The Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada is the form a Notary Public submits to the Office of the Washoe County Clerk before officiating one specific wedding. It collects the ceremony date and place, the names of the two people marrying, the applicant's notary details and a sworn verification. On FillingPDF you can fill out the form online and download or print the completed PDF; the county publishes the original at washoecounty.gov, and the paperwork goes to the Washoe County Clerk through the channels described below.
Last updated
What is Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV?
The Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada is the Washoe County Clerk form on which a Notary Public asks for permission to perform one marriage ceremony, and which the Clerk reviews before issuing a Certificate of Permission.
The Office of the Washoe County Clerk, in Reno, Nevada, receives and reviews the application. The County Clerk verifies the applicant's notary status with the Nevada Secretary of State, so the appointment dates, expiration date and appointment number you enter must match the state's records.
The packet is several pages long. It contains the instructions page, the application itself (lines 1 to 23 plus a sworn Verification), a Marriage Official Requirements & Responsibilities page with an Acknowledgement signature, and two copies of the Affidavit of Character Reference. The form states plainly that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission.
If the Clerk approves the application, the Certificate is mailed to the residence address listed on it, together with an information sheet on completing and recording the Marriage Certificate. If it is not approved, the Clerk sends a letter explaining why. The form is for a single ceremony; it is not a license for the couple, who must obtain their own marriage license in Nevada.
Who needs to file Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV?
A Notary Public who wants to perform a single marriage ceremony in Nevada and falls under the jurisdiction of the Washoe County Clerk completes this application. On line 23 the applicant initials a certification of being subject to that Clerk's jurisdiction under the provisions of NRS 122, and the Verification repeats this for NRS 122.062.
Other people involved in the packet:
- Two character references. Each completes an Affidavit of Character Reference. They must have known the applicant for a minimum of 2 years, and at least one should be professional or a person who is not a blood relative.
- A notary or deputy clerk. Someone other than the applicant must witness or notarize the applicant's signature.
- The couple. The two people getting married are named on lines 3 to 6, but they do not sign this application. They must obtain a Nevada marriage license before the ceremony and give it to the marriage official.
The form does not describe any way for another person to sign the application on the applicant's behalf. Applicants with a felony conviction, a past revoked or suspended marriage certificate, or an unpaid child-support order must still answer lines 20, 21 and 22; the Clerk may deny a certificate when information is incorrect or conflicting.
When to file Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV
Apply before you perform the wedding: the form states that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission. Enter the planned ceremony date on line 1.
Normal processing time is 10 to 14 days, and the Clerk asks you to allow enough time if the wedding is in the near future, recommending that paperwork be sent 3 to 4 weeks in advance. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork delays the process and may lead to denial. The form prints no other deadline. After you perform the ceremony, the marriage official must record the marriage certificate within 10 days, and any change of name, address, phone number or congregation must be reported to the Washoe County Clerk within 15 days.
Documents you need
- The completed application, signed before a Notary Public other than the applicant or a Deputy County Clerk; if you apply by mail, the signature must be notarized before you submit it.
- Government-issued photo identification, presented only if you apply in person so a deputy clerk can witness your signature.
- Two Affidavits of Character Reference, each completed by a person who has known the applicant for at least 2 years; at least one reference should be professional or someone who is not a blood relative.
- Notarization of each Affidavit of Character Reference, signed before a Notary Public other than the applicant or a Deputy County Clerk.
- The signed Acknowledgement of the Marriage Official Requirements & Responsibilities, which is part of the application packet.
- The non-refundable application fee, payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office by money order, cashier's check or cash only.
- Written pick-up or alternate mailing instructions, only if you want to collect the Certificate or have it sent to an address other than your residence.
- A self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope, only if you want the Certificate sent by express mail.
How to fill out Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV
Enter the ceremony date and place
Line 1: the date of the ceremony. Line 2: the name of the facility or institution and its physical address, with city, state and ZIP code.
Name the two people getting married
Lines 3 and 5: the full names of the first and second person. Lines 4 and 6: each person's address, with city, state and ZIP code.
Enter your applicant name details
Line 7: your full name (first, middle, last, suffix), plus any nickname or aliases used and your maiden name if applicable.
Enter your residence and mailing address
Line 8: your residence physical address with city, state and ZIP code. Line 9: your mailing address, only if it differs from the residence address.
Give your birth and identity details
Line 10: date of birth. Line 11: place of birth. Line 12: Social Security Number.
Add your contact information
Line 13: residence phone number. Line 14: alternate phone number. Line 15: e-mail address.
Enter your notary appointment details
Line 16: the date the Nevada Secretary of State appointed you a Notary Public. Line 17: the date your appointment or commission expires. Line 18: your Notary Appointment Number. These are checked against state records.
Answer the standing and history questions
Line 19: check Yes or No for good standing with the Nevada Secretary of State. Line 20: answer the felony, confinement, parole or probation question for the last 10 years. Line 21: answer whether a previous certificate was removed, revoked or suspended, and give the grounds if Yes.
Mark the child support statement
Line 22: mark exactly one of the three statements about court-ordered child support. Leaving it unmarked results in denial.
Initial the jurisdiction certification
Line 23: initial the certification that you are subject to the jurisdiction of the Washoe County Clerk under NRS 122.
Sign the verification and acknowledgement
Enter the state and county in the Verification, write your name, and sign as applicant before a Notary Public or, in person, a deputy clerk. Sign the Acknowledgement on the Marriage Official Requirements & Responsibilities page as well.
Complete the character reference affidavits
Give each of your two references an Affidavit of Character Reference. Each fills in their name, your name, the years known, the nature of the relationship and their contact information, then signs before a notary.
Review and download the completed PDF
Make sure no space is blank and every signature and notary block is ready. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV
You can apply by mail or in person at the Office of the Washoe County Clerk; all paperwork is returned to the same address, Attention: Clerk's Admin.
- Address: Office of the Washoe County Clerk, 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89512-0027, Attention: Clerk's Admin. Phone: (775) 784-7287.
- By mail: your signature on the application must already be notarized before you send it.
- In person: present government-issued photo identification so a deputy clerk can witness your signature.
- Package: the application, two notarized Affidavits of Character Reference and the non-refundable application fee. The fee is payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office by money order, cashier's check or cash only; call the office for the current amount.
- Delivery of the Certificate: it is mailed to the residence address on the application. To pick it up or have it sent elsewhere, include written instructions with the paperwork. It cannot go by express mail unless 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
- Performing a marriage before the Certificate of Permission is issued; the form states this is unlawful.
- Leaving blank spaces on the application; the Clerk says incomplete or incorrect paperwork delays processing and may lead to denial.
- Skipping line 22 on child support; failure to mark a response results in denial of the application.
- Mailing the application with an un-notarized signature; mailed applications must have the applicant's signature notarized first.
- Having the applicant act as the notary for the application or the affidavits; the notary must be someone other than the applicant.
- Submitting references who are all blood relatives or who have known you less than 2 years; the form asks for at least one non-relative or professional reference.
- Paying the fee with a personal check; only a money order, cashier's check or cash is accepted.
- Entering notary dates or an appointment number that do not match Nevada Secretary of State records; conflicting information delays the process and may lead to denial.
- Sending the paperwork too close to the wedding date instead of allowing the 10-14 day processing time, with 3-4 weeks recommended.
Frequently asked questions
What is the single ceremony certificate of permission in Washoe County?
It is the Certificate of Permission that the Washoe County Clerk issues to an approved Notary Public to perform one marriage ceremony in Nevada. You request it with this application, which also asks for the ceremony date, location and the names of the two people marrying.
Can I perform a wedding before my certificate arrives?
No. The form states that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission. Normal processing takes 10 to 14 days, and the Clerk recommends sending paperwork 3 to 4 weeks before the wedding.
How do I pay the application fee?
A non-refundable application fee applies, payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office. The form accepts only a money order, cashier's check or cash. It does not print the amount on the instructions text, so call the office at (775) 784-7287 to confirm the current fee.
Where do I mail the notary single ceremony application?
Send it to the Office of the Washoe County Clerk, 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89512-0027, Attention: Clerk's Admin. If you mail it, your signature on the application must be notarized first.
Who can be a character reference?
Two people who have known you for at least 2 years and can attest to your character. At least one should be professional or not a blood relative. Each completes an Affidavit of Character Reference and signs it before a notary.
Do the couple need a marriage license?
Yes. Under the Marriage Official Requirements, the couple must obtain a Nevada marriage license before the ceremony and provide it to the marriage official. A license purchased in Nevada is good only for a ceremony in Nevada.
What must I do after performing the ceremony?
The marriage official must record the marriage certificate within 10 days, filing it with the recorder of the county where the license was purchased. Any change of name, address, phone number or congregation must be reported to the Washoe County Clerk within 15 days.
Can I fill out this application online on FillingPDF?
Yes. You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not file it: you still get the signatures notarized and deliver the package to the Washoe County Clerk by mail or in person.
Ready to fill out Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV?
Fill out Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada – Washoe County, NV now