Part 1: Can You Get Married Today in Arizona?
If you woke up this morning and thought, “Let’s just get married today,” you are absolutely not alone. Arizona is actually one of the easier states for couples who want to make it legal quickly, as long as you follow a few simple steps and know what to expect.
This guide walks you through what “getting married today” really looks like in Arizona, how the marriage license works, and how to turn that piece of paper into a legal marriage without the courthouse chaos.
What “Getting Married Today” Really Means in Arizona
When couples say “We want to get married today,” they usually mean one of two things:
- You want to walk out of today with a valid Arizona marriage license in hand.
- Or, you already have (or can get) the license and you want the signing done today, so you’re officially married.
Arizona makes this easier than a lot of states because there’s no waiting period once your license is issued. Once you have your marriage license, you don’t have to wait 30 days before you can get hitched. You just need an authorized officiant and two adult witnesses. Then, you’re good to go.
Arizona Marriage License Basics (In Normal Person English)
If you don’t have your license yet, your first stop is the county, not the officiant.
In the Phoenix area, that means a Maricopa County marriage license. You’ll both need to appear together (in person), bring proper ID, and pay the license fee. Then you just need two adult witnesses and an officiant (like 1st Officiant) to sign and file the license.
How to Get an Arizona Marriage License Quickly
A simple plan looks like this:
You and your partner go to one of the courthouses to get the license. It’s fastest if you make an appointment ahead of time, but walk-ins are welcome. They issue the license on the spot and you’ll walk out with it in hand. You can also get it online and have it sent to you. You then meet with an officiant to have a short vow exchange and sign the license.
County offices are only open weekdays between 9am and 5pm. If you’re reading this in the middle of a weekday, you may be in great shape. If it’s in the evening or a Sunday, “today” might not really mean today, but it can still be a fast process overall.
Let’s keep it simple. To get legally married in Arizona, you need:
- A valid Arizona marriage license
- An authorized officiant to perform the ceremony and sign the license
- Two witnesses who are 18 or older
- To exchange vows (this can be very simple and nonreligious)
The marriage license is basically your “permission slip” from the county. The ceremony and signatures turn that permission slip into a legal marriage. Once your officiant files the completed license with the county, your marriage becomes part of the official record.
So, for a “today” wedding, you need to figure out if you can you get the license and meet with an officiant in time today.
What You Need to Bring for Your Marriage License
Here’s what you’ll need to get your marriage license in Arizona:
- Both partners present in person
- Government‑issued photo ID for each of you
- A second form of ID, like a credit card
- Basic personal information (full names, birthdates, etc.)
- Money for the license fee (check the county website for current details because the price goes up occasionally)
The clerk will walk you through the application, verify your IDs, and issue the license. It doesn’t take all day, but there can be a wait depending on how busy they are. Late in the day on Fridays will be busiest. So, either doing everything online, booking an appointment, or going earlier in the day will save you time.
Once you’re holding that license, you’re halfway there.
Courthouse Wedding vs Private “Get Married Today”
Once you have your Arizona marriage license, you have a choice to make. Do you want to go the courthouse route or have a private, courthouse‑alternative ceremony with an officiant.
The courthouse is the cheapest option, but it’s not always the best experience. The downtown Phoenix courthouse is the only place in the valley where you can get your marriage license signed. That means:
- Congested one-way streets and difficult parking
- Metal detectors and security
- Lines and lack of privacy
- People you’d probably prefer not to be around (and that doesn’t make you a bad person)
- Complete lack of romance
A private option works differently. You schedule a time with 1st Officiant, meet in a calm setting (my home in Scottsdale), do a short vow exchange, ring exchange, and sign the license. It’s just as legal, but without question feels more like “your moment” and less like standing in line at the DMV.
For couples who want something quick, low‑stress, and much nicer than a government building, the private route often fits better.
What If You Just Want to “Sign the Marriage License”?
Some couples don’t want a wedding at all. They simply want the legal part done and to sign, stamp, and move on with their lives.
That’s completely fine, however the key legal requirements for marriage in Arizona are:
- Marriage License: Must be obtained and signed by both parties, two witnesses, and the authorized officiant.
- Ceremony (Solemnization): A ceremony is required to make the marriage legally binding, confirming that you cannot get legally married in Arizona without a formal ceremony.
- Declaration of Intent: The Arizona Revised Statutes § 25-125 require a strict verbal declaration of consent, often fulfilled by swearing vows.
- No Common Law Marriage: Arizona does not recognize common-law marriages created within the state.
I’ve had couples say, “We’re saving our vows for the formal ceremony in a few months.” A marriage license signing can be super minimal, but you must exchange vows of some kind in the presence of your officiant.
It could be something like a short, simple confirmation that you are both entering this marriage willingly. If one of you is being coerced, wouldn’t you want me to question what was happening?
Many couples handle the legal side quietly now and throw the party when life and finances line up better. The important thing is that the paperwork is correct and the experience still feels respectful and intentional, even if it’s simple.
When “Today” Might Actually Mean “Tomorrow”
There are when getting married “today” might actually mean “as soon as humanly possible.” Getting married today often gets delayed for several reasons.
The courthouse hours don’t always work for people or they can’t get time off from their job. Sometimes one of you doesn’t have proper ID handy. Maybe you didn’t think about it until now, but you want a specific friend or family member there and they need a more than a couple hours notice. Perhaps my schedule is booked up and you can’t find an available officiant.
In those cases, don’t worry. You can still move quickly. Get your license, find out when your witnesses are available, and lock down your officiant. You might not get married today, but you can still get married quickly.
Key Takeaways for Getting Married Quickly in Arizona
If you want a laid‑back, fast wedding in Arizona, here’s what really matters…
- Getting your Arizona marriage license from the county is step one.
- There’s no waiting period, so you can use your license right away once it’s issued. BUT, it expires after one year.
- You’ll need an officiant and two adult witnesses to make it legal.
- You can choose between the courthouse and a more relaxed private ceremony or license signing.
- In many cases you can get married the same day you get your license, especially if you’re flexible about time and keep things simple.
If you already have your license, your next move is finding an officiant who can help you turn that piece of paper into a real marriage.
In the next article in this series, I’ll walk through the exact step‑by‑step process of going from “We have our Arizona marriage license” to “We’re married!” so you know exactly what to expect from start to finish.