How to Plan a Quick & Intimate Wedding in Reno
The state of Nevada's hassle-free wedding laws have long been a draw for couples looking to wed quickly and privately. According to the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada Reno, about 26,000 marriages are officiated in the city each year. Nuptials can take place in whimsical chapels within the city as well as in charming vine-draped gazebos at outdoor venues. Because there is no waiting period or blood test required in Nevada, couples seeking to marry in Reno can often do so by lunchtime. However, if a daytime wedding isn't what you have in mind, most chapels are open daily until midnight.
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Instructions
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Arrive at the Washoe County Courthouse at 75 Court St. to apply for a marriage license. Both you and your fiance must have one piece of government-issued photo identification. For foreign couples, a passport will work.
If you have been married before, you do not need to present proof that the marriage was terminated, but you must state the date on which the legal termination took place. Both you and your fiance must swear before the county clerk that you enter into the marriage in good faith.
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Select a wedding venue. If you are unsure as to where to begin, leaf through pamphlets detailing the local wedding venues. Hotels and even the courthouse keep a stock of literature about the city's wedding locations. Alternatively, head to the office of the Commissioner of Civil Marriages, where you will be able to have a courthouse-style wedding with the added bonus of free witnesses.
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Make an appointment with your chosen wedding venue for your ceremony. If you did not bring a witness, inform someone at the venue and one can be supplied. State law requires at least one witness sign the marriage license after the couple exchanges vows.
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Hold your wedding ceremony. Ensure that the officiant and witness sign your license after the conclusion of the ceremony. The officiant will then return your license to the county courthouse to ratify your marriage, after which time you may request copies of the certificate.
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Tips & Warnings
Both parties must be 18 or older in order to marry in Nevada. However, 16- and 17-year-olds may marry with the permission of a parent. The parent must be present at the time of application for the marriage license.
References
- Travel Nevada: Nevada Wedding Licenses and Laws
- Nevada Wedding Association: Reno, Carson City, Lake Tahoe
- Reynolds School of Journalism; Getting a Reno Marriage License--A Sure Bet; Meg Mincolla
- Wedding Vendors: Nevada Marriage License Laws, Information and Requirements
- U.S. Marriage Laws: Nevada Marriage Requirements
- Washoe County, Nevada: Marriage Bureau
Resources
- Photo Credit NA/Photos.com/Getty Images
