Nevada Does Not Recognize Out-of-State Domestic Partnerships

No. Under Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 122.040, marriage in Nevada is defined as "a personal relation arising out of a civil contract between one man and one woman." Consequently, the state does not recognize same-sex marriages or domestic partnerships legally registered in other jurisdictions, including Washington, D.C.

This statutory language reflects Nevada's constitutional amendment (Question 2, 2002) defining marriage as exclusively heterosexual. While the U.S. Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges decision legalized same-sex marriage nationwide, Nevada's statutes regarding recognition of non-marital domestic partnerships from other states remain restrictive. Couples with D.C. domestic partnerships seeking legal recognition in Nevada should consult a family law attorney regarding current protections.