Navajo County Marriage License
Navajo County issues marriage licenses through the Clerk of Superior Court in Holbrook. The office sits at 100 E Code Talkers Drive and stays open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Both people must come in together to apply. You bring valid photo ID and your Social Security number. The fee is $98. No blood test or waiting period applies. Your license stays valid for 12 months and works anywhere in Arizona. Couples from any state or country can get married in Navajo County without being local residents.
Navajo County Marriage License Quick Facts
Navajo County Clerk of Superior Court
The Navajo County Clerk of Superior Court handles all marriage licenses for the county. The office is in Holbrook at the county complex. Michael Sample serves as the current Clerk of the Court. Staff members can help you fill out the affidavit and answer questions about the process. Walk-ins are welcome during regular hours, though you may want to call ahead if you plan to visit on a busy day.
The physical address is 100 E Code Talkers Drive, Holbrook, AZ 86025. Mail goes to P.O. Box 668, Holbrook, AZ 86025. Call 928-524-4000 with questions about your Navajo County marriage license application. The office closes on weekends and state holidays. Plan your visit for a weekday morning or afternoon when you and your partner can both be there in person.
Navajo County covers a large area of northeastern Arizona. It includes parts of the Navajo Nation, the Hopi Reservation, and several small towns. Despite the county's size, only the Holbrook office issues marriage licenses. There are no satellite locations or justice court options for getting your license in other towns within Navajo County.
Navajo County Marriage License Requirements
Both parties must appear together at the clerk's office. No proxy marriages. No applying alone. Each person needs valid picture ID showing proof of date of birth. A driver's license works fine. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. The clerk will check your ID before starting the process. Make sure your documents are current and not expired.
You must provide your Social Security number when you apply. The clerk keeps this number separate from the public marriage record. Under ARS 25-121, this information only goes to the Department of Economic Security for child support matters. It does not appear on your license or become part of any public file that others can search.
Arizona sets the legal age of marriage at 18. Minors face strict rules under state law. Persons aged 16 or 17 can marry only with parental consent or an emancipation order. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older than the minor. Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona at all. Parents or legal guardians of minors must appear at the clerk's office and show proof of custody or guardianship when applying for a Navajo County marriage license.
You do not need a blood test. Arizona dropped this rule years ago. You also face no waiting period. Your Navajo County marriage license is ready to use the same day you apply. The ceremony can happen right away if you have an officiant lined up.
Note: The clerk will refuse to issue a license if either party is already married to someone else.
Navajo County Marriage License Fee
A Navajo County marriage license costs $98. This fee is due at the time of application. The clerk's office does not accept personal checks for marriage licenses. Bring cash, money order, or a debit or credit card. This makes the payment process simple but requires planning if you prefer to pay by check.
The $98 fee covers just the license itself. Certified copies cost extra when you need them later. Many couples order copies for name changes at the DMV, Social Security office, or bank. The fee for certified copies varies, so ask the clerk about current prices when you apply. Add time for mail delivery if you order by mail rather than picking up in person.
How to Get a Marriage License in Navajo County
Walk into the Clerk of Superior Court office during business hours with your partner. Ask for a marriage license application. You will complete and sign 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 of you sign in front of the clerk.
The clerk reviews your application and checks your IDs. If everything looks good, they issue the Navajo County marriage license on the spot. Most visits take 15 to 30 minutes from start to finish. The license prints immediately and is ready to use as soon as you pay the fee. You leave with your license in hand.
Your Navajo County marriage license stays valid for 12 months from the date the clerk issues it. The ceremony must happen within that year or the license expires. You can marry anywhere in Arizona with a Navajo County license. The location does not have to be in Navajo County. Many couples get their license in one county and have the ceremony in another.
Marriage Ceremony Requirements
Getting the license is step one. The ceremony makes your marriage legal. Under ARS 25-111, Arizona requires that an authorized person solemnize your marriage before the license expires. Without a valid ceremony, the marriage is not recognized under state law.
ARS 25-124 lists who can perform weddings in Arizona. Licensed or ordained clergy have authority to marry couples. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders. Judges of courts of record can officiate. Municipal court judges, justices of the peace, and various federal judges also qualify. The list is broad enough that most couples can find an officiant who fits their preferences.
Two witnesses must attend the ceremony. They sign the marriage license along with both spouses and the officiant. Witnesses must be at least 18 years old. Friends, family members, or even strangers can fill this role. Anyone with legal capacity to witness a document works. Some couples ask parents or siblings to serve as witnesses for sentimental reasons.
After the wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the Navajo County Clerk of Superior Court for recording. The clerk stores the original document and makes it part of the official record. You can then request certified copies whenever you need them for legal purposes.
Note: The Navajo County Clerk's office does not arrange or perform wedding ceremonies.
Arizona Marriage Laws
Arizona marriage law falls under Title 25 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. This title covers marital and domestic relations. Chapter 1 deals with marriage itself, including who can marry, how to get a license, and what makes a ceremony valid. The rules apply equally to all 15 Arizona counties, including Navajo County.
ARS 25-101 defines void and prohibited marriages. The law blocks marriages between close relatives. Parents and children cannot marry. Neither can siblings, aunts and nephews, or uncles and nieces. First cousins face a general ban with two narrow exceptions. They can marry if both are 65 or older, or if one proves to a Superior Court judge that they cannot have children.
Same-sex marriages have been legal in Arizona since October 17, 2014. The state recognizes these marriages the same as any other. Navajo County, like all Arizona counties, issues marriage licenses to same-sex couples without any special requirements. The application process is identical for everyone.
Covenant Marriage in Navajo County
Arizona offers a special type of marriage called covenant marriage. This option requires premarital counseling and creates a marriage with limited grounds for divorce. Couples must sign a Declaration of Intent form. A notarized statement from your counselor confirms you completed the required sessions. The Arizona statutes in Title 25, Chapter 7 spell out all covenant marriage rules.
Existing marriages can convert to covenant status. The couple signs a new affidavit and Declaration of Intent at the clerk's office. The conversion fee is $35. This is separate from getting a new license. You keep your original marriage date while adding the covenant designation. Some couples choose this option for religious reasons or to strengthen their commitment under stricter legal terms.
After Your Navajo County Wedding
Once the ceremony ends, your officiant takes the signed marriage license. They must return it to the Navajo County Clerk of Superior Court for recording. State law requires this within 30 days of the wedding. The clerk then processes the document and adds it to the permanent record. Your marriage becomes part of the official public record at that point.
Most couples need certified copies for various purposes. Name changes at the DMV require proof of marriage. The Social Security Administration needs to see your marriage certificate before updating your card. Banks, insurance companies, and employers may ask for copies too. Order multiple certified copies when you visit the clerk so you have them ready when needed.
The Navajo County Clerk of the Court main office page has more information about obtaining copies and other services. Contact the office directly with questions about your specific situation or to check on the status of your recorded marriage license.
Nearby Arizona Counties
Navajo County borders several other Arizona counties. You can apply for a marriage license at any county clerk office in the state. Some couples find it more convenient to visit a neighboring county based on where they live or work. The license works anywhere in Arizona regardless of which county issued it.