Lake Tahoe Travel Guide

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Lake Tahoe Marriage License & Requirements

Lake Tahoe is a magical place for your upcoming wedding!  With its beautiful sapphire lake and majestic mountains, both the California and Nevada side can offer a number of picturesque locations to provide the perfect backdrop for your special day.

To learn about specific marriage licenses and requirements, please scroll down the page or click on California or Nevada

California Marriage License and Requirements

To be legally married in the State of California, you must purchase a marriage license and have a marriage ceremony performed. The fee for the license is $60.00 for public marriage and $53 for a confidential marriage. 

Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do not get married within 90 days, the license will no longer be valid. You must purchase a new license.

For answers to the most common questions, please visit the El Dorado County Recorder-Clerk's Marriage License Issuance page or their Frequently Asked Questions page.  For all other questions, please call El Dorado County's Recorder-Clerk.at (530) 621-5495

Additional Information on California Marriage Licenses

You do not need to be a California resident to marry in California.

Only an unmarried male and an unmarried female may marry in California.

Marriage by proxy is NOT allowed in California. Family Code, Section 420(a) requires the bride, groom, marriage officiant and witness if applicable, be physically present together in the same location for the marriage to be performed.

Blood tests are NOT required to obtain a marriage license in California.

Both parties must appear in person and bring valid picture identification to the County Clerk’s Office to apply for a marriage license in California. Valid picture identification is one that contains a photograph, date of birth, and an issue and expiration date, such as a state issued identification card, drivers license, passport, military identification, etc. Some counties may also require a copy of your birth certificate.

If you have been married before, you will need to know the specific date your last marriage ended, and how it ended (Death, Dissolution, Divorce or Nullity). Some counties may require a copy of the final judgment if your previous marriage ended by dissolution or nullity.

Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do not get married within 90 days, the license will no longer be valid. You must purchase a new license.

Many County Clerks in California perform civil marriage ceremonies in their offices. For further information regarding civil marriage ceremonies, please contact the County Clerk’s Office directly to see if they provide this service.  

California Family Code, Section 400 states the persons authorized to solemnize marriage ceremonies in California are as follows:

–  A priest, minister, or rabbi of any religious denomination.

–  A judge or retired judge, commissioner of civil marriages or retired
    commissioner of civil marriages, commissioner or retired commissioner,
    or assistant commissioner of a court of record in this state.

–  A judge or magistrate who has resigned from office.

–  Any of the following judges or magistrates of the United States.

–  A justice or retired justice of the United States Supreme Court.

–  A judge or retired judge of a court of appeals, a district court, or a court created
    by an act of Congress the judges of which are entitled to hold office during
    good behavior.

–  A judge or retired judge of a bankruptcy court or a tax court.

–  A United States magistrate or retired magistrate.

–  A legislator or constitutional officer of this state or a member of Congress
    who represents a district within this state, while that person holds office.  

All fees and hours of issuance for a marriage license may vary by county. 

The person solemnizing the marriage must return the original marriage license to the County Clerk or County Recorder as applicable within 10 days of the date of the ceremony. Addresses should be on the county site.

You will NOT receive a copy of your marriage license after you have been married unless you request and pay for a certified copy from the County Clerk or County Recorder as applicable.

ALL information on the marriage license MUST be legible, unambiguous and reproducible. DO NOT change any information on the license, cross out information, use white out, etc., as that will require the payment for and issuance of a duplicate marriage license. Contact the County Clerk’s Office if you have questions about completing the marriage license and/or incorrect information contained on the marriage license.

Nevada Marriage License and Requirements

To be legally married in the State of Nevada, you must purchase a marriage license and have a marriage ceremony performed. The fee for the license is $55.00. Payment may be made by Cash, Credit/Debit cards (Reno office only), Money Orders or Travelers Checks only.

The marriage license may be obtained up to one year prior to the ceremony. The marriage license must be purchased in person in the Marriage License Bureau in either Reno or Incline Village.

For answers to the most common questions, please visit the Marriage Bureau's Frequently Asked Questions page. For all other questions, please call the Marriage Bureau at either number below:

Reno Office  (Map)

75 Court Street, Reno, NV Telephone: (775) 328-3274 Fax: (775) 328-3122

Web: www.washoecounty.us  

Hours: 8 AM to 12 Midnight Monday to Sunday

Incline Village Office  (Map)

855 Alder Ave. #104, Incline Village, NV Telephone: (775) 832-4166 Fax: (775) 832-4161

Web: www.washoecounty.us

Hours: 8 AM to 5 PM (Closed 12-1PM) Tuesday to Saturday  
  
  

What’s on Tap

Events

Lake Tahoe Festivals & Events:

 

Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival—7/8 – 8/21

North Lake—Imagine your toes in the sand, a fantastic bottle of wine nearby, a gourmet meal in hand and first-class entertainment before you…

Labor Day Lake Tahoe Fireworks Extravaganza—9/4/16 @ 08:30 PM

South Lake—This pyrotechnic exhibition explodes over Lake Tahoe after dusk and features a variety of patterns, shapes, and designs.

Big Band Jazz Concert at the Sugar Pine Point State Park—9/4/16

West Lake—Concert goers are encouraged to bring a picnic, low-back chairs, blankets, and be prepared to have fun.

The Great Reno Balloon Race—9/9 – 9/11/16

Reno—This is the 35th year for one of Reno’s most colorful and spectacular events! It attracts nearly 100 hot air balloons

For more event information, click on our Festivals & Events page for Half Moon Bay.
  
  

Attractions

Top Attractions:

Winter Outdoor Activities  – 2015/16

The ski areas were finally blessed with SNOW! The recent drought took its toll, but finally were seeing some action…

Summer Outdoor Activities – 2016

Lake Tahoe  – In a couple of months, Lake Tahoe will be bursting with outdoor activities!

Desolation Wilderness Area 

Awesome hiking from late spring to late summer. 

 

For more information on local attractions, click on the Lake Tahoe Attractions or Recreational Activities.
  
  

 

Advisories

The Region’s Fall Advisories:
  

Traffic Conditions. During the summer months, Lake Tahoe is inundated with tourists making driving challenging. Another issue, is the warm summer months are the best to complete road work. This combination can create very long delays in certain sections. Go to www.caltrans.com to learn about road conditions. 

Yes, It’s Still Water! California’s extreme drought has created some long-term consequences. If you are planning a lake vacation be sure to check about water levels. That rafting trip, fishing, or skiing may be impacted. It has also create EXTREME fire conditions, so be sure to check with local authorities about campfire and camp stove regulations.   

The Plague! It sounds medieval, but chipmunks and squirrels around Lake Tahoe can carry the Plague and health officials urge caution. Click here to learn more.

Yellow Jackets! I don’t know why it’s so bad this season, but from Tahoe City south  along the beaches the bees are everywhere! Click here to learn more.
  
  

  
  
  

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