Part 2: From Arizona Marriage License to You’re Married!
Part 1 showed you that you can get married today in Phoenix. If you already have your Arizona marriage license (or you’re about to get it), you’re closer to being married than you might think.
This article walks you through “We’ve got the license” to “Our marriage is official and on record!”
I hope it’s a practical, no drama guide for couples who want things done quickly and without a big production.
Step 1: Make Sure Your Arizona Marriage License Is Ready to Use
Go slowly and be careful when filling out the license application. Double‑check that your names are spelled correctly. Make sure the information on the license matches your IDs. If you go by Sam but it says Samantha on your license, then you must use Samantha on the marriage license application.
Avoid making mistakes now, because it’s a pain in the butt to fix later. Discovering a problem at the ceremony or in the presence of the officiant is stress that can be avoided.
This is also the moment to make sure you’re both really on the same page about timing. Are you trying to be married today? Tomorrow? This week? Once your license is in hand, you suddenly have options.
Step 2: Decided How You Want the License Signed
There are basically two main paths to get your license signed and your marriage made official.
- A courthouse ceremony
- A private ceremony or marriage license signing with an officiant
Each has its own vibe. A courthouse ceremony is very structured. You work around court hours, stand in line, deal with security, and have a brief exchange of vows in a public building. It’s efficient, but not exactly romantic.
A private license signing gives you the same legal outcome but in a substantially more relaxed setting. You schedule a time with an officiant, bring your license and witnesses, and have a warm but simple experience.
It’ll feel more like a moment between the two of you instead of a line item on a government calendar. If your priority is fast, easy, and low‑stress, the private option is usually the smoother route.
Step 3: Choose Your Officiant for the Signing
Once you know you want to handle the signing outside the courthouse, it’s time to choose who will actually perform the ceremony and sign the license.
When you’re looking at an officiant for a quick signing, pay attention to…
- Whether they specifically offer marriage license signings or “just‑make‑it‑legal” options
- Their availability on weekdays and short notice
- Their comfort with elopements, small ceremonies, and very simple weddings
The process is substantially simpler than planning a wedding. You’re just looking for someone who understands that you want things efficient, but still laid-back and meaningful.
Once you find the right person (hopefully 1st Officiant), reach out and be honest about your timing. “We already have our Arizona marriage license and want to get it signed as soon as possible. We’re hoping to be married today / tomorrow / this week if you’re available.”
Step 4: Pick a Time and Schedule the Signing
I home office and only do license signings from my place in Scottsdale. It’s a relaxed, practical option. Many couples prefer to keep it casual and simply hold hands while repeating after me at the table we’re all sitting at. Others prefer to stand under the big tree in my backyard.
For a straightforward marriage license signing, you don’t need anything dramatic. Remember, this is not a formal ceremony, but a courthouse wedding alternative. Most couples are surprised by how sweet and memorable it feels .
Simply fill out my contact form with your requested date and time and I’ll do my best to accommodate you. If you have a special date in mind, let me know. I’m happy to schedule out into the future too.
What Do We Wear to a License Signing?
I have no dress code requirement. I’ve had couples show up in wedding dress and tuxedo, and one couple show up in pajamas. The PJ couple was a little weird but hey, the point is you can be yourselves.
I truly want you to be comfortable, so wear what you’re comfortable wearing. For real.
Step 5: Line Up Your Two Adult Witnesses
Arizona requires two witnesses who are 18 or older to sign the marriage license. It seems like common sense that they have to be of legal age to legally sign a document, but you’d be surprised how many times people have asked if their young kids could sign.
Witnesses can be anyone. They don’t have to be family. They don’t have to dress up. They just need to be present and capable of understanding that you’re getting married.
A few easy witness ideas:
- Close friends
- Siblings or parents
- A couple you’re already close with
- In some cases if you truly have no one available, I may have a couple neighbors who can come over and witness for an extra fee.
The state of Arizona does not require your witnesses to furnish ID or do anything official outside of signing your marriage license in front of me. They’re not being asked to handle anything complicated.
Step 6: What Actually Happens at the License Signing
On the day of your signing, try to give yourself a little extra time so you’re not rushing in late. Even for a quick license signing, it’s nice to have a few calm minutes to breathe.
A simple “marriage license signing” usually looks like this…
- I open my front door and greet you with a warm smile, introduction and handshake.
- Everyone gets settled at my beautiful dining room table, which is made from a ceiling tile from a temple in India.
- I ask to see your marriage license, IDs, and hand you a services agreement to sign.
- I ask whether you’d prefer to stay seated at the table to keep it casual, or stand to be a bit more formal to exchange vows.
- If you haven’t brought prepared vows with you, no problem. You can simply repeat after me and don’t stress. I’m not going to ask you to take Jesus into your hearts or obey each other.
- You may exchange rings, or skip them if that feels more “you.”
- I pronounce you married and you smooch as your witnesses and I clap. They’re welcome to snap a photo or two.
- Then the five of us sign your marriage license. You leave the bottom portion with me and keep the top portion as a keepsake.
- I ask you to please settle up payment and give you copies of everthing.
- I mail in the marriage license for you so you don’t have to stress about getting it back to the recorder’s office.
The whole thing usually takes less than 20 minutes. You can then go spend your day celebrating, or however you like.
Step 7: Filing the License So Your Marriage Is Official
After we all sign the license, I’ll get it back to the county so your marriage becomes part of the official record.
Usually, your officiant reviews the license to make sure all required fields are filled out correctly and then submits or mails the completed license to the Maricopa County recorder’s office.
Once the county processes it, your marriage is officially recorded. If you need certified copies—for name changes, benefits, or other legal reasons—you can order those directly from the county.
The nice part is that you usually don’t have to manage that last bit yourself. As long as you choose an officiant who knows the local process, they’ll handle the filing, and you just enjoy being newly married.
Common Questions About Fast Marriage License Signings
“Do we really need witnesses if we’re keeping it tiny?”
Yes, Arizona law requires two adult witnesses to sign a marriage license.
“Can we just sign without saying anything?”
No. There does need to be a brief ceremony or statement of intent. It doesn’t have to be long or religious. A few simple words acknowledging that you’re choosing to marry each other is enough.
“Do we have to go back to the courthouse after we sign?”
No. Once we’ve all signed the license I’ll get it back to the county recorder for you. If you paid the extra fee to receive a marriage certificate, that’s sent to you a few weeks after your license is recorded.
From License to Legal Marriage, Without the Stress
Once you’ve got your Arizona marriage license in hand, finishing the process can be simple.
- Confirm your license is correct and valid
- Choose an officiant who offers quick, private marriage license signings
- Pick a time and then line up your two witnesses
- Have a short ceremony and sign the paperwork
- Let your officiant file the license with the county
That’s it. No giant guest list. No year‑long planning marathon. Just a calm, focused moment where you make your marriage official and start the next chapter together.
Next up in this series, we’ll look more closely at the “skip the courthouse” option, what a courthouse wedding is really like in Phoenix and why a private courthouse‑alternative ceremony can give you the same speed with a much nicer experience.