More weddings take place in Las Vegas every year than any other city. In fact, there are well over 100,000 weddings performed in Sin City annually. And one of the reasons so many people choose Vegas for their nuptials is that it's so easy to get married there. Vegas is governed by the rules of Clark County, Nevada, which has much less stringent requirements than many other locations.

Getting Married in Vegas
Many places require a blood test for the bride and groom before a wedding can be performed. Other places also have a waiting period, so a happy couple can't spontaneously tie the knot. None of this applies in Las Vegas, where all you need are two willing adults and some identification.

To get married in Vegas, the applicants must be a man and woman over the age of 18 years old and have identification to prove it. U.S. citizens must also provide their social security numbers.

There is a $60 filing fee collected by Clark County. The Las Vegas marriage bureau office is open daily from 8 a.m. until midnight, holidays included.

Disqualifications
As is true elsewhere in the United States, you may not get married in Las Vegas if you are still in a marriage. Divorced applicants must be able to provide the date and location of their divorce. The divorce must be final, although Clark County does not require that you bring your divorce decree as proof.

Additionally, you are not permitted to marry a close relation. Marriages by any two persons more closely related than second cousins or cousins of half blood will not be allowed.

Special Rules for Minors
Minors ages 16 and 17 can get married in Las Vegas, but only with permission from a parent or guardian. The easiest way for that to happen is for the parent or legal guardian to appear with the minor. Both the minor and the parent must provide identification, along with a certified copy of a birth certificate or court order showing that the person present is in fact the parent or legal guardian.

If the parent or legal guardian does not appear, they may provide a notarized statement that includes the parent or guardian's full name along with that of the minor who wishes to get married, the minor's date of birth, and, of course, a statement giving their consent to the proceedings. A certified copy of the birth certificate or court order showing the name of the parent or legal guardian must accompany the notarized consent document.

Minors under the age of 16 may not get married without a court order from a Nevada State Court.

Your Wedding
Once you obtain your license, you have one year to get married by a person authorized to perform ceremonies in the state of Nevada. While Las Vegas has no shortage of wedding chapels and churches, you may also get married right there in the commissioner's office (from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. for the main Las Vegas office). You must, in any case, bring your license to the wedding for it to be official.

A Las Vegas wedding will be recognized anywhere in the United States, and in most nations around the world.