with his church or religious organization, or that he has moved from the county, the certificate shall expire immediately upon such severance or move without any notification to the county clerk by the church or religious organization. Authorization for an out-of-state Temporary Certificate of Authority to Perform Marriages is issued for one specific ceremony. The minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages must obtain a separate authorization for each marriage performed, and may not perform more than five marriages in this State in any calendar year.
We are not able to accept faxed copies of any of the forms. We must have the originals.
Local ministers and other persons authorized to solemnize marriages should submit their paperwork at least 3-4 weeks in advance of the wedding to allow time for processing and the required background check. Applicants from out of state applying for a Temporary Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages should submit their applications 3-4 weeks prior to the wedding in case there are delays for corrections to the paperwork. Unfortunately, if the application is not received timely, there is a chance that your application will not be acted upon prior to your intended ceremony.
NRS 122.062 states that a minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages whose residence and church or religious organization is in another state may be authorized to perform marriages in the county where the ceremony is to take place if he is in good standing with his church or religious organization. The authorization must be in writing and 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. You may apply by completing the application for a Temporary Certificate of Authority to Solemnize Marriages.
There is no provision in Nevada law allowing for an out-of-state judge to perform a marriage.
Nevada law does not provide for retired judges to perform a marriage.
Our office cannot provide instruction to individuals on how to become a minister or other person authorized to solemnize marriages. Each of the various churches and/or religious organizations has their own standards and requirements. Our office is only involved with authority to solemnize marriages. If you have any other questions regarding Certificates of Authority to Solemnize Marriages in the State of Nevada, feel free to send us an email.