Find Mesa Marriage Licenses

Marriage licenses for Mesa residents come from Maricopa County. The city does not issue licenses on its own. Mesa is the third largest city in Arizona and sits in the heart of the Phoenix metro area. To get your license, you must visit a Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court location. The good news is that there is an office right in Mesa. The Southeast Regional Court Center at 222 E Javelina Ave handles marriage license applications for local couples. You can also apply at any of the three other Maricopa County locations if that works better for your schedule. The fee is $98, and both people must appear in person together.

Which County Handles Mesa Marriage Licenses

Maricopa County is the filing authority for all Mesa marriage licenses. The county Clerk of Superior Court runs four locations across the metro area. Mesa residents can use any of them. The closest one to most Mesa addresses is the Southeast Regional Court Center. This office sits at 222 E Javelina Ave in Mesa. It is just south of US 60 and easy to reach from anywhere in the city. The staff there handles marriage license applications along with other court services.

Maricopa County is the largest in Arizona. It contains Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Scottsdale, and many other cities. All of these cities share the same county clerk for marriage licenses. There is no city-level marriage license office in Mesa. The Mesa City Clerk handles other services like public records requests and city council business, but marriage licenses are not part of what they do. You must go to the county.

Some people get confused by this. They expect to get a marriage license at city hall. In Arizona, that is not how it works. Counties handle vital records like marriage licenses. Cities focus on local ordinances, utilities, and municipal services. This split goes back to how Arizona set up its court system. The Superior Court in each county has jurisdiction over marriage licensing under state law.

Mesa Marriage License Office Location

The Southeast Regional Court Center in Mesa accepts walk-ins and appointments. The address is 222 E Javelina Ave, Mesa, AZ 85210. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office closes on state holidays. You can call the main Maricopa County line at (602) 372-5375 for questions before you visit.

Appointments are recommended but not required. Walk-ins are accepted at all four Maricopa County locations. If you want to avoid any wait, book an appointment through the Maricopa County marriage license page. The website lets you pick a date, time, and location that works for you. This guarantees you will be seen right away when you arrive. During busy times like around Valentine's Day, appointments fill up fast.

The other three Maricopa County locations are also available to Mesa residents. Downtown Customer Service Center sits at 601 W Jackson St in Phoenix. The Northeast Regional Court is at 18380 N 40th St in Phoenix. Northwest Regional Court serves Surprise at 14264 W Tierra Buena Ln. All four offices process marriage licenses the same way with the same fees.

Mesa Marriage License Requirements

Both people must appear together. No exceptions. You cannot send a friend or family member in your place. Each person needs to bring valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license is the most common choice. You can also use a passport, state ID card, military ID, or tribal ID. Since 2021, Maricopa County accepts Matricula Consular cards as valid ID. The ID must show your name, photo, and birth date clearly.

You need your Social Security number for the application. The clerk records it separately from public files. This information only goes to the Department of Economic Security for child support tracking. It is not released to other parties. If you lack a Social Security number, you can indicate that on the form. Foreign nationals without a number can still apply.

The legal age to marry in Arizona is 18. Applicants who are 16 or 17 face extra rules under ARS 25-102. A minor needs parental consent or a court order of emancipation. The other party must be within three years of their age. No one under 16 can marry in this state. The clerk will refuse any application that breaks these rules.

How to Get a Marriage License in Mesa

The process is simple. Go to the Southeast Regional Court in Mesa or any other Maricopa County location. Tell the clerk you want a marriage license. They will give you an affidavit to complete. The affidavit asks for names, ages, and addresses. Both of you sign it under oath. The clerk checks your IDs, verifies the information, and processes your payment.

Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes. Once the clerk approves your application, they print the license and hand it to you. There is no waiting period in Arizona. You can get married the same day if you want. The license is valid for 12 months from the date it is issued. You can use it anywhere in Arizona. Many couples get their license in one county and hold the wedding in another. The license does not restrict where the ceremony happens.

Maricopa County also offers an online option for Arizona residents. You fill out the application at home and pay online. The license comes by mail. This takes longer but saves a trip to the office. The fee is $98 plus $8 for postage and handling. You must provide copies of your IDs and sign a notarized affidavit. Not everyone qualifies for the mail option. Minors, covenant marriage applicants, and certain other cases must apply in person.

Note: Keep your license in a safe place until the ceremony since you will need it for the officiant to sign.

Mesa Marriage License Fees

The fee for a Mesa marriage license is $98. This is the standard Maricopa County rate. You pay when you submit your application. The office accepts cash, money orders, debit cards, and credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage licenses. Bring the right payment method to avoid a second trip.

Certified copies of your marriage license cost $43.50 each. You may need these for name changes at the DMV or Social Security office. Some employers and banks also ask for certified copies. You can order copies when you pick up your license or request them later. If you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope, the fee drops to $35.50. Adding $8 for postage applies if you need the county to mail your copy.

Covenant marriage is a special option. It requires premarital counseling and limits divorce grounds. Converting an existing marriage to covenant status costs $35. The rules appear in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25. Most couples choose standard marriage licenses. Covenant marriage appeals to those who want a stronger commitment structure built into their legal bond.

Marriage Ceremony Rules for Mesa

A license alone does not make you married. Arizona requires a ceremony. ARS 25-111 states that the marriage must be solemnized by someone with legal authority before the license expires. Without a proper ceremony, the marriage has no legal standing. This is true everywhere in Arizona including Mesa.

ARS 25-124 lists who can marry couples in Arizona. The list includes licensed or ordained clergy from any faith. Judges of courts of record can officiate. Municipal court judges qualify. So do justices of the peace, federal judges, magistrate judges, and bankruptcy judges. You have many choices for finding someone to perform your wedding in Mesa.

You need two witnesses at the ceremony. Both must be 18 or older. The witnesses sign the license along with both spouses and the officiant. After the wedding, the person who performed it must return the signed license to the Maricopa County Clerk for recording. Most officiants know this step. Make sure yours follows through so your marriage gets properly recorded.

Mesa has several options for officiants and venues. Many churches and wedding chapels serve the area. Justices of the peace offer courthouse weddings at the Maricopa County Justice Courts. These ceremonies happen after 5 p.m. on weekdays. The cost runs $100 to $120 depending on the judge. Arrive by 4:30 p.m. to clear security. Doors lock at exactly 5 p.m.

Domestic Partnership in Mesa

Mesa does not have a domestic partnership registry. Unlike Phoenix and Tucson, the city has not created a local registry for unmarried couples. If you want domestic partnership benefits in the Phoenix metro area, Phoenix offers registration for $50. The benefit is limited to hospital visitation rights within Phoenix city limits.

Marriage provides far more legal protections than domestic partnership. Married couples get property rights, inheritance rights, tax benefits, and much more under state and federal law. For Mesa residents who want full legal recognition of their relationship, marriage through Maricopa County is the path to take. Same-sex marriages have been legal in Arizona since October 2014.

Marriage Licenses in Cities Near Mesa

Several major cities border Mesa. All of them use Maricopa County for marriage licenses just like Mesa does. Phoenix is the state capital and sits west of Mesa. It has the Downtown Customer Service Center for marriage licenses plus domestic partnership registration through the city. Chandler borders Mesa to the south. Residents there use the same Maricopa County locations.

Gilbert sits southeast of Mesa. This fast-growing town sends couples to Maricopa County for licenses too. Tempe lies between Mesa and Phoenix. Home to Arizona State University, Tempe also falls under Maricopa County jurisdiction. Scottsdale is north of Mesa. The Northeast Regional Court Center on 40th Street is closest to most Scottsdale addresses.

All five of these cities share the same county clerk. You can apply for your license at whichever Maricopa County location is most convenient. The fee is $98 at all locations. The requirements are identical. Where you get your license does not affect where you can hold the wedding. A license from the Mesa location works anywhere in Arizona.