The Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission is the Office of the Washoe County Clerk form that a religious official completes to be authorized to perform marriages in Nevada while temporarily replacing another minister or religious official. It is one part of a packet that also includes an Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages and a Release and Authorization for a background check. You can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the Washoe County Clerk publishes the original and receives the paperwork through its own channels.
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What is Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV?
The Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission is the Office of the Washoe County Clerk form that a religious official completes to request temporary authority to perform marriages in Nevada in place of another minister or religious official.
The printed title is "Religious Official Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada." The application has 18 numbered items: the applicant's identity and contact details, the dates of the temporary replacement, the church or religious organization, good standing, felony and revocation history, a child-support declaration and two certifications. It ends with a sworn Verification that is signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk.
The application is filed as a packet. The Washoe County Clerk's instructions also call for an Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages, a Release and Authorization for a background screening by Screening One, Inc. (cited under NRS 122.064, subsection 3 (c)), written authorization from the minister being replaced, photo identification and the fees. The packet also holds a page of Marriage Official Requirements & Responsibilities that the applicant signs as an acknowledgement.
If the application is approved, the County Clerk issues a Certificate of Authority to Perform Marriages. The form states that it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a certificate of permission.
Who needs to file Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV?
Religious officials who will perform marriages in Nevada as the temporary replacement for a minister or other church or religious official who is authorized to perform marriages use this application. The packet requires written authorization from the person you are replacing, stating the period the replacement is to be effective, and the application asks for your starting and ending dates (line 11).
Others who take part in the packet:
- An official of your church or religious organization signs the Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages. That person must have authority to speak for the organization and be able to verify that you are in good standing. The applicant cannot sign it.
- The minister you are replacing provides the written authorization.
The application asks about good standing with your organization (line 14), felony convictions and completion of confinement, parole or probation within the last 10 years (line 15), any earlier certificate that was removed, revoked or suspended (line 16) and child-support obligations (line 17). It also asks you to certify that you are subject to the jurisdiction of the Washoe County Clerk under NRS 122 (line 18).
Do not perform marriages until you hold the certificate: the form says it is unlawful to do so.
When to file Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
Apply before you perform any marriage as the temporary replacement, because the form states it is unlawful to perform marriages before you obtain a certificate of permission. Allow time for review. The County Clerk's instructions give normal processing time for applications as 2 to 3 weeks and recommend sending the paperwork 3 to 4 weeks before a wedding you are to perform.
The timeline has two stages. The background check is completed within approximately 7 business days, and the report goes to the Washoe County Clerk. After the report arrives, the Certificate of Authority to Perform Marriages should be completed within 5 to 7 business days. Incomplete or incorrect paperwork delays the process and may result in the certificate being denied.
Once you hold the certificate, report any change of name, address, phone number or congregation to the Washoe County Clerk within 15 days, and record each marriage certificate within 10 days of the ceremony.
Documents you need
- Application for a Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission to Perform Marriages in the State of Nevada, signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk.
- Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages, signed by someone in your church or religious organization with authority to speak for it, who can verify your good standing; not signed by the applicant, and signed before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk.
- Release and Authorization, signed and dated, authorizing the background screening by the Washoe County Clerk and Screening One, Inc.
- Cashier's check or money order payable to "Screening One" for the background investigation fee; the fee is non-refundable.
- Written authorization from the minister or other religious official you are temporarily replacing, stating the period the temporary replacement is to be effective.
- Photo identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
- Application fee payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office, by money order, cashier's check or cash only.
- Optional: instructions for picking up the certificate or mailing it to a different address, and a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope if you want express delivery.
How to fill out Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
Check the document list first
Use the checklist on the instructions page to gather the application, affidavit, Release and Authorization, the minister's written authorization, photo ID and fees before you start.
Enter your name (line 1)
Write your full name as first, middle, last and suffix. Add any nickname or aliases used and your maiden name if applicable.
Enter your addresses (lines 2 and 3)
Line 2 is your residence physical address with city, state and ZIP code. Line 3 is a mailing address, only if it is different.
Enter personal details (lines 4-6)
Give your date of birth, place of birth and Social Security number.
Enter contact details (lines 7-9)
Enter your residence phone number, an alternate phone number and your e-mail address.
Give authorization and replacement dates
Line 10 is the date of licensure, ordination, appointment or authorization by your church or religious organization. Line 11 is the starting and ending date of the temporary replacement.
Describe your church or organization (lines 12-13)
Enter the name, affiliation or denomination, phone number, physical address and mailing address if different. On line 13, give the date it was incorporated, organized or established in Nevada.
Answer the standing and history questions
Mark yes or no on line 14 (good standing), line 15 (felony within the last 10 years) and line 16. If you answer yes on line 16, add the date, location and reason.
Mark your child-support statement (line 17)
Mark exactly one of the three statements about court-ordered child support. Leaving it unmarked results in denial.
Complete the line 18 certifications
Mark each certification: that your ministry is one of service to your church or religious organization (or, if retired, your initial active ministry was), and that you are subject to the Washoe County Clerk's jurisdiction under NRS 122.
Complete the Verification and acknowledgement
Fill in the state and county and print your name. Sign the Verification before a Notary Public or Deputy Clerk, who completes the date and seal. Sign the Marriage Official Requirements acknowledgement as well.
Prepare the affidavit and release
The church or organization official completes the Affidavit of Authority (organization name, state, meeting address, minister's name, official's name, title, contact details) and signs before a notary. You print your name, sign and date the Release and Authorization.
Complete the identification page
Enter your last, middle and first name, former names or aliases, date of name change, Social Security number, date of birth, name on your driver's license, license or I.D. number and state. List every address for the past ten years with From and To dates.
Review, download and print the PDF
Check that no space is blank, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Sign the notarized pages only in front of the notary or Deputy Clerk, then assemble the packet with the fees.
How to submit Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission – Washoe County, NV
Return all of the paperwork to the Office of the Washoe County Clerk at the address below, marked "Attention: Minister Licensing."
- Address: Washoe County Clerk, 1001 E. 9th Street, Bldg. A, Reno, NV 89512.
- Phone: (775) 784-7287.
- Application fee: a fee applies, payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office by money order, cashier's check or cash only.
- Background-check fee: a separate non-refundable fee applies. Pay it by cashier's check or money order payable to "Screening One" and include it with the Release and Authorization. The clerk's office forwards both to Screening One. Call the clerk for current amounts.
Sign the application and the affidavit before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk. The packet must be complete, properly signed and notarized, with no blank spaces.
If approved, the certificate is mailed to the residence address on the application with an information sheet on completing and recording the marriage certificate. To pick it up, or to have it sent to a different address, include those instructions with your paperwork. Express mail is used only if you enclose a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope. If the application is denied, you receive a letter explaining why.
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 that this is unlawful.
- Leaving blank spaces. The instructions say not to, and incomplete or incorrect paperwork delays the process or may lead to denial.
- Having the applicant sign the Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages instead of an authorized official of the church or religious organization.
- Signing the application or the affidavit without a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk present when notarization is required.
- Not marking one of the three child-support statements on line 17; the form says failure to do so results in denial.
- Paying the application fee with something other than a money order, cashier's check or cash, or the Screening One fee with something other than a cashier's check or money order.
- Leaving out the minister's written authorization or its effective period for the temporary replacement.
- Waiting until the last minute: normal processing is 2 to 3 weeks and the clerk recommends sending paperwork 3 to 4 weeks ahead.
- Asking for express delivery of the certificate without enclosing a self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Application for Temporary Replacement Certificate of Permission?
It is the Washoe County Clerk form a religious official files to be authorized to perform marriages in Nevada while temporarily replacing another minister or religious official. If approved, the County Clerk issues a Certificate of Authority to Perform Marriages.
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 is 2 to 3 weeks, and the clerk recommends sending your paperwork 3 to 4 weeks before a wedding you are to perform.
What do I need to send with the application?
Send the signed and notarized application, the notarized Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages, the Release and Authorization with its fee, the replaced minister's written authorization, photo ID and the application fee. Return everything to the Washoe County Clerk, Attention: Minister Licensing.
Who signs the Affidavit of Authority to Solemnize Marriages?
Someone in your church or religious organization who can speak for it and verify that you are in good standing. You cannot sign it yourself, and the signature must be made before a Notary Public or Deputy County Clerk.
How much are the fees and how do I pay them?
Two fees apply. The application fee is payable to the Washoe County Clerk's Office by money order, cashier's check or cash only. The background-check fee is payable to "Screening One" by cashier's check or money order and is non-refundable. Call (775) 784-7287 for current amounts.
How long does the background check and approval take?
The background check takes approximately 7 business days. After the County Clerk receives the report, the certificate should be completed within 5 to 7 business days. Normal processing for the whole application is 2 to 3 weeks.
Can I fill out this application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the application; you return the packet to the Washoe County Clerk and have the required pages notarized.
What happens if my application is denied?
You receive a letter explaining why the certificate was not granted. The instructions warn that incomplete or incorrect paperwork may delay the process or result in denial, so complete every space and have the required pages notarized.
Can I review my background check report?
Yes, as provided by law. The Release and Authorization says you may contact Screening One, Inc. in writing at 2233 W. 190th Street, Torrance, CA 90504. The report is provided to the Washoe County Clerk for decisions on authority to perform marriages only.
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