Scottsdale Marriage License Information
Marriage licenses for Scottsdale residents are issued through Maricopa County. The city of Scottsdale does not issue marriage licenses directly. You must apply at a Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court location. The nearest office for most Scottsdale residents is the Northeast Regional Court Center in north Phoenix. Both applicants must appear in person with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. The fee is $98. There is no blood test and no waiting period. Your license stays valid for 12 months and can be used anywhere in Arizona. Scottsdale is known for upscale resorts and scenic desert venues, making it a popular spot for weddings in the Phoenix metro area.
Scottsdale Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get a Scottsdale Marriage License
Scottsdale falls under Maricopa County for all marriage license matters. The Scottsdale City Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. Their website clearly states this and points residents to the county. You need to visit a Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court location. Four offices serve the metro area. The closest one for most Scottsdale residents is the Northeast Regional Court Center.
The Northeast Regional Court Center sits at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix. It is just west of Scottsdale near the Paradise Valley border. The drive takes about 15 to 20 minutes from central Scottsdale. This location accepts walk-ins but appointments are recommended. Call (602) 372-5375 to schedule a time. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It closes on state holidays and county closures.
Other Maricopa County locations include the Downtown Customer Service Center in central Phoenix, the Northwest Regional Court in Surprise, and the Southeast Regional Court Center in Mesa. You can apply at any of these offices. The license you receive works anywhere in Arizona regardless of which office issued it.
Note: The Scottsdale City Clerk office at 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. handles city records but not marriage licenses.
Maricopa County Marriage License Process
Maricopa County handles all marriage licenses for Scottsdale. The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court runs four offices across the valley. You and your partner must both appear in person. No exceptions to this rule. Each person needs valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport, state ID, or military ID. Starting in 2021, Maricopa County also accepts Matricula Consular cards.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. This info goes to a separate file. It is not part of the public record. The clerk only shares it with the Department of Economic Security for child support matters. If you do not have a number, you can note that on the form. Foreign nationals without Social Security numbers can still marry in Arizona.
The application process takes about 20 to 30 minutes. You fill out an affidavit under oath. Both people sign it in front of the clerk. The affidavit asks for your name, age, and home address. It includes a statement that you know about STD testing through the health department. Once the clerk reviews your ID and form, they issue the license on the spot. You walk out ready to get married.
Maricopa County also offers an online option for Arizona residents. You complete the forms at home and get the license by mail. The fee is the same plus $8 for postage. Add $43.50 if you want a prepaid certified copy included. This takes longer than an in-person visit but saves you a trip.
Scottsdale Marriage License Requirements
Arizona law sets the rules for marriage licenses statewide. The minimum age is 18 to marry without consent. Under ARS 25-102, applicants aged 16 or 17 need parental consent or an emancipation order. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older than the minor. Anyone under 16 cannot marry under any circumstances. The clerk will check ID to verify ages before issuing any license.
Both people must appear together. You cannot send one person ahead to start the paperwork. Arizona requires both applicants to sign the affidavit in person. There is no proxy marriage in this state. You also cannot have someone else pick up your license later. Both applicants must be present from start to finish.
Proof of a prior divorce is not required. You do not need to show your divorce decree. It is your responsibility to make sure your divorce is final before you apply. If you marry while still legally married to someone else, the new marriage could be void. The clerk trusts you to provide accurate information on the affidavit.
Marriage License Fees for Scottsdale Residents
The marriage license fee in Maricopa County is $98. This is the standard fee at all four county locations. Payment is due when you apply. The clerk accepts cash, money orders, debit cards, and credit cards. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage licenses. The fee covers the license and recording after your officiant returns the signed document.
Certified copies cost extra. Maricopa County charges $43.50 for a certified copy. If you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope, the fee drops to $35.50. You may need several copies for name changes. The DMV wants one. Social Security needs one. Banks and employers often ask for copies too. Order a few to save time later.
Covenant marriage is an option in Arizona. This special type of marriage requires premarital counseling. You bring a notarized statement from your counselor. The rules for divorce are stricter. Converting an existing marriage to covenant status costs $35. The Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 explains covenant marriage rules in detail.
Getting Married in Scottsdale
A marriage license does not mean you are married. You need a ceremony. Under ARS 25-111, the marriage must be solemnized by an authorized person before the license expires. The license is valid for 12 months. Your ceremony can happen anywhere in Arizona. Many Scottsdale couples marry at local resorts, golf courses, or desert venues.
ARS 25-124 lists who can perform weddings. Licensed and ordained clergy qualify. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges of courts of record can officiate. Municipal court judges and justices of the peace also have authority. Federal judges, magistrate judges, and bankruptcy judges can marry couples. The Arizona Court of Military Appeals judges round out the list.
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, or even resort staff can fill this role. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Maricopa County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage.
Scottsdale Wedding Venues and Services
Scottsdale is famous for resort weddings. The city has dozens of luxury hotels with wedding packages. The Sonoran Desert provides a dramatic backdrop. Many venues sit at the base of mountains or in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve foothills. Sunset ceremonies are popular here.
The city also has golf course venues. Scottsdale has more golf courses per capita than almost any city in America. Many offer event space for weddings and receptions. From intimate gatherings to large parties, options exist at every price point. Downtown Scottsdale has restaurants and event spaces for couples who want an urban feel.
Scottsdale wedding planning tips:
- Book venues early, especially for fall and spring seasons
- Consider sunset timing for outdoor ceremonies
- Check if your venue provides an officiant or witnesses
- Get your license at least a week before the wedding date
- Remind your officiant to return the signed license promptly
The clerk's office does not arrange ceremonies. You must find your own officiant. Online ordination is legal in Arizona. A friend or family member can get ordained and perform your wedding. Just make sure they understand they must return the license to the county clerk after the ceremony.
Scottsdale City Clerk Services
The Scottsdale City Clerk handles many services but marriage licenses are not among them. The office is at 3939 N. Drinkwater Blvd. in Scottsdale. Call 480-312-2412 with questions about city records. The clerk can help with public records requests, business filings, and city documents. For marriage licenses, they will direct you to Maricopa County.
Scottsdale does not offer a domestic partnership registry. Some Arizona cities like Phoenix and Tucson have these programs. They provide limited benefits like hospital visitation rights. Scottsdale has not created such a program. For full marriage rights, you need a marriage license from the county. Domestic partnerships are not a substitute for marriage.
Note: Contact the Scottsdale City Clerk for notary services and city records, not for marriage licenses.
Maricopa County Marriage License Office
All Scottsdale residents apply through Maricopa County. The county has the largest population in Arizona. It serves Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe, Glendale, and dozens of other cities. You can apply at any of the four county locations. The license works throughout Arizona regardless of where you got it.
Maricopa County marriage license locations serving Scottsdale:
- Northeast Regional Court Center: 18380 N. 40th St., Phoenix (closest to Scottsdale)
- Downtown Customer Service Center: 601 W. Jackson St., Phoenix
- Southeast Regional Court Center: 222 E. Javelina Ave., Mesa
- Northwest Regional Court: 14264 W. Tierra Buena Ln., Surprise
Nearby Cities for Marriage Licenses
Scottsdale sits in the heart of the Phoenix metro area. Several nearby cities also fall under Maricopa County jurisdiction. Residents of these cities use the same county clerk offices. Phoenix borders Scottsdale to the west and south. Mesa is to the southeast. Tempe lies south of Scottsdale. Each of these cities has its own page with local information.
Gilbert and Chandler are in the East Valley south of Scottsdale. Both are large suburbs with growing populations. Like Scottsdale, neither city issues marriage licenses. Everyone in Maricopa County goes through the county clerk. The fee is the same no matter which city you live in. The process is identical.