The Nevada legislature is considering a bill that would authorize Notaries to officiate at weddings. If passed, Nevada would join Florida, South Carolina and Maine as the only states that permit Notaries to perform marriages. (UPDATE: Maine Notaries will no longer be able to perform marriages as part of their Notary duties effective July 1, 2023.) Considering that Las Vegas is famous for its wedding chapels, this could provide a significant income opportunity for the state’s Notaries.
Senate Bill 419, which was passed to the Committee on Judiciary in late March, includes a provision requiring Notaries Public to obtain a certificate of permission in order to perform marriages. The names and information of the Notaries will then be submitted into a comprehensive statewide database, maintained by the Nevada Secretary of State, which keeps track of all individuals authorized to perform marriages in the state. The law would also establish a fee limit of $75 for Notaries performing marriages.
From officiating wedding ceremonies, to performing automobile title transactions (in states where they are authorized to do so), to becoming “secret shoppers” as a way to help businesses evaluate their customer service, Notaries nationwide continue to discover new ways to leverage their commission and increase their income potential.
Kelle Clarke is a Contributing Editor with the National Notary Association.