Phoenix Marriage License Search
Marriage licenses for Phoenix residents come from the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court. The City of Phoenix does not issue marriage licenses at all. Maricopa County runs four locations across the metro area, and two of them sit right in Phoenix. You can apply at the downtown office near city hall or the northeast location in north Phoenix. The license costs $98 and is valid for 12 months anywhere in Arizona. Both people must show up in person with valid photo ID. There is no blood test and no waiting period required. Phoenix couples can walk in and leave with their license the same day.
Phoenix Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get a Marriage License in Phoenix
The Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court handles all marriage licenses for Phoenix. The county runs multiple offices to serve the huge metro population. Two of these sit within Phoenix city limits. The downtown Customer Service Center is at 601 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. This puts it just blocks from city hall. The Northeast Regional Court is at 18380 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85032. It serves the north Phoenix and Paradise Valley area.
Both offices accept walk-ins, but appointments are recommended. You can schedule online through the Maricopa County marriage license page. Call 602-372-5375 for questions about hours or what to bring. The offices open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and close on state holidays. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes when you have all your documents ready.
Maricopa County also offers an online option for Arizona residents. You fill out the forms at home and get your license by mail. This adds $8 for postage and takes longer, but it saves a trip to the office. You still need to provide ID copies and sign the paperwork, which gets notarized before you mail it.
Phoenix City Clerk Services
The City of Phoenix does not issue marriage licenses. This confuses some people who call city hall. Marriage licenses are a county function in Arizona. Every single county handles them through the Clerk of Superior Court. Phoenix city government has no role in the process at all.
The Phoenix City Clerk does offer something different. The city maintains a Domestic Partnership Registration program. This is not a marriage license. Domestic partnership gives unmarried couples the right to visit each other in health care facilities within Phoenix. It is limited in scope. The registration costs $50 and requires an appointment at City Hall.
Contact the Phoenix City Clerk at 200 W. Washington St., 15th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003. The phone number is 602-262-6811. Access to City Hall is by appointment only. Call ahead to schedule a time if you want to register a domestic partnership. Remember that this is not the same as a marriage license. For a marriage license, go to Maricopa County.
Note: Domestic partnership in Phoenix grants only visitation rights at city health facilities, not the full legal rights of marriage.
Phoenix Marriage License Requirements
Both people must appear together. No one can apply alone or send someone else. Each person needs valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses work fine. So do passports, state ID cards, and military IDs. Maricopa County also accepts Matricula Consular cards as of 2021. The ID must show your full name, photo, and date of birth clearly.
You must give your Social Security number when you apply. The clerk keeps this separate from the public record. Under ARS 25-121, the information goes only to the Department of Economic Security for child support purposes. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can note that on the form. Foreign nationals without a number can still get married in Phoenix.
The legal age to marry in Arizona is 18. Minors face strict rules. A person who is 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 ARS 25-102 statute lays out these rules. The Maricopa County clerk will not issue a license that breaks them.
Marriage License Fees in Phoenix
The marriage license fee is $98. You can pay by cash, money order, debit card, or credit card. Personal checks are accepted at most Maricopa County locations. The fee is the same whether you apply in person or use the online mail option. The online route adds $8 for postage and handling.
Certified copies cost $43.50 each. You can reduce this to $35.50 by bringing your own self-addressed stamped envelope. Most couples need at least one certified copy for name changes at the DMV or Social Security office. You can order copies when you apply or come back later to get them. The clerk keeps the original marriage license on file after your officiant returns it.
Covenant marriage is another option in Arizona. It requires premarital counseling and limits grounds for divorce. Converting an existing traditional marriage to covenant status costs $35. You need a notarized statement from your counselor. The rules for covenant marriage appear in Arizona Legislature Title 25 Chapter 7.
Marriage Ceremony Requirements
Getting a license does not make you married. You need a ceremony too. Under ARS 25-111, the marriage must be solemnized by an authorized person before the license expires. Without this step, there is no legal marriage. The license gives you permission to marry. The ceremony makes it official.
Arizona law lists who can perform weddings. ARS 25-124 includes licensed or ordained clergy of any faith. Judges of courts of record can marry people. Municipal court judges, justices of the peace, and federal judges all qualify. You have many options for finding an officiant in the Phoenix metro area.
You need two witnesses at the ceremony. They must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses sign the license along with both spouses and the officiant. Anyone can serve as a witness. Friends, family members, or even people you met that day can fill this role.
After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the Maricopa County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and keeps the original on file. Make sure your officiant knows this duty. Delays happen when officiants forget to file.
Courthouse Weddings for Phoenix Couples
The Maricopa County Justice Courts offer wedding ceremonies. These take place after 5 p.m. on weekdays. The fee runs $100 to $120 depending on the judge. Some judges will marry active military members for free during lunch hours. Call ahead to ask about availability and scheduling.
Arrive by 4:30 p.m. to clear security. The courthouse doors lock at exactly 5 p.m. No one gets in after that. Bring your valid marriage license, two adult witnesses, and the ceremony fee in cash. The court can provide witnesses if you come alone as a couple.
Courthouse weddings are a discretionary function. Not all judges participate. Schedules change. Call the specific court you want to use before making plans. The phone numbers vary by location. The main Maricopa County number is 602-372-5375 for general questions about marriage services.
Note: The Superior Court judges do not perform wedding ceremonies in Maricopa County.
Nearby Cities for Marriage Licenses
Phoenix sits in the center of Maricopa County along with many other major cities. All of these cities use the same Maricopa County clerk offices for marriage licenses. The county has locations spread across the metro area to serve everyone.
Maricopa County Marriage License Office
Phoenix is part of Maricopa County. All marriage licenses for Phoenix residents come from the county clerk. For full details on every Maricopa County location, hours, and services, visit the county page.