Guide · Clark County
How to get a divorce in Nevada without a lawyer in Las Vegas: Clark County steps
One spouse needs only 6 weeks of Nevada residency to file, and spouses who agree on everything can file together using the court's free guided forms.
Updated November 5, 2026 at 9:37 PM
You can get a divorce in Nevada if at least one spouse has lived in the state for 6 weeks before filing (NRS 125.020). If you agree on everything, you file a joint petition together. If you don't, or your spouse won't sign, one of you files a complaint alone. Nevada law has no waiting period after filing.
Deadlines to know
If you file a complaint, you must serve your spouse within 120 days. Your spouse then has 21 calendar days to answer. If they don't respond, you can ask the court for a default decree.
If you file a joint petition, either spouse can back out any time before the final decree is entered (NRS 125.183). To do it, file a notice of revocation with the clerk and mail a copy to the other spouse by first-class mail.
Step 1: Check residency
One of you must have lived in Nevada at least 6 weeks before filing (NRS 125.020). Someone other than you or your spouse signs a resident witness affidavit confirming it. A joint petition must come with an affidavit of corroboration of residency (NRS 125.182).
Step 2: Choose your path
A joint petition works only if every one of these is true (NRS 125.181): one of you meets the residency rule; you are incompatible or have lived apart for a year; you have no minor children (and the wife is not pregnant) or have signed an agreement on custody and child support; you have no community property or have signed an agreement dividing property and debts; you both waive spousal support or have agreed on it; and you both give up notice of the decree, appeal and a new trial.
Both spouses sign the joint petition under oath (NRS 125.182). It must state the date and place of the marriage, both mailing addresses, whether there are minor children, and whether either of you wants a former name restored. A mailed-in joint petition usually takes about 3 to 4 weeks to process.
If you can't file jointly, file a complaint with the district court (NRS 125.020). The grounds are incompatibility, living apart for a year, or insanity lasting 2 years (NRS 125.010).
To serve the complaint, an adult who isn't part of the case, and isn't a family member or partner, hands your spouse the complaint and summons. That person signs an affidavit of service, and you file it with the court.
Step 3: Use the court's free guided forms
The Guide & File interview walks you through either path and fills in the papers at nevada.tylertech.cloud/SRL/SRL. Use Chrome or Firefox, because Safari isn't supported.
What it costs
Filing a divorce complaint or joint petition costs $299. Answering a complaint costs $217. E-filing adds $3.50. Confirm the amounts at the clerk's window before you pay.
If you can't afford the fee, file an Application to Waive Filing Fee with your papers. You may qualify if you get public assistance, your expenses are higher than your income, or your household income is under 150% of the federal poverty level.
Finishing up
Your divorce is final on the day the decree is filed with the clerk (NRS 125.130). The court can also restore a name you legally used before (NRS 125.130). Keep a filed copy, because you'll need it to change your name, update a lease, or prove your status.
Free help in Clark County
The Family Law Self-Help Center, 601 N. Pecos Rd, Las Vegas, helps with forms for free, Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm, at 702-455-1500. Staff can't give legal advice. If you're not safe, call the same number and press 2 about a protection order. You pay nothing up front to apply (NRS 33.050). In an emergency, call 911.
For legal questions, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (lacsn.org) offers free 15-minute phone consultations with a lawyer on Thursdays, 2pm to 5pm. Sign up in advance.
Sources: Getting a divorce in Nevada, NRS 125.182 - Summary proceeding for divorce: Commencement of action; contents o, NRS 125.183 - Summary proceeding for divorce: Termination of proceeding by revoc, NRS 125.181 - Summary proceeding for divorce: Conditions., NRS 125.130 - Decree of divorce final and absolute; duties of court concerning s