The Application for Retired Status Certificate of Permission is the form the Office of the Washoe County Clerk uses to decide whether a retired applicant may perform marriages in the State of Nevada. It is for people who had active charge of a church or religious organization for no less than three years immediately before applying. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the form and its instructions are published by the Washoe County Clerk, and the signed, notarized paperwork goes back to that office.
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What is Application for Retired Status Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV?
The Application for Retired Status Certificate of Permission is the Washoe County Clerk form, titled on the PDF "Application for Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada" (Retired Status), that a retired applicant completes to request authorization to perform marriage ceremonies.
The form is part of a four-page packet from the Office of the Washoe County Clerk. The first page gives the instructions for a Retired Status Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages. The application itself has 20 numbered items, followed by a notarized Verification. The last page lists the Marriage Official Requirements & Responsibilities and carries a separate Acknowledgement signature.
The application asks for your identity and contact details, the date and source of your licensure, ordination, appointment or authorization, the church or religious organization of which you had active charge, how long you held that charge, your standing with it, any felony history within the last 10 years, any earlier removal, revocation or suspension of a marriage certificate, and your child support status. You also certify that you are subject to the County Clerk's jurisdiction under NRS 122.
If the application is approved, the County Clerk mails the Certificate with an information sheet on completing and recording the Marriage Certificate. If it is not approved, you receive a letter explaining why. The form states that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission.
Who needs to file Application for Retired Status Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV?
Retired applicants who had active charge of a church or congregation and want authority to perform marriages in Nevada through the Washoe County Clerk use this application. The instructions say applicants MUST have had active charge of their church or congregation for no less than three (3) years immediately prior to submitting the application for retired status.
Conditions the form attaches:
- You need a letter from your church or religious organization confirming that you had active charge for that period and were or are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies on its behalf.
- You certify that your ministry is one of service to your church or religious organization or, if retired, that your initial active ministry was of that nature.
- You certify that you are subject to the jurisdiction of the Washoe County Clerk under NRS 122.
- You must mark one child support response on item 19; failing to do so results in denial of the application.
The form says it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission. The application must be signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk, so it is completed by the applicant personally.
When to file Application for Retired Status Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
There is no calendar deadline: submit the application before you perform any marriage, because the form states that performing marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission is unlawful. You must have had active charge of your church or congregation for no less than three (3) years immediately before you apply.
Normal processing time is 2 to 3 weeks. The instructions recommend sending the paperwork 3 to 4 weeks in advance if you are to perform a wedding in the near future. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork delays the process and may result in the Certificate being denied.
After approval, any change of name, address, phone number or congregation must be reported to the Washoe County Clerk within 15 days.
Documents you need
- Application for Retired Status Certificate of Permission, completed in full and signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk (affix the county seal or notary stamp).
- Letter from your church or religious organization, on its letterhead, stating that you had active charge for no less than three (3) years before submitting the application and that you were or are authorized to perform marriage ceremonies on its behalf.
- Copy of photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
- Written instructions, only if you want to pick up the Certificate or have it mailed to an address other than your residence address.
- Self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope, only if you want the Certificate sent by express mail.
How to fill out Application for Retired Status Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
Enter your full name
Item 1: write your full name as First, Middle, Last, Suffix, and add any nickname or aliases used and your maiden name if applicable.
Enter residence and mailing addresses
Item 2: your residence physical address with city, state and ZIP code; the Certificate is mailed there if approved. Item 3: a mailing address with city, state and ZIP code, only if it differs.
Enter personal details
Item 4: date of birth. Item 5: place of birth. Item 6: Social Security number.
Enter your contact information
Item 7: residence phone number. Item 8: alternate phone number. Item 9: e-mail address.
Give your licensure and church details
Item 10: the date of licensure, ordination, appointment or authorization by your church or religious organization. Item 11: the name, affiliation or denomination, phone number, physical address and mailing address (if different) of the organization of which you had active charge.
Describe your period of active charge
Item 12: the date the organization was incorporated, organized or established in the State of NV. Item 13: how long you had active charge. Item 14: if less than three years, list other organizations you served, when, where and for how long.
Answer standing and authority questions
Item 15: check yes or no for good standing with your church or religious organization. Item 16: check yes or no for a currently valid Certificate of Authority in the State of Nevada.
Answer the history questions
Item 17: check yes or no on a felony conviction, release from confinement, or completed parole or probation (whichever is later) within the last 10 years. Item 18: check yes or no on any previous marriage certificate removed, revoked or suspended; if yes, give the date, location and reason.
Mark the child support response
Item 19: mark exactly one of the three statements about court-ordered child support. Leaving it unmarked results in denial.
Mark the item 20 certifications
Item 20: mark both certifications, that your ministry (or initial active ministry, if retired) was one of service to your church or religious organization, and that you are subject to the Washoe County Clerk's jurisdiction under NRS 122.
Complete the notarized Verification
Enter the state and county and print your name. Sign as applicant only before a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk, who completes the date and signature lines and affixes the county seal or notary stamp.
Sign, review and download the PDF
Sign the Acknowledgement on the last page, check that no space is left blank, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit Application for Retired Status Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
Return all paperwork to the Office of the Washoe County Clerk at the address on the form; the form names no other channel.
- Address: Office of the Washoe County Clerk, 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89512.
- Phone: (775) 784-7287.
- Package: the application signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk, the church or religious organization letter on letterhead, and a copy of your photo identification.
- Delivery of the Certificate: if approved, it is mailed to the residence address on the application. To pick it up or to have it mailed to a different address, include those instructions with the application. It cannot be sent by express mail unless you enclose a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope.
If the application is not approved, the County Clerk sends a letter explaining why. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving blank spaces: the instructions say DO NOT LEAVE ANY BLANK SPACES, and incomplete or incorrect paperwork delays the process or may lead to denial.
- Signing the Verification without a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk present; the application must be signed and notarized.
- Not marking any response on item 19 (child support); failure to do so results in denial of the application.
- Sending the application without the church or religious organization letter on letterhead stating three years of active charge and authority to perform marriages.
- Omitting the copy of photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
- Applying with less than three years of active charge immediately before the application; the instructions say applicants MUST have that three-year period.
- Performing a wedding before the Certificate of Permission is issued, which the form states is unlawful.
- Waiting until the last minute: normal processing is 2 to 3 weeks, and the instructions recommend sending paperwork 3 to 4 weeks ahead.
- Expecting express mail delivery of the Certificate without enclosing a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Retired Status Certificate of Permission?
It is authorization from the Washoe County Clerk to perform marriages in the State of Nevada, requested by a retired applicant who had active charge of a church or religious organization. The form states that performing marriages before obtaining the Certificate is unlawful.
Who qualifies for retired status in Washoe County?
Applicants who had active charge of their church or congregation for no less than three years immediately before applying. A letter from the church or religious organization on its letterhead must confirm that period and your authority to perform marriage ceremonies on its behalf.
Does the application have to be notarized?
Yes. The form says it must be signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk, with the county seal or notary stamp affixed. Paperwork that is not properly signed and notarized may delay the process or result in the Certificate being denied.
What documents do I send with the application?
Send the signed, notarized application, a letter from your church or religious organization on letterhead stating three years of active charge and authority to perform marriages, and a copy of photo identification such as a driver's license or passport.
How long does the Washoe County Clerk take to process it?
Normal processing time is 2 to 3 weeks. The instructions recommend sending paperwork 3 to 4 weeks before a wedding you are to perform. If the application is not approved, you receive a letter explaining why.
Where do I send the retired status application?
Return the paperwork to the Office of the Washoe County Clerk, 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89512. The form names no other channel; the office phone number printed on it is (775) 784-7287.
Can I fill out this application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF does not file it with the Washoe County Clerk and is not affiliated with that office; you still sign before a notary or Deputy Clerk and return the paperwork to the Clerk.
What must I report after I receive the Certificate?
Any change of name, address, phone number or congregation must be reported to the Washoe County Clerk within 15 days. You must also record each Marriage Certificate within 10 days of the ceremony; violations may be a misdemeanor or lead to revocation.
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