Cochise County Marriage License
Marriage licenses in Cochise County come from the Clerk of the Superior Court. You can apply at either the Bisbee office or the Sierra Vista location. Both offices serve the whole county. The license costs $98 and is good for 12 months anywhere in Arizona. There is no blood test required. There is no waiting period at all. Both people must show up in person with valid ID. The clerk will issue your license the same day you apply. Cochise County sits in the southeast corner of Arizona near the Mexican border. Couples from out of state can get married here just as easily as residents.
Cochise County Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get a Cochise County Marriage License
The Cochise County Clerk of the Superior Court operates two locations. The main office sits in Bisbee, the county seat. A second office serves Sierra Vista and the western part of the county. Both offices issue marriage licenses with the same requirements and fees. Pick whichever location works best for your schedule.
The Bisbee office is at 100 Quality Hill Road, Bisbee, AZ 85603. Call them at 520-432-8600. The Sierra Vista office is at 100 Colonia De Salud, Suite 200, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635. Their phone number is 520-803-3060. Both offices are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They close on state holidays. Amy J. Hunley serves as the current Clerk of the Superior Court for Cochise County.
Walk-ins are welcome at both locations. Most couples get their license in 15 to 30 minutes. Busy times may take longer. You do not need an appointment, though calling ahead never hurts if you have questions about what to bring or want to confirm hours.
Note: The Superior Court judges in Cochise County do not perform wedding ceremonies.
Cochise County Marriage License Requirements
Both people must appear together in person. No exceptions. You cannot send someone else to apply for you. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license works fine. So does a passport, state ID, or military ID. The ID must show your full name, photo, and date of birth. Bring the original document, not a copy.
You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The clerk keeps this information separate from the public record. It goes only to the Department of Economic Security for child support enforcement. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the clerk. Foreign nationals can still get married in Cochise County without one. Under ARS 25-121, the clerk collects this data but protects it from public release.
Arizona law sets the minimum age to marry at 18. Younger people face strict rules. A person who is 16 or 17 can only marry with parental consent or a court emancipation order. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older. Under ARS 25-102, anyone under 16 cannot marry at all. The Cochise County clerk will refuse to issue a license that breaks these rules.
Cochise County Marriage License Fees
The fee is $98. You can pay by cash, money order, VISA, or MasterCard. The clerk does not accept personal checks for marriage licenses. Bring exact payment or a card to make the process smooth. The fee is due when you apply. The clerk will not hold your application while you get funds.
Certified copies of your recorded marriage license cost extra. You will need these for name changes at the DMV or Social Security office. Call the Bisbee or Sierra Vista office to ask about current copy fees and how to order them. Most people need at least one or two certified copies after the wedding.
Using Your Cochise County Marriage License
The license is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. Your ceremony must happen before it expires. You can use a Cochise County license anywhere in the state of Arizona. It does not limit you to Cochise County. Get married in Tucson, Phoenix, or the Grand Canyon if you want. The license works the same.
There is no residency requirement. Anyone can get a marriage license in Cochise County. You do not need to live here. You do not need to plan a wedding here. Couples from other states or countries often choose Arizona because the process is fast and simple. No blood test. No waiting period. Walk in and walk out with your license the same day.
Under ARS 25-111, a marriage license alone does not make you married. You must have a ceremony performed by an authorized person before the license expires. Without a valid ceremony, the marriage is not legal. The state requires both the license and the solemnization.
Marriage Ceremony Requirements in Cochise County
An authorized person must perform your wedding ceremony. Arizona law lists who qualifies. Under ARS 25-124, licensed or ordained clergy can marry you. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, and religious leaders of any faith. Judges of courts of record can officiate. Municipal court judges, justices of the peace, and federal judges also have this power.
You need two witnesses at the ceremony. They must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses sign the marriage license along with both spouses and the officiant. Anyone can be a witness. Friends, family, or even people you just met that day can serve in this role. The Cochise County Superior Court does not provide witnesses or perform ceremonies.
After the wedding, your officiant must return the signed license to the Clerk of Superior Court. The law gives them 30 days to do this. The clerk records the marriage and stores the original. You can then order certified copies. Make sure your officiant knows this duty. Some couples run into delays when officiants forget to file the paperwork.
Special Cases for Cochise County Marriage Licenses
Arizona recognizes same-sex marriages. This has been true since October 17, 2014. Cochise County treats all couples the same under the law. The application process and fee are identical regardless of the genders involved.
Covenant marriage is an option in Arizona. It requires premarital counseling and limits grounds for divorce. Couples must sign a declaration of intent and provide a notarized statement from their counselor. The Arizona Legislature Title 25 Chapter 7 contains all covenant marriage rules. Converting an existing marriage to covenant status costs $35.
If you were married before, you do not need to bring your divorce decree. Arizona does not require proof that your prior marriage ended. However, you are responsible for making sure your divorce is final before the new ceremony. Getting married while still legally wed to someone else is a crime. The clerk relies on your sworn statement that you are free to marry.
Note: First cousins cannot marry in Cochise County unless both are 65 or older, or one proves inability to have children.
Plan Your Visit to the Cochise County Clerk
The Bisbee office sits in the historic county seat near the old mining district. Parking is available near the courthouse. The Sierra Vista office is in a more modern setting with easy access from Highway 92. Choose the location closest to you or the one that fits your travel plans.
Both offices follow the same schedule:
- Monday through Friday open
- 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours
- Closed on state holidays
- Walk-ins accepted all day
- Same-day license issue
Bring your ID, your partner, and your payment method. The whole process usually takes less than half an hour. You will sign an affidavit under oath stating that all your information is correct. The clerk then prints and issues your marriage license on the spot. You walk out ready to get married anywhere in Arizona within the next year.
Nearby Counties for Marriage Licenses
Cochise County borders several other Arizona counties. If one of these locations works better for you, their clerk offices also issue marriage licenses valid statewide.