Find Chandler Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses for Chandler residents come from Maricopa County. The city does not issue them directly. You must apply at a Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court location. The nearest office for most Chandler couples is the Southeast Regional Court in Mesa. The fee is $98. Both people need to show up in person with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. There is no blood test. There is no waiting period. Once issued, your license works anywhere in Arizona for 12 months. Chandler offers a helpful bonus though. The city provides free notary services at the City Clerk's Office for residents who need documents notarized as part of the marriage process.

Where Chandler Residents Get Marriage Licenses

Chandler is part of Maricopa County. The county Clerk of Superior Court handles all marriage license applications. The city of Chandler does not issue marriage licenses or maintain marriage records. This is true for all Arizona cities. Marriage is a county function here. You can apply at any of the four Maricopa County locations, but the closest one to Chandler is usually the Southeast Regional Court Center.

The Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court runs all four locations. Each office offers the same services. You can walk in or make an appointment online. The fee is $98 no matter which location you choose. Staff can answer questions and help you through the process. The license prints on the spot once you complete the affidavit and pay.

For Chandler couples, the Southeast Regional Court at 222 E. Javelina in Mesa is the best choice. It sits just minutes from downtown Chandler. The drive takes about 15 minutes from most Chandler neighborhoods. Parking is free at the courthouse. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome but appointments help you skip any line.

Maricopa County Marriage License Office

All Chandler marriage license applications go through Maricopa County. The county is the largest in Arizona. It serves more than 4 million people across Phoenix and the East Valley. The clerk's office processes thousands of marriage licenses each year. They have the process down to a smooth routine. Most couples finish in 20 to 30 minutes.

Maricopa County offers something unique in Arizona. Arizona residents can apply for a marriage license online. You fill out the forms at home and receive the license by mail. This saves a trip to the courthouse. The online option costs $98 plus $8 for postage. You still need to provide ID copies and get the affidavit notarized. Chandler residents can use the free notary at the city clerk's office for this step.

Learn more about all Maricopa County marriage license locations and services on our county page.

Note: The online application is only available to Arizona residents with a valid state ID.

Chandler Marriage License Requirements

Requirements for Chandler couples match the statewide rules. Both people must appear together at the clerk's office. No exceptions exist for this rule. One person cannot apply alone or send someone in their place. Each applicant needs valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport, state ID, or military ID. Maricopa County also accepts Matricula Consular cards.

You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The clerk keeps this separate from public records. Under ARS 25-121, this information goes only to the Department of Economic Security for child support purposes. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the clerk. Foreign nationals and others without numbers can still get married. The clerk will note the situation in their records and proceed with the application.

The minimum age is 18 for marriage without parental consent. Applicants who are 16 or 17 can marry with parental consent or an emancipation order. ARS 25-102 adds another rule for minors. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older. Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona at all.

Arizona does not require a blood test. There is no waiting period either. You can apply and receive your license the same day. The license is valid for 12 months from the date it is issued. You can use it anywhere in the state. If you do not have a ceremony within that year, the license expires and you must apply again.

Chandler City Clerk Services

While Chandler does not issue marriage licenses, the Chandler City Clerk's Office offers a valuable free service. They provide notary services at no cost on a walk-in basis. This can help Chandler couples who use the online marriage license application. The online process requires a notarized affidavit. Instead of paying a private notary, you can visit the city clerk for free.

The Chandler City Clerk's Office is at 175 S. Arizona Avenue in downtown Chandler. The building is Chandler City Hall. Parking is available in the nearby garage and surface lots. The office is open during normal business hours on weekdays. Walk in and ask for notary services. No appointment is needed. This is one of the few cities in Arizona that offers free notary to residents.

The phone number is 480-782-2181. Call if you have questions about what documents they can notarize. The staff handles a wide range of city services. They are familiar with marriage-related paperwork and can point you in the right direction if you have questions about the county process.

Marriage License Fees for Chandler Couples

The fee for a Maricopa County marriage license is $98. This is the same at all four county locations. You pay when you apply. The clerk accepts cash, money order, debit cards, and credit cards. Personal checks are accepted at some locations. The fee covers the application and recording once your officiant returns the signed license.

If you apply online, add $8 for postage and handling. You can also prepay $43.50 for a certified copy to be mailed with your license. Certified copies are useful for name changes at the DMV, Social Security Administration, banks, and employers. You may need several copies. Each additional certified copy costs $43.50 or $35.50 if you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope.

Converting an existing marriage to a covenant marriage costs $35. Covenant marriage is a special Arizona option that requires premarital counseling and limits divorce options. Most Chandler couples choose traditional marriage licenses.

After You Get Your Chandler Marriage License

The license is not a marriage. You need a ceremony to become legally married. Under ARS 25-111, Arizona requires a valid ceremony performed by an authorized person. The ceremony must happen before the license expires. That gives you 12 months from the date of issue.

ARS 25-124 lists who can perform weddings in Arizona. Licensed clergy can officiate. Judges of courts of record qualify. Municipal court judges and justices of the peace can marry couples. Federal judges, magistrate judges, bankruptcy court judges, and tax court judges also have authority. Online ordination is legal in Arizona. A friend or family member can get ordained and perform your wedding.

You need two witnesses at the ceremony. They must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses sign the marriage license along with both spouses and the officiant. After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the Maricopa County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and stores the original. You can then order certified copies.

Wedding Options in Chandler

Chandler offers many venue choices for your ceremony. The city has grown into a thriving community with resorts, parks, and event spaces. Downtown Chandler has historic charm with restaurants and unique venues. The area around Ocotillo features golf courses and waterfront settings. Many Chandler couples hold their ceremonies at local parks, churches, or private venues.

For a quick courthouse ceremony, Chandler residents can contact the Maricopa County Justice Courts. Weddings are available after 5 p.m. on weekdays. The fee runs $100 to $120 depending on the judge. You must arrive early to clear security since doors lock at exactly 5 p.m. Some judges marry active military members for free during lunch hours. Call ahead to schedule your date.

Key steps for a Chandler wedding:

• Apply at Maricopa County Clerk, preferably Southeast Regional Court in Mesa
• Find an authorized officiant
• Arrange for two witnesses over age 18
• Hold your ceremony before the license expires
• Have the officiant return the license within 30 days

Note: The Maricopa County Clerk's Office does not arrange ceremonies or recommend officiants.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Licenses

Chandler sits in the heart of the East Valley. Several other major cities are just minutes away. All of them use Maricopa County for marriage licenses. If you live on the border between cities, you still go to the same county clerk. The Southeast Regional Court in Mesa serves the entire East Valley region.

Phoenix is the state capital and largest city. It is about 20 minutes north of Chandler. Mesa borders Chandler directly to the north. Gilbert shares Chandler's eastern edge and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Arizona. Tempe lies to the northwest near Arizona State University. Scottsdale is a bit farther north but still an easy drive.

Each of these cities directs residents to Maricopa County for marriage licenses. No Arizona city issues its own licenses. The county handles everything. Learn more about marriage licenses in these nearby cities on their pages.

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