How to Get Nevada Vital Records (Start Here)

Vital records in Nevada, birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce records, can be obtained from County Recorder (local) / DHHS (state). Marriage licenses are issued by the County Clerk.

What this page covers: Nevada vital record ordering, eligibility requirements, and related databases. What it does not cover: Genealogy records older than the state vital records system (check the Genealogy Resources page for historical records).

Where to start: For certified copies of birth or death certificates, contact County Recorder (local) / DHHS (state). For marriage licenses, contact the County Clerk in the county where the ceremony will occur. For divorce records, contact the court that granted the decree.

Common mistake: Birth and death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees come from different offices. Do not assume one office handles all vital records.

Statewide vital-records agency
Where to Write for Vital Records - Nevada
Parent agency
Birth Records | Service Directory | Carson City
Records back to
VitalRecords
Online ordering
Birth/Death Vital Records - Forms
Marriage license issued by
Marriage License Requirements
Local intake
Where to Write for Vital Records - Nevada
Population
3,267,467
Households
1,198,100
Median Income
$74,392
Median Home Value
$392,100
SearchSystems Editorial
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Last reviewed: June 04, 2026 · Methodology: Nevada vital records URL verified against the official state publisher at dpbh.nv.gov on the review date. 7 primary .gov sources cited below.

Nevada Vital Records, Key Facts (2026)

Birth, death, marriage, and divorce records for Nevada, who can request, how to order, and what 2026 changed.
State-only
Issuing authority
Not federal
Restricted
Birth/death access
Usually self + family
75-125 yr
When records become public
Genealogy threshold
VitalChek
3rd-party portal
Used by many states
CDC NVSS
National statistics
Data only, no certificates
Who can request a Nevada vital record
The person named
100%
Parent of subject
100%
Spouse of subject
90%
Adult child
90%
Legal representative
80%
General public (recent)
10%
General public (historical 75+yr)
95%
Unit: % likely to receive a certified copy.

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What Changed in 2026, Nevada Vital Records

2026
Nevada vital records portal active
The official Nevada portal at dpbh.nv.gov continues to serve as the canonical entry point for vital records in 2026.
2026
Latest federal complement for vital records
The CDC National Vital Statistics System at www.cdc.gov provides federal-level context that complements Nevada state records.
2026
Nevada access in 2026
For 2026, Nevada continues to publish vital records information through state-authorized portals; check dpbh.nv.gov for current fees and processing times.
2026
Federal records framework refresh
Federal record types (federal liens, federal land, federal vital statistics) continue to live OUTSIDE Nevada's state portal, see the Primary Sources below for additional official portals.

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The 4-Step Nevada Vital Records Pathway

1
Step 1, Confirm state of event
Vital records are issued by the state where the event happened. For events in Nevada, start with the Nevada health department.
2
Step 2, Verify eligibility
Most states restrict birth/death to self, parents, spouse, child, or legal rep.
3
Step 3, Choose ordering method
Nevada typically allows mail, in-person, or online (often via VitalChek).
4
Step 4, Genealogy fallback
Nevada records older than 75-125 years are usually public, try FamilySearch or NARA.

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Five Things People Get Wrong About Nevada Vital Records

MYTH"Every birth was registered on time."
FACTHome births and older rural births often went unrecorded for years. Delayed registration files exist precisely because of this, ask the state archives.
MYTH"Vital records are federal records."
FACTThey're state records. The CDC compiles national statistics but has never issued a birth or death certificate, the state (and in Nevada, its vital records office) does.
MYTH"VitalChek is a government website."
FACTIt's a private company that many states authorize to process orders. Legitimate, yes, but the extra convenience fees are theirs, not the state's.
MYTH"Anyone can order anyone's birth certificate."
FACTBirth certificates are restricted nearly everywhere, the person named, parents, spouse, child, or a legal representative. Strangers don't qualify.
MYTH"Marriage licenses come from the state."
FACTIn most states, Nevada included for most purposes, you get the license at the county level, and the state only registers the completed record.

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Primary Sources and Official Record Portals

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Related Public Records
National view of this topic: All states: Vital records
Sample Nevada counties: Carson City · Churchill · Clark · Douglas · Elko

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Vital Records Databases

13 official Nevada vital records sources.

Court Records Criminal Records Wants & Warrants Vital Records Voter Records Licenses Recorded Documents Property Records

Vital Records

Search - Clark County
Official Free
Vital-record certificates connected to Clark County are ordered here. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 recorderecomm.clarkcountynv.gov
Marriage Search by Name
Official Free
Birth, death, and marriage record requests for Nevada route through this office. It sits outside government; official offices remain the record of authority.
🌐 clerk.clarkcountynv.gov
Questions and Answers, Eighth Judicial District Court
Official Free
Divorces are granted to NEVADA STATE residents only. Information on filing for divorce can be obtained through the Clark County Family Law Self-Help Center located on the first floor of the Family Courts and Services Center, 601 N. Pecos, Las Vegas.
🌐 clarkcountycourts.us
Recorder - Douglas County, Nevada
Official Free
The public records located in the Douglas County Recorder's Office include documents related to real property, such as deeds and deeds of trust, homesteads, liens, easements and many others. We also record maps, mining documents and marriage certificates. The services provided by the Recorder's Office are mandated by Nevada Revised Statute (NRS) 247.
🌐 douglascountynv.gov
Birth/Death Vital Records - FAQs
Official Free
Marriage certificates and divorce decrees are held at the county level. For certified copies of marriage certificates or divorce decrees, please contact the county where the event occurred. For a list of county offices, please visit the State of Nevada's Office of Vital Records forms page.
🌐 dpbh.nv.gov
Proof of Marriage (Marriage Certificate)
Official Free
A RENO, NV 89512 · It is Nevada State law that within 10 days after you have had a marriage ceremony performed, that the minister must deliver the original marriage certificate to the Washoe County Recorder's Office for official recording.
🌐 washoecounty.gov
Cemeteries
Official Free
Below are the links to the cemeteries in your County, as well as some additional information about those cemeteries. If you do not see the cemetery linked to a page, I do not have any additional information. Please note: Most of the County cemeteries are only partially transcribed.
🌐 usgenwebsites.org
Resource Center - Washoe Courts
Official Free
In Nevada, you do not need to go through legal separation before you can get a divorce. Both spouses do not need to agree to start a divorce, legal separation, or annulment. If both people do not agree, one person can file a "complaint".
🌐 washoecourts.com
White Pine County Public Records | Search Nevada Government Databases
Official Free
Search through our extensive database of White Pine County public, vital, and criminal record resources to find information for a background search.
🌐 brbpub.com
Session Has Expired
Official Free
Session has Expired · It appears your session has expired. Please return to the Home Page and log in again to continue. You will be returned to the home page in 5 seconds
🌐 records.elkocountynv.net
Birth and Death Certificates | Carson City
Official Free
Birth, death, and marriage record requests for Nevada route through this office. It is independently run, so verify anything critical against the official vital record office.
🌐 carsoncity.gov
Getting Married | Carson City
Official Free
This is the request channel for Nevada vital records, births, deaths, and marriages. Confirm details with the official vital record office before relying on them.
🌐 carsoncity.gov

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Nevada Counties

All 17 Nevada counties. Click any county for local court, sheriff, recorder and assessor links.

Clark Washoe Lyon Carson City Elko Douglas Nye Churchill Humboldt Esmeralda Eureka Lander Lincoln Mineral

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Which Nevada counties publish vital records information online

9 of Nevada's 17 counties run their own online source for vital records information, based on what this directory indexes. Every other county is covered by the statewide systems listed above, click a county for its full records page.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Certified birth certificates for events in Nevada are issued by the Official Nevada Vital Records at dpbh.nv.gov. Requests can be made by mail, in person, or (in most cases) online through the state's authorized vendor. The county of registration may also be able to issue certified copies for recent local events.

Nevada death certificates are issued by the Official Nevada Vital Records; eligibility (next of kin, executor, legal representative) and ID documentation requirements are listed at dpbh.nv.gov. For deaths within the last year, the county clerk or local registrar where the death occurred can often issue a copy more quickly.

Nevada marriage and divorce records are not generally available in a free, name-searchable online index. The Official Nevada Vital Records (dpbh.nv.gov) handles certified copies; the underlying license/decree is filed with the county clerk or court that issued it, which is also a primary search point.

Standard Nevada vital-record processing times vary from a few business days (in-person same-day at some county clerks) to several weeks for mailed requests. The Official Nevada Vital Records publishes current turnaround times at dpbh.nv.gov. Expedited processing is usually available for an additional fee.

The Official Nevada Vital Records requires government-issued photo identification (driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID) and proof of your relationship to the record holder, if applicable. The full list of acceptable ID and supporting documents is published at dpbh.nv.gov.