Yuma County Marriage License Search
Yuma County marriage licenses come from the Clerk of the Superior Court office. You can apply at the courthouse in downtown Yuma. The county sits in the southwest corner of Arizona along the California and Mexico borders. Getting a marriage license here is simple and fast. Both people need to show up with valid ID. The fee is $98 and you walk out with your license the same day. There is no blood test. No waiting period. Courthouse weddings are also available for $100 in cash. The license works anywhere in Arizona for a full year after you get it.
Yuma County Marriage License Quick Facts
Where to Get a Yuma County Marriage License
The Yuma County Clerk of the Superior Court handles all marriage license applications. The office is at 250 West 2nd Street, Suite B, Yuma, AZ 85364. You can reach them by phone at (928) 817-4234. The main court number is (928) 817-4210. Fax is (928) 817-4211. Lynn Fazz serves as the current Clerk of the Superior Court.
Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office closes on state holidays. Walk in during these hours and you can leave with your license that same day. The process is quick. Most couples finish in about 20 to 30 minutes unless there is a line. You do not need to make an appointment ahead of time.
Note: Bring exact payment or a card since the clerk may not have change for large bills.
Yuma County Marriage License Requirements
Both people must come to the clerk's office together. You cannot send a friend or family member to pick up a license for you. Each person needs valid photo ID that shows their name, date of birth, and photo. The clerk accepts driver's licenses, passports, state ID cards, and military ID. Bring the original. Copies will not work.
You must provide your Social Security number. This goes on a separate form that stays confidential. Under ARS 25-121, the clerk gives this data only to the Department of Economic Security for child support matters. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the clerk. Foreign nationals can still get a Yuma County marriage license without one. The law allows for this exception.
Arizona sets 18 as the age of consent for marriage. People under 18 face more rules. A 16 or 17 year old can marry only with parental consent or an emancipation order from a court. Plus, their future spouse cannot be more than three years older. Under ARS 25-102, anyone younger than 16 cannot marry at all. The Yuma County clerk will check ages carefully. Do not try to get around these rules. It will not work.
Yuma County Marriage License Fees
The license fee is $98. You can pay with cash, a local check, money order, Visa, or MasterCard. The fee is due at the time you apply. The clerk will not hold your application while you run to get money or a card.
Certified copies of your recorded marriage license cost $35 each. You will need certified copies to change your name at the DMV or Social Security office. Many banks and employers ask for them too. If the clerk must search for your record beyond the first year, they charge an extra $35 per year searched. This matters if you come back years later to get a copy and do not know exactly when you got married.
Here is what you might pay at the Yuma County clerk office:
- Marriage license application: $98
- Certified copy of recorded license: $35
- Search fee per additional year: $35
- Courthouse wedding ceremony: $100 cash
Note: Bring exact change for courthouse weddings since the judge may not have change.
Using Your Yuma County Marriage License
Your license stays valid for 12 months from the date the clerk issues it. The ceremony must happen before it expires. If you miss the deadline, the license is void. You would need to apply again and pay another $98. Most people do not wait that long.
A Yuma County license works anywhere in Arizona. You can get married in Phoenix, Tucson, the Grand Canyon, or any other spot in the state. The license does not limit where your ceremony takes place. Many couples get their license in Yuma and then hold their wedding somewhere else entirely.
There is no residency rule. Anyone can get a marriage license in Yuma County. You do not have to live here. You do not have to work here. Couples from California, Nevada, and Mexico cross the border all the time to get Arizona marriage licenses. The process is the same for everyone. Under ARS 25-111, the license alone does not make you married. You need both the license and a valid ceremony performed by an authorized person.
Marriage Ceremony Rules in Yuma County
Someone authorized by law must perform your wedding. Under ARS 25-124, licensed or ordained clergy can do this. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, and religious leaders of all faiths. Judges of courts of record can officiate too. So can municipal court judges, justices of the peace, and federal judges. The law is broad.
You need two witnesses at the ceremony. They must be 18 years old or older. Friends and family can serve as witnesses. If you do not have anyone, the courthouse can provide witnesses for you. This is helpful for couples who come from out of town without guests.
After the wedding, your officiant must return the signed license to the Yuma County Clerk of Superior Court. State law gives them 30 days to do this. The clerk then records the marriage. Once recorded, you can order certified copies. Make sure your officiant understands this duty. Some couples face delays because their officiant forgot to mail the paperwork.
Yuma County Courthouse Weddings
The Yuma County courthouse offers wedding ceremonies. This is a popular choice for couples who want something quick and simple. Weddings happen Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, starting at 5 p.m. You must arrive by 4:15 p.m. to check in and get upstairs to the third floor lobby. The courthouse doors lock at exactly 5 p.m. If you show up late, you cannot get in.
The ceremony fee is $100 cash. You must bring exact change. The judge cannot make change for you. Have your two witnesses ready. If you do not have any, the court can provide them. The ceremony itself is brief. A few words, the exchange of vows, and you are married. The whole thing takes just minutes.
The City of Yuma Municipal Court also offers wedding services by appointment. Their fee is $90 cash for ceremonies held at the municipal court. Call (928) 373-4800 to schedule. The Yuma Municipal Court performs weddings after 5 p.m. based on judge availability. You need to get your marriage license first from the county clerk before booking any ceremony.
Special Cases for Yuma County Marriage Licenses
Same-sex marriages are legal in Arizona. This has been true since October 17, 2014. Yuma County treats all couples the same. The process, fee, and requirements do not change based on gender.
Covenant marriage is available in Arizona. It requires premarital counseling and limits the grounds for divorce. Couples must sign a declaration of intent and bring a notarized statement from their counselor. The Arizona Legislature Title 25 Chapter 7 covers covenant marriage rules in full. Converting an existing marriage to covenant status costs $35 at the clerk's office.
If you were married before, you do not need to show your divorce decree. Arizona does not require proof that your prior marriage ended. But you are responsible for making sure the divorce is final before your new ceremony. Marrying while still wed to someone else is illegal. You sign an affidavit swearing you are free to marry. Lying on that form has consequences.
First cousins cannot marry unless both are 65 or older. The other exception is if one proves they cannot have children. Under ARS 25-101, marriages between close relatives are void.
Marriage License Services in Yuma
The city of Yuma is the county seat and the main population center in Yuma County. Most people who need a marriage license in this part of Arizona will visit the downtown courthouse. The clerk's office is easy to find and serves the entire county.
For more details about marriage services in the city itself, including municipal court wedding ceremonies, check our city page.
Nearby Counties for Marriage Licenses
Yuma County borders other Arizona counties as well as California and Mexico. If another location works better for you, these nearby clerk offices also issue marriage licenses valid throughout the state.