Graham County Marriage License

Graham County marriage licenses are issued at the Clerk of Superior Court in Safford. The office sits inside the Graham County Courthouse on West Main Street. Both partners must appear together to apply. No appointment is needed. You can walk in during regular hours and leave with your license the same day. The fee is $83, which is lower than many other Arizona counties. Graham County has kept marriage records since the 1880s, making it one of the oldest record sources in the state. Couples from anywhere can apply here regardless of where they plan to hold their ceremony.

Graham County Clerk of Superior Court

The Graham County Clerk of Superior Court handles all marriage license requests. The office is on the main floor of the Graham County Courthouse. Staff can help you complete your application and answer questions about the process. Walk-ins are welcome during business hours. You do not need to call ahead or schedule a time slot.

Both applicants must show up in person. Bring a valid photo ID like a driver's license, state ID, passport, or military ID. You also need your Social Security number for the application form. The clerk keeps this separate from public records. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can note that on the form. The clerk will issue your license on the same visit once everything checks out.

Graham County accepts several payment methods. You can pay with cash at the counter. Credit cards and debit cards work too. Money orders payable to the Clerk of Superior Court are also fine. Personal checks are not listed as an option, so call ahead if you only have a check. The $83 fee covers the license itself. Expect to pay more if you want certified copies later.

How to Get a Marriage License in Graham County

Getting your license in Graham County is simple. Both partners walk into the clerk's office together. The staff will give you an affidavit to fill out. This form asks for basic details like your name, age, and home address. You sign it under oath in front of the clerk. The affidavit also includes a statement about sexually transmitted disease information being available from the county health department.

After you complete the paperwork, the clerk reviews your application and IDs. If everything looks right, they print your license on the spot. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes. The license becomes valid right away. You can use it for your ceremony that same day if you want. Arizona does not require any waiting period between getting the license and getting married. The license stays valid for 12 months from the issue date and works anywhere in Arizona.

Note: Graham County does not require blood tests or residency in the county.

Graham County Marriage License Fees

Graham County charges $83 for a marriage license. This is one of the lower fees in Arizona. Larger counties like Maricopa, Pima, and Yavapai charge $98. The lower cost makes Graham County attractive for couples looking to save money on wedding expenses. The fee is due when you submit your application. You cannot get your license without paying first.

Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $30 each in Graham County. You may need a certified copy for several reasons. The Motor Vehicle Division requires one to change your name on a driver's license. The Social Security Administration needs proof of marriage to update your records there too. Some employers and insurance companies also ask for certified documentation when adding a spouse to benefits.

Graham County offers online payment through AZCourtPay.com. The system charges a $5 convenience fee on top of the normal cost. This works for paying fines and fees related to court matters. Check with the clerk's office to see if you can use this option for marriage license fees or certified copy requests. In-person payment at the courthouse has no extra charge.

Graham County Marriage License Requirements

Arizona law sets the rules for who can marry. Graham County follows these same standards. Both applicants must be at least 18 years old. If you are 16 or 17, you can still apply under certain conditions. A parent or guardian must consent. The other person cannot be more than three years older than you. Under ARS 25-102, anyone younger than 16 cannot marry at all in Arizona.

Bring proof of your identity and age. A government-issued photo ID works best. This includes driver's licenses, state ID cards, passports, and military IDs. The ID needs to show your name, photo, and birth date clearly. Expired IDs might cause problems, so bring something current if you can. You also provide your Social Security number on the application, but this stays private and is not part of public records.

Certain marriages are banned under state law. ARS 25-101 lists family relationships that cannot marry. The list includes parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings, aunts and nephews, and uncles and nieces. First cousins face a general ban but can marry if both are 65 or older. They can also marry at any age if one shows a court they cannot have children.

You do not need to prove you ended a prior marriage. Arizona does not require divorce papers at the clerk's office. However, you must be legally single when you apply. If your divorce is not final yet, wait until the court enters the final decree. Marrying while still legally married to someone else creates serious legal problems.

Arizona Marriage License Laws

Arizona statutes govern the entire marriage license process. ARS 25-121 explains how to apply for a license. It requires both people to appear before a county clerk and sign an affidavit under oath. The law also says clerks can issue licenses to couples from any county in the state. You do not have to apply in the county where you live or plan to marry. The full text of Title 25 covers marriage and domestic relations in Arizona.

ARS 25-111 says a ceremony is required. Getting the license is just the first step. An authorized person must solemnize the marriage before the license expires. Without a proper ceremony, you are not legally married even if you have the license in hand. The law gives you 12 months to hold your ceremony from the date the clerk issues the license.

Marriage Ceremonies in Graham County

Graham County does not schedule wedding ceremonies through the clerk's office. You must find your own officiant. Arizona law lists who can legally marry couples. Licensed or ordained clergy members qualify. Judges of any court of record can perform weddings. Municipal court judges, justices of the peace, and various federal judges are also on the list. ARS 25-124 spells out all the options.

Your ceremony needs two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. They sign the marriage license along with both spouses and the officiant. Anyone can serve as a witness. Friends, family members, or even people you just met that day can fill the role. After the ceremony, the officiant must return the signed license to the Graham County Clerk of Superior Court. Most counties expect this within 30 days. The clerk then records your marriage and stores the official document.

Many couples in Graham County hold ceremonies at local churches, outdoor venues, or private homes. The Gila Valley has scenic spots along the Gila River that work well for outdoor weddings. Some officiants will travel to your chosen location. Others have their own facilities. Start looking for an officiant early, especially if you want a specific date during busy wedding season.

Graham County Marriage Records

Graham County keeps marriage records going back to the 1880s. The county was created in 1881 from parts of Apache and Pima counties. Marriage records from those early years are still on file at the courthouse. If you need to find an old marriage record, the clerk's office can search their archives. Older records may take more time to locate than recent ones.

To get a certified copy of a Graham County marriage license, contact the Clerk of Superior Court. You can visit the office in person or request copies by mail. The fee is $30 per certified copy. For mail requests, send a written request with the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the marriage. Include payment by money order or cashier's check. Add extra for postage if you want the copy mailed back to you.

Certified copies show that the document is a true copy of the official record. They carry the clerk's seal and signature. Many agencies only accept certified copies for legal purposes. Regular photocopies or printouts are not enough when you need to prove your marriage to government offices, employers, or insurance companies.

Note: The clerk's office can provide copies only for marriages that were recorded in Graham County.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Graham County sits in southeastern Arizona. Several other counties border it if you want to compare options. Greenlee County to the east also charges $83 for a marriage license. Cochise County to the south charges $98. Pinal County to the west has multiple office locations and charges $98. Gila County to the north requires an appointment and charges $83. Each county issues licenses valid anywhere in Arizona.