Goodyear Marriage License

Couples in Goodyear who want a marriage license must apply through Maricopa County. The city of Goodyear does not issue marriage licenses. This is true for all Arizona cities. Only county Clerk of Superior Court offices handle marriage license applications. The nearest location for Goodyear residents is the Northwest Regional Court in Surprise, about 15 minutes north of town. You can also visit the downtown Phoenix office or apply online if you are an Arizona resident. The fee is $98, and your license works anywhere in the state for 12 months.

Where Goodyear Residents Get Marriage Licenses

The Goodyear City Clerk's Office does not issue marriage licenses. Arizona law gives that power only to county Clerk of Superior Court offices. Goodyear sits in Maricopa County, so you apply through the Maricopa County Clerk. The county runs four locations, and the closest one for Goodyear couples is the Northwest Regional Court in Surprise. This office handles all the same services as the main downtown Phoenix location.

The Northwest Regional Court is at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise, Arizona 85374. It sits just off Loop 303 and Grand Avenue, making it easy to reach from Goodyear, Avondale, Buckeye, and the entire west valley. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. Appointments are recommended during busy times.

You can book an appointment through the Maricopa County online system. This cuts wait times, especially during wedding season. Spring and early summer see heavy traffic at all locations. The Surprise office tends to be less crowded than downtown Phoenix. Many west valley couples prefer it for the shorter lines and easier parking.

Marriage License Locations for Goodyear

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court operates four locations where Goodyear residents can apply for a marriage license. Any location works. Pick the one most convenient for you. All four accept the same forms of payment and have the same hours. The fee is $98 at each office. You can also pay with cash, money order, debit card, or credit card.

The Downtown Customer Service Center is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. It is the main office and handles the highest volume. Expect longer waits here. The Northeast Regional Court is at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix. This location serves the east side and is farther from Goodyear. The Southeast Regional Court Center is at 222 E. Javelina Avenue in Mesa. Mesa is a long drive from Goodyear, so most west valley couples skip this one.

The Maricopa County Clerk website has details on all locations. You can check hours, get directions, and see what to bring. The site also lets Arizona residents apply for a marriage license online without visiting an office at all.

Note: The Surprise location is closest to Goodyear and typically has the shortest waits.

Online Marriage License Option

Maricopa County offers an online marriage license application for Arizona residents. This is a great option for Goodyear couples who want to skip the trip to Surprise or Phoenix. You complete the forms on the county website, upload ID copies, and pay the fee electronically. The county mails your license once everything is approved. The process takes about one to two weeks.

The online fee is $98 plus $8 for postage and handling. You can also prepay $43.50 for a certified copy of your recorded marriage license. Many couples do this to save a trip later. You will need certified copies to change your name at the DMV, Social Security office, and bank. Having them ready after the wedding makes things easier.

The online process requires a notarized affidavit. You print the form, sign it in front of a notary, and mail it to the clerk. Banks, UPS stores, and some city offices offer notary services. Once the clerk receives your signed affidavit and processes your application, your marriage license arrives in the mail. Plan ahead because this takes longer than walking into an office.

Goodyear Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must appear together. You cannot apply alone. Each person needs valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. Maricopa County also accepts Matricula Consular ID cards issued by Mexican consulates. The ID must show your name, photo, and birth date clearly.

You must provide your Social Security number when you apply. The clerk keeps this separate from public records. Only the Department of Economic Security can access it for child support enforcement. If you do not have a Social Security number, note that on the form. Foreign nationals and others without numbers can still get married in Arizona. The clerk will record that you indicated no number.

Arizona sets the minimum marriage age at 18. Under ARS 25-102, a person aged 16 or 17 can marry only with parental consent or a court emancipation order. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older than the minor. Anyone under 16 cannot marry at all. The clerk will refuse any application that violates these rules.

No blood test is required. No waiting period exists. You can get your license and marry the same day. You do not need to bring a divorce decree if you were married before. The clerk trusts that any prior marriage ended before your new ceremony happens.

Wedding Ceremonies Near Goodyear

Getting a marriage license does not make you married. Arizona requires a ceremony performed by an authorized person. Under ARS 25-111, your marriage must be solemnized before the license expires. You have 12 months from the issue date. Without a proper ceremony, the state does not recognize your marriage.

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. The doors lock at exactly 5 p.m. The ceremony fee runs $100 to $120 depending on the judge. Call ahead to schedule a time. Some judges marry active military members for free during lunch hours or court breaks.

ARS 25-124 lists who can perform marriages in Arizona. Licensed or ordained clergy can officiate. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges of any court of record qualify. Municipal court judges and justices of the peace can marry couples too. Federal judges, including bankruptcy and tax court judges, are authorized. Online ordination is legal in Arizona, so ministers ordained through internet churches can perform weddings here.

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. Bring your own witnesses or ask if the court can provide them. After the wedding, your officiant must return the signed license to the Maricopa County Clerk within 30 days for recording.

Marriage License Fees for Goodyear Couples

The marriage license fee in Maricopa County is $98. This covers the application and license issuance. You pay at the clerk's office with cash, money order, debit card, or credit card. All four Maricopa County locations charge the same amount. The online application costs $98 plus $8 for postage, bringing the total to $106 for mail delivery.

Certified copies of your recorded marriage license cost $43.50 each from the Maricopa County Clerk. If you send a self-addressed stamped envelope, the fee drops to $35.50. You can prepay for copies when you apply or request them later after your wedding is recorded. Order at least two or three copies. You will need them for name changes at the DMV, Social Security Administration, and your bank.

The Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 governs marriage and domestic relations. Chapter 7 covers covenant marriage, a special option with stricter divorce rules. Converting a regular marriage to covenant status costs $35 and requires a notarized statement from a marriage counselor.

Arizona Marriage Laws for Goodyear Residents

Arizona marriage law applies the same way in Goodyear as anywhere else in the state. The requirements come from state statutes, not local rules. ARS 25-121 covers the marriage license application process. Both parties must sign an affidavit under oath stating their names, ages, and addresses. The affidavit includes a statement that information about sexually transmitted diseases is available from the county health department.

ARS 25-101 lists marriages that are void in Arizona. Marriages between close relatives are banned. This includes parents and children, siblings, aunts and nephews, uncles and nieces, and first cousins. First cousins can marry if both are 65 or older, or if one proves to a Superior Court judge that they cannot reproduce. The clerk will refuse to issue a license for any prohibited marriage.

Arizona recognizes marriages from other states and countries. Under ARS 25-112, a marriage valid where it was performed is valid here too. The only exception is marriages that would be void under Arizona law. If you got married elsewhere and move to Goodyear, your marriage remains legally recognized. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Arizona since October 17, 2014.

Note: Your marriage license is valid for ceremonies anywhere in Arizona, not just in Goodyear or Maricopa County.

Goodyear Wedding and Marriage Resources

Goodyear offers several options for couples planning a wedding. The city has parks and recreation facilities available for events. The Goodyear Ballpark, home to spring training baseball, also hosts private events. Local hotels and event venues cater to weddings of all sizes. The city sits close to the White Tank Mountain Regional Park, which provides scenic backdrops for outdoor ceremonies.

The Goodyear City Clerk handles records and official city business but not marriage licenses. If you need notary services for your online marriage license application, check with local banks or shipping stores. Many offer notary services for a small fee. Some businesses near Goodyear City Hall also provide this service during business hours.

For legal questions about marriage in Arizona, the Arizona Court Help website offers free information. It explains requirements, walks you through the application process, and answers common questions. The site covers all 15 Arizona counties and links to official court resources. Legal aid organizations in the Phoenix area can help with more complex situations involving custody, name changes, or prior marriages.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Licenses

Goodyear sits in the west valley of the Phoenix metro area. Several neighboring cities also use the Maricopa County Clerk for marriage licenses. If the Surprise location is busy, you might consider applying at a different office or checking wait times at other locations. All Maricopa County offices issue the same license for the same $98 fee.

Phoenix is the state capital and has the main Maricopa County clerk office downtown. Traffic and parking can be challenging, but the office handles more applications than any other location. Avondale is next door to Goodyear and uses the same Surprise and downtown Phoenix options. Buckeye is west of Goodyear and has a unique advantage. The Buckeye Municipal Court issues Maricopa County marriage licenses directly. This saves Buckeye residents a trip to Surprise or Phoenix.

Glendale is north of Goodyear and closer to the downtown Phoenix office. Some Glendale couples prefer downtown over Surprise depending on traffic. Surprise hosts the Northwest Regional Court that most Goodyear residents use. The office sits on Tierra Buena Lane near the Loop 303 interchange. It serves the entire west valley and is usually less busy than the Phoenix downtown location.

You can apply at any Maricopa County location. Pick the one with the best hours for your schedule or shortest expected wait. The license you receive works for weddings anywhere in Arizona.