Tempe Marriage License Search

A Tempe Arizona marriage license comes from Maricopa County, not the city itself. Tempe residents must apply through the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The closest office sits in Mesa at the Southeast Regional Court Center. You can also drive to the downtown Phoenix location or use the online application if you qualify. The fee runs $98 for all Maricopa County locations. Both partners must show up together with valid ID. No blood test. No waiting at all. Walk in and leave with your license the same day you apply.

Why Tempe Does Not Issue Marriage Licenses

Arizona puts marriage license duties at the county level. Cities do not handle this task. Tempe falls within Maricopa County, so the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court issues all marriage licenses for Tempe residents. The Tempe City Clerk's Office handles other matters like public records requests, council meeting agendas, and business licensing. If you call them about a marriage license, they will direct you to the county.

This setup works the same across all Arizona cities. Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale do not issue licenses either. The county system keeps things uniform. It means your Tempe marriage license is really a Maricopa County marriage license. Once you get it, you can use it anywhere in Arizona for the next 12 months.

Where Tempe Residents Get a Marriage License

Tempe residents have four Maricopa County office locations to pick from. The closest one for most Tempe addresses is the Southeast Regional Court Center in Mesa. This office sits at 222 E Javelina Avenue in Mesa, AZ 85210. It is about a 10 minute drive from downtown Tempe depending on traffic. The staff accepts walk-ins but the county recommends making an appointment first. Call (602) 372-5375 or book online through the Maricopa County marriage license page.

The downtown Phoenix location is another choice. It runs out of the Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. If you work in Phoenix, stopping by during lunch might be easier than driving to Mesa. Hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at all locations. Expect the downtown office to be busier than suburban spots.

Two other regional courts serve the west and north sides of the metro area. The Northwest Regional Court is in Surprise at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane. The Northeast Regional Court sits at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix. For Tempe residents, Mesa or downtown make the most sense based on geography.

Note: Appointments fill up fast during wedding season from April through October, so plan ahead.

Tempe Marriage License Online Application

Maricopa County offers an online marriage license program. This lets Arizona residents skip the office visit entirely. You fill out the forms on the county website, pay the fee online, and receive your license by mail. The process takes a bit longer than walking in, but it saves you a trip. The online fee is $98 plus $8 for postage and handling. If you want a prepaid certified copy, add $43.50 to your order.

The online option has limits. Both parties must be Arizona residents. Minors cannot use it. Covenant marriage applicants must apply in person. If you meet the rules, the online path works well. You get the same license with the same legal weight. It just arrives in your mailbox instead of your hands at the counter. Allow time for mail delivery before your wedding date.

The Arizona Courts website at AZ Court Help explains the online process step by step. This state resource answers common questions about marriage licenses across all 15 Arizona counties.

Tempe Marriage License Requirements

Both people must come to the office. Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport, state ID, or military ID. As of May 2021, Maricopa County accepts Matricula Consular ID cards too. Your ID must show your name, photo, and date of birth. You also need your Social Security number. The clerk keeps this number confidential under ARS 25-121.

Arizona law sets 18 as the age to marry without parental consent. Teens age 16 or 17 can apply if a parent or guardian comes along to give written consent. There is a catch though. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older than the minor. Anyone under 16 is banned from marrying in Arizona completely. These rules come from state law and the clerk will enforce them.

You do not need a blood test. That rule ended decades ago. There is no waiting period in Maricopa County. You can get your Tempe marriage license and hold your ceremony the same afternoon. The license stays good for 12 months from the issue date. Use it anywhere in Arizona before it expires.

Note: Bring exact payment since some offices have limited change on hand for cash transactions.

Tempe Marriage License Fees

The fee for a Maricopa County marriage license is $98. This applies to Tempe residents using any of the four county locations. Payment options include cash, money order, debit card, and credit card. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage licenses. The fee covers the application, the license document, and recording after your ceremony.

Certified copies cost $43.50 each. You will need certified copies for name changes at the DMV, Social Security office, banks, and your employer. Order extras when you request your first copy. If you send a self-addressed stamped envelope, the copy fee drops to $35.50. Otherwise the county adds postage and handling charges. Copies by mail include an $8 handling fee.

Covenant marriage is an option in Arizona. This type of marriage requires premarital counseling and limits divorce grounds. Converting a regular license to covenant status costs $35. You must bring a notarized statement from the counselor or clergy member who provided your counseling. The rules appear in Title 25 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.

Wedding Ceremonies for Tempe Couples

Getting the license is step one. Arizona requires a ceremony to complete the marriage. Under ARS 25-111, you must have an authorized person solemnize the marriage before your license expires. The license alone does not make you legally married. You need the ceremony, the officiant's signature, and two adult witnesses.

Maricopa County Justice Courts perform weddings on a limited basis. These ceremonies happen after 5 p.m. on weekdays. You must arrive before 4:30 p.m. to clear security. The courthouse doors lock at 5 p.m. sharp. Ceremony fees run between $100 and $120 depending on the judge. Some judges waive the fee for active military members if you arrange it in advance. Contact the Maricopa County Justice Courts for scheduling and pricing details.

Many Tempe couples choose private officiants. Clergy members can marry you. So can ordained ministers from any faith tradition. Justices of the peace have authority. Federal and state judges qualify. ARS 25-124 lists everyone who can legally perform Arizona wedding ceremonies. Your officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 30 days.

Witness Requirements for Tempe Weddings

Arizona law requires two witnesses at every wedding. Both must be at least 18 years old. Friends and family work fine. The witnesses do not need to be Arizona residents. They just need to be present, watch the ceremony, and sign the marriage license afterward.

If you elope without guests, the courthouse can provide witnesses. Call ahead to make sure staff will be available. Private officiants sometimes bring their own witnesses for couples who need them. Discuss this when you book your ceremony. Without two valid witness signatures, the clerk cannot record your marriage properly.

Maricopa County Marriage License Resources

For full details on the application process, forms, office hours, and appointment booking, visit our Maricopa County marriage license guide. That page covers everything from ID requirements to covenant marriage rules. It includes direct links to county resources and answers to common questions.

Maricopa County is the largest county in Arizona by population. It includes Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Tempe, Peoria, and Surprise. All residents of these cities get their marriage licenses from the same county clerk. The process and fees are identical regardless of which city you call home.

Nearby Cities in the East Valley

Tempe sits in the heart of the East Valley. Several nearby cities share the same marriage license process through Maricopa County. If you live close to a city border, any county office will serve you equally well.

• Phoenix borders Tempe to the north and west with the downtown clerk office
• Mesa is directly east and home to the Southeast Regional Court
• Scottsdale lies to the northeast with residents using the Northeast office
• Chandler sits to the south and is closest to the Mesa location
• Gilbert borders Tempe to the southeast and uses the Mesa or downtown offices

Your Tempe marriage license works throughout Arizona. You can hold your wedding in any of these cities, in another county, or at a destination spot like Sedona or the Grand Canyon. The license does not restrict where you marry, only where you applied.

Arizona Marriage Laws for Tempe Residents

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 covers marriage and domestic relations. The key sections affect how Tempe residents apply for and use their marriage licenses. ARS 25-101 lists marriages that Arizona considers void. Parents and children cannot marry. Neither can siblings, aunts and nephews, or uncles and nieces. First cousins face restrictions unless both are over 65 or one proves they cannot have children.

Same-sex marriages became legal in Arizona on October 17, 2014. The Maricopa County Clerk issues licenses to all couples regardless of gender. This has been the law for over a decade. Tempe couples of any gender combination can apply at the same offices with the same requirements and fees.