Search Goodyear Marriage Records

Goodyear marriage records and marriage licenses are handled by the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The city of Goodyear does not issue marriage licenses or keep marriage certificates on file. Residents who want to get married or need copies of past marriage records must visit a Maricopa County clerk office. The main office sits in downtown Phoenix at 601 W. Jackson Street. Other locations in Mesa and Surprise may be closer for some Goodyear residents. This page walks you through how to find Goodyear marriage records, what fees you will pay, and where to go for help.

Maricopa County Handles Goodyear Marriage Records

Goodyear sits in Maricopa County, which is the largest county in Arizona by population. The county clerk of superior court keeps all marriage records for residents of Goodyear. This includes marriage licenses issued before the wedding and marriage certificates filed after the ceremony. Arizona law places marriage record duties at the county level, not with cities.

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court is your primary contact for Goodyear marriage records. They issue new marriage licenses. They record completed marriages. They provide certified copies of past marriage certificates to anyone who asks. You can reach the clerk by phone at (602) 372-5375 with questions about Goodyear area marriage records.

There is no local facility in Goodyear for marriage license services. You must travel to one of the county clerk locations. The closest options for most Goodyear residents are the downtown Phoenix office or the Northwest Regional Court in Surprise. Pick the one that works best for your schedule.

Goodyear Marriage License Locations

Goodyear residents have four Maricopa County locations to choose from when applying for a marriage license. None are in Goodyear itself. The drive to each spot varies based on where you live in the city. Here are your choices.

The Downtown Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix is the main clerk office. This is about 20 miles east of Goodyear. Hours run Monday through Friday. The office handles the most traffic, so waits can be longer. Parking downtown costs around $12, so plan for that cost. You can call ahead at (602) 372-5375 to ask about wait times.

The Northwest Regional Court at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise may be more handy for west Goodyear residents. This location serves the west valley and tends to have shorter lines. It is about 15 miles north of central Goodyear. Call to confirm hours before you make the trip.

Two other options exist. The Northeast Regional Court at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix covers the north valley. The Southeast Regional Court Center at 222 E. Javelina in Mesa serves the east side. These are farther from Goodyear but could work if you are already in that area for other reasons.

The Arizona Courts Locator above shows how to find all Maricopa County clerk locations. Use this tool to get exact addresses and hours for each office.

Goodyear Marriage License Requirements

Getting a marriage license as a Goodyear resident follows Arizona state rules. Both people must appear in person at the clerk office. You cannot send someone else. You cannot apply by mail for a new license. Under A.R.S. 25-121, both applicants sign an affidavit under oath at the time of application.

Bring valid photo ID. A driver's license works fine. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. The clerk also accepts Matricula Consular cards from foreign governments that use biometric checks. You must provide your Social Security number, but this stays private under state law. The clerk cannot share it with others.

The fee for a Maricopa County marriage license is $98. Pay with cash, credit card, debit card, or money order. Personal checks are often not accepted. Once you pay and complete the paperwork, you get your license the same day. No wait period applies. You can marry immediately if you want.

The license stays good for 12 months. Use it anywhere in Arizona. It expires after one year if unused. You would need to apply again and pay the fee once more if that happens.

Note: No blood test is required in Arizona, and there is no residency requirement to get married here.

Age Rules for Goodyear Marriages

The legal age to marry in Arizona is 18. Adults can apply for a marriage license on their own. Show your ID, give your Social Security number, pay the fee. The clerk issues the license that day.

Applicants aged 16 or 17 face extra steps. You need either a certified emancipation order or a notarized consent form from a parent or guardian. Bring your birth certificate and a photo ID. There is also an age gap limit. The person you want to marry cannot be more than three years older than you. This rule protects teens.

Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona. This law took effect August 3, 2018. Under A.R.S. 25-129, a clerk who knowingly issues a license to someone under 16 commits a crime. Maricopa County follows this rule strictly. There are no exceptions for Goodyear residents or anyone else.

Copies of Goodyear Marriage Records

Need a copy of an existing marriage certificate? The Maricopa County clerk can help. Anyone can request copies of marriage records. You do not have to be one of the married parties. Arizona public records law at A.R.S. 39-121 makes marriage records available to anyone during office hours.

Certified copies cost $35.50 if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Without the envelope, the fee goes up to $43.50 to cover postage. Visit an office in person and you can often get copies the same day. Have the names of both spouses ready. Know the year of the marriage if you can. The clerk searches more quickly with a date range.

If you do not know the year, expect an extra search fee. The clerk charges $35 per year searched. You can also search records yourself at the office for free. Bring time and patience for this approach. The clerk has forms on their website for mail requests too.

The clerk may issue an abstract of marriage instead of a full copy. Per A.R.S. 25-130, an abstract shows the bride's name before marriage, the groom's name, the marriage date, and the recording date. This works for most purposes and may cost less than a full certified copy.

Online Marriage License for Goodyear Residents

Maricopa County offers an online marriage license program. This is good news for Goodyear residents who want to skip the office visit. You can apply from home through the Maricopa County online portal. Both applicants must be Arizona residents. You need valid ID for both people.

The online option has one catch. Your ceremony date must be at least 30 days away. The clerk needs 7 to 10 business days to review your application. If approved, the license comes by mail. This works well for couples who planned their wedding in advance. If you need the license sooner, go in person instead.

Not everyone can use the online option. It does not work for minors. It does not work for covenant marriages. Couples who are related cannot use it either. Most Goodyear couples will qualify, though.

You can also book appointments for in-person visits through the county's online appointment system. This cuts down on wait time at the office. Pick your location and choose a time slot that fits your schedule.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Goodyear

A.R.S. 25-124 lists who can officiate weddings in Arizona. Licensed or ordained clergy can perform marriages. Judges from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Superior Court are allowed. Justices of the peace and municipal court judges work too.

Arizona has a unique rule. Notaries public can perform marriages here. The notary must be commissioned and live in Arizona. This gives Goodyear couples more options. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can also marry people in the state.

After the wedding, the officiant completes the marriage license. They sign it along with two adult witnesses. Under A.R.S. 25-123, the officiant must send the signed license back to the clerk within 30 days. The clerk then records it as an official marriage record for Maricopa County. This is how your Goodyear marriage becomes part of the public record.

Note: Make sure your officiant knows about the 30-day return deadline to avoid problems with your marriage record.

Contact Info for Goodyear Marriage Records

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court handles all Goodyear marriage records. Here is the contact info for the main office and the location closest to Goodyear.

Downtown Customer Service Center
601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375
Email: cocmlp@cosc.maricopa.gov

Northwest Regional Court
14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise, AZ 85374
(Call main number for hours)

Office hours run Monday through Friday. Check the Maricopa County Clerk website for current hours at each location. The website also has forms, fee info, and answers to common questions about Goodyear marriage records.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Records

Several other major cities sit near Goodyear in Maricopa County. All use the same county clerk for marriage records. If you live near the edge of Goodyear, another city's location may be just as handy for you. Pick a city below for more local info.

Buckeye is unique among these cities. The Buckeye Municipal Court is deputized to issue marriage licenses on behalf of Maricopa County. If you live in west Goodyear near Buckeye, this could save you a longer drive to Phoenix or Surprise.

Maricopa County Marriage Records

For full details on Maricopa County marriage records, fees, and all four office locations, see our main county page. It covers everything Goodyear residents need to know about getting married or finding old marriage records in this county.