Mesa Marriage Records

Mesa marriage records are handled by the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The city of Mesa does not issue marriage licenses or keep marriage certificates on file. As the third largest city in Arizona, Mesa has close to half a million residents who all must go through the county clerk to get married or to find past marriage records. The good news for Mesa residents is that a convenient Maricopa County satellite office sits right in the city. This Southeast Regional Court Center can handle your marriage license needs without the drive to downtown Phoenix. You can also request copies of existing marriage records at this location or contact the main office for help.

Mesa Falls Under Maricopa County

Mesa sits in Maricopa County, which means all marriage license business goes through the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. This applies to every Mesa resident. Whether you live in east Mesa near the Superstition Mountains or in west Mesa closer to Tempe, you file at the county level. The city clerk office in Mesa does not handle marriage records at all.

Arizona structures its marriage record system at the county level. Each of the state's 15 counties has a Clerk of Superior Court who manages marriage licenses. The clerk issues new licenses, records completed marriages, and provides certified copies to those who need them. For Mesa, that clerk office is located in Phoenix, but there is a branch right in town that offers the same services. Under A.R.S. 25-121, couples must get their license from a county clerk before they can legally wed anywhere in Arizona.

The county system works well for Mesa residents. You have local access through the Southeast Regional Court Center. You can also use the online marriage license program if you are an Arizona resident. Same day licenses are possible at any office location. The license you get in Maricopa County works anywhere in Arizona, so if you plan to marry at a venue in Pinal County or Coconino County, your Maricopa license still works.

Mesa Marriage License Office Location

Mesa residents have easy access to marriage license services. The Southeast Regional Court Center is right in the city. You do not need to drive all the way to downtown Phoenix unless you want to. This office can issue marriage licenses, accept completed licenses back for recording, and provide copies of existing marriage certificates.

Southeast Regional Court Center
222 E. Javelina
Mesa, AZ 85210

This location serves the east valley area including Mesa, Gilbert, and parts of Chandler. Hours are Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead or check the Maricopa County Clerk website to confirm current hours before you make the trip. Parking is available on site and typically free, unlike the downtown Phoenix office where parking runs about $12.

If the Mesa location does not work for your schedule, three other Maricopa County offices can help. The main customer service center in Phoenix at 601 W. Jackson Street handles the most traffic. The Northeast Regional Court at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix covers the north valley. The Northwest Regional Court in Surprise at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane is best for far west valley residents.

Note: Walk-ins are accepted but booking an appointment can cut your wait time significantly.

How Mesa Residents Get a Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Mesa follows the same steps as anywhere else in Maricopa County. Both people must appear in person at a clerk office. You cannot send one person alone. You cannot have a friend or family member apply for you. Both names go on the license, and both people must sign under oath. This is state law under A.R.S. 25-121.

Bring valid government photo ID. A driver's license works fine. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. The county also accepts Matricula Consular ID cards from foreign governments that use biometric verification. You must provide your Social Security number to the clerk. This info stays private. The clerk does not release it to the public or put it on the marriage certificate.

The marriage license fee in Maricopa County is $98. Pay with cash, credit card, debit card, or money order. Personal checks may not be accepted, so bring a backup payment method. Once you pay and sign the paperwork, the clerk hands you the license right then. No wait. You can marry the same day if you choose. The license stays valid for 12 months, so you have plenty of time to plan your ceremony.

After your wedding, the person who performs the ceremony must sign the license. Two witnesses aged 18 or older also sign. Then the officiant returns the completed license to the clerk within 30 days. Once recorded, your marriage becomes part of the official county records. You can request certified copies at any time after that.

Mesa Marriage License Requirements

Arizona keeps marriage requirements simple. There is no blood test. No waiting period exists. You can apply and marry on the same day. There is no residency requirement either. You do not have to live in Mesa or even in Arizona to get a license here. Visitors can wed in Arizona and take their license home.

Age matters when applying. The legal age to marry without any extra approval is 18. Anyone 18 or over can walk in, show ID, pay the fee, and get a license that day. Applicants aged 16 or 17 need extra steps. They must bring a notarized consent form from a parent or guardian, or show a certified copy of an emancipation order. A birth certificate proves their age. The person they want to marry cannot be more than three years older than them. This rule exists to protect young people.

If you are under 16, you cannot marry in Arizona. Period. This law took effect in August 2018. Under A.R.S. 25-129, it is illegal for a clerk to issue a license to anyone under 16 years old. Maricopa County follows this rule strictly. There are no exceptions or workarounds.

Getting Copies of Mesa Marriage Records

Need a copy of a marriage certificate for someone who married in Mesa? You request it from the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The city of Mesa cannot help you with this. Only the county clerk keeps these records. You can visit the Southeast Regional Court Center in Mesa or any other Maricopa County clerk location.

Certified copies from Maricopa County cost $35.50 if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. Without the envelope, the fee goes up to $43.50 to cover postage. In-person requests often get same-day service. Mail requests take a week or two depending on volume.

To request a copy, you need the names of both spouses. The date or year of marriage helps narrow the search. If you do not know what year the marriage happened, the clerk charges an extra $35 for each year they must search. You can avoid this fee by doing some research first. Try asking family members or checking old records you have at home. The clerk's office also lets you search records yourself at no charge if you visit in person.

Marriage records in Arizona are public. Under A.R.S. 39-121, anyone can request to see public records during office hours. You do not need to be one of the married parties. You do not have to state why you want the record. The clerk will help anyone who asks, though they may give you an abstract of marriage instead of a full copy of the original document.

Online Marriage License Option for Mesa

Maricopa County offers an online marriage license program. This is a nice perk for Mesa residents who want to skip the office visit. You apply from your computer at home. No appointment needed. No line to wait in. The Maricopa County Clerk website has the application.

A few rules apply to the online option. Both people must be Arizona residents. You both need valid ID that you can upload. Your wedding date must be at least 30 days away. The clerk reviews applications within 7 to 10 business days. If approved, they mail the license to you. This does not work for last-minute weddings. It also does not work for minors, covenant marriages, or related couples.

The Arizona Courts website shown above helps you find court locations across the state. Pick Maricopa County to see all the office addresses and phone numbers. Mesa is served by the Southeast Regional Court Center listed on the locator page.

Who Can Perform Weddings in Mesa

Arizona law lists who may officiate a wedding ceremony. Licensed or ordained clergy can marry couples. Judges work too. This includes Superior Court judges, justices of the peace, and municipal court judges. Arizona has an unusual rule that also allows notaries public to perform weddings. The notary must be commissioned and live in Arizona. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges round out the list in A.R.S. 25-124.

Mesa couples have many options for their ceremony. You could have a friend get ordained online. You could ask a justice of the peace. You could use a notary if you want a quick civil ceremony. The county does not care who performs the wedding as long as that person is on the authorized list. What matters is that the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 30 days after the ceremony. This requirement comes from A.R.S. 25-123.

Two witnesses must also be present at the ceremony. They sign the license too. Each witness must be at least 18 years old. They do not need to be related to you. Friends or even strangers can serve as witnesses if you need help filling those spots. Some courthouses provide witnesses if you ask nicely.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Mesa borders several other large Maricopa County cities. If you live near the edge of Mesa, a different clerk location might be closer. All Maricopa County offices provide the same marriage license services. Pick whichever is most handy for your situation.

Gilbert sits just south of Mesa. Chandler is to the southwest. Tempe borders the west side. Scottsdale is to the northwest. Phoenix wraps around part of the west and north. All of these cities use the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court for marriage licenses. None of them issue licenses on their own. The Southeast Regional Court Center in Mesa serves Gilbert and Chandler area residents too, so you may see neighbors from those towns at the same office.

Maricopa County Clerk Contact for Mesa

For Mesa marriage records and licenses, contact the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The closest office for Mesa residents is the Southeast Regional Court Center. You can also call the main phone line for general questions.

Main Phone: (602) 372-5375
Alternate: (602) 37-CLERK
Email: cocmlp@cosc.maricopa.gov

Mesa Area Office:
Southeast Regional Court Center
222 E. Javelina, Mesa, AZ 85210

Downtown Phoenix Office:
601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003

Visit the Maricopa County Clerk website for hours, forms, and more details. You can also book appointments through their online scheduling system to avoid long waits. The website lists all four office locations with maps and directions.

Note: Fees and hours may change, so confirm current information before your visit.