How to Legally Get Married in California + Nevada (Lake Tahoe Guide)
There’s a part of wedding planning that doesn’t get much attention—but matters just as much as everything else.
The legal side.
It’s not the most romantic piece of the process, but taking care of it ahead of time allows you to stay fully present on your wedding day—without anything lingering in the background.
If you’re planning to get married in Lake Tahoe, here’s a clear, thoughtful guide to navigating the legal requirements in both California and Nevada.
What You Need to Do as a Couple
To make your marriage official, you’ll need to obtain a marriage license before your ceremony.
What to bring:
A valid government-issued ID (driver’s license or passport)
In some cases, a birth certificate
What to expect:
Fees typically range from $50–$75 (CA) and around $70 (NV)
California licenses are usually valid for 90 days
Nevada licenses are valid for up to one year
After your ceremony, the signed license must be returned to the appropriate county office—typically within 10 days—so it can be officially recorded.
Taking care of this early keeps everything simple later.
The Role of Your Officiant
Your officiant is responsible for ensuring your ceremony is legally recognized.
This includes:
Confirming requirements with the local County Clerk
Completing and signing the marriage license during the ceremony
Filing the signed license within the required timeframe
Each county may have slightly different requirements, so it’s worth confirming details in advance rather than assuming.
If you're still deciding who should officiate your ceremony—or what kind of presence you want guiding that moment—you can explore our thoughts here:
Read our Lake Tahoe Wedding Officiant Guide.
Can a Friend Officiate Your Wedding?
Yes—but there are a few important distinctions between California and Nevada.
In California:
Your friend must be ordained (this can be done online)
No additional state registration is required
They do not need to be a California resident
In Nevada:
Your friend must be ordained
They must also be officially registered with the state of Nevada
Requirements are more strict compared to California
In both states, your officiant must be at least 18 years old.
Witness Requirements
Both California and Nevada require at least one witness to sign your marriage license (with one exception noted below).
In many cases, your photographer can step in as a witness—something simple, but often helpful.
California exception:
A Confidential Marriage License does not require a witness
California vs. Nevada Marriage Licenses (Key Differences)
California Marriage Licenses
You can choose between:
Regular License
Public record
Requires at least one witness
Confidential License
Not public record
No witness required
Both are valid anywhere in California for 90 days.
South Lake Tahoe Office
El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk
3368 Lake Tahoe Blvd., Suite 108
South Lake Tahoe, CA
(530) 573-3409
Nevada Marriage Licenses
Must be obtained in person from a Nevada county clerk
Valid for one year
Ceremony can take place anywhere in Nevada
Requires one witness
Stateline Office
175 Highway 50
Stateline, NV
(775) 586-7290
Carson City Office
885 E Musser St #1025
Carson City, NV
(775) 887-2084
A Note on Location
Lake Tahoe spans both California and Nevada—which means your legal process depends on which side of the lake your ceremony takes place on.
If plans shift across state lines, your legal requirements may shift as well.
It’s a small detail—but one worth being clear about early.
Working With an Officiant + Building Your Team
If you prefer to bring in someone experienced—or want guidance through the process—there are a number of trusted officiants in the Lake Tahoe area:
Jackie — laketahoeceremony.com
Meredith — ceremoniesbymeredith.com
Christa — mountainhighweddings.com
For smaller gatherings or elopements, we’re sometimes able to support with officiating as well.
Planning a Lake Tahoe Wedding with Intention
The legal process doesn’t need to feel overwhelming—it just needs a bit of clarity.
Once it’s handled, it fades into the background, allowing your wedding day to be exactly what it should be: present, unhurried, and centered on what matters.
If you’re planning a wedding in Lake Tahoe and want a photography team who understands both the logistics and the experience, we’d love to hear what you’re envisioning.
Reach out here to begin the conversation.
If you're still in that phase of planning, we’ve gathered a list of creatives and professionals we trust in the area:
