The Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada is the form a Nevada notary public files with the Office of the Washoe County Clerk to obtain permission to perform marriage ceremonies. The packet also holds a Release and Authorization for a background check and two Affidavits of Character Reference. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Washoe County Clerk publishes the original at washoecounty.gov, and the paperwork must be signed and notarized before it is returned.
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What is Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV?
The Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada is the Washoe County Clerk form a Nevada notary public completes, signs before another notary, and submits to receive permission to perform marriage ceremonies.
The document is a multi-page packet from the Office of the Washoe County Clerk. It contains the instructions, the application itself (lines 1 to 18), a sworn verification, a Marriage Official Requirements & Responsibilities page with an acknowledgement, a Release and Authorization for a background screening, a confidential identification and ten-year address history page, and two Affidavits of Character Reference.
Besides the background check, the County Clerk verifies the applicant's notary status with the Nevada Secretary of State. The release cites NRS 122.064, subsection 3 (c), and the verification refers to NRS 122.062, which governs the conduct of marriage officials. If the application is approved, the Certificate is mailed to the residence address on the application, with an information sheet on completing and recording the Marriage Certificate. If it is denied, the County Clerk sends a letter explaining why.
The Certificate is not a marriage license. The packet states that the couple must obtain a Nevada marriage license before the ceremony and give it to the marriage official. The form asks you to mark either New Application or Renewal on line 1.
Who needs to file Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV?
Nevada notaries public who want to perform marriages and apply through the Washoe County Clerk use this form. By signing line 18, the applicant certifies being subject to the jurisdiction of the Washoe County Clerk under NRS 122. The application has a box for a first-time applicant and a box for a renewal.
The form puts several conditions on the applicant:
- You must be appointed by the Nevada Secretary of State as a notary public: the form asks for the appointment date, expiration date and appointment number, and whether you are in good standing.
- You must answer the questions on felony convictions and on any earlier Certificate that was removed, revoked or suspended.
- You must mark one of the three child-support statements on line 17. The form says that failing to mark one will result in denial.
The packet states plainly that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission. Two other people also complete pages of the packet: the people who give character references, and the notary or Deputy County Clerk who witnesses the signatures.
When to file Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV
Submit the application before you perform any wedding: the packet warns that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission. Normal processing time is 10-14 days. The County Clerk recommends sending the paperwork 3-4 weeks in advance if you are to perform a wedding in the near future.
Incorrect or conflicting information delays the process and may result in the Certificate being denied. After the Certificate is issued, the Marriage Official Requirements page sets two continuing duties: record the marriage certificate within 10 days of each ceremony, and report any change of name, address, phone number or congregation to the Washoe County Clerk within 15 days.
Documents you need
- The Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriage(s) in the State of Nevada - Notary Public, signed before a Notary Public other than the applicant, or before a Deputy County Clerk.
- Photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
- The Release and Authorization, signed and dated by the applicant, so the background screening can be run.
- A cashier's check or money order payable to "Screening One" for the non-refundable background-investigation fee.
- Two Affidavits of Character Reference from people who have known you for at least 2 years, each signed before a Notary Public other than the applicant or a Deputy County Clerk.
- At least one of the two references should be professional or a person who is not a blood relative.
- The non-refundable application fee payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office, paid by money order, cashier's check or cash only.
- If you want the Certificate picked up or mailed to a different address: written instructions included with the application paperwork.
- If you want express mail delivery: a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope.
How to fill out Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV
Choose new application or renewal
On line 1, mark New Application or Renewal.
Enter your full name
Line 2: your full name as First, Middle, Last, Suffix, plus any nickname or aliases used and your maiden name if applicable.
Enter your addresses
Line 3: your residence physical address, city, state and ZIP code. Line 4: your mailing address only if it differs. The Certificate is mailed to the residence address unless you give other instructions.
Give personal and contact details
Lines 5 to 7: date of birth, place of birth and Social Security number. Lines 8 to 10: residence phone, alternate phone and e-mail address.
Enter your notary appointment details
Line 11: date of appointment by the Nevada Secretary of State as a notary public. Line 12: date your commission expires. Line 13: your notary appointment number.
Answer the standing and history questions
Line 14: mark Yes or No for good standing with the Secretary of State. Line 15: mark Yes or No on the felony question covering the last 10 years. Line 16: mark Yes or No on any removed, revoked or suspended Certificate, and if Yes give when, where and the grounds.
Mark the child-support statement
On line 17, mark the one statement that applies: not subject to a child-support order, subject and in compliance, or subject and not in compliance. Leaving it unmarked results in denial.
Initial the jurisdiction certification
On line 18, initial the certification that you are subject to the jurisdiction of the Washoe County Clerk under NRS 122.
Sign the verification before a notary
Fill in the State and County, print your name, and sign the VERIFICATION only in front of a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk who is not you. The notary completes the date, signature and stamp or seal.
Sign the requirements acknowledgement
Read the Marriage Official Requirements & Responsibilities page and sign the ACKNOWLEDGEMENT as the applicant.
Complete the Release and Authorization
Print your name legibly, then sign and date the release so the Washoe County Clerk and Screening One, Inc. can run the background screening.
Complete the identification page
Enter last, middle and first name, suffix, former names or aliases, maiden name, date of name change, Social Security number, date of birth, and the name, number and state of issue of your driver's license or I.D. List every address where you have lived for the past ten years, with ZIP codes and From/To dates.
Have two references complete affidavits
Each reference prints their name, your name and the years known, marks the relationship, gives contact details, and signs before a notary or Deputy Clerk.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that no space is blank and that names, dates and addresses agree across pages. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then collect the signatures, notarizations and payments described under How to submit.
How to submit Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV
Return the complete paperwork to the Office of the Washoe County Clerk at the address printed on the packet; the instructions name no online channel.
- Address: Office of the Washoe County Clerk, 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89520-0027, Attention: Clerk's Admin.
- Phone: (775) 784-7287.
- Package: the signed and notarized application, photo identification, the Release and Authorization with its payment, two notarized Affidavits of Character Reference, and the application fee.
- Payments: two fees apply and neither is refundable. The background-investigation fee is paid by cashier's check or money order payable to "Screening One". The application fee is payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office by money order, cashier's check or cash only. Ask the Clerk's office for the current amounts.
- Delivery of the Certificate: if approved, it is mailed to the residence address on the application. To pick it up or have it mailed elsewhere, include those instructions with the paperwork. Express mail is used only if you enclose a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving blank spaces. The packet says to fill it out completely and not to leave any blank spaces; incomplete paperwork delays the process or can lead to denial.
- Not marking one of the three child-support statements on line 17. The form says failure to do so will result in denial of the application.
- Signing the verification or an affidavit without a notary or Deputy County Clerk present, or having the applicant act as notary on their own application.
- Paying the application fee with a personal check. The Clerk accepts only money order, cashier's check or cash for that fee.
- Making the Screening One payment out to the Clerk instead of "Screening One", or by a method other than cashier's check or money order.
- Using references who have known you less than 2 years, or two blood relatives; at least one should be professional or not a blood relative.
- Performing a wedding before the Certificate is issued, or sending the packet too late for a near-term wedding when 3-4 weeks of lead time is recommended.
- Entering information that conflicts between pages, such as different names or addresses, which can delay or deny the Certificate.
- Asking for express mail delivery without enclosing a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages?
It is the permission the Washoe County Clerk grants to a Nevada notary public to perform marriage ceremonies. You apply with the Application for a Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada, which includes a background-check release and two character-reference affidavits.
Can I perform marriages before I get the Certificate?
No. The packet states in several places that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission. Violating the marriage official requirements may be a misdemeanor and can lead to revocation of your authority to perform marriages.
What documents do I send with the application?
Send the notarized application, photo identification, the Release and Authorization with a cashier's check or money order payable to "Screening One", two notarized Affidavits of Character Reference, and the application fee payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office.
How long does the Certificate of Permission take?
Normal processing time is 10-14 days. The County Clerk recommends sending your paperwork 3-4 weeks before a wedding you are to perform. If the application is not approved, you receive a letter explaining why it was not granted.
Are there fees, and are they refundable?
Yes, two fees apply and both are non-refundable: one for the background investigation, payable to "Screening One", and one application fee, payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office. The packet sets payment methods; ask the Clerk's office, (775) 784-7287, for current amounts.
Who can be my character reference?
Two people who have known you for a minimum of 2 years and can attest to your character. At least one should be professional or not a blood relative. Each signs an Affidavit of Character Reference before a notary public other than you, or a Deputy County Clerk.
Where do I send the Washoe County notary marriage application?
Return all paperwork to the Office of the Washoe County Clerk, 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89520-0027, Attention: Clerk's Admin. The packet names no other channel. Questions can go to (775) 784-7287.
Can I fill out this application online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not file the application; you must still obtain the notarized signatures and return the packet to the Washoe County Clerk.
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