The Application for Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission is the form a religious official files with the Office of the Washoe County Clerk to obtain a certificate of permission to perform one marriage in the State of Nevada. The form warns that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain the certificate. The packet also includes a Single Ceremony Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages, which someone in your church or religious organization must sign. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original is published by the Washoe County Clerk.
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What is Application for Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV?
The Application for Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission is the Washoe County Clerk form that a religious official completes to request a certificate allowing them to perform a marriage in the State of Nevada for a single ceremony.
On page 1 the form is titled "Application for a Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission to Perform a Marriage in the State of Nevada." The packet issued by the Office of the Washoe County Clerk has four parts:
- Instructions for the Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission, with a checklist of what to include.
- The application itself, lines 1 to 23, followed by a Verification sworn before a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk.
- A page of Marriage Official Requirements & Responsibilities with an Acknowledgement that the applicant signs.
- A Single Ceremony Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages, completed by an authorized official of the applicant's church or religious organization.
The application asks for the ceremony date and location, the two people getting married, the applicant's identifying details, their licensure or ordination and religious affiliation, and answers about good standing, felony history and child support. It refers to NRS 122 and NRS 122.062, which govern the conduct of marriage officials.
If the application is approved, the Clerk mails the Certificate 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 not a marriage license: the couple must obtain that separately.
Who needs to file Application for Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV?
Religious officials who want permission to perform a marriage ceremony in the State of Nevada apply with this form to the Washoe County Clerk. The packet is headed "Religious Official" and is for a single ceremony, which is why line 1 asks for the ceremony date and line 2 for the place where it will be held.
Related people and conditions:
- The applicant's church or religious organization. An official with authority to speak for it, who can verify that you are in good standing, must sign the Affidavit of Authority. The applicant cannot sign it.
- The couple. They are named on lines 3 to 6 but do not apply. They must obtain a Nevada marriage license before the ceremony and give it to the marriage official.
- Applicants with child support orders. Line 22 asks everyone to mark which child support statement applies; leaving it unmarked results in denial.
Do not perform the ceremony until you hold the certificate: the form states that performing marriages before it is issued is unlawful.
When to file Application for Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
Apply before you perform the ceremony: the form states it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission. Line 1 asks for the ceremony date.
The Clerk's instructions give normal processing time for applications as 10-14 days and recommend sending paperwork 3-4 weeks in advance if a wedding is coming up. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork delays the process and may result in the Certificate being denied.
After the ceremony, the form's requirements sheet sets two further deadlines: the marriage official must record the marriage certificate within 10 days of the ceremony, and any change of name, address, phone number or congregation must be reported to the Washoe County Clerk within 15 days.
Documents you need
- Single Ceremony Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages, signed by an official of your church or religious organization who can speak for it and verify your good standing; it cannot be signed by you.
- Notarization of the Affidavit of Authority: it must be signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk.
- Notarized signature on the application, required if you apply by mail; the application must be signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk.
- Government-issued photo identification, required if you apply in person so a deputy clerk can witness your signature.
- Application fee payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office, by money order, cashier's check or cash only; personal checks are not accepted.
- Written instructions, only if you want to pick up the Certificate or have it mailed to an address other than the residence address on the application.
- Self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope, only if you want the Certificate sent by express mail.
How to fill out Application for Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
Enter ceremony date and location
Line 1: the ceremony date. Line 2: the name of the facility or institution and its physical address, with city, state and ZIP code.
Name the couple
Lines 3 and 5: the first and second person getting married. Lines 4 and 6: each person's address, with city, state and ZIP code.
Enter your full name
Line 7: your full name as First, Middle, Last, Suffix, plus any nickname or aliases used and your maiden name if applicable.
Enter your addresses
Line 8: your residence physical address, city, state and ZIP code. Line 9: your mailing address, only if different.
Give 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. Line 14: alternate phone. Line 15: e-mail address.
Describe licensure and affiliation
Line 16: the date you were licensed, ordained, appointed or authorized by your church or religious organization. Line 17: its name, affiliation or denomination, physical address and mailing address if different.
Complete the service history lines
Line 18 applies if you are retired: state how long you had active charge of the organization. Line 19 applies if that was less than 3 years: list other organizations you served, when, where and for how long. The instructions say not to leave blank spaces.
Answer standing and felony questions
Line 20: mark yes or no on whether you are in good standing with your church or religious organization. Line 21: mark yes or no on the felony, confinement, parole or probation question covering the last 10 years.
Mark your child support response
Line 22: mark exactly one of the three statements about court-ordered child support. Failing to mark one results in denial.
Initial the line 23 certifications
Line 23: initial both statements, on your ministry being one of service and on your being subject to the jurisdiction of the Washoe County Clerk under NRS 122.
Sign the verification and acknowledgement
Enter the state and county and your name in the Verification, and sign it before a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk. Also sign the Acknowledgement of the Marriage Official Requirements.
Have the affidavit completed
An authorized official of your church or religious organization fills in the Affidavit of Authority (organization, state, meeting address, your name) and signs it before a notary or deputy clerk. You cannot sign it.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that no space is blank and every response is marked. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit Application for Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
You can return the packet to the Washoe County Clerk by mail or in person, at the same address: Office of the Washoe County Clerk, 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89512, Attention: Minister Licensing. The phone number printed on the form is (775) 784-7287.
- By mail: your signature on the application must be notarized before you submit it.
- In person: present government-issued photo identification at the time of application so a deputy clerk can witness your signature.
- Package contents: the signed application, the Affidavit of Authority (signed by an authorized official of your church or religious organization, not by you, before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk) and the application fee.
- Fee: a fee applies, payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office by money order, cashier's check or cash only. Personal checks are not accepted. Ask the Clerk's office for the current amount.
- 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 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
- Performing a marriage before the Certificate of Permission is issued; the form states this is unlawful.
- Leaving blank spaces. The instructions say not to, and incomplete or incorrect paperwork delays the process or may lead to denial.
- Signing the Affidavit of Authority yourself; it must be signed by an authorized official of your church or religious organization.
- Mailing the application without a notarized signature, or signing the application or affidavit before the notary or deputy clerk.
- Paying the fee with a personal check; only money order, cashier's check or cash is accepted.
- Skipping line 22 on child support; failing to mark a response results in denial of the application.
- Initialing only one of the two statements on line 23 instead of both.
- Sending the packet days before the ceremony; the Clerk recommends 3-4 weeks and normal processing is 10-14 days.
- Expecting express delivery of the Certificate without enclosing a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Single Ceremony Certificate of Permission?
It is a certificate from the Washoe County Clerk that allows a religious official to perform a marriage in the State of Nevada for a single ceremony. You request it with this application, supported by an affidavit from your church or religious organization.
Can I perform a wedding in Nevada before I get the certificate?
No. The form states that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a Certificate of Permission. The couple must also obtain a Nevada marriage license before the ceremony and give it to the marriage official.
Who signs the Affidavit of Authority?
Someone in your church or religious organization who has authority to speak on its behalf and can verify that you are in good standing. You cannot sign it yourself, and it must be signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk.
Is there a fee for the single ceremony application, and how do I pay?
Yes, a fee applies. It is payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office by money order, cashier's check or cash only; personal checks are not accepted. Ask the Clerk's office at (775) 784-7287 for the current amount.
How long does the Washoe County Clerk take to process the application?
Normal processing time is 10-14 days. The Clerk recommends sending paperwork 3-4 weeks before a wedding. If the application is not approved, you receive a letter explaining why it was not granted.
Do I have to apply in person or can I mail the application?
You can do either. By mail, your signature on the application must be notarized first. In person, you present government-issued photo identification so a deputy clerk can witness your signature. Both go to 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89512, Attention: Minister Licensing.
What must I do after the ceremony?
Record the marriage certificate within 10 days of the ceremony, filing it with the recorder of the county where the license was purchased. Report any change of name, address, phone number or congregation to the Washoe County Clerk within 15 days.
Is this a Washoe County property tax form?
No. It is an application to the Washoe County Clerk for religious officials who want to perform a marriage in Nevada. It does not cover property tax matters or any other county tax process.
Can I fill out this application online on FillingPDF?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of the Washoe County Clerk and does not file the application; you submit it by mail or in person with the required notarized signatures.
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