Pima County Marriage License

A marriage license in Pima County costs $98 and is issued by the Clerk of Superior Court in Tucson. Both applicants must come to the office together with valid photo ID and Social Security numbers. No blood test is needed. There is no waiting period at all. The license prints the same day you apply and stays valid for 12 months anywhere in Arizona. Pima County also offers no-cost wedding ceremonies with limited spots each month. Spanish language ceremonies are available if you ask when you schedule. The Green Valley Justice Court issues licenses too, giving southern Pima County residents a closer option.

Where to Get a Pima County Marriage License

The main office for Pima County marriage licenses sits at 110 West Congress Street in downtown Tucson. Gary Harrison serves as Clerk of the Superior Court. His office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The general phone number is (520) 724-3200. For marriage license questions, call the dedicated line at (520) 724-3210. Staff can answer questions about what you need to bring and help you plan your visit.

You can also get a Pima County marriage license at the Green Valley Justice Court. This location serves people in the southern part of the county who live closer to the border. The process works the same way. Both people show up, fill out the forms, pay the fee, and leave with the license. Green Valley keeps the same hours as the main Tucson office. If you live in Sahuarita, Tubac, or the retirement communities around Green Valley, this location saves you a long drive north.

The Pima County marriage license page has the current office details and forms. Check there before your visit to make sure you have everything ready.

Pima County Marriage License Requirements

Both people must appear in person. No proxy. No exceptions. You cannot send someone to pick up the license for you. Bring valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, state ID, or military ID. Your ID must clearly show your name, date of birth, and photo. You also need to provide your Social Security number. The clerk keeps this number separate from the public record and only shares it with the Department of Economic Security for child support matters.

Arizona sets 18 as the age of legal consent. The law allows people age 16 or 17 to marry under strict rules. A parent or guardian must consent. The future spouse cannot be more than three years older. These rules come from ARS 25-102. Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona at all. The clerk will ask for proof of age and custody documents if a minor applies.

You do not need a blood test. Arizona dropped that rule years ago. There is no waiting period. You can get married the same day you pick up your Pima County marriage license. The license stays valid for 12 months from the date the clerk issues it. Your wedding must happen before it expires. If it does expire, you start over with a new application and fee.

Note: Proof of divorce from a prior marriage is not required, but your divorce must be final before your new ceremony takes place.

How to Apply for Your Pima County Marriage License

Walk into the Clerk of Superior Court office during business hours. Ask for a marriage license application. You and your partner will complete an affidavit that asks for your name, age, and home address. The affidavit includes a statement that you understand information about sexually transmitted diseases is available from the county health department. Both of you sign the affidavit under oath in front of the clerk.

The clerk reviews your IDs and affidavit. If everything looks right, they print your license on the spot. The whole visit takes 15 to 30 minutes in most cases. Pay the $98 fee with check, money order, or cashier's check made out to "Clerk of Superior Court." Call ahead to confirm what payment types the office accepts on the day you plan to visit. Cash policies can change.

Under ARS 25-121, the marriage license gives authority to any person allowed by law to perform your wedding. You take the license with you after your visit. Give it to your officiant before the ceremony.

Pima County Marriage License Fees

The fee for a Pima County marriage license is $98. This is standard across larger Arizona counties. You pay when you apply. Most people pay by check, money order, or cashier's check. Credit and debit card policies vary by location, so call ahead if you plan to use plastic.

Certified copies of your recorded marriage license cost $30 plus $7 for handling. You may need certified copies to change your name at the DMV or Social Security office. Employers and insurance companies sometimes ask for them too. Order extra copies when you request the first one to save on future fees. The clerk can mail copies to you or you can pick them up in person.

Arizona offers covenant marriage as an option. This type of marriage requires premarital counseling and limits the grounds for divorce. Converting a regular Pima County marriage license to covenant status costs $35. You need a notarized statement from the clergy member or counselor who provided your counseling. The rules appear in Title 25 of the Arizona Revised Statutes.

Pima County Wedding Ceremonies

Getting a license is just the first step. Arizona law requires a ceremony to make the marriage legal. Under ARS 25-111, the marriage must be solemnized by an authorized person before the license expires. Without a valid ceremony, your marriage has no legal standing. The license alone does not make you married.

Pima County stands out by offering no-cost weddings performed by Justices of the Peace. These ceremonies run Monday through Friday, excluding government holidays, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Spots fill up fast. Judges can only do a limited number each month. Spanish language ceremonies are available on request. Call (520) 724-3505 to ask about scheduling a free wedding. You can also use the online wedding request form to check availability.

Private weddings cost more. Justices of the Peace will conduct ceremonies outside the courthouse or via Zoom starting at 5 p.m. on weekdays. They also offer weekend ceremonies. Expect to pay for these services. Contact the Justice of the Peace office for current rates and scheduling.

If one of the parties is in jail, Pima County can still help. Call (520) 724-3297 to request a paper application by mail. The process takes longer but allows incarcerated individuals to marry.

Who Can Perform Weddings in Pima County

ARS 25-124 lists everyone authorized to solemnize marriages in Arizona. Licensed or ordained clergy can perform ceremonies. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and other religious leaders. Judges of any court of record have the authority. Municipal court judges qualify. Justices of the peace can do it. Federal judges, bankruptcy judges, tax court judges, and United States magistrate judges can marry couples too.

You need two witnesses. They must be at least 18 years old. The witnesses sign the Pima County marriage license after the ceremony along with both spouses and the officiant. Family members work fine. So do friends. The courthouse can provide witnesses if you come alone.

After your wedding, the officiant must return the signed license to the Pima County Clerk of Superior Court. This should happen within 30 days. The clerk records the marriage and files the original document. Once recorded, you can order certified copies for your records.

Marriages the Pima County Clerk Cannot Issue

Arizona law bars certain people from marrying each other. ARS 25-101 lists the prohibited relationships. Parents and children cannot marry at any generation. Brothers and sisters cannot marry whether they share one or both parents. Aunts and nephews are banned. Uncles and nieces are banned. First cousins face a general prohibition with narrow exceptions.

First cousins may marry in Arizona if both are 65 or older. They can also marry if one proves to a Superior Court judge that they cannot have children. These situations are rare. The judge must approve the marriage before the Pima County clerk can issue a license. If you fall into a prohibited category, the clerk will refuse your application.

After Your Pima County Wedding

Your officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk. The Pima County Clerk of Superior Court then records your marriage. This creates an official record. You can request certified copies once the recording is complete. Allow a few days for processing. Certified copies cost $30 plus $7 handling if mailed. Keep several copies on hand for name changes and legal matters.

Name changes require multiple steps. Visit the Social Security office first. Then update your driver's license at the MVD. Banks, employers, and insurance companies will need to see a certified copy of your marriage license. Some places accept photocopies, but government agencies usually require the certified version with the raised seal.

Marriage Licenses for Tucson Residents

Tucson is the county seat and largest city in Pima County. Residents apply for marriage licenses at the downtown Tucson clerk office or the Green Valley location. The city of Tucson does not issue marriage licenses. That is a county function in Arizona. However, Tucson does offer its own civil union registration through the Tucson Civil Union Ordinance. This program costs $50 and provides local recognition for couples who register.

For full details on applying in Tucson, see our Tucson marriage license guide. It covers everything from parking downtown to nearby wedding venues.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Your Pima County marriage license works anywhere in Arizona. If you plan to marry outside the county, that is fine. Nearby counties also issue licenses if their office is more convenient for you. Consider these options:

• Pinal County borders Pima to the north and has offices in Florence, Casa Grande, and Apache Junction
• Cochise County lies to the east with offices in Bisbee and Sierra Vista
• Santa Cruz County sits to the south with an office in Nogales

Pima County also borders Graham County to the northeast. Any Arizona county clerk will issue a license to any couple regardless of where they live or plan to hold the ceremony. Pick the office that works best for your schedule and location.