Apache County Marriage License

Marriage licenses in Apache County are issued by the Clerk of Superior Court in St. Johns. The office sits at 70 W. 3rd South St. and handles all license applications for the county. Both applicants must show up together with valid photo ID. You will pay a fee of $83 to $98, depending on the current rate. The clerk also accepts applications at three Justice Court locations across the county. Chinle, Puerco, and Round Valley courts all issue licenses for couples who live far from St. Johns. Once you get your license, it stays valid for 12 months anywhere in Arizona. No blood test is needed. There is no waiting period at all. You can get married the same day you apply.

Where to Get a Marriage License in Apache County

The main office for Apache County marriage licenses is the Clerk of Superior Court in St. Johns. Annell Hounshell serves as the current clerk. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It closes on state holidays. You can walk in during business hours without an appointment. The staff will help you fill out the application and take your payment.

Apache County spans a large area in northeastern Arizona. Not everyone lives close to St. Johns. The county offers three Justice Court locations that also issue marriage licenses. The Chinle Justice Court serves the northern part of the county and can be reached at (928) 674-5922. The Puerco Justice Court handles the area around Sanders at (928) 688-2729. The Round Valley Justice Court in Springerville takes care of the southern region at (928) 333-4613. Each of these offices can issue your license just like the main courthouse.

The Apache County marriage license page lists all four locations. Check the website for current hours before you drive out. Justice Court hours may differ from the main office. Call ahead to confirm someone is available to process your application.

Note: Justice Court offices may have limited staff, so calling first saves you time.

Apache County Marriage License Requirements

Both people who want to marry must come to the office together. You cannot send someone else or apply alone first. Each person needs valid photo ID that shows their name and date of birth. A driver's license works fine. So does a state ID card, passport, or military ID. The clerk will look at both IDs before starting your application.

You must give your Social Security number when you apply. The clerk keeps this separate from public records. It only goes 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 here. The minimum age is 18 to marry without any extra steps. Under ARS 25-102, applicants who are 16 or 17 need consent from a parent or guardian. The other person cannot be more than three years older. No one under 16 can marry in Arizona at all.

Arizona law bans certain marriages. ARS 25-101 makes it illegal for close relatives to marry. Parents cannot marry children or grandchildren. Siblings cannot marry. Aunts and nephews, uncles and nieces face the same rule. First cousins are usually banned too, but they can marry if both are 65 or older, or if one proves to a judge they cannot have children.

How to Apply for an Apache County Marriage License

Walk into the Clerk of Superior Court office or any of the three Justice Courts. Ask for a marriage license application. You will fill out an affidavit under oath. The form asks for your name, age, and home address. Both people sign the affidavit in front of the clerk. The clerk checks your IDs and reviews the form. If everything looks right, they issue the license on the spot.

The whole process takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Most couples walk out with their license the same day they apply. There is no waiting period in Arizona. You do not need a blood test. You can get married right away if you want. The license is good for 12 months from the date it is issued. It works anywhere in the state. You could apply in Apache County and get married in Maricopa County or any other county.

Under ARS 25-121, the clerk issues your license after you sign the affidavit and pay the fee. The affidavit includes a statement that you know information about sexually transmitted diseases is available from the county health department. You do not have to get tested. You just have to acknowledge the information exists.

Apache County Marriage License Fees

The fee for an Apache County marriage license ranges from $83 to $98. The exact amount depends on where and when you apply. The county website lists $98 on one page and $83 on another. Call the clerk's office at (928) 337-7550 to confirm the current fee before you visit. Fees can change, and you want to bring the right amount.

Payment options include cash, credit cards, personal checks, and money orders. Make checks or money orders payable to "Clerk of the Court." Not all Justice Court locations accept every payment type. The main office in St. Johns takes all forms of payment. Cash is always accepted everywhere.

After your wedding, you may need certified copies of your marriage license. The DMV and Social Security office often ask for certified copies when you change your name. Contact the clerk's office for certified copy fees and ordering instructions. The Arizona Legislature Title 25 sets the rules for marriage records statewide.

Marriage Ceremony Rules for Apache County

Getting your license does not mean you are married. Arizona requires a ceremony to make the marriage legal. ARS 25-111 says the marriage must be solemnized by an authorized person before the license expires. Without a proper ceremony, the state does not recognize the marriage.

Who can perform your wedding? ARS 25-124 lists the people authorized to marry couples in Arizona. Licensed or ordained clergy can officiate. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, and religious leaders from any faith. Judges of courts of record can perform weddings. So can municipal court judges, justices of the peace, and federal judges. Bankruptcy and tax court judges qualify too.

You need two witnesses at the ceremony. Both must be 18 or older. Friends, family, or even strangers can serve as witnesses. The witnesses sign the marriage license along with both spouses and the officiant. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the Clerk of Superior Court for recording. Most counties want this done within 30 days.

The Apache County Clerk's office does not schedule wedding ceremonies. You must find your own officiant. Justices of the peace in the county may be available for hire. Contact the Justice Courts directly to ask about wedding services. Some judges perform ceremonies for a fee.

Note: The officiant is responsible for returning your signed license to the clerk for recording.

Covenant Marriage in Apache County

Arizona offers a special type of marriage called covenant marriage. It requires premarital counseling from a member of the clergy or a professional counselor. Couples sign a Declaration of Intent that commits them to all reasonable efforts to preserve the marriage if problems arise. Divorce grounds are limited compared to a regular marriage.

To apply for a covenant marriage license, you need a notarized statement from your counselor. The fee is the same as a regular license. You can also convert an existing marriage to covenant status for $35. The rules for covenant marriage appear in Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25, Chapter 7. Most couples choose regular marriage licenses. Covenant marriage is less common but remains an option for those who want it.

Apache County Clerk Contact Details

The main office for Apache County marriage licenses sits in the Apache County Courthouse in St. Johns. This is the county seat and the primary location for all court services. The building is easy to find in the center of town.

• Address: 70 W. 3rd South St., St. Johns, AZ 85936
• Mailing: PO Box 365, St. Johns, AZ 85936
• Phone: (928) 337-7550
• Fax: (928) 337-2771
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The office closes on state holidays. Parking is available near the courthouse. The staff can answer questions about your application in person or over the phone. For general Arizona marriage license questions, the Arizona Court Help website has useful guides and resources.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Apache County sits in the northeast corner of Arizona. It borders New Mexico to the east and Utah to the north. Several other Arizona counties are within driving distance if you prefer to apply at a different location. Any county in Arizona can issue your marriage license no matter where you live or plan to get married.

Navajo County lies directly west of Apache County. The clerk's office in Holbrook handles marriage licenses for that area. The fee is $98 and they accept cash, money orders, and debit or credit cards. Greenlee County sits to the south. Their office in Clifton charges $83 for a license. Coconino County is northwest of Apache County with offices in Flagstaff.

If you plan to marry elsewhere in Arizona, remember that any license works statewide. Couples sometimes get their license in one county and hold the ceremony in another. The license does not lock you into any particular location for the wedding itself.