Gilbert Marriage Records Search

Gilbert marriage records are processed through the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The town itself does not issue marriage licenses. Instead, Gilbert residents can visit the Highland Justice Court, which is deputized to handle license applications on behalf of the county. You may also go to any of the four main Maricopa County clerk locations in Phoenix, Mesa, or Surprise. The county maintains all marriage certificates for Gilbert and the rest of the Phoenix metro area. This page covers how to get a license, request copies of existing records, and find the offices that serve Gilbert residents looking for marriage documents.

Maricopa County Handles Gilbert Marriage Records

Gilbert is part of Maricopa County. All marriage licenses for Gilbert residents come from the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The Gilbert Town Clerk does not issue marriage licenses or keep marriage records. That job belongs to the county.

The main county office is at 601 W. Jackson Street in downtown Phoenix. You can reach them by phone at (602) 372-5375. Staff answer questions about license requirements, fees, and how to get copies of marriage certificates. The office is open Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Gilbert residents often find the Mesa satellite location more handy since it is closer to home.

The Maricopa County Clerk website has full details on marriage license applications. You can download forms, check current fees, and learn what documents to bring. The site also explains the online marriage license program for Arizona residents who want to skip the office visit. That option takes 7 to 10 business days for approval.

Highland Justice Court for Gilbert Residents

The Highland Justice Court serves the Gilbert area. This court is deputized to issue marriage licenses on behalf of Maricopa County. If you live in Gilbert and want a local option, Highland Justice Court may be more convenient than driving to Phoenix. Call ahead to confirm they are still offering marriage license services and to check their hours.

Using a local justice court saves you a trip to the main county offices. The process is the same no matter where you apply. Both people must appear in person. Bring valid photo ID. Provide your Social Security numbers. Pay the $98 fee. You get the license that day.

Note: Not all justice courts offer marriage license services, so always call before you go.

Getting a Marriage License in Gilbert

Arizona law under A.R.S. 25-121 requires both applicants to appear in person to get a marriage license. You cannot send a friend or family member in your place. Each person needs valid government photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The state also accepts Matricula Consular cards from countries that use biometric verification.

The clerk asks for Social Security numbers. This is a state requirement, but the numbers stay private. They are not released to the public or included on copies of the marriage certificate. If you do not have a Social Security number, let the clerk know. Foreign nationals can write "none" where the form asks for this info.

The fee for a Maricopa County marriage license is $98. You can pay by cash, credit card, or money order. Personal checks are often not accepted. The clerk hands you the license the same day you apply. There is no wait period in Arizona. You can marry that very day if you want. The license is good for 12 full months. Use it anywhere in the state.

Gilbert Marriage License Requirements

The basic rules are simple. Be 18 or older. Bring photo ID. Know your Social Security number. Show up with your partner. That covers most people. Arizona has no blood test rule. There is no residency requirement either. Visitors can get married here just as easily as locals.

Applicants aged 16 or 17 face extra steps. You need a notarized consent form from a parent or guardian. Or you can bring a certified copy of an emancipation order. Either way, you also need a birth certificate and photo ID. There is an age gap limit too. Your partner cannot be more than three years older than you. This protects young people from exploitation.

No one under 16 can marry in Arizona. This rule took effect on August 3, 2018. The law under A.R.S. 25-129 makes it a crime for a clerk to issue a license to someone under 16. There are no exceptions. This applies to all of Maricopa County, including Gilbert.

You will need two witnesses at your wedding ceremony. They must be at least 18 years old. The person who performs your marriage must sign the license afterward. They have 30 days to return it to the clerk for recording. This step makes the marriage official and creates the public record.

Arizona Courts and Marriage Records

The Arizona Judicial Branch maintains a court locator tool that helps you find the right office for marriage records. The screenshot below shows the Arizona Courts Locator page where you can search for Superior Courts by county.

Use this tool to find contact info for any Arizona county clerk. Marriage records in Arizona are kept at the county level by the Clerk of Superior Court. The locator shows addresses, phone numbers, and hours for each court. Gilbert falls under the Maricopa County Superior Court system.

Gilbert Marriage Certificate Copies

Already married in Gilbert or Maricopa County? Getting a copy of your marriage certificate is straightforward. The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court handles all requests. You can ask in person, by mail, or through their online form.

Certified copies cost $35.50 if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Without the envelope, the fee is $43.50 to cover postage. The clerk needs basic info to find your record. Have both names ready. Know the year of the marriage. If the year is unknown, there is an extra $35 research fee for each year searched.

Marriage records are public in Arizona. This is covered under A.R.S. 39-121. Anyone can request a copy of a marriage certificate. You do not have to be one of the spouses. You do not need to explain why you want the record. The clerk may give you an abstract of marriage instead of a full copy. The abstract shows the bride's maiden name, the groom's name, the marriage date, and the date the license was recorded.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Gilbert

Arizona has clear rules about who can officiate weddings. A.R.S. 25-124 lists the authorized people. Licensed or ordained clergy members can perform marriages. So can judges from the Arizona Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Superior Court. Justices of the peace and municipal court judges are also allowed.

Here is something unique about Arizona. Notaries public can perform weddings here. The notary must be commissioned and live in Arizona. This gives Gilbert couples many options for their ceremony. You are not limited to religious leaders or judges. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can also officiate.

After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license. They have 30 days to return it to the Maricopa County Clerk for recording. This is required by A.R.S. 25-123. If the license is not returned, the marriage may not be properly recorded. Make sure your officiant knows this deadline.

Online Marriage License Option

Gilbert residents have access to the Maricopa County online marriage license program. This lets you apply from home with no office visit. Both applicants must be Arizona residents. Your wedding date needs to be at least 30 days out. The clerk reviews applications within 7 to 10 business days and mails your license once approved.

The online method works well for couples who have planned ahead. It saves a trip to Phoenix or Mesa. The fee is still $98, same as in person. This option does not work for minors, covenant marriages, or couples who are related. If you need the license faster, go to an office in person and get it the same day.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Gilbert sits in the heart of the Phoenix metro area. Several other large cities are just minutes away. All of them are also in Maricopa County and use the same county clerk for marriage records. If you work or have family in a neighboring city, you might find their local resources helpful too.

Chandler borders Gilbert to the west. Chandler City Hall and the San Tan Justice Court can help with marriage licenses. Mesa is just north of Gilbert. The Southeast Regional Court in Mesa at 222 E. Javelina is one of the four main Maricopa County locations. It may be the closest full-service option for many Gilbert residents.

Tempe lies northwest of Gilbert. Tempe does not have a local facility for marriage licenses, so residents there also go to county offices. Phoenix is the county seat and has the main clerk office at 601 W. Jackson Street. That location handles the highest volume of marriage license applications in the county.

Contact Info for Gilbert Marriage Records

For marriage license questions, contact the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. Gilbert does not have its own marriage records office. Here are the county contacts and the closest locations for Gilbert residents.

Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court
601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375
Email: cocmlp@cosc.maricopa.gov

Southeast Regional Court (Closest to Gilbert)
222 E. Javelina, Mesa, AZ 85210

The Mesa location is the most convenient for most Gilbert residents. It offers the same services as the downtown Phoenix office. You can apply for a new license or request copies of existing records there. Hours are Monday through Friday during normal business hours.

For questions about Gilbert town services that do not involve marriage records, contact the Gilbert Town Clerk at the Gilbert Clerk's Office. They handle town business but will direct you to the county for marriage-related matters.