Find a Tucson Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Tucson come from the Pima County Clerk of Superior Court. The city does not issue marriage licenses on its own. Tucson residents and visitors must apply at the county office at 110 West Congress Street in downtown Tucson. The license costs $98. Both people need to show up in person with valid photo ID. There is no blood test and no waiting period. Once you have the license, you can get married anywhere in Arizona within 12 months. Pima County also offers no-cost wedding ceremonies and Spanish-language services at select times.
Tucson Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get a Tucson Marriage License
Tucson sits in Pima County. The Pima County Clerk of Superior Court handles all marriage licenses for the area. Their main office is at 110 West Congress St., Tucson, AZ 85701-1317. The general phone number is (520) 724-3200. For questions about marriage licenses, call the dedicated line at (520) 724-3210. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They close on state holidays.
Gary Harrison serves as the current Clerk of Superior Court for Pima County. His office handles thousands of marriage licenses each year. Tucson is the second largest city in Arizona, so the office stays busy. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. Most couples complete the process in about 20 to 30 minutes. The Green Valley Justice Court at 601 N. La Canada also issues licenses if that location works better for you.
The clerk's office sits in downtown Tucson near the historic courthouse. Parking can be tight during weekday hours. Street parking is available on nearby blocks. There are also paid garages within walking distance. Plan to arrive early if you want to avoid crowds or parking hassles.
Tucson Marriage License Requirements
Both people must show up in person. No proxy. No exceptions. You cannot send a friend or family member to apply for you. Each person must bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses work. So do passports, state ID cards, and military IDs. The ID must show your name, picture, and date of birth. Bring the original, not a copy.
Arizona law requires your Social Security number on the application. The clerk keeps this data separate from public records. Under ARS 25-121, the number goes only to the Department of Economic Security for child support purposes. It is not released to the public or other agencies. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the clerk. Foreign nationals without one can still apply for a Tucson marriage license.
The minimum age is 18. People who are 16 or 17 can marry only with parental consent or a court emancipation order. The other person cannot be more than three years older. ARS 25-102 spells out these rules. Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona at all.
Note: The Pima County clerk will refuse any application that violates Arizona age or relationship laws.
Tucson Marriage License Fees
The fee is $98. You can pay by check, money order, or cashier's check. Make payments out to the Clerk of Superior Court. The office accepts cards at some locations but call ahead to confirm. Cash may work at the main Tucson office. The Green Valley location might have different rules. Bring the right payment to avoid delays.
Certified copies of your marriage license cost $30 plus $7 for handling and postage. You will need certified copies for name changes. The DMV and Social Security office both require them. Order a few extra copies after your wedding to save trips later. The clerk can mail copies or you can pick them up in person.
Arizona also offers covenant marriage. This is a special type of marriage that requires premarital counseling and limits grounds for divorce. Converting a regular marriage to covenant status costs $35. You need a notarized statement from your counselor. The Arizona Legislature Title 25 has all the details on covenant marriage rules.
Tucson Marriage Ceremony Options
Getting a license is just step one. You still need a ceremony. Under ARS 25-111, a marriage must be solemnized by an authorized person before the license expires. Without a ceremony, the license means nothing. It is just a piece of paper until someone officially marries you.
Pima County stands out from other Arizona counties. They offer no-cost weddings at the courthouse. These happen Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Spots fill up fast. Judges can only do a limited number of weddings each month. You must have a valid marriage license already in hand. Spanish-language ceremonies are available if you ask in advance. Call (520) 724-3505 to request a free courthouse wedding date.
Private weddings outside the courthouse or via Zoom are also an option. Justices of the Peace conduct these starting at 5 p.m. on weekdays. They also offer weekend ceremonies. Private weddings cost extra. The exact fee depends on the judge and location. These work well if you want a small ceremony at a park, home, or other venue in the Tucson area.
Who can marry you in Tucson? ARS 25-124 lists them all. Licensed or ordained clergy of any religion qualify. Judges from courts of record can officiate. Municipal court judges work. So do justices of the peace. Federal judges, magistrate judges, and even tax court judges can perform weddings. The list is long.
Witness Rules for Tucson Weddings
Every wedding needs two witnesses. They must be 18 or older. Friends or family work fine. The witnesses sign the license after the ceremony. So do both spouses and the officiant. Anyone can serve as a witness. You do not need to know them before the wedding.
If you elope or have a quick courthouse ceremony, the court can sometimes provide witnesses. Ask when you schedule your wedding. Not all times have staff available. Bring your own if possible. This is your backup plan, not your first choice. The signed license goes back to the clerk for recording within 30 days.
Tucson Civil Union Registration
The City of Tucson offers civil union registration. This is separate from marriage. It is not the same thing. A civil union does not make you legally married under Arizona law. The Tucson Civil Union Ordinance took effect in December 2003 as a domestic partnership law. It was updated in June 2013 to its current form.
Civil union registration costs $50. The city handles this at 201 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701. Call (520) 791-4566 for details. You can also email License@tucsonaz.gov. The ordinance is gender-neutral. Any two adults who share a home and meet the criteria can register. You do not need to be Tucson residents. There is no residency requirement at all.
Civil union gives certain local benefits. It does not replace marriage. For full legal protections, you still need a marriage license from Pima County. The civil union certificate can help with things like hospital visitation within Tucson city limits. It does not affect state or federal rights. Most couples who want to marry should skip civil union and go straight to the county clerk for a real marriage license.
Ending a civil union costs $10. Getting an extra copy of your certificate also costs $10. Contact the city for forms and instructions.
Note: Civil union is a city program only and does not extend beyond Tucson.
Arizona Marriage Laws for Tucson Residents
ARS 25-101 lists marriages that Arizona considers void from the start. Parents and children cannot marry. Siblings cannot marry. Aunts and nephews, uncles and nieces are banned too. First cousins face restrictions. They can marry only if both are 65 or older. They can also marry if one proves to a judge that they cannot have children.
Same-sex marriage has been legal in Arizona since October 17, 2014. Tucson and all other Arizona cities must issue licenses to same-sex couples under the same rules as any other couple. The fee is the same. The process is the same. The state treats all marriages equally.
Already married elsewhere? Arizona honors it. ARS 25-112 says marriages valid where they happened are valid here too. If you got married in another state or country, you do not need to remarry in Tucson. Your marriage carries the same legal weight from day one. The only exception is marriages that would be void under Arizona law, like those between close relatives.
Plan Your Tucson Marriage License Visit
The Pima County clerk office in downtown Tucson is easy to find. It sits at 110 West Congress St. This is close to the main courthouse complex. Public transit serves the area. You can also drive and park nearby. Meters and garages are around.
Here is what to bring:
- Valid photo ID for both people
- Social Security numbers
- $98 payment
- Parental consent if under 18
The office issues licenses on the spot. Walk in during business hours, fill out the affidavit, pay the fee, and walk out with your license. The whole thing takes 20 to 30 minutes unless the office is slammed. No blood test. No waiting period. You can hold your ceremony the same day if you have an officiant ready. The license stays valid for a full year and works anywhere in Arizona.
If one person cannot make the trip, you cannot get a license. Arizona law requires both applicants to appear in person. There are no exceptions, not even for military deployment or illness. Both people must show up together at the same time.
Nearby Arizona Cities
Tucson is in southern Arizona. Other major cities in the region also use county clerk offices for marriage licenses. If another location works better for your plans, check out these nearby cities.
Pima County Marriage License Office
For full details on the Pima County Clerk of Superior Court, including office hours, fees, and how to order certified copies, visit our county page.