Getting Married in Nevada County

Where is Nevada County?
The county seat of Nevada County is located in Nevada City, California. We’re located in the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills;  about an hour's drive from Sacramento, three hours from San Francisco, 90 minutes from Reno in Nevada, and about an hour from Lake Tahoe. The Gold Rush and the rather colorful history of Nevada City have created a GLBT-friendly town. Grass Valley is our neighboring “sister” town and offers much of the same hospitality. If you’re flying in from outside the area, then either Sacramento or Reno airports are your best choices.

Visit the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce’s web site for the best information on the area, and they do provide general wedding information. Nevada City promotes itself as “civlization on the edge of wilderness”, and those of us who moved here from urban areas can attest that the culture (music, art, live theatre, movie theaters), great cuisine, unique shopping, charming lodging, terrific wineries, and historical heritage of the Gold Country are steps away from the Tahoe National Forest and the beautiful Yuba River.

Civil Marriage Law in California
On June 17, 2008, the day California legalized same-sex marriages, every county in California by law had to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Under state law, there is no waiting period to be married and there is no residency requirement, unlike Massachusetts. Nevada County’s Clerk-Recorder, Greg Diaz, has welcomed same-sex couples from around the USA to be married here – yes, we called and asked him. And, if June 17 in his office was any indication, the staff are wonderfully supportive and helpful. One month later, 41 same-sex couples have had marriage licenses issued, and 16 have had their ceremonies performed in the Clerk-Recorder's office.

Nevada City Welcomes Same-Sex Weddings
In June of 2008 – with much community support – the Nevada City Downtown Association proposed the placement of a full-color ad in “The Advocate” (August 12 issue) promoting Nevada City as the perfect rural destination in California for same-sex marriages and weddings. The Nevada City Downtown Association, Nevada City Chamber of Commerce, Nevada County Pride, and two local businesses – Nevada City Carriage Company, and Harmony Ridge Lodge joined in to pay for the ad placement.

The process required some “community education” on our part as the Nevada City Chamber of Commerce’s Board first rejected the idea of paying for the ad, then reversed their decision. And the local newspaper made a “controversy” out of something that truly wasn’t one, but their online articles did push our announcement out onto the Associated Press wire service.

Gay & Lesbian-Friendly Businesses
Nevada County Pride will be launching an online database of gay & lesbian-friendly businesses by July 30. Frankly, we can’t imagine this won’t include anything less than 99% of our local commercial enterprises. So come back soon, as we will also be including information on caterers, hall rentals, lodging, and clergy to perform your marriage ceremony.