Ministers/Other Persons Authorized
Certificates of Authority to Solemnize Marriages

Prior to solemnizing marriages in the State of Nevada, authorization must be obtained from the County Clerk. The information below will assist you in determining the application process for the appropriate type of authorization depending on the circumstances.

Chapter 122 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) governs the issuance of Certificates of Authority to Solemnize Marriages. According to NRS 122, 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 is the chapter of the Nevada Revised Statutes which governs marriage and authority to perform marriages.
• SB 130 is the Senate bill enacted by the 2009 Nevada Legislature which became effective July 1, 2009.

To obtain a Certificate of Authority to Solemnize a Marriage in the State of Nevada, please select the link for the appropriate application from the Application section of this page after reading the information below on processing.

APPLICATION PROCESSING

Processing time for Applications varies, depending upon the type of Application submitted. Background checks are required on applicants submitting a Permanent Application, Retired Status Applications (local ministers only) and Temporary Replacement Applications. The processing time for a Permanent Application is approximately 2-3 weeks.

Faxed documents will not be accepted. Original documents are required.

To avoid any delays in processing, check to ensure that the documents are signed by the appropriate party and are notarized.

No fee is charged for this service performed by the Clerk's Office. However, there is a $45 fee for the third-party background check on Permanent Certificates of Authority.