Bigamy is the act of marrying one person while being legally married to another. Polygamy is the practice or custom (often religious) of having more than one wife or husband at a time. Most states prohibit a party from having more than one marriage license at a time, and in most states bigamy is a crime.
In Nevada, both bigamy and polygamy are illegal. Under Nevada law, specifically NRS 201.160, bigamy is considered a crime. It is defined as the act of knowingly marrying someone while already being legally married to another person. This statute makes it a felony for anyone to have more than one living spouse. Additionally, because Nevada law recognizes only monogamous marriages, any marriage license obtained while another is still in effect would be invalid. The state does not recognize polygamous marriages, regardless of whether they are based on cultural, religious, or personal beliefs. Individuals found guilty of bigamy in Nevada may face penalties including fines and imprisonment.