Find Peoria Marriage Records

Peoria marriage records are handled by the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. Like all Arizona cities, Peoria does not issue marriage licenses at the city level. Residents must go through the county clerk office to apply for a new license or request copies of past marriage certificates. The Peoria Justice Court can help with some services, but the main county offices in Phoenix and other locations serve as the primary source for all marriage record needs in this area. This guide walks you through how to search Peoria marriage records and what to expect when dealing with the county clerk.

Maricopa County Handles Peoria Marriage Records

Peoria sits in Maricopa County, the most populous county in Arizona. All marriage licenses for Peoria residents come through the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The city has no role in issuing these records. This is true for every city in Arizona, where marriage records stay under county control.

The main county clerk office is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. You can call them at (602) 372-5375 with questions about Peoria area marriage records. Staff can tell you if a record exists and how to get a copy. The downtown office handles the bulk of Maricopa County marriage license work. They see thousands of couples each year coming in to start the marriage process.

Peoria residents have several county office locations to choose from. The downtown Phoenix office is one option. The Northwest Regional Court in Surprise at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane may be closer for many Peoria families. The Southeast Regional Court in Mesa and the Northeast Regional Court in north Phoenix also serve the county. Pick whichever location works best for your schedule and travel needs.

Note: All four Maricopa County locations provide the same marriage license services at the same $98 fee.

Getting a Marriage License in Peoria

Both people must show up together to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send one person alone. Bring valid photo ID such as a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The county also accepts Matricula Consular ID cards from foreign governments that use biometric verification. Each applicant must provide their Social Security number to the clerk. Under A.R.S. 25-121, this info is required but kept private.

The marriage license fee in Maricopa County is $98. Cash works. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most locations. Money orders are fine too. Personal checks may not be accepted, so bring backup payment just in case. Once you pay, the clerk hands you the license that same day. No wait period exists. You can marry right away if you choose.

Your license stays valid for 12 months. Use it anywhere in Arizona during that time. The county where you get the license does not have to be where you marry. After your wedding, the person who performs the ceremony must return the signed license to the clerk within 30 days. This step records the marriage in the official county files. Skipping this creates problems down the road when you need proof of marriage.

Online Marriage License for Peoria Couples

Maricopa County offers an online marriage license program. Arizona residents can apply from home without visiting an office. This works well for Peoria couples who want to skip the trip downtown. Both applicants must be Arizona residents with valid ID. Your ceremony date needs to be at least 30 days away to use this option.

The clerk reviews online applications within 7 to 10 business days. Once approved, your license comes by mail. This method saves time and avoids the wait at the counter. The Maricopa County Clerk website has all the details on how to apply online. The system is simple to use.

The Arizona Courts Locator above helps Peoria residents find the nearest Maricopa County courthouse. Use this tool to check office addresses and phone numbers before your visit.

Peoria Marriage Certificate Copies

Need a copy of a Peoria area marriage certificate? Request it from the Maricopa County Clerk. Certified copies cost $35.50 if you send a self-addressed stamped envelope. Without the envelope, expect to pay $43.50 for postage and handling fees on top. You can also go to a county office in person and get copies while you wait.

When you request a copy, have the names of both spouses ready. Know the year or rough date of the marriage if you can. The clerk uses this info to find the right record. If you have no idea what year the marriage took place, there is an extra $35 research fee for each year searched. Walking into the office yourself and doing the search is free.

Marriage records in Arizona are public records. Under A.R.S. 39-121, anyone can ask to see public records during office hours. You do not need to be one of the people who got married. You do not need to explain why you want the record. The clerk may give you an abstract of marriage showing the key facts like names and dates. This is often enough for most uses.

Age Rules for Peoria Marriages

The legal age to marry in Arizona is 18. Adults can walk into the clerk office with ID and apply on their own. No parent has to come along. No special forms are needed beyond the standard application.

Younger applicants face more rules. If you are 16 or 17, you need written consent from a parent or guardian. The consent form must be notarized. You can also bring a certified emancipation order if you have one. There is one more catch for teen marriages. The person you want to marry cannot be more than three years older than you. This protects minors.

Arizona bans marriage for anyone under 16. This rule took effect in 2018 under A.R.S. 25-129. Clerks who knowingly issue a license to someone under 16 face criminal charges. The law has no exceptions. Peoria area couples under 16 simply cannot marry in this state.

Who Can Perform Marriages for Peoria Couples

Arizona law lists who can officiate a wedding. A.R.S. 25-124 spells it out clearly. Licensed or ordained clergy can do it. So can judges from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Superior Court. Justices of the peace work too. Municipal court judges are allowed.

Here is something unique about Arizona. Notaries public can perform marriages in this state. The notary must be commissioned and live in Arizona. This gives Peoria couples extra choices when planning their ceremony. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can also marry people here. Finding an officiant in the Peoria area should be easy with all these options.

After the ceremony, the officiant fills out the license. Two adult witnesses sign it too. The officiant then returns the signed license to the Maricopa County Clerk within 30 days. Under A.R.S. 25-123, this return step is required. It makes the marriage part of the permanent public record.

Note: Witnesses must be at least 18 years old to sign the marriage license.

Peoria Justice Court

The Peoria Justice Court serves the local area for certain legal matters. Justice courts handle small claims, traffic cases, and some civil disputes. While the Peoria Justice Court is available to residents, it does not always offer full marriage license services. Call ahead before making the trip.

For the most reliable service, use one of the four main Maricopa County clerk locations. The Northwest Regional Court in Surprise is often the closest option for Peoria residents. It sits at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane. This location handles all marriage license applications and record requests. The staff there can help with whatever you need.

The downtown Phoenix office remains the biggest and busiest. If you work near downtown or want the main office experience, head to 601 W. Jackson Street. Parking costs around $12 in that area. Call (602) 372-5375 before you go to confirm hours and ask any questions.

Searching Peoria Marriage Records

Looking for a past Peoria area marriage record? Start by contacting the Maricopa County Clerk. You can call, write, or visit in person. In-person visits are fastest. Walk into an office, give the names and approximate date, and staff can search while you wait. Walk out with your copy the same day in many cases.

Mail requests take longer. Send a letter with the couple's names and the year of marriage. Include payment for the copy fee. The clerk processes mail requests in the order received. Expect one to two weeks for a response. Use the online records request form on the Maricopa County website to submit by email if that is easier for you.

Some records are viewable through the county's electronic court records system. This online tool covers case files across different court divisions. Registration may be needed. Some documents cost extra to view or download. For complete Peoria marriage records, the clerk office remains your best resource.

Nearby Cities for Marriage Records

Peoria borders several other Maricopa County cities. All of them use the same county clerk for marriage records. If you live on the edge of Peoria, a neighboring city office might be closer. The same $98 fee and same rules apply no matter which Maricopa County location you use.

Phoenix lies to the south and east of Peoria. Glendale borders Peoria on the south. Surprise is to the west. All three cities send their residents to Maricopa County for marriage licenses. The Surprise location at the Northwest Regional Court often works well for west valley residents including those in Peoria.

Peoria Marriage Record Legal Help

Questions about marriage law in Arizona? The AZ Court Help website from the Arizona Bar Foundation covers the basics. It explains how to apply for a license, what ID to bring, and what fees to expect. The site is free to use and written for regular people, not lawyers.

For complex legal issues, consider talking to a family law attorney. The State Bar of Arizona has a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with someone in the Peoria area who handles marriage and family matters. Some attorneys offer free first consultations to help you decide if you need their services.

Low income Peoria residents may qualify for free legal aid. Community Legal Services helps with civil matters including family law questions. They serve the greater Phoenix metro area. Call to see if you qualify for their programs.

Contact Info for Peoria Marriage Records

Peoria residents should contact Maricopa County for all marriage record needs. Here are the key contact details for the county clerk office.

Main Office
601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375
Email: cocmlp@cosc.maricopa.gov

Northwest Regional Court (Closest to Peoria)
14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise, AZ 85374

Northeast Regional Court
18380 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032

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

The Maricopa County Clerk website has current hours for each location. Book an appointment online through the county appointment system to cut your wait time. Walk-ins are accepted, but appointments help during busy periods.