Gila County Marriage License
Gila County issues marriage licenses through the Clerk of Superior Court with offices in Globe and Payson. The county sits in central Arizona and covers rugged mountain terrain along the Mogollon Rim. Couples looking to get a marriage license here must call ahead. Appointments are required at both office locations. The fee is $83. Both partners must appear together with valid photo ID. There is no blood test and no waiting period once you pick up your license.
Gila County Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get a Marriage License in Gila County
The Gila County Clerk of the Superior Court handles all marriage license applications. Two offices serve residents and visitors. The main office is in Globe at the county courthouse. A second office operates in Payson to serve the northern part of the county. You must call to set up an appointment before you visit. Walk-ins are not accepted at either location.
The Globe office is at 1400 E. Ash St., Globe, AZ 85501. Call (928) 402-8866 to schedule your visit. Globe is the county seat and has the primary courthouse. The building sits on the east side of town near Highway 60. Most county records are stored here. Staff can answer questions about the marriage license process when you call.
Payson offers a satellite office at 714 S. Beeline Hwy #104, Payson, AZ 85541. The phone number is (928) 474-3978. This location serves couples in the Rim Country area. Payson sits about 90 miles from Phoenix along State Route 87. The town draws visitors for its cooler mountain weather and pine forests.
Note: You can also reach the clerk's office by email at clerksoffice@gilacountyaz.gov for general questions.
Gila County Marriage License Requirements
Both people who want to marry must come to the office together. This is state law. No exceptions exist. You cannot send a friend or apply on your own first. Each person needs to bring valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license works well. A passport, state ID card, or military ID also works. The ID must show your name, photo, and date of birth.
Arizona does not require a blood test. The state dropped this rule years ago. There is also no waiting period after you get the license. You can marry the same day if you want. Once the clerk hands you the license, it stays valid for 12 months. You must hold your ceremony before that year runs out or the license expires. The Gila County license works anywhere in Arizona.
You must provide your Social Security number when you apply. The clerk keeps this data private and separate from the public file. Under ARS 25-121, the number goes only to the Department of Economic Security for child support tracking. If you do not have a Social Security number, let the clerk know. Foreign nationals can still get married in Gila County. The office will note your status in the records and move forward with the application.
Age Rules for Gila County Marriage Licenses
The legal age of consent is 18 in Arizona. Adults 18 and older can marry without anyone else's permission. Younger applicants face strict limits. Under ARS 25-102, a person who is 16 or 17 years old can marry only under special conditions. The minor must either have an emancipation order from a court or written consent from a parent or legal guardian who has custody.
Even with consent, the future spouse cannot be more than three years older than the minor. The clerk will check ages carefully. Anyone under 16 cannot marry at all. The law blocks these marriages completely. No exceptions exist. Gila County staff will refuse to issue a license if the ages do not meet state rules.
Marriage License Fee in Gila County
The fee for a Gila County marriage license is $83. This is the standard rate set by the county. Payment is due when you apply. The clerk will not process your application until you pay. Bring cash or check with you. Call ahead to confirm which payment methods the office accepts on the day you plan to visit.
Certified copies of your marriage license cost extra. The Gila County Clerk of Court can provide copies once the officiant returns the signed license. You may need a certified copy for name changes. The DMV and Social Security office often ask for one. Banks and employers sometimes need proof of marriage too. Keep the fee and processing time in mind when you plan your wedding date.
Marriage Ceremony Rules in Gila County
Getting a marriage license does not make you married. You must have a ceremony. Arizona law requires this step. Under ARS 25-111, the marriage must be performed by someone who has legal authority to do so. Without a valid ceremony, your marriage is not recognized by the state. The ceremony can be simple. It can be short. But it must happen before the license expires.
You must arrange your own ceremony. The Gila County Clerk's office does not schedule weddings for the courts. They issue the license and record the completed one after the wedding. Everything in between is up to you. Many couples use religious leaders or judges. Some hold outdoor ceremonies in the beautiful Gila County mountains.
State law lists the people who can marry you:
- Licensed or ordained clergy members
- Judges of courts of record
- Municipal court judges
- Justices of the peace
- Federal judges and magistrates
Two witnesses must attend the ceremony. They must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses sign the marriage license along with both spouses and the officiant. Friends or family members work well. Strangers can serve as witnesses too if needed. After the wedding, your officiant must return the signed license to the Gila County Clerk for recording.
Gila County Marriage License Validity
Your Gila County marriage license stays valid for 12 months from the date it was issued. The ceremony must happen within that year. If the license expires before you marry, you will need to apply again and pay the fee a second time. Plan your timeline carefully. Many couples get the license a few weeks or months before their wedding date.
The license works anywhere in Arizona. You do not have to hold your ceremony in Gila County. Some couples get their license in Globe or Payson and then marry in Sedona, Phoenix, or the Grand Canyon. The location of the ceremony does not matter as long as it happens in Arizona before the license expires. After the wedding, the officiant returns the signed license to the county that issued it for recording.
Note: A marriage license is different from a marriage certificate. The license allows you to marry. The certificate proves the marriage happened.
Prohibited Marriages in Gila County Arizona
Certain marriages are void under Arizona law. ARS 25-101 lists relationships that cannot legally marry. Parents and children cannot marry at any generation level. Siblings cannot marry whether they share one parent or both. Aunts and nephews cannot marry. Neither can uncles and nieces. First cousins face a general ban. These rules apply in Gila County and every other Arizona county.
First cousins can marry if both are 65 or older. They can also marry if one proves to a Superior Court judge that they cannot have children. The judge must approve before the clerk will issue a license. These cases are rare. Most applicants do not face this issue. A void marriage has no legal effect at all. The clerk will refuse to issue a license if the couple falls under these restrictions.
Out-of-State Marriages and Gila County
Arizona honors marriages from other states and countries. Under ARS 25-112, a marriage that is valid where it was performed is valid in Arizona too. If you got married in another state and then moved to Gila County, your marriage still counts here. The only exception is marriages that would be void under Arizona law, such as those between close relatives.
Couples who plan to live in Gila County but marry elsewhere follow the same rules. Your out-of-state marriage carries the same legal weight as one performed in Arizona. This matters for property rights, tax filing, health care decisions, and other legal issues. Gila County courts will honor the marriage from day one.
Nearby Arizona Counties
Gila County borders five other Arizona counties. You can apply for a marriage license at any county clerk office in the state. Some couples find it easier to visit a nearby county if the office is closer to home. Each office has the same basic process, though fees vary slightly. Here are the counties next to Gila County.