La Paz County Marriage License

A La Paz County marriage license lets couples marry anywhere in Arizona for up to 12 months after the date of issue. The Clerk of Superior Court in Parker handles all license applications. Both people must show up at the same time. You can also apply at the Salome Justice Court or Quartzsite Magistrate Court if those locations work better for you. There is no blood test and no waiting period in La Paz County. The fee is $83, which is lower than most other Arizona counties. Plan to bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number when you visit the clerk's office.

La Paz County Clerk of Superior Court

The main office for marriage licenses sits in Parker at the county courthouse. Clerk Hollie Lucas runs the office and oversees all marriage license applications. The staff can help you fill out the forms and answer questions about the process. Most couples walk out with their license in less than 30 minutes.

You can visit the La Paz County Superior Court Clerk website for forms and more details. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. They close for state holidays. Call ahead if you plan to visit right before closing time to make sure staff can help you before the end of the day.

Note: The clerk's office does not perform wedding ceremonies, so you must arrange your own officiant.

Other La Paz County License Locations

La Paz County spans a large area along the Colorado River. Getting to Parker can take time from some parts of the county. That is why the county offers two other places to get your marriage license. The Salome Justice Court serves the eastern part of the county. The Quartzsite Magistrate Court helps winter visitors and residents in that area.

Both locations issue the same license as the main office in Parker. The fee stays the same at $83. You must still bring valid ID and both people must appear in person. Call the court you plan to visit to check their hours and make sure they can process your application that day. Some courts have limited staff, so calling first saves you a wasted trip.

The license you get from any La Paz County location works the same way. It stays valid for 12 months. You can use it to marry anywhere in Arizona, not just in La Paz County. The choice of where to apply depends only on what location is most convenient for you.

Marriage License Requirements in La Paz County

Both people who want to marry must come to the clerk's office together. You cannot send a friend or family member in your place. This rule has no exceptions. Each person needs to show valid government-issued photo ID. A driver's license works fine. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. The ID must clearly show your name, photo, and birth date.

Arizona law under ARS 25-121 requires your Social Security number on the application. The clerk keeps this number separate from the public record. It goes to the Department of Economic Security for child support tracking and nothing else. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the clerk and they will note it on your file.

The minimum age to marry without any extra steps is 18. If you are 16 or 17 years old, you need parental consent or an emancipation order. Your future spouse cannot be more than three years older than you. Under ARS 25-102, anyone under 16 cannot marry at all. The La Paz County clerk will refuse to issue a license that breaks these rules.

Note: You do not need a blood test or to show divorce papers from a past marriage.

La Paz County Marriage License Fees

The marriage license costs $83 in La Paz County. This is one of the lower fees in Arizona. Many larger counties charge $98. Payment is due when you apply. The clerk accepts cash, cashier's checks, and money orders. Check with the office about credit or debit cards before you go.

A certified copy of your marriage license costs $30 in La Paz County. You may need certified copies to change your name at the DMV or Social Security office. Some employers also ask for them. You can request copies by mail or in person at the clerk's office. Mail requests should include a cashier's check or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court.

If you want to convert an existing marriage to a covenant marriage, that costs $35 statewide. Covenant marriage requires premarital counseling and creates a marriage with stricter divorce rules. Most couples in La Paz County stick with a standard marriage license.

How to Get a La Paz County Marriage License

Walk into the clerk's office or one of the Justice Courts during business hours. Tell the staff you want to apply for a marriage license. They will give you an affidavit to complete. The form asks for basic information like your name, age, and home address. Both people must sign the affidavit under oath.

The clerk reviews your IDs and the completed form. If all looks correct, they print your license right away. The whole visit usually takes less than 30 minutes. Busy times near holidays may take a bit longer. Your license is ready to use as soon as you walk out the door.

Under ARS 25-111, your marriage only becomes legal when a proper ceremony takes place. Getting the license is just the first step. You still need an authorized officiant and two adult witnesses to make it official. The license expires after 12 months, so plan your ceremony before that date.

La Paz County Wedding Ceremony Rules

Arizona requires a ceremony to make your marriage valid. The license alone does not marry you. Under state law, an authorized person must perform the wedding before the license expires. The ceremony can be simple or elaborate. What matters is that it happens within the 12-month window.

ARS 25-124 lists who can officiate weddings in Arizona. Licensed or ordained clergy of any faith can perform ceremonies. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders. Judges of courts of record qualify. So do municipal court judges, justices of the peace, and federal judges. Even bankruptcy and tax court judges can marry people.

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. Friends, family members, or even people you just met can serve as witnesses. There is no special training or role for them beyond signing the form.

After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the La Paz County Clerk of Superior Court. State law requires this within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and files the original document. You can then order certified copies from the clerk's office when you need them.

Note: The La Paz County courts do not schedule wedding ceremonies, so you must find your own officiant.

Prohibited Marriages in Arizona

ARS 25-101 lists marriages that Arizona will not allow. These marriages are void from the start. Parents cannot marry their children or grandchildren. Brothers and sisters cannot marry each other, even half-siblings. Aunts cannot marry nephews. Uncles cannot marry nieces. First cousins face a general ban with two narrow exceptions.

First cousins can marry if both people are 65 or older. They can also marry if one proves to a Superior Court judge that they cannot have children. These cases need court approval before the clerk can issue a license. The La Paz County clerk will refuse any application that violates these rules.

Out-of-State Residents in La Paz County

Arizona does not require you to live here to get married here. Couples from California, Nevada, or any other state can apply for a La Paz County marriage license. Many winter visitors to Quartzsite and Parker take advantage of this. The process is exactly the same as for Arizona residents.

Your La Paz County marriage license only works in Arizona. You cannot use it to get married in California or another state. However, once you marry in Arizona, other states will recognize your marriage. Under ARS 25-112, Arizona also recognizes marriages performed legally in other states and countries.

This makes La Paz County popular for destination weddings. The Colorado River area offers scenic spots for outdoor ceremonies. Parker has parks and waterfront areas. Quartzsite draws visitors during the winter season. The easy license process with no waiting period means couples can plan a quick wedding trip.

Getting La Paz County Marriage Copies

After your wedding, you may need certified copies of your marriage license. The DMV requires one to change your name on your driver's license. Social Security needs one too. Banks, employers, and insurance companies sometimes ask for copies. The La Paz County Clerk of Superior Court provides certified copies for $30 each.

You can request copies in person at the Parker office. Walk in during business hours and ask for a certified marriage abstract. The staff will look up your record and print a certified copy while you wait. Payment is due at the time you pick up the document.

Mail requests work too. Send a written request with the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the marriage. Include a $30 cashier's check or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Mail it to P.O. Box 940, Parker, AZ 85344. Allow a few weeks for processing and return mail delivery.

Nearby Arizona Counties

La Paz County sits along the Colorado River in western Arizona. Several other counties border it and also issue marriage licenses. If the La Paz County office hours or locations do not work for you, consider applying in a neighboring county. The license works the same no matter which Arizona county issues it.