How to get married in Arizona with a courthouse wedding and Maricopa County marriage license
I get phone calls regularly from couples who find me online and need to know how to get married in Arizona and how to get their Maricopa County marriage license. I’ll give you the cliff notes here, so you have a better idea what’s required.
How to obtain a marriage license in Arizona
To obtain a Maricopa County marriage license and/or Arizona marriage license, you must be at least 18 years old, have two forms of identification, and go with your fiance to the courthouse. The marriage license is around $80 and gives you permission to get married in Arizona.
If you intend to change your last name after getting married, be sure to pay the extra fee (I think it’s around $35), so your marriage certificate is mailed back out to you after your marriage license has been recorded. Your marriage certificate will be required for name change, bank accounts, trust documents and lots of other legal stuff, so it’s a good idea to pay the extra fee. That way you won’t have to call to get copies of court records down the road, when you might be in a hurry.
No blood test is required in Arizona and if you happen to be previously married, you don’t need to bring a copy of a divorce decree either.
I would never sign a marriage license issued to a minor, but minors age 16 and 17 can get married with their parent’s consent.
They will hand you the marriage license while at the courthouse. The license is valid for one year from the date it’s issued, so if you get your license on March 1st, 2017, it’s valid until March 1st, 2018.
Once your license has been signed by a judge, minister or officiant, it must be given to the county recorder within 30 days, or won’t be recorded. I always send signed marriage licenses to the recorder within 24 hours of being signed.
I offer discount courthouse weddings here. For a list of locations to obtain your Maricopa County marriage license, click here.
YOU CANNOT GET MARRIED AND HAVE YOUR MARRIAGE LICENSE SIGNED WHILE AT THE COURTHOUSE UNTIL 5PM, MONDAY-FRIDAY. THE LINE STARTS FORMING AT 4PM AND DOORS CLOSE AT 5PM.
It’s also important to note that marriage licenses are good for one year from the date of issue. If you get your license and then wait for more than a year to tie the knot, your license will have expired and you’ll need to get a new one.
Arizona marriage license requirements are simpler than you think!
So, let’s recap…
- You’ll need to go to the courthouse with your fiance and I highly recommend scheduling an appointment ahead of time, which you can do online. You’ll need 2 forms of identification. No blood test required.
- You’ll need to pay around $120 for your marriage license and certified copy of your marriage certificate.
- Then contact me to get it signed and filed!
Want to know why having me sign your license is so much more convenient than the courthouse wedding process? Click here.
If dealing with one way streets and downtown parking, bringing two witnesses with you, and waiting in line for who knows how long sounds inconvenient to you….. fill out my contact form and I can help you take care of it without any of the hassle.
I have a question, what does it mean when you say your marriage license is valid for a year? What happens after that year? That part confuses me.
If you get your marriage license on Feb. 8th 2018, it’s good until Feb 8th 2019. If you don’t get married in that 12 month period it expires and you’ll have to get a new marriage license.
What if we obtained our license in Graham county and are having backyard wedding in Maricopa county. So after tthe minister signs it can WE still file in Graham
County
Correct. Licenses issued in any Arizona county are good for an Arizona wedding.
Amanda – it means that you can get married any time up to one year after applying and receiving the license.
You have to be married and have it recorded within that year or the license expires and you have to start all over again.
Yep, that’s true!
Can A judge officiate the same day you get you license? Do you need 2 personal witnesses?
Please see my description under “courthouse wedding process” here: https://firstofficiant.com/courthouse-wedding/. I am happy to meet you wherever you like, whenever you like.
Are you only able to have 4 people (you spouse and 2 witnesses) or are you able to bring a few more if you get married at courthouse?
I don’t know, but I don’t think you can bring a bunch of people with you to wait in line with everyone else. It’s not a wedding venue. It’s a court house.
If we got a marriage license in safford az: graham county. Can u go to courthouse in phoenix to get married and if so how much and what is the process?
Yes, you can get a license from any county in Arizona and get married in any other county in Arizona. Visit the recorder’s site for more info.
My fiance and I want to get married today.. 3/2/2018…Is that possible???
Sorry for just getting back to you now. My next few days are booked solid and the best way to reach me is by filling out the form on my contact page. If your day is flexible, let me know. If not, good luck!
Why does the marriage license expire? I don’t understand that. So you won’t be married anymore until you get another one for the next year. And just keep repeating
Once married, always married. If you get your marriage license on January 1, 2018 it’s valid until January 1, 2019. You have one year to get married with that particular marriage license. If you don’t get married in that year, then the license expires and you have to get another one.
I know this is a year late but just in case people keep asking a marriage license is pretty much giving you permission to get married then once married you get the marriage certificate. Alot of people are confused. Your marriage license is not the certificate.
Yes, the “marriage license” gives people legal permission to get married and their “marriage certificate” is what’s sent out after their “marriage license” has been recorded. The “marriage certificate” certifies that the marriage is legal.
My fiancé and I are from Georgia. We will be at the Grand Canyon on May 25 Friday. We want to get married. Can you help with this?
I’m booked on May 25th.
We’re looking to get married within the next couple of months… could you let me know your availability so far? We’re kind of back and forth as to what we want because we won’t have a lot of people but still want to have a small ceremony and reception.
Please submit a inquiry on my contact page.
What is considered two forms of id?
Driver’s license and a credit card will do.
Do you have to bring a witness with you?
Yes.
Can you wear a hat in marriage court
Honestly Steve, I don’t know. The judge might ask you to take it off while signing, but I don’t believe there’s a dress code. If you’d prefer not to worry about it, fill out the form on my contact page and I’ll gladly meet you to sign your license and you can wear whatever you like.
How much is it to get actually married and do you need to bring cash or money order ?
I charge anywhere between $150-$695 and accept all forms of payment. The courthouse is $80 and only accepts cash. You can learn more about the courthouse process here: https://firstofficiant.com/courthouse-wedding/
The judges charge $80 at the courthouse to sign your license and only accept cash. You must bring your two witnesses with you down to the courthouse to wait in line at 4:30 with everybody else. I’ll meet you and your witnesses wherever you like to sign your Maricopa County marriage license and get it back to the recorder’s office for you, for $150.
Would like to marry my boyfriend asap he has been working at the same job for 22 yrs now , very dependable!, he recently paid 120 or 150 for his mexico passport. A new id or some what he is on hold or in the process, to get a new mexican consular id card. Due to new security features.. Added.. Question is i would like the quickest way to get married..is it possible with the help from you ??
I’m taking time away, but if you fill out my contact form you’ll receive an automated response with a referral.
What is the difference between wedding officiant and married at the court house? Can you hire a officiant at the court house?
Judges and justices of the peace work at the courthouse, signing licensees. I don’t believe you will get an actual wedding ceremony from a judge or justice of the peace. It’s really more of a legal thing. Officiants and ministers are self-employed outside of the courthouse system to officiate wedding ceremonies and sign marriage licenses.
Does the officiant make it a legal binding marriage or is there an extra step with the court after submitting the license?
The official signature and then filing of the license makes it legally binding. Some say the vows make it legally binding too.
Will u be able to do today may 3’rd 2018
Please fill out a contact form to check my availability https://firstofficiant.com/contact/
By paying the 80$ for the courthouse is that making the whole marriage final?
Yes.
I’m a legally ordained Minister in the State of Arizona, is it legal if I perform my own wedding for my fiance and myself?
No it is not. You will need someone else to sign your license as the authority.
So you pay $83 for the marriage license correct? And then an additional $80 to the judge to finalize the whole marriage? Just wanting to make sure I’m understanding it right.
The marriage license is $78, I believe. If you want to receive a copy of your “marriage certificate” which you need for name change, once your “marriage license” has been recorded, the total fee is $113.50. The judges charge $80 cash in addition to the cost of your license to sign. You must bring your witnesses with you to the courthouse and get in line at 4:30. The judges start signing at 5pm. You can read more about it here: https://firstofficiant.com/courthouse-wedding/ I charge $150 to sign and file your license, but will gladly meet you and your two witnesses wherever you like, and I gladly accept credit cards. I hope that helps!
Hi, so your fee includes the license & the signing ? So both in one?
My fee does not include the license itself. You must get that from the county.
I still don’t get the expired license part , like as much u explained , but what can I do to actually avoid paying for another’s license but still be married . You say once Married Always married but it will expire what does that mean exactly? So when people have big wedding ceremonies do they need their license or is that just for the court. If that’s the case should I just have a ceremony and just avoid going to court instead of dealing with renewing my license I’m confused sorry lol???
If you want to get married, you must get a marriage license. The marriage license is good for one year. If you don’t get married in the one year from marriage license issue, the marriage license expires and you must get another one to get married legally. If you get your marriage license and get married within 364 days, you’re good. Your license gets recorded and your “marriage certificate” is sent out to you (if you paid for it). The “marriage certificate” proves that your “marriage license” has been recorded and that you’re legally married. I don’t know how else to answer your questions. Big vs. small wedding has nothing to do with it. If you want to get married, you must get a marriage license and get married within one year of the day that marriage license was issued, otherwise the marriage license expires and you must pay for another one.
We want to surprise our families. In a courthouse wedding, can witnesses be provided?
No. The courthouse will not provide witnesses.
Are two forms of ID still required for marriage license application?
Are government IDs from another country accepted?
Yes, two forms of ID are required and I assume that if your foreign ID was issued by your government, it’ll be fine.
Both me and my boyfriend work throughout the week. Is there any place that does weekend marriages???
The court does not sign marriage licenses on weekends, but I do! Please fill out my contact form and I’ll get back to you asap.
I also have a question, the woman that I would like to Mary is incarcerated. I was told that because she will not be at the courthouse with me, I have to get an affidavit. Does that cost??
I’m sorry, but I have no idea. My best suggestion would be to speak to a lawyer.
I’m the husband can j dress casual long sleeve shirt jeans and a baseball cap?
Casual dress should be fine. The judge might ask you to take your hat off while signing, but I don’t believe there’s a dress code. If you’d prefer not to worry about it, fill out the form on my contact page and I’ll gladly meet you to sign your license and you can wear whatever you like.
I get my marriage license signed and recorded. That counts as married yes? I dont need a wedding. That’s how eloping works?
Yes, once your license is signed and recorded, you are married.
I bought my license and certificate at the same time. My license is already signed but my certificate isn’t. We didn’t want a ceremony just elope…at the bottom it says person performing ceremony does that need to be signed by someone else?
Hi Samantha, I think you might be confused. Certificates aren’t purchased with your marriage license. Marriage certificates are sent out once your marriage license has been recorded and is an official document from Maricopa County. In order for you to have your marriage license filed and recorded, which then generates a marriage certificate, your license must be signed by you and your spouse, two witnesses, and an officiant or religious official. I hope that helps.
When we applies for our licenses the clerk called us to see if we wanted our licenses signed and recorded and a marriage certificate if we paid the extra 30$ we got a certificate attached to it too.
Is there any way I can email you a picture of the certificate? So you can look at it n see what it is?..we are kinda confused on how it works
Hmmm, I’ve never heard of the clerk calling and offering to sign your marriage license. The extra $30 fee is your payment to receive an official copy of your marriage certificate once your marriage license has been recorded. The clerk does not sign marriage licenses. An officiant, religious official, or superior court judge is the person who usually signs your marriage license. Once your marriage license is signed by you and your fiance, your two witnesses and the officiant or judge, it then gets filed with the county and if you paid the extra $30 fee, they’ll send you a copy of your marriage certificate. You are welcome to email me a photo. I don’t want to post my email address here because of automated spam-bots that will grab it, so feel free to submit a contact inquiry and then attach a photo of what you have to the automated response that you’ll immediately receive after submitting a contact inquiry here: https://firstofficiant.com/contact/
I’m an international student. And Me and my girlfriend want to get Married through the Court. What do I need to present? I have my Identification as a student and I also have my driving license.
You might also need a credit card. Two forms of official ID are required.
What are the qualifications for a witness? Do they have to be character witnesses as well? If just my GF and I come there with no family can you do that?
thank you
Edd
Your witnesses must be 18 or older and be able to sign their names. That’s all that is required. Sometimes I’ll schedule to eloping couples who don’t have witnesses to meet with me, so both couples can sign as each other’s witnesses. Another option would be to meet at a coffee shop and ask two other customers or employees to sign as witnesses. If you’d like to schedule a time, please fill out the form on my contact page. Thanks!
Marriage license fee $78-83.. copy$25..
Courthouse justice of the peace judge fee $80
Total$183-188 true or flase
False. The copy of your marriage certificate might be $30 or $35 and to have a judge or justice of the peace sign your marriage license is $100. If paying a couple bucks more to have significantly more convenience sounds good to you, please fill out my contact form to schedule an appointment. https://firstofficiant.com/contact/
Do you have to schedule an appointment to get married in the courthouse if you already have the license or do you just show up?
You just show up. They don’t take appointments to have your license signed. It’s first come, first served. The line to have a judge sign your license starts at 4pm at the downtown Phoenix courthouse and the line is cut off at 5pm, when the judge starts signing marriage licenses. So, be sure to get there by 4:45 at the latest. If you go on a Monday or Friday, plan to be there for several hours.
[…] Legal marriage requirements can be simply broken down into my 3-step process: […]
We recently moved here from ohio and we dont know anyone here to be a witness for us is there any way around this issue
Hey Wanda, I can help. Please fill out my contact form here https://firstofficiant.com/contact
If we only have one witness can you sign the second witness spot?
I can probably provide one witness. Please fill out my contact form and I’ll do my best to help! https://firstofficiant.com/contact/
Do you only sign and send in the license? Or do you officiate a ceremony? Are there any locations you recommend for a small ceremony with just a few friends that would be good for photos?
The answer to your question totally depends on which of my packages you’re referring to. The $150 package is only for quick exchange of vows and then signing and filing your license. For small ceremonies the most popular spots are parks and people’s backyards. Check out the McDowell Mountain Gateway Trail head. There’s an amphitheater that can seat 50 people.
We are new to Arizona and don’t know anybody here for witnesses. Do we need to go to court to get our license? And Could you please tell me how we can get married the same day? If possible.
Yes, you must get your marriage license first and then call me (I’m sometimes able to provide witnesses) or another officiant, or go to the courthouse in downtown Phoenix (with your two witnesses) at 4:30pm Monday through Friday.
Do you perform same-sex weddings?
Yes
Can you use each other as the 2 witnesses?
I use my to-be “husband” as my witness and he uses me, his to-be “wife” as his witness, resulting in (2) witnesses to the ceremony?
Thanks
No you cannot do that. You must have five people total, the couple, two witnesses, and a religious official or judge.
Are there no places in the east valley that you can get a judge to sign a marriage license?
There are not. Downtown Phoenix only.
so i am confused we receive our marriage license first and then we contact you to be at the court house to sign it saying it is official correct because i thought the court provides officiants
The court house only signs marriage licenses Monday through Friday at 5pm. If that’s not convenient for you, call me!
Do you have to get the marriage license from the courts? Or is there an easier way, like online? Both me and my fiance work 8am to 6pm.
Unfortunately, you’ll both have to take time off work to go to the courthouse to get your license. There is no other way.
When the marriage license is signed by the officiant, witnesses and the 2 people getting married, do we take it back to the courthouse in order for them to dend the certificate which we paid for at the time of the application process fees?
You can either take it yourself, or I’m happy to get it back to the recorder for you.
Are you still performing weddings at the courthouse?
Sorry for taking so long to respond. The best way to reach us is by filling out the contact form here: https://firstofficiant.com/contact/
How do I make an appointment to get married at the courthouse or is it first come first serve? Also, we wanted to do it around noon. Is that not possible? The line starts forming at 4pm part confused me.
You can make an appointment to get your marriage license by calling 602-37-CLERK, but you’re unable to make an appointment with the court to then have your marriage license signed. That is first come first served, but there is no one available at the courthouse to sign your marriage license until 5pm and the line for that service starts forming at 4pm. We can normally help by signing your license 9am to 5pm. Just fill out a contact form here: https://firstofficiant.com/contact/
Do you know ho long it takes to get marriage certificate after mailing in the application (the bottom part of the license)?
You’ll have your marriage certificate within 6 weeks of the marriage license being filed.
What are acceptable ID to present?
Thanks!
Claudia
Official state or federal government issued ID’s, like a state ID card, driver’s license, or passport.
Okay so after I get my marriage license, we go to the courthouse to get it signed Orr? I apologize just wanna make sure I’m 110% understanding
I’m one of those people in California that can’t get my drivers license renewed because our DMV offices are closed. They gave me an extension until sept 2020 but still can’t get an appointment. I’m 70 and need to take a test. So the State of CA says my drivers license is still valid. Also, the same with my passport. I was going to get it renewed and trouble doing so. It expired in November. Will I still be able to obtain a marriage license with my long time partner of 20 years?
I wish I could give you a definitive answer, but I’m unsure. My guess would be no, that you cannot get a marriage license without valid up to date ID.
My fiance really want to get married on April 3rd which is a Saturday. If we are successful in getting our marriage license this week, Could you help me with this?
Hey Summer, sorry it took so long to respond. The best way to reach us is to fill out the contact form here: https://firstofficiant.com/contact/
If I signed our license with my maiden name, but now want to change it, do I have to pay for an updated license with his last name? We have the official certificate. I wasn’t sure I wanted to change my last name at first, but now I do.
No. Your maiden name is what’s printed on the license so that’s the name you sign with. Once you receive your marriage certificate back in the mail, you either take that down to the social security office, or upload and change your name online at HitchSwitch.
Hi me and my fiance want to get married soon but he is a non resident and has his matricula and passport but both are expired. Currently can’t get them reissued due to no appointment spots open. Are we still able to get married with his expired forms of ID?
No, you cannot get a marriage license with expired identification.
Can I get my marriage license in Arizona, perform the ceremony in California and then return the signed license in Arizona? Also, does the officiant have to return the signed license themselves or can it be returned by the couple.
The courthouse won’t know whether the ceremony was officiated in California or Arizona, so the realist in me says it’s fine, but the professional in me says to check with a lawyer. Anyone can mail the license back in. It doesn’t have to be the officiant.
Good Afternoon we just moved to Arizona from Texas and would like to get our marriage license. We don’t know anyone here in Arizona can we have our two witnesses via FaceTime?
No, because your witnesses need to sign the marriage license.
Does the officiant need to send in proof with the signed license, like a copy of officiant license, in order to get a marriage certificate in Arizona?
Nope
What about if one of the future spouses is a citizen of the other country? How does that change things? Can we do the online appointment in this situation? Thanks!
You’re not able to get married unless you’re both here in person. However, you can get your marriage license online and have it mailed to you.
But if we are in person, we can get married? We just have to do the actual ceremony there at the court? And what documentation does the non-citizen need? Thanks!
Yes, you can get married as long as you’re both here. I assume he needs his passport and one other form of official ID to get the marriage license, but your best bet is to call the courthouse and ask: https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/records/marriage-licenses-passports/marriage-licenses
Hi my boyfriend is In pima county jail and I need to know how do I start this marriage process since he’s in jail
I’m not sure since signatures are required to get a marriage license. Your best bet is to call the county recorder’s office and ask 602-37-clerk
What are the documents required? Especially that if I can only get Chinese passport for now? For now I have only changed my last name in my ordination document.
You need two forms of ID, your Chinese passport and a credit card for example.
Is the official marriage date the date the license was signed, or the date it was filed?
The date the license is signed
Live in Phoenix,Arizona Want to marry on a Cruise Ship in Alaska! My brother who is a Minister would like to marry us… What do we have to do to make this happen?!
Get a marriage license issued by a county in Alaska and after you all sign it, just have your brother send it in. I don’t believe he should have to file his ministerial ordination with the state of Alaska, but better to be safe than sorry so he might as well check in on that.
Do you travel? I live in Tucson. Also, can you provide 2 witnesses? Thank you.
No I’m sorry, I don’t travel. Appreciate the opportunity to help though.
Do you know if weddings can be officiated online if one of the people is in another state?
If I live in Arizona, my fiance is an Arizona resident but is currently serving and is located in Florida, will we be able to get married via video conference if she is in Florida and I am here in Arizona?
You can have a ceremony over the internet, but it wouldn’t be legally binding because you both need to sign the marriage license in the presence of the religious official or justice of the peace, AND two witnesses.
Hello, this year my Fiancé and I are getting married this year in Dec 17 on Saturday and I been look for someone to our officiant about 1 year ago. because no one haven’t call us. And me n my future husband don’t want to get married in a courthouse we wanted the day we get married of our Ceremony, So my question is do you have some kinda package that you go to event includes Marriage License or we still need get a marriage license at court?
Officiants do not provide a marriage license. You’ll need to contact the county.
https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/records/marriage-licenses-passports/marriage-licenses
Thank you and other question how long dose it take to your marriage License do you get right that the courthouse ? And how long dose take to your Marriage Certificate ?
They hand you your marriage license right there at the court when you pay for it. Once your marriage license is signed and recorded it can take up to 6 weeks to receive your marriage certificate back in the mail.
Can I get a marriage license in Maricopa County and get married in Apache County?
Thanks
Yep! A marriage license from any county in Arizona is good for the whole state.
Sorry I forgot to add this question also, can I return a completed marriage application to a County I did not obtain it from?
You must return your signed marriage license to the county it was issued from.