How to Elope in Nevada: Everything You Need to Know

What do the weddings of Elvis and Priscilla Presley, Betty White and Allen Ludden, and Sarah Michelle Gellar and Freddie Prinze Jr. have in common? Nevada! Yes, Nevada, Las Vegas more specifically, is of course an infamous elopement location. From desert landscapes to state parks and the Las Vegas strip, Nevada is a destination for couples looking to tie the knot. So you’ve decided on where you want to elope or have your micro wedding. The question now is — how to elope in Nevada?

The steps to make your marriage legal, whether an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional wedding, can feel complicated and tedious. With some planning and a little bit of help, it can be done quickly and stress free! Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license 
• Witness requirements for your Nevada elopement
• All inclusive Nevada elopement packages
• Top booked venues in Nevada on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name

How to Get your Marriage License

Your marriage license is the most important part of your marriage process. This is because to get married in Nevada, or really anywhere in the US, you legally need a marriage license. Nevada is one of the easier states to get a marriage license, so these steps are pretty quick! To obtain a marriage license, you’ll need:

• To apply online – an application stays in the system for up to one year
• Go to your local county Marriage License Bureau (in Vegas that’s the Clark County Marriage Bureau) with your partner, your application confirmation number, and your forms of identification
• Cash or card for fees, which will be about $102.00 – please note convenient charges apply if paying by credit or debit

Acceptable forms of identification for your marriage license appointment include:

• Driver’s license
• Valid passport
• Official foreign government issued ID
• Military ID card or Military Dependent ID card issued by the United States Armed Forces
• Certificate of Citizenship, Certificate of Naturalization, or Permanent Resident Card issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

If you don’t have any of these items, call and ask a supervisor at your local Marriage License Bureau for next steps. The state of Nevada does not require proof of divorce or a copy of a death certificate if this is not an individual’s first marriage. 

From here you’re ready to elope! There is no waiting period in Nevada, and you have up to a year to get married once you’ve filed for your marriage license. Pick your venue, exchange your vows and start your married life. It’s important to bring your paperwork (meaning your marriage license) with you to the ceremony so your officiant can sign and file your license. Once you’re married, you can order a copy of your marriage certificate online, or purchase it in person. Each copy of your marriage certificate is $20.00. While this is steeper than other states, we recommend having at least two copies of your marriage certificate.

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant and Witnesses

In Nevada, both an officiant and a witness are required for any marriage. Your officiant cannot count as your witness. If finding an officiant seems like a tall task – look to us. When working with Simply Eloped, we coordinate your officiant for you!

All Inclusive Nevada Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Nevada Elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in Nevada. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Nevada elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in Nevada

Curious about where to elope in Nevada? Here are our top venues in Nevada with all their details.

Valley of Fire State Park: Seven Sisters and Visitor Center

Near Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park offers couples a strikingly unique and dramatic setting for their wedding day, surrounded by vivid red sandstone formations, rugged desert landscapes, and ancient petroglyphs. With two different elopement locations available – Seven Sisters and the Visitor Center – this state park is known for its otherworldly beauty.

Able to host micro weddings up to 45 guests, Valley of Fire welcomes chairs and leashed pets. It also has a bathroom available, is wheelchair accessible and has parking available. Please note that you’ll have to pop the Champagne separately, as alcohol is not permitted. Other items that are not permitted are drones, candles and sparklers.

Nelson Ghost Town

Nestled in Eldorado Canyon, this deserted ghost town is the epitome of old western charm. For those looking for an outdoor ceremony with a Tombstone flair and 45 or less guests – Nelson Ghost Town is for you.

Nelson Ghost Town welcomes chairs, alcohol, and has five locations available. It also has an on site bathroom, is wheelchair accessible and has parking available. Please note there’s a flat fee to book this venue, regardless of guest count.

The Neon Museum

Looking for something unique, off the strip with a vintage feel? Look no further than The Neon Museum. With two locations available – North Gallery and the Neon Boneyard – you have options to make your day uniquely you. This venue is available September through May and is very popular!

The Neon Museum welcomes chairs and streaming. It has an on site bathroom available, is wheelchair accessible and has ample parking. Please note that alcohol, drones, pets, and candles or sparklers are not permitted.

Desert Love at Cactus Joe’s

Just outside of Las Vegas, Desert Love at Cactus Joe’s is an oasis that combines desert beauty, charm, and southwest aesthetic. With two locations, couples have the option to exchange vows in the chapel or within the desert itself. 

Desert Love at Cactus Joe’s has a lot of amenities, allowing couples to make their day uniquely theirs. This venue welcomes alcohol, chairs, streaming, leashed pets, and live music. There’s also on site bathrooms, parking available, and is wheelchair accessible. Desert Love at Cactus Joe’s does not permit candles or sparklers. Additionally, no decor or plans can be moved and all trash must be removed.

Greengale Farms

A tropical oasis isn’t necessarily the first that comes to mind when thinking about Vegas. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, though. If you’re looking for a hint of surprise in your Las Vegas elopement, Greengale Farms is for you. Able to host events of 21 or less guests, Greengale Farms is a serene and peaceful palm tree Oasis just outside of Vegas. 

Greengale Farms is very open to what each couple would like involved in their elopement. They welcome streaming, chairs, drones, live musicians, or music through a small speaker. Please note that the bouquet and celebratory Champagne will have to wait, as alcohol and flowers are not permitted.

Get Your Marriage Certificate

You’ll get your marriage certificate after your ceremony. Once you’ve had your ceremony, your officiant has ten days to file your marriage certificate with the county clerk. From there, you’ll be able to order copies of your marriage certificate for proof of marriage. You can order online, in person, or by mail. We recommend ordering at least two copies of your marriage certificate.This is because as you’re changing your name, you’ll be using this document a lot. While in transition, it’s always good to have a backup in the event of an emergency. 

How to Change your Last Name in Nevada

1. Complete your wedding ceremony: first things first, get married! You need to have a marriage ceremony in the state of Nevada that is conducted by a licensed officiant.
2. Get your Marriage Certificate: once ordered, it can take up to three weeks to receive. Please keep this timing in mind as you make your other name-changing appointments.
3. Change your Name with Social Security: This is the first step in changing your name legally. You’ll need to gather all the documents that show your complete name history (think previous marriages, divorces etc). These all need to be official documents, copies are not accepted. At your appointment, you will notify social security of your name change and provide proof of your name change using:
   • Your marriage certificate
   • Current driver’s license or passport
   • Proof of immigration status and proof of work eligibility for non-citizens
4. Change your Name on your Driver’s License: Once you’ve received your new Social Security card with your updated last name, wait two business days before going to the DMV. This ensures that the electronic record has been updated, which will help your DMV appointment. At your DMV appointment, bring the following forms of ID to change your name:
   • Existing ID – either a Real ID or standard license
   • Certified marriage certificate
   • Updated social security card
   • If this is your first Real ID, you’ll also need to bring  your US birth certificate, passport or immigration documents, as well as two documents that prove your address.
5. Update your Passport: If you have a passport, updating your name will be your last step in legally changing your name. You will need to wait until your new Driver’s License comes in to do so. Travel.state.gov has a great deal of information on how to change your last name on your passport. This process will change depending on if your passport is current or expired, as well  if it was updated more or less than a year after your name was legally changed. You’ll fill out your application and mail it to Passport Services with your marriage certificate, a color photo, and the associated fees via check. If you’re not eligible to renew by mail, you may apply in person with the same documents as well as a valid ID. Once your application is accepted, it can take several weeks to receive your updated passport in the mail.

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ve done the tallest task of completing your legal name change. You’ll then want to go through your accounts, credit cards, bank accounts, employers and insurance to make sure your name is up to date. It seems like a lot because it is! Take this process step by step, and it should all go smoothly. There’s also many businesses that help with the name changing process.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Specialist Planner in January 2026