To marry in Nevada, you must be at least 18. The only exception is for someone who is exactly 17, and it requires both a parent’s or guardian’s consent and authorization from a district court judge after an evidentiary hearing. No one younger than 17 can legally marry in Nevada under any circumstances, so Nevada’s marriage age requirements set a firm floor with one narrow, tightly controlled path for a single year below the default.
The Default Rule at 18
Under NRS 122.020, two people who are at least 18, not closely related, and not already married to someone else may obtain a marriage license without any special permission.1Nevada Legislature. Nevada Code 122.020 – Persons Capable of Marriage Most couples fall squarely within this rule. There is no upper age limit and no residency requirement for adults.
The Exception for 17-Year-Olds
A minor who is exactly 17 can marry in Nevada, but only if two separate conditions are met: parental or guardian consent, and authorization from a district court judge.2Nevada Legislature. Nevada Code 122.025 – Marriage of Minor Who Is 17 Years of Age Both are mandatory. Parental consent alone is not enough, and a court order alone is not enough.
Parental or Guardian Consent
The 17-year-old must have the consent of either parent or, if the minor is under legal guardianship, the legal guardian.2Nevada Legislature. Nevada Code 122.025 – Marriage of Minor Who Is 17 Years of Age The statute says “either parent,” so consent from one parent is sufficient even if the other objects. When the minor has a legal guardian in place of a parent, the guardian’s consent fills the same role.
What the Court Must Find
Even with parental consent in hand, the minor cannot marry until a district court judge authorizes it. The judge must find, by clear and convincing evidence and after an evidentiary hearing, all three of the following:
- Extraordinary circumstances exist that justify marriage before the minor turns 18.
- Both the minor and the intended spouse are Nevada residents. Out-of-state couples cannot use this exception.
- The marriage affirmatively serves the minor’s best interests, not simply that it wouldn’t cause harm.
Both parties to the proposed marriage must provide sworn testimony at the hearing.2Nevada Legislature. Nevada Code 122.025 – Marriage of Minor Who Is 17 Years of Age The intended spouse appears and testifies under oath, giving the court a direct look at the relationship and an opportunity to check for signs of coercion.
Factors the Judge Weighs
When deciding whether the marriage is in the minor’s best interests, the court must consider at least three factors:
- The age difference between the minor and the intended spouse. A wider gap draws more scrutiny.
- Whether there is a genuine urgency for the marriage to happen before the minor turns 18, rather than waiting.
- The minor’s emotional and intellectual maturity for the legal and personal responsibilities of marriage.
The statute also makes one thing explicit: pregnancy alone does not prove that marriage is in the minor’s best interest, and a court cannot require pregnancy as a condition for approving the marriage.2Nevada Legislature. Nevada Code 122.025 – Marriage of Minor Who Is 17 Years of Age
If a Minor Marries Without Proper Consent
A 17-year-old who marries without the required parental consent or court authorization does not automatically have an invalid marriage, but the marriage can be annulled. Under NRS 125.320, the person who married without proper consent can seek an annulment, and the marriage becomes void from the date a court declares it so.3Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 125 – Dissolution of Marriage
There is a deadline. Any annulment must be filed within one year after the minor reaches 18, and continuing to live together as a married couple after turning 18 can cost the minor the right to annul.3Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 125 – Dissolution of Marriage Children born from such a marriage are considered legitimate regardless of whether it is later annulled.
Getting the License Once You Qualify
Every couple marrying in Nevada needs a license, whether one party is 17 with court approval or both are adults. Both people must apply together in person at a county clerk’s office and present valid identification such as a driver’s license, passport, or military ID. Nevada does not require a blood test or impose a waiting period.4Clark County, NV. Marriage License Requirements
The license fee varies by county. Clark County, which includes Las Vegas and handles the vast majority of Nevada marriages, charges $102.5Clark County, NV. Fees Smaller counties tend to charge less. Once issued, the license is valid for one year.6Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 122 – Marriage If the ceremony doesn’t happen in that window, you need a new license.
Nevada has no residency requirement for adults, which is why couples from other states routinely fly in, get a license, and marry the same day. The residency rule applies only to the 17-year-old exception.
Penalties for Violating the Age Rules
Anyone who issues a marriage license or performs a ceremony in violation of Nevada’s marriage laws faces misdemeanor charges. Nevada misdemeanors carry a potential penalty of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. This applies to county clerks who issue a license they shouldn’t have and to officiants who perform a ceremony knowing the legal requirements weren’t met.
Nevada does not have a single, dedicated forced-marriage criminal statute. Adults who coerce a minor into marriage could still face prosecution under broader criminal statutes covering coercion, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, or child abuse, depending on the circumstances. If the relationship involves sexual conduct with a minor, Nevada’s sexual assault laws carry severe felony penalties.7Nevada Legislature. Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 200 – Crimes Against the Person