Buckeye Marriage License
Buckeye stands out from most Arizona cities because you can get a marriage license right here in town. The Buckeye Municipal Court issues marriage licenses on behalf of Maricopa County. This is rare. Most cities send you to the county clerk office miles away. Buckeye residents can walk into the local court and leave with their license the same day. The fee is $98, the same as what you pay at any Maricopa County location. Both people must show up in person with valid ID. The court does not perform ceremonies, so you still need to find an officiant on your own. This local option saves west valley couples a long drive to Phoenix or Surprise.
Buckeye Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get a Marriage License in Buckeye
The Buckeye Municipal Court issues marriage licenses for local couples. The court sits at 21749 W. Yuma Rd., Suite B101, Buckeye, AZ 85326. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The office closes for lunch and on state holidays. No appointment is needed. Walk in during regular hours and the staff will help you with your application. This is the only city in the west valley that offers this service directly.
Most Arizona cities do not issue marriage licenses. They send couples to the county clerk office instead. Buckeye is different. The Municipal Court has an agreement with Maricopa County to process marriage license applications right here in town. You get the same official license you would get at a county location. It works anywhere in Arizona for 12 months from the date of issue. The only thing Buckeye cannot do is perform the wedding ceremony itself.
The Buckeye court also offers online applications through the Maricopa County system. Arizona residents can complete the process at home and get their license by mail. This adds $8 for postage and takes longer, but it works for couples who cannot visit during business hours. The Maricopa County Clerk website handles all online marriage license requests for the county, including Buckeye.
Buckeye Municipal Court Marriage Services
The Buckeye Municipal Court handles traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and city code violations. Marriage licenses are a side service. The court processes the application and paperwork just like a county clerk office would. Staff members are trained on all the requirements. They can answer questions and help you complete the affidavit. The only limit is that they cannot schedule or perform wedding ceremonies for you.
The presiding judge at Buckeye Municipal Court does not perform marriages. This matters because many couples assume they can get their license and marry in the same visit. You cannot do that here. Buckeye issues the license only. You must arrange your own ceremony with a licensed officiant. Religious leaders, judges from other courts, and justices of the peace can all perform weddings in Arizona. Find someone you like and book them separately.
Buckeye sits far from the other Maricopa County clerk locations. Downtown Phoenix is over 30 miles east. The Northwest Regional Court in Surprise is closer but still a drive. Having a local option in Buckeye saves time and gas. The Municipal Court is easy to find off Yuma Road. Parking is free and plentiful.
Note: Certified copies of your marriage license must be requested from the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court, not from Buckeye.
Buckeye Marriage License Requirements
Both people must appear together at the Buckeye Municipal Court. No exceptions. You cannot apply alone. You cannot send someone in your place. Each person needs valid photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. The ID must clearly show your name, photo, and date of birth. Bring the original, not a copy.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The court keeps this separate from the public record. It goes only to the state for child support purposes. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can note that on the form. Foreign nationals and visitors can still apply for a marriage license in Buckeye as long as they have valid identification from their home country.
Arizona law sets the marriage age at 18. Under ARS 25-102, a 16 or 17 year old can marry only with parental consent or a court order. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older. Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona at all. The Buckeye court will refuse applications that violate these age rules. Parents or guardians must appear in person with minors who qualify.
No blood test is needed. Arizona dropped that rule years ago. There is no waiting period. You can get your license and marry the same day. You do not need proof of divorce from any prior marriage. The state trusts that you know your own legal status. Just make sure any past marriage ended before your new ceremony takes place.
Marriage License Fees in Buckeye
The marriage license fee at Buckeye Municipal Court is $98. This matches what Maricopa County charges at all its other locations. You can pay with cash, credit card, or money order. The court does not accept personal checks for marriage licenses. Bring a payment method they accept to avoid a second trip.
Certified copies of your recorded marriage license cost extra. Maricopa County charges $43.50 per copy, or $35.50 if you provide your own stamped envelope. You cannot get certified copies from Buckeye Municipal Court. After your officiant returns the signed license to the county, you request copies directly from Maricopa County. Most couples need at least one or two certified copies for name changes at the DMV, Social Security office, or banks.
Covenant marriage is a special option in Arizona. It requires premarital counseling and creates a marriage with limited divorce grounds. Converting an existing marriage to covenant status costs $35 at the county level. The rules appear in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 Chapter 7. Ask the Buckeye court staff if they handle covenant marriage applications or if you need to visit a county office for that.
Wedding Ceremony Rules for Buckeye Couples
Getting a license does not mean you are married. Arizona requires a ceremony. Under ARS 25-111, the marriage must be solemnized by an authorized officiant before the license expires. You have 12 months from the issue date. Without a proper ceremony, there is no legal marriage. The license just gives you permission to wed.
Arizona law lists who can perform weddings. ARS 25-124 includes licensed or ordained clergy of any faith. Ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders qualify. Judges of courts of record can marry couples. So can municipal court judges, though not the one in Buckeye. Justices of the peace perform many courthouse weddings in Arizona. Federal judges and magistrates can also officiate.
You need two witnesses at your ceremony. They must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses sign the marriage license along with both spouses and the officiant. Anyone can serve as a witness. Ask friends, family, or even someone you just met. Some courthouses provide witnesses if couples arrive without them. Check ahead if you need this service.
After the wedding, your officiant must return the signed license to the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. This should happen within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and files the original document. You can then order certified copies. Make sure your officiant knows this responsibility. Some forget, and that causes delays.
Note: The Buckeye Municipal Court judge does not perform wedding ceremonies, so plan to find an officiant elsewhere.
Buckeye and Maricopa County
Buckeye is part of Maricopa County, the largest county in Arizona. The county clerk maintains all official marriage records for the region. When you get your license in Buckeye, the Municipal Court sends the paperwork to the county. After your ceremony, your officiant files the signed license with Maricopa County too. The county is the central hub for all marriage documents.
Maricopa County runs four clerk locations besides the Buckeye option. The Downtown Customer Service Center is at 601 W. Jackson St. in Phoenix. The Northeast Regional Court is at 18380 N. 40th St. in Phoenix. The Northwest Regional Court sits at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Ln. in Surprise. The Southeast Regional Court Center is at 222 E. Javelina Ave. in Mesa. All of these locations have the same $98 fee and same requirements as Buckeye.
If you need certified copies of your marriage license, contact the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The main phone number is 602-372-5375. You can request copies in person, by mail, or sometimes online. The county keeps records for many years. Even if you married decades ago in Buckeye, your record is on file with the county.
Other Marriage License Options Near Buckeye
Buckeye couples have several choices for getting a marriage license. The Municipal Court is the closest option right in town. The Maricopa County Northwest Regional Court in Surprise is the next nearest location. It sits about 20 miles east on the I-10 corridor. Surprise offers the same services plus access to Justice Court wedding ceremonies after 5 p.m.
Some couples prefer the downtown Phoenix location for its central spot and longer hours. The drive is longer from Buckeye, but traffic flows well if you avoid rush hour. The Northeast and Southeast locations in Phoenix and Mesa serve the east valley better than the west. For Buckeye residents, the local Municipal Court or the Surprise office make the most sense.
Payment options to keep in mind:
- Buckeye accepts cash, credit card, and money order
- No personal checks at Buckeye Municipal Court
- Online applications require electronic payment
- Add $8 postage for mail delivery of online licenses
- Certified copies cost $43.50 from the county
Nearby Cities for Marriage Licenses
Buckeye sits in the west valley of Maricopa County. Several other major cities lie to the east along the I-10 and Loop 101 corridors. All of these cities use the Maricopa County clerk system for marriage licenses. Most of them do not have local issuance like Buckeye does.
Maricopa County Marriage License Office
Buckeye is part of Maricopa County. All marriage records are maintained by the county clerk. For complete details on every Maricopa County location, hours, fees, and services, visit the county page.