Maricopa County Marriage License

Maricopa County handles more marriage licenses than any other county in Arizona. The Clerk of Superior Court runs four locations across the Phoenix metro area for couples to apply in person. You can also apply online if you are an Arizona resident. The fee is $98, and there is no waiting period. Both people must show valid ID and their Social Security numbers. Once issued, the license stays valid for 12 months and works anywhere in Arizona. The downtown Phoenix office sees the most traffic, but the Northeast, Northwest, and Southeast locations often have shorter lines.

Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court issues marriage licenses at four locations. The main office sits in downtown Phoenix at 620 West Jackson Street. This is the largest office and handles the most applications each day. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The phone number is (602) 372-5375, which you can also dial as (602) 37-CLERK. Walk-ins are welcome at all locations, but appointments help you avoid long waits.

Maricopa County stands out as the only Arizona county offering online marriage license applications. Arizona residents can complete the entire process without visiting an office. You fill out the forms on the Maricopa County Clerk website, pay the fee, and receive your license by mail. The online option costs the standard $98 plus $8 for postage and handling. Many couples add $43.50 to prepay for a certified copy of their recorded marriage license.

The online process takes longer than walking in. Plan for at least a week to receive your license by mail. You still need to provide ID copies and sign the affidavit, which must be notarized. For couples in a hurry, visiting an office in person remains faster. The license prints on the spot once the clerk approves your application.

Marriage License Locations in Maricopa County

Four offices serve the Maricopa County area. Each accepts walk-ins and appointments. The Downtown Customer Service Center handles the highest volume. It sits right next to the Superior Court building. The other three locations spread out across the metro to serve different parts of the county. Pick the one closest to you or the one with the best availability when you schedule.

The Downtown Phoenix location is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix, 85003. The Northeast Regional Court is at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix, 85032. This location works well for Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, and north Phoenix residents. The Northwest Regional Court in Surprise is at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane, 85374. It serves the west valley including Surprise, Sun City, and Peoria. The Southeast Regional Court Center in Mesa is at 222 E. Javelina Avenue, 85210. Mesa, Gilbert, Chandler, and Tempe residents often find this location most convenient.

Appointments are recommended but not required. The Maricopa County appointment system lets you book a specific time slot online. This cuts down wait times significantly during busy periods. Wedding season and holiday weeks see the heaviest traffic. Mondays and Fridays tend to be busier than midweek days.

Note: All four locations have the same hours and accept the same payment methods.

Maricopa County Marriage License Requirements

Both applicants must appear together at the clerk's office. You cannot apply alone or send someone in your place. Each person needs a valid government-issued photo ID. Driver's licenses work. So do passports, state ID cards, and military IDs. Starting in May 2021, Maricopa County also accepts Matricula Consular ID cards issued by Mexican consulates. The ID must clearly show your name, photo, and birth date.

You must provide your Social Security number on the application. The clerk keeps this information separate from the public record. Only the Department of Economic Security can access it for child support enforcement. If you do not have a Social Security number, you can note that on the form. Foreign nationals and others without numbers can still get married in Maricopa County.

Arizona law sets the minimum marriage age at 18. Under ARS 25-102, a 16 or 17 year old can marry only with parental consent or a court emancipation order. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older. Children under 16 cannot marry at all in Arizona. The clerk will refuse to issue a license that violates these age rules.

The Maricopa County image below shows the Arizona Legislature page that contains marriage license requirements and related statutes.

No blood test is needed. Arizona dropped that requirement years ago. There is no waiting period either. You can get your license and marry the same day if you want. A divorce decree from any prior marriage is not required when you apply. The clerk takes you at your word that any previous marriage ended before the new ceremony takes place.

Marriage License Fees in Maricopa County

The marriage license fee in Maricopa County is $98. This is the standard rate for most larger Arizona counties. You can pay with cash, money order, debit card, or credit card. The clerk accepts all major cards. When applying online, you pay electronically and add $8 for postage and handling.

Certified copies of your recorded marriage license cost $43.50 each. If you send a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request, the fee drops to $35.50. Many couples order certified copies when they pick up their license or prepay during the online application. You will likely need certified copies to change your name at the DMV, Social Security office, or on bank accounts. Order a few extra to have on hand.

The fee to convert an existing marriage to a covenant marriage is $35. Covenant marriages require premarital counseling and have stricter divorce rules. You must bring a notarized statement from your counselor when you apply. The Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 covers covenant marriage requirements in Chapter 7.

How to Apply for a Maricopa County Marriage License

Walk into any of the four Maricopa County locations during business hours. Tell the clerk you want to apply for a marriage license. You will complete an affidavit under oath. The affidavit asks for your name, age, and home address. It includes a statement that you know information about sexually transmitted diseases is available from the county health department. Both applicants sign the form in front of the clerk.

The clerk reviews your IDs and the completed affidavit. If everything checks out, the license prints right away. Most in-person visits take 15 to 30 minutes depending on how busy the office is. Scheduling an appointment speeds things up. You avoid waiting behind walk-ins who showed up before you.

For online applications, visit the Maricopa County Clerk website and select the online marriage license option. You fill out the same information you would provide in person. Upload copies of both IDs. Print the affidavit, sign it in front of a notary, and mail it to the clerk's office. Once they process everything, your license arrives by mail. The whole process takes about one to two weeks.

The steps to get a Maricopa County marriage license include:

• Gather valid photo ID for both applicants
• Know your Social Security numbers
• Visit any clerk location together or apply online
• Complete and sign the affidavit under oath
• Pay the $98 fee
• Receive your license on the spot or by mail

Wedding Ceremonies in Maricopa County

Getting a marriage license does not mean you are married. Arizona requires a ceremony performed by an authorized person. Under ARS 25-111, the marriage must be solemnized before the license expires. You have 12 months from the issue date. Without a valid ceremony, the marriage is not legal.

The Maricopa County Justice Courts offer wedding ceremonies on weekdays. Justice Court weddings happen after 5 p.m. on regular court days. Make sure you and your party arrive by 4:30 p.m. to clear security. The courthouse doors lock at exactly 5 p.m., and no one can enter after that. The ceremony fee ranges from $100 to $120 depending on the judge. Each judge sets their own rate.

Some Maricopa County judges marry active military members for free. These ceremonies happen during the lunch hour or court breaks by appointment. Call ahead to ask about military wedding options. Not all judges offer this, but many do as a courtesy to service members.

You need two witnesses at your ceremony. They must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses sign the marriage license along with both spouses and the officiant. Bring your own witnesses or ask the court if they can provide them. Some locations keep staff or volunteers available to serve as witnesses when couples show up alone.

After the wedding, your officiant must return the signed license to the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and stores the original. You can then order certified copies of the recorded marriage license.

Note: The Superior Court clerks do not perform ceremonies or schedule weddings for you.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Maricopa County

ARS 25-124 lists the people authorized to perform wedding ceremonies in Arizona. Licensed or ordained clergy can officiate. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and leaders of any religious organization. Judges of courts of record can marry people. This covers Superior Court judges, Court of Appeals judges, and Arizona Supreme Court justices. Municipal court judges and justices of the peace can also perform ceremonies.

Federal officials can marry couples in Maricopa County too. Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court qualify. So do judges of federal district courts, appellate courts, bankruptcy courts, and tax courts. U.S. magistrate judges can officiate. Judges of the Arizona Court of Military Appeals round out the list. The law is broad. Almost any judge or licensed religious leader can perform your ceremony.

Online ordination is legal in Arizona. Ministers ordained through online churches can perform weddings here. The state does not check credentials before issuing a license. The officiant signs the marriage license after the ceremony and returns it to the clerk. As long as someone believed in good faith that the officiant was authorized, the marriage is valid.

Maricopa County Marriage License Copies

After your wedding, you will want certified copies of your marriage license. The Maricopa County Clerk charges $43.50 per certified copy. If you provide a self-addressed stamped envelope, the cost drops to $35.50. You can request copies when you apply for the license, after the ceremony is recorded, or anytime in the future.

Order copies by mail or in person at any clerk location. Include payment and a letter with your names, the date of marriage, and how many copies you need. Processing takes a few days for in-person requests and one to two weeks by mail. The clerk's office keeps marriage records going back decades, so you can always request copies later.

Certified copies prove your marriage for legal purposes. You need them to change your name on your driver's license, Social Security card, passport, and bank accounts. Some employers ask for marriage certificates too. Order at least two or three copies. They save you time compared to requesting one copy at a time.

Nearby Counties for Marriage Licenses

Maricopa County borders several other Arizona counties where you can also get a marriage license. Arizona allows couples to apply in any county regardless of where they live or plan to marry. If Maricopa County offices are too busy, consider these nearby options.

Pinal County lies south and east of Maricopa. The main office is in Florence, with satellite locations in Casa Grande, Apache Junction, and the city of Maricopa. The fee is $98. Yavapai County sits north of Maricopa with offices in Prescott and Camp Verde. The fee there is also $98. Gila County is northeast with offices in Globe and Payson. Gila charges $83. La Paz County is west with an office in Parker. The fee is $83. You can marry in any county once you have a valid Arizona license.

Cities in Maricopa County

Maricopa County includes most of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Residents of these cities apply for marriage licenses through the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The county clerk is the only office that issues marriage licenses. Cities do not issue them directly.

Phoenix is the state capital and largest city. The downtown clerk location is most convenient for central Phoenix residents. Mesa residents should try the Southeast Regional Court Center on Javelina Avenue. Chandler and Gilbert are also closest to the Mesa location. Glendale and Peoria residents may prefer the Northwest location in Surprise.

Scottsdale sits in the northeast part of the county. The Northeast Regional Court on 40th Street is the closest option for Scottsdale couples. Tempe is centrally located with easy access to downtown Phoenix, Mesa, or the Northeast court. Surprise hosts the Northwest Regional Court right in town. Avondale and Goodyear in the west valley can use the Surprise location or downtown Phoenix.

Buckeye offers a unique option. The Buckeye Municipal Court issues Maricopa County marriage licenses on behalf of the county clerk. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fee is the same $98. This saves Buckeye residents a long drive to Phoenix or Surprise. The presiding judge does not perform ceremonies, but the court processes license applications.