What Do I Need For Vegas Wedding?

$55, Proof Of Identity Enough To Get License

UPDATED: 12:36 p.m. EST January 26, 2004

Britney Spears did it -- why not you? Here's a quick guide to the things you need to know about getting married in Vegas.

What do I need in order to get married in Vegas?
A willing partner would be a good 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 in Nevada.

Where do I get a license?
The Clark County Marriage Bureau is located at the Clark County Courthouse, 200 S. 3rd St. in downtown Las Vegas. It is open Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until midnight, and Fridays, Saturdays and holidays 24 hours a day. Amazing but true.

How much does it cost?
A license costs $55 in cash only -- no checks or credit cards are accepted.

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.

Is there anything I need to take 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 -- the state trusts you.

Is there a waiting period?
As Ms. Spears proved so efficiently, no -- there's no waiting period. 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?
Eighteen 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.

How do I contact the Clark County Marriage Bureau if I have more questions?
You can call (702) 455-4415 or you can visit the Clark County Marriage License Information Web site.

Where should I get married?
Las Vegas has hundreds of wedding chapels, and it really depends on what you're looking for. You can go traditional with the flowers and gown and candles, or you can go wacky with an Elvis impersonator or you can just drive through in your rental car on the way to the next casino. We have two pages on Vegas4Visitors devoted to some of our favorite independent chapels and those in hotels.

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Q: The Bonanza Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip was torn down in the early 1970s to make way for what major hotel-casino? ANSWER

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