Vegas marriage - is a certified abstract needed?

Question

We got married in Vegas last month and I'm about to order the Certified Marriage Certificate online from Clark County Clerk's office, we are both citizens and residents of the UK. My question is do we also need a Certified Abstract too?

The text on the Clark County website states: "Certified document that may be used for proof of marriage by some government agencies and countries. This document is not commonly required, so please check with your government before purchasing."

The problem is google searches don't bring up any references to a Certified Abstract on any UK government website, which might mean it's not required but might also mean the document is known by a different name here in the UK.

Does anyone know it it's required here?

Answer

For UK residents who were married in Las Vegas (Clark County, Nevada), the main document you generally need to obtain and use for official purposes is the Certified Marriage Certificate. This is the official proof of marriage and is recognized internationally for most purposes, including registration with UK authorities.

The “Certified Abstract” mentioned on the Clark County website is essentially a simplified version of the marriage certificate, often used in some US states for internal purposes like Social Security or local agencies. It is not a separate requirement for foreign governments.

From the information available and based on UK government guidance:

The UK does not list a Certified Abstract as a requirement for registering or proving your marriage abroad.
The Certified Marriage Certificate from Clark County is sufficient for UK purposes, such as changing your name, updating passports, or notifying HMRC.
You may want to request an official English translation if your certificate is not in English, but in this case it will already be in English since it’s issued in the US.

In practical terms:

Order the Certified Marriage Certificate online from Clark County.
Check with your local UK registry or relevant government office if you are planning to use the certificate for legal name changes or other formal processes — generally, no abstract is required.
Keep multiple certified copies if you anticipate needing to submit them to different agencies (passport office, bank, insurance, etc.).

Summary: A Certified Abstract is not required for UK citizens; the Certified Marriage Certificate alone is sufficient.