Search Avondale Marriage License

Avondale residents who want a marriage license must apply through Maricopa County. The city does not issue marriage licenses on its own. Maricopa County runs several clerk offices across the Phoenix metro area, making it easy for Avondale couples to find a nearby location. The closest option is the Northwest Regional Court in Surprise, which sits about 15 minutes north of central Avondale. The fee is $98 for all Maricopa County locations, and there is no waiting period or blood test. Once you get your license, it stays valid for a full year and works anywhere in Arizona.

Avondale Marriage License Through Maricopa County

Avondale sits in the west valley of Maricopa County. The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court handles all marriage licenses for the area. Avondale does not have its own clerk office that issues licenses. This is true for most Arizona cities. Only the county has the legal authority to issue marriage licenses under state law. The good news is that Maricopa County makes the process simple with multiple office locations spread across the metro area.

The nearest location for most Avondale residents is the Northwest Regional Court in Surprise. The address is 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise, AZ 85374. This office handles marriage license applications Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments help you skip the line on busy days. From central Avondale, the drive takes about 15 to 20 minutes depending on traffic conditions.

Some Avondale couples prefer the downtown Phoenix location instead. The Downtown Customer Service Center is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. It has the longest hours and sees the most traffic. The drive from Avondale takes 20 to 30 minutes heading east on Interstate 10. Both locations charge the same $98 fee and issue the exact same license. Pick whichever works best for your schedule.

Avondale City Clerk Information

The Avondale City Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. Many people call the city clerk expecting to get one, but that is not how Arizona works. The city clerk handles other duties like public records requests, city council agendas, and business licenses. For marriage licenses, you need the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court.

Avondale also does not offer a domestic partnership registry. Some Arizona cities like Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff have their own domestic partnership programs. Avondale has not created one. Couples who want to register a domestic partnership must use one of those other cities if they qualify. The Maricopa County marriage license remains the standard option for Avondale residents who want legal recognition of their relationship.

Note: The Avondale city website does not provide marriage license information because the city has no role in the process.

Avondale Marriage License Requirements

Avondale couples follow the same requirements as everyone else in Maricopa County. Both people must appear together at a clerk office. No exceptions. You cannot apply alone or send a friend. Each applicant must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. Since 2021, Maricopa County also accepts Matricula Consular cards. Your ID must clearly show your name, photo, and date of birth.

Social Security numbers are required on the application. The clerk keeps this information separate from public records. It goes only to the Department of Economic Security for child support purposes. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can indicate that on the form. This often applies to foreign nationals getting married in Arizona. The lack of a number does not prevent you from getting a license.

Arizona sets the minimum marriage age at 18. A 16 or 17 year old can marry only with parental consent or an emancipation order. Under ARS 25-102, the future spouse cannot be more than three years older than the minor. Anyone under 16 cannot marry at all. The clerk will refuse to issue a license that violates these age requirements.

No blood test is needed in Arizona. The state dropped that rule years ago. There is no waiting period either. You can walk into a clerk office, get your license, and marry the same day if you want. A divorce decree from any prior marriage is not required when you apply. The clerk assumes you are telling the truth about your marital history.

How Avondale Residents Apply for a Marriage License

The process is straightforward. Both applicants go to a Maricopa County clerk office together. Tell the staff you want a marriage license. You will fill out an affidavit under oath. The affidavit asks for your name, age, and home address. It includes a statement that you understand information about sexually transmitted diseases is available from the county health department. Both people sign the form in front of the clerk.

The clerk checks your IDs and reviews the affidavit. If everything looks good, they print your license on the spot. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes. Busy times may take longer. The Maricopa County Clerk website lets you schedule appointments online. This cuts your wait time significantly. Walk-ins still work fine if you have flexibility in your schedule.

Maricopa County offers an online option for Arizona residents. You complete the application at home and receive your license by mail. The fee is $98 plus $8 for postage. You still need to provide ID copies and sign the affidavit in front of a notary before mailing it back. The online process takes about one to two weeks. In-person visits are faster if you need the license right away.

Marriage License Fees for Avondale

The fee for a Maricopa County marriage license is $98. This is the same at all four county locations. You can pay with cash, money order, debit card, or credit card. The clerk accepts all major cards. Online applications cost $98 plus $8 for postage and handling.

Certified copies of your recorded marriage license cost $43.50 each. If you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope, the fee drops to $35.50. Many couples prepay for a certified copy when they get their license. You will need certified copies to change your name at the DMV, Social Security office, or bank. Order a few extras to save time later.

Converting an existing marriage to a covenant marriage costs $35. Covenant marriages require premarital counseling and have stricter divorce rules. You must bring a notarized statement from your counselor. The Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 explains covenant marriage in detail.

Wedding Ceremonies for Avondale Couples

Getting a license does not make you married. You need a ceremony too. ARS 25-111 requires the marriage to be solemnized by an authorized person before the license expires. The license lasts 12 months. Without a proper ceremony within that time, the marriage is not valid.

Many officiants can perform weddings in Arizona. ARS 25-124 lists them all. Licensed or ordained clergy can officiate. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges of courts of record can marry people. Municipal court judges qualify. So do justices of the peace. Federal judges, including bankruptcy and tax court judges, can also perform ceremonies. Online ordination is legal in Arizona too.

The Maricopa County Justice Courts offer courthouse weddings. These ceremonies happen after 5 p.m. on weekdays. You must arrive by 4:30 p.m. to clear security because the doors lock at exactly 5 p.m. The ceremony fee runs $100 to $120 depending on the judge. Some judges marry active military members for free by appointment during lunch hours.

You need two witnesses at your ceremony. They must be 18 or older. The witnesses sign the license along with both spouses and the officiant. Bring your own witnesses or ask the court if they can provide them. After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 30 days for recording.

Nearest Marriage License Locations to Avondale

Avondale couples have several options for getting their marriage license. The Northwest Regional Court in Surprise is the closest. The address is 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is (602) 372-5375. From Avondale, take Loop 101 north to reach this location quickly.

The Downtown Customer Service Center in Phoenix offers another choice. It is at 601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, 85003. This is the busiest location but also the main hub for the county clerk. Take Interstate 10 east from Avondale to reach downtown. The drive runs about 20 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. This location has the most staff and handles the highest volume of applications each day.

Buckeye Municipal Court offers a unique option for west valley residents. The court issues Maricopa County marriage licenses at 21749 W. Yuma Road, Suite B101 in Buckeye. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is the same $98. Buckeye does not perform ceremonies, but they can process your license application. This may be convenient for Avondale residents living on the west side of town.

Two other Maricopa County locations also serve the metro area. The Northeast Regional Court is at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix. The Southeast Regional Court Center is at 222 E. Javelina Avenue in Mesa. Both are farther from Avondale but remain options if you work or have other business in those areas.

Note: All Maricopa County locations charge the same fee and issue identical licenses.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Licenses

Avondale sits in the west valley surrounded by other Maricopa County cities. Residents of these nearby cities all use the same Maricopa County clerk offices. No matter which west valley city you live in, the process and fees stay the same.

Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona and home to the main county clerk office downtown. Goodyear sits just south of Avondale and is part of the same west valley region. Buckeye is farther west and has its own municipal court that issues county marriage licenses. Glendale lies northeast of Avondale on the edge of Phoenix. Surprise hosts the Northwest Regional Court, which is the closest county office for most Avondale residents.

You do not have to apply in the city where you live. Any Maricopa County location will work. You can also apply in any other Arizona county. The license is valid statewide. Some couples apply in a smaller county with shorter lines, then return home to marry.