Can Foreigners Get Married in Las Vegas? Requirements for International Couples

If you are planning to travel to Las Vegas to get married, one of the first questions you may have is: can foreigners get married in Las Vegas? For international couples, the process starts with understanding the marriage license rules, identification requirements, and what you need to do before your ceremony.

The good news is that the verified Nevada marriage license rules do not list U.S. citizenship or Nevada residency as a general requirement. They focus on age, marital status, family relationship, valid identification, and other specific requirements.

This makes preparation especially important for couples coming from outside the United States. You need to know what identification to bring, where to apply, what the license costs, and what happens after you receive it. This guide focuses specifically on international couples planning a Las Vegas marriage.

Can Foreigners Get Married in Las Vegas?

Yes. U.S. citizenship is not listed as a general requirement for obtaining a marriage license. The rules instead specify who is eligible to marry and what identification is required.

For couples researching a Las Vegas marriage license for foreigners, the main things to prepare are:

• A valid, original government-issued photo ID
• The information required for the marriage license application
• The $102 marriage license fee
• Eligibility under the marriage rules
• A plan for the ceremony after the license is issued

You must be at least 18, currently unmarried, and not related more closely than second cousins. There is no blood test requirement and no waiting period after the license is issued.

For a broader explanation of the general rules, see our Las Vegas marriage license requirements.

What Is a Nevada Marriage License for Foreigners?

A Nevada marriage license for foreigners is the marriage license international couples obtain before having their legal ceremony in Nevada.

The important point is that the license is obtained before the ceremony. Once it has been issued, there is no waiting period, so you can proceed with your marriage ceremony. The license is valid for one year from its issue date, can be used once, and is valid anywhere in Nevada.

For an international couple, this means the license is an important part of planning the entire marriage day. You should have your identification ready before going to the Marriage License Bureau and have a clear plan for your ceremony afterward.

If you want the complete application process, our step-by-step marriage license guide covers it separately.

What Are the Las Vegas Marriage Requirements for Foreigners?

The Las Vegas marriage requirements for foreigners focus on basic eligibility and identification. You must:

• Be 18 or older.
• Be currently unmarried.
• Not be related more closely than second cousins.
• Have a valid, original government-issued photo ID.

Nevada law has a narrow, court-supervised exception for 17-year-olds — contact the Clark County Clerk’s Office before making any plans.

The identification must be original rather than photocopied. Examples of acceptable government-issued photo identification include:

• Passport
• Driver’s license
• Military ID
• Permanent Resident Card

U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number. These rules are important because international couples sometimes focus heavily on travel plans and ceremony arrangements while overlooking the documents needed for the license.

What Documents Do Foreign Couples Need?

Understanding the documents for foreigners getting married in Las Vegas can help you prepare before you leave for the Marriage License Bureau.

The main identification requirement is a valid, original government-issued photo ID. A passport is one example. A driver’s license, military ID, or Permanent Resident Card can also be used as examples of acceptable government-issued photo identification.

The document must be original. A photocopy does not meet the requirement. Before going to apply, check that the identification you plan to use is with you and is the original document.

For a more detailed document-focused guide, see our Las Vegas marriage license documents guide.

Should International Couples Bring a Passport?

A passport is specifically listed as an example of acceptable government-issued photo identification. If you plan to use your passport, bring the original rather than a photocopy.

It is also important to remember that a passport is one example of acceptable identification, not the only example. Other listed examples include a driver’s license, military ID, and Permanent Resident Card. The key requirement is that the government-issued photo ID is valid and original.

Do Foreign Couples Need to Be U.S. Citizens?

U.S. citizenship is not required for a marriage license. The rules specifically state that U.S. citizens must provide a Social Security number. That requirement is identified separately from the general identification and eligibility rules.

For an international couple, the safest approach is to focus on the requirements that are clearly established:

• Meet the age requirement.
• Be currently unmarried.
• Meet the family relationship rule.
• Bring valid, original government-issued photo identification.
• Complete the marriage license process.

This keeps your preparation focused on the requirements that are actually provided rather than assumptions about citizenship or residency.

Where Do International Couples Get the Marriage License?

The Marriage License Bureau is located at:

201 E. Clark Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89101

The bureau is open from 8 a.m. to midnight, 7 days a week, including holidays. This schedule gives couples flexibility when planning a Las Vegas trip.

Before going to the bureau, make sure you have your original identification and are prepared to pay the license fee. Once the license is issued, there is no waiting period before your ceremony.

How Much Does the Marriage License Cost?

The marriage license fee is $102 flat.

Payment can be made by cash or card. Card payments carry a small processing fee, while personal checks are not accepted.

If you want the complete cost-focused discussion, see our Las Vegas marriage license cost guide. For international couples, knowing the fee before visiting the bureau makes it easier to prepare your payment and avoid confusion between the license cost and any separate ceremony services. The $102 fee is for the marriage license itself.

Can International Couples Get Married on the Same Day?

Yes, there is no waiting period after the marriage license is issued. This is useful for couples who are travelling to Las Vegas and want to keep their marriage plans simple.

The process has two main parts:

1. Obtain the marriage licenseAt the Marriage License Bureau, 201 E. Clark Avenue.
2. Have the marriage ceremonyPerformed by a licensed Nevada officiant, in front of a witness.

Once the license has been issued, you can marry. Remember that obtaining the license and arranging your ceremony are separate parts of the process. Planning both before you arrive can make your wedding day easier.

What Happens After You Receive the License?

After you receive your marriage license, you need to have your marriage ceremony. This is where choosing an officiant becomes important.

Just Vows is a licensed, private-studio, non-religious wedding officiant service. It is not a chapel and is not affiliated with any chapel or church. Its ceremony service starts at $75. The ceremony takes approximately 15 minutes and includes a witness.

Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturdays and Sundays 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Couples can also book online. For an international couple who wants a simple ceremony, a private officiant service can keep the ceremony separate from the license application itself.

What About Apostille Services for International Couples?

International couples may have additional document needs after their marriage, depending on what they plan to do with their marriage documents.

Just Vows offers Apostille Services from $185. The service is separate from obtaining the marriage license and separate from the ceremony itself. If you need an apostille service, it is useful to think about that part of your document planning before your Las Vegas trip.

Just Vows also offers Rush Filing for $75, with the certificate delivered to the Clerk’s Office the next business day, and Same-Day Filing for $135 when the ceremony is performed by 2:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.

How Should International Couples Prepare Before Going to the Bureau?

A little preparation can make the license process easier.

Check your identification

Bring a valid, original government-issued photo ID. If you are using a passport, bring the original passport rather than a photocopy.

Confirm your eligibility

Make sure you meet the basic requirements before applying. You must be at least 18, currently unmarried, and not related more closely than second cousins.

Prepare your payment

The license fee is $102. Cash and card are accepted. Personal checks are not accepted, and card payments carry a small processing fee.

Know the location

The Marriage License Bureau is at 201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101. It is open from 8 a.m. to midnight every day, including holidays.

Plan your ceremony

Once your license has been issued, there is no waiting period. Have your ceremony plan ready so you know what you want to do after receiving the license.

How Long Is the Marriage License Valid?

Your Nevada marriage license is valid for one year from the issue date. It can be used once and is valid anywhere in Nevada.

This means international couples have flexibility when planning their ceremony after receiving the license. However, if your goal is to marry during your Las Vegas visit, there is no need to wait because Nevada does not require a waiting period after the license is issued.

Common Mistakes International Couples Should Avoid

Bringing a photocopy instead of the original

The requirement is for a valid, original government-issued photo ID. A photocopy is not enough.

Forgetting the payment requirements

The marriage license costs $102. Personal checks are not accepted, and card payments carry a small processing fee.

Confusing the license with the ceremony

Getting the license is not the same as completing the ceremony. The license must be obtained before you have the marriage ceremony.

Forgetting that there is no waiting period

Once the license is issued, you can marry. There is no waiting period and no blood test requirement.

Leaving ceremony plans until the last minute

Once you receive the license, you still need your marriage ceremony. Having an officiant plan in place can make the rest of the day much simpler.

Assuming your marriage is automatically recognised at home

Whether your marriage is recognised in your own country is decided by that country. Check with your embassy, consulate or civil registry before you travel, and ask whether they need an apostille or a certified translation.

A Simple Plan for an International Las Vegas Marriage

You can keep your marriage planning simple by separating the process into clear steps.

1. Prepare your original photo IDA valid, original government-issued photo ID, such as a passport.
2. Confirm your eligibilityMake sure you meet the age, marital status and family relationship rules.
3. Go to the Marriage License Bureau201 E. Clark Avenue, Las Vegas, NV 89101.
4. Pay the $102 licence feeCash or card. No personal checks.
5. Receive your marriage licenceIssued on the spot once requirements are met.
6. Have your marriage ceremonyPerformed by a licensed officiant, in front of a witness.
7. Arrange filing or apostille servicesIf you need the certificate filed quickly, or authenticated for use abroad.

This approach lets you focus on one step at a time instead of trying to handle everything together.

Conclusion

So, can foreigners get married in Las Vegas? Yes. U.S. citizenship is not listed as a general marriage license requirement. International couples should focus on meeting the age and eligibility rules, bringing valid original government-issued photo identification, and completing the license process.

The marriage license costs $102, the Marriage License Bureau is open 7 days a week, and there is no waiting period after the license is issued.

If you are ready to make your Las Vegas wedding plans, book your ceremony with Just Vows and take the next step toward your international Las Vegas marriage.

Frequently Asked Questions