Get Your Arizona Marriage License by Mail

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These are interesting times. Covid-19 has changed just about everything, especially for couples wanting to get married. The lock downs have eliminated the ability to get a marriage license in many states and gathering as a group is prohibited. Fortunately, Maricopa County has done its best to be flexible. You can’t apply for your marriage license online, but now you can get your marriage license by mail.

With the state’s marriage license by mail program you can download the forms, fill them out, and then mail them in.

To get your Arizona marriage license by mail:

Complete the online marriage license application form; the names on the application MUST MATCH EXACTLY your names on the IDs used to obtain the license. If your name is Steve, but it says Steven on your driver’s license, then you must use Steven when applying for a marriage license.
Print the application
Complete the marriage license affidavit by filling in the following information:
- Name of first and second applicant in spaces provided; names MUST MATCH EXACTLY with the names on the ID used (driver’s license, state ID, passport)
- Then hit “Select” and choose whether first applicant is groom, bride, or spouse; this will show on your marriage license
- Then provide name of first applicant in the next two spaces, MATCHING EXACTLY with the ID used
- Then provide age
- Then provide address
- Then provide the same information for the second applicant
- Then print the affidavit, and sign it (original signatures are required)
Make photocopies of the front of your valid government photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, passport, etc.).
Return the application, affidavit and copies of your ID’s via email at cocmlp@cosc.maricopa.gov or by mail as noted below. Include in your e-mail, or on your letter cover sheet when to reach you by phone during normal business hours.
Once your application is received, the county will contact you within 3 business days at the phone number you listed on the application. At that time, you will be asked to provide your Social Security numbers, DOB, and payment. Payment for marriage licenses can be made using Visa, MasterCard, and American Express.
Fees are $83.00 for the marriage license, and an additional $37.50 if you want to prepay for a certified copy of the license to be mailed back to you after the license is recorded. If you plan to change your last name, you’ll need a certified copy. After receiving payment, the license will be mailed within two business days via USPS certified mail and YOU WILL NEED TO SIGN FOR IT. A copy of your receipt will be included.

Mail: Clerk of Court
Attn: CSC-MLP 601 W. Jackson St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Click here to apply by mail from the county’s website. If you have questions about applying for or receiving a marriage license, contact the recorder at cocmlp@cosc.maricopa.gov or 602-506-3249.

Getting your marriage license by mail is only the first part of the process. Then, it must be signed by a legal authority and filed with the county. But with the Coronavirus pandemic, how does that work?

Who can sign your marriage license? You’ve got three options:

Have the religious official from your church, temple, or mosque sign it (but many religious officials are minding social distancing standards and not currently officiating wedding ceremonies)
Depending on where we are with the pandemic and social distancing standards… have one of the Superior Court judges or justices sign your marriage license at the downtown Phoenix courthouse. They are open 9am to 5pm Monday-Friday.
- Superior Court IS NOT the same place you apply for and get your marriage license. The Superior Court’s website says that they’re not signing marriage licenses during the Covid-19 outbreak, but I’ve heard through the grapevine that judges have been signing licenses outside the building. I called several times to find out for sure, but nobody at Superior Court answers the phone.

Have us at 1st Officiant or one of our partner officiants sign it, but we have a few new mandatory rules because of the social distancing restrictions. These rules will change as social-distancing standards change, but for now and in the interest of keeping everyone safe and healthy:
- all parties will need to be wearing masks (except during the kiss, of course)
- have their own pens with black ink
- officiant will stand at a minimum of 10 feet away from you and your witnesses
- all parties will take turns approaching and then signing your marriage license
- and you will be responsible for mailing in your own marriage license with the postage-paid return envelope provided by the recorder’s office

We do NOT provide witnesses. Please arrange for two people 18 or older to come with you and sign as your witnesses to meet the legal requirement.

Reach out to us by filling out our contact form.

The good news is that you can now get your Arizona marriage license by mail. The bad news is that it’s tougher than ever to find someone to sign it, but we can help.

After receiving your marriage certificate, you can skip the line at the social security office and change your name online here!

These are unprecedented times, so we must be flexible and adjust. During this Coronavirus outbreak your wedding won’t be the romantic occasion you’ve dreamed of, but with masks, multiple pens, safe social distance and then mailing in your own license you can still tie the knot and start the next chapter of your life. Click to contact me.