Glendale Marriage Records

Glendale marriage records are kept by the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The city does not issue marriage licenses on its own. All Glendale couples must file through the county system. The main clerk office is in downtown Phoenix at 601 W. Jackson Street. However, Glendale has a local option. The Glendale Justice Court is deputized to issue marriage licenses for Maricopa County. This gives residents a closer spot to apply without the long drive to Phoenix. You can get your license and copies of past marriage certificates through the county clerk.

Maricopa County Handles Glendale Marriage Records

Glendale sits in Maricopa County, which is Arizona's most populous county. The Clerk of Superior Court in Maricopa County maintains all marriage records for Glendale and the surrounding area. When a couple marries in Glendale, the officiant sends the signed license to the county clerk for recording. This creates a permanent public record that anyone can access later.

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court is the office to contact for all marriage license matters. They issue new licenses. They record completed marriages. They provide certified copies for those who need proof of marriage. The main office at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix handles most requests. Call (602) 372-5375 to speak with staff about Glendale marriage records.

You do not need to go all the way to Phoenix. The Glendale Justice Court can issue licenses too. This local court is authorized by the county to handle marriage license applications. Check with the justice court to confirm hours and that they are still offering this service. It may save you time if you live in the Glendale area.

Getting a Marriage License in Glendale

Both people must show up in person to apply. Bring valid photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The clerk also accepts military ID. Under A.R.S. 25-121, you must provide your Social Security number on the application. This info stays private and is not shared with the public.

The fee is $98 for a marriage license in Maricopa County. You can pay with cash, credit card, debit card, or money order. Personal checks are often not accepted, so bring a different form of payment. Once you pay, the clerk hands you the license that day. You can marry right away or wait up to one year. The license is good for 12 months from the date you get it. Use it anywhere in Arizona during that time.

No blood test is required. Arizona has no wait period. You can get your license and marry on the same day if you wish. You will need two witnesses at your ceremony who are at least 18 years old. After the wedding, the person who performs the ceremony must sign the license and return it to the clerk within 30 days. This step is set by A.R.S. 25-123 and makes the marriage part of the official county records.

Note: If the license is not returned within 30 days, you may face problems proving your marriage later.

Finding Glendale Marriage Records

Looking for a past marriage record from Glendale? Start with the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. They keep all marriage records on file. You can visit the office in person, call, or send a request by mail. Have the names of both spouses ready. Knowing the date or year of the marriage speeds up the search.

The Arizona Courts Locator helps you find the right office. Pick Maricopa County from the list to see addresses and phone numbers. The site shows all court locations in the county, including satellite offices that may be closer to Glendale. Use this tool to plan your visit or find contact details for phone and mail requests.

Certified copies of marriage records cost $35.50 if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Without the envelope, expect to pay $43.50. The extra charge covers postage and handling. If you do not know the year of marriage, the clerk may add a $35 research fee per year searched. Walk-in requests at the office often get same-day service. Mail requests take one to two weeks to process.

Glendale Marriage License Requirements

Arizona sets the rules for who can marry. The legal age is 18. Anyone 18 or older can apply with just a valid ID and Social Security number. No parent consent is needed at that age.

Applicants aged 16 or 17 face more steps. You need either a notarized consent form from a parent or guardian, or a certified copy of an emancipation order. Bring your birth certificate and a government photo ID. There is also a limit on the age of your partner. The person you want to marry cannot be more than three years older than you. This law protects young people from exploitation.

Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona. This rule took effect on August 3, 2018. The law makes it a class 2 misdemeanor for a clerk to knowingly issue a license to someone under 16. There are no exceptions to this rule. Maricopa County follows state law closely on this point.

Here are the basic items you need to bring:

• Valid government-issued photo ID for both applicants
• Social Security numbers for both parties
• Payment of $98 in cash, credit, or money order
• Consent form and birth certificate if under 18

Who Can Marry Couples in Glendale

A.R.S. 25-124 lists the people who can perform marriages in Arizona. The list includes licensed or ordained clergy of any faith. Judges from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Superior Court may officiate. Justices of the peace and municipal court judges are also allowed.

Arizona has a rule not found in many other states. Notaries public can perform weddings here. The notary must be commissioned and live in Arizona. This gives Glendale couples more options for their ceremony. You might have a friend who is a notary marry you. Federal judges are also on the list. Bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can legally officiate weddings in Arizona.

The officiant must fill out the marriage license after the ceremony. They sign it along with two adult witnesses. The signed license must go back to the clerk within 30 days. This is a legal duty under state law. If the officiant fails to return it, the couple may have trouble getting proof of their marriage later on.

Note: Always confirm that your chosen officiant is legally authorized before the wedding day.

Are Glendale Marriage Records Public

Yes. Marriage records in Arizona are public. A.R.S. 39-121 says that public records shall be open to inspection by any person during office hours. Marriage licenses filed with the clerk are treated as public court records. Anyone can request to see them. You do not need to be one of the married parties. You do not need to give a reason for your request.

This is different from birth and death records in Arizona. The health department limits who can get copies of those. But marriage records kept by the Superior Court are more open. Social Security numbers stay private. Most other details on the marriage license are available to the public.

The clerk may issue an abstract of marriage rather than a full certified copy. Under A.R.S. 25-130, an abstract includes the bride's name before marriage, the groom's name, the date of the marriage, and the date the license was recorded. An abstract works as proof of marriage for most purposes. It often costs less than a full certified copy of the original license.

Online Marriage License Options

Glendale residents who are Arizona residents have an online option. The Maricopa County online marriage license program lets you apply from home. No office visit is needed. Both people must be Arizona residents with valid ID. Your wedding date needs to be at least 30 days away.

The clerk reviews online applications within 7 to 10 business days. Once approved, the license comes by mail. This works well for couples who have set a wedding date in advance. If you need the license sooner, go in person instead. The online program does not work for minors or for covenant marriages. It also does not work if the couple is related.

For searching existing records online, options are limited. Some basic case info may be viewable through the Maricopa County Electronic Court Records system. The statewide Arizona eAccess Portal also provides court records access. You can search some documents there for a fee. For the most complete marriage records, contact the clerk office directly. Phone and mail requests often work better than online for getting certified copies.

Nearby Cities in Maricopa County

Glendale is part of the Phoenix metro area. Several other large cities surround it. All of these cities are in Maricopa County and use the same clerk office for marriage records. If you live near a city border, you have the same options as Glendale residents. Get your license at any Maricopa County location and marry anywhere in Arizona.

Phoenix is just east of Glendale. The main clerk office is in downtown Phoenix. Peoria borders Glendale to the west and north. Surprise is farther west and has a regional court location at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane where you can get a marriage license. Avondale is to the south of Glendale. All these cities share access to Maricopa County marriage services.

Maricopa County Clerk Contact for Glendale

Glendale residents file marriage records through the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The main office is in Phoenix. Here is the contact information for Glendale area residents.

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

Office hours run Monday through Friday during regular business hours. Call ahead to confirm hours for the day you plan to visit. Parking downtown costs around $12. The northwest regional court in Surprise may be more convenient for some Glendale residents. It is located at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise.

You can also check the Glendale Justice Court for marriage license services. This local court is deputized by the county. Call to confirm they are still issuing licenses. Having a local option can save you a trip to Phoenix if you live in or near Glendale.