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What ID do you need for a Las Vegas marriage license?

To obtain a Las Vegas marriage license, both applicants must prove their name and age with accepted identification. For many couples, that means a driver’s license, state ID, passport, permanent resident card, or another government-issued document that includes a photo and date of birth.

For international couples, the most common option is a passport. Clark County also lists certain official foreign government-issued ID cards, including foreign driver licenses when they include a date of birth.

Common option Passport

A passport is one of the clearest ID options for many travelers and international couples.

Possible option Foreign ID

An official foreign government-issued ID may work if it includes the required name, photo, and date-of-birth information.

Important detail Original document

Clark County requires original documents, not digital copies, photocopies, or photos of an ID.

If you are still learning the full license process, start with our Las Vegas marriage license guide.

Passport use

Can you use a passport to get married in Las Vegas?

Yes. A passport is listed as an acceptable form of identification for a Clark County marriage license. This makes Las Vegas a practical destination for many couples traveling from another country or another U.S. state.

The key is to bring the actual physical passport. Do not rely on a phone photo, scan, photocopy, or digital version. The license office needs the original document so your name and age can be verified.

Bring the original passport Use the physical document, not a copy, screenshot, or digital image.

Match your application to your passport Your first name, middle name, last name, suffix, spacing, and spelling should match the passport you present.

Check your date of birth Your identification must prove your age, so confirm that the date of birth is clear and correct.

Use the same name for the ceremony paperwork The marriage license and certificate will be issued using the name shown on the identification or documents presented.

Do not use your preferred married name on the license application

Nevada does not let couples choose a new married name on the marriage license. Use the name shown on the identification you will present. Name-change steps usually happen after the ceremony, using certified proof of marriage.

Foreign ID

Can you use a foreign driver license or foreign government ID?

Possibly. Clark County lists official foreign government-issued ID cards, including foreign driver licenses, as acceptable identification when they include the applicant’s date of birth. The ID also needs to include a photo that clearly shows the applicant’s current likeness.

Foreign ID issues usually come down to whether the document clearly proves your name and age. If the ID is unclear, damaged, missing a date of birth, written in a format the office cannot evaluate, or does not match your application, you may run into problems.

ID type	What to check	Planning note
Foreign passport	Photo, name, date of birth, and current identifying information.	Often the clearest option for international couples.
Foreign driver license	Must include date of birth and be an official foreign government-issued ID.	Bring a passport as backup if you have one.
Foreign national ID card	Must clearly show identity, photo, and age information.	If the document is not in English or is unclear, ask Clark County before relying on it.
Matricula Consular card	Listed as an acceptable ID category by Clark County.	Confirm your exact document is current and clearly legible.

If you are not sure whether your foreign ID will be accepted, contact the Clark County Clerk before your trip instead of waiting until the day of your ceremony.

Name matching

Your application name should match your ID exactly

The name on your Las Vegas marriage license and marriage certificate will be issued based on the identification or documents you present. This means the spelling, middle name, suffix, hyphen, spacing, and order of names matter.

This is especially important for international couples because name formats vary by country. Some passports list multiple surnames, family names, compound names, accents, hyphens, or name order differences that may not fit neatly into a U.S. form.

Use the name shown on your ID Do not shorten, translate, rearrange, or replace names unless Clark County instructs you to do so.

Check middle names and initials If you want your full middle name reflected, your identification should support the full middle name, not only an initial.

Review spelling before you leave Check every line of the license before leaving the Marriage License Bureau.

Ask questions before the ceremony If something looks wrong, fix it before the ceremony whenever possible.

If you notice an error later, read our guide to fixing mistakes on a Las Vegas marriage license or certificate.

Translations

What if your document is not in English?

If you are using a passport or foreign government-issued photo ID that clearly shows your name and date of birth, a separate translation may not always be needed. However, if you are advised to use a certified birth certificate or another document to prove your name and age, foreign birth certificates must be translated into English.

Clark County’s requirements for translated foreign birth certificates are specific. The translation must say it is a true and correct translation, state that the translator is qualified, include the translator’s printed name, and be signed and notarized.

Do not assume a foreign birth certificate will be accepted without review

If you do not have one of the standard acceptable ID documents, call the Clerk’s Office and ask for guidance before your trip. Do not rely on a foreign birth certificate, translation, or informal document without confirming what the office will accept.

For most couples, bringing a valid passport is simpler than trying to rely on a birth certificate, translation, or secondary document.

International couples

Do international couples need special permission to get married in Las Vegas?

Clark County’s marriage license requirements focus on age, marital status, identification, and eligibility to marry. You do not need to be a Nevada resident to get married in Las Vegas, and many international couples choose Las Vegas because the ceremony process can be simpler than planning a large wedding at home.

However, getting married in Las Vegas and using that marriage record in another country are not always the same thing. Some countries, consulates, immigration offices, or agencies may require certified proof of marriage, apostille, translation, or additional documentation after the ceremony.

Before the ceremony License and ID

Make sure both applicants have acceptable original identification and can appear together to obtain the license.

During the ceremony Officiant and witness

The ceremony must happen in Nevada with an authorized officiant and someone other than the officiant witnessing the vows.

After the ceremony Certified proof

Order certified proof of marriage if you need the record for agencies, travel, immigration, name change, or foreign use.

For international document planning, review our Nevada marriage certificate apostille service page.

After the wedding

What documents might you need after the ceremony?

After your Las Vegas ceremony, your officiant completes and submits the marriage certificate for filing. Once the record is filed and recorded, couples can order certified proof of marriage.

A certified marriage certificate is usually the most common proof of marriage. Some agencies or foreign governments may ask for a certified abstract of marriage, apostille, translation, or other supporting documents. Always ask the receiving agency what it requires before ordering or mailing documents.

Certified marriage certificate Commonly used for name changes, agency updates, personal records, and proof of marriage.

Certified abstract of marriage Less common, but sometimes requested by certain U.S. agencies or foreign governments.

Apostille May be required when a Nevada marriage certificate is being used in another country.

Translation May be required by the country, consulate, immigration office, or agency receiving the document.

If you need help after the ceremony, visit our certified marriage certificate copy pickup, certified marriage certificate copy mail order, or apostille support pages.

Common Questions

Passport and foreign ID marriage FAQs

Can I get married in Las Vegas with a passport?

Yes. A passport is listed as an acceptable form of identification for a Clark County marriage license. Bring the original physical passport, not a photo, copy, or digital version.

Can I get married in Las Vegas with a foreign driver license?

Possibly. Clark County lists official foreign government-issued ID cards, including driver licenses, as acceptable when they include the applicant’s date of birth and clearly identify the applicant.

Do I need to be a U.S. citizen to get married in Las Vegas?

No. Many non-U.S. citizens and international couples get married in Las Vegas. The key is meeting Nevada marriage license requirements and bringing acceptable original identification.

Do we both have to appear in person to get the license?

In most cases, yes. Both applicants must appear together in person to complete the marriage license process and obtain the license. There are limited single-party exceptions for specific circumstances.

Will my Las Vegas marriage be recognized in another country?

Many countries recognize a U.S. marriage, but rules vary. Check with your government, consulate, immigration office, or receiving agency before you travel or before you rely on the marriage record for official use.

Will I need an apostille after getting married in Las Vegas?

Possibly. If your certified Nevada marriage certificate will be used outside the United States, the receiving country or agency may require an apostille. Ask the receiving agency before ordering documents.