Search Phoenix Marriage Records
Marriage records for Phoenix residents are filed with the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The City of Phoenix does not issue marriage licenses or keep marriage certificates. All Phoenix couples must go to a county office to get their license and later to request copies of recorded marriages. Maricopa County runs several locations in the Phoenix metro area. The downtown office at 601 W. Jackson Street serves most Phoenix residents who need to apply in person. You can also use online options if you meet certain rules. This guide covers where to go, what to bring, fees, and how to search for past Phoenix marriage records on file with the county.
Phoenix Marriage Records Quick Facts
Where Phoenix Residents File for Marriage
Phoenix is in Maricopa County. This county handles all marriage licenses for the city. The Phoenix City Clerk office does not process marriage applications. They handle other city records but send marriage inquiries to the county. You must visit the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court to apply for a new license or get a copy of an existing marriage record.
The Maricopa County Clerk operates multiple offices. The main downtown location is closest to central Phoenix. It sits at 601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Hours run Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The office closes on state holidays. You can walk in without an appointment, though wait times vary. The county also offers an online booking system to reserve a spot if you want to cut your wait time.
Parking downtown costs money. Expect to pay around $12 for garage parking near the courthouse. Street meters exist but fill up fast during weekday hours. Some people take the light rail to avoid parking hassles. The Jefferson and Washington stations both sit close to the clerk office. Plan for a short walk from either stop.
Phoenix City Clerk and Marriage Records
The Phoenix City Clerk handles city business records, not marriage licenses. People often call this office by mistake when looking for marriage documents. Staff will direct you to Maricopa County. The city clerk deals with items like business filings, public records requests for city documents, and municipal elections. Marriage falls under state family law, so counties handle it in Arizona.
This is a common point of confusion for Phoenix residents. The city and county both have clerk offices. For marriage, always go to the county. The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court is your source for licenses, certified copies, and recorded marriage searches.
Phoenix Marriage License Application Steps
Getting a marriage license in Phoenix takes one visit to the county office. Both people must show up together. You cannot send one person alone. You cannot have someone else apply for you. The law requires both parties to appear, sign the affidavit, and take an oath.
Bring valid photo ID for each person. A driver's license works fine. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. The county now accepts Matricula Consular ID cards from foreign governments that use biometric verification. You also need your Social Security number. If you were born outside the US and have no SSN, write "none" where asked. The SSN stays confidential under A.R.S. 25-121 and will not appear on public records.
No blood test is needed. Arizona dropped that rule years ago. There is no waiting period either. You can marry the same day you get your license if you want. The license costs $98 in Maricopa County. Pay by cash, credit card, or money order. Personal checks are not accepted for marriage licenses. Once issued, your license stays valid for 12 months. You can use it anywhere in Arizona during that time.
Note: The county does not require a copy of any divorce decree if you were married before.
Online Marriage License for Phoenix Area
Maricopa County offers an online marriage license program for Arizona residents. This option works for couples who live in the state and plan to marry at least 30 days from their application date. You skip the trip to the courthouse. Both parties apply from home using valid ID uploads.
The clerk reviews online applications within 7 to 10 business days. This is not instant. Plan well ahead of your ceremony date. If approved, the county mails your license. You then proceed with your wedding as normal. After the ceremony, the officiant signs the license and returns it to the clerk within 30 days for recording.
This program does not work for everyone. If either person is under 18, you must apply in person. Covenant marriages also require an office visit. Non-Arizona residents cannot use the online system. They must come to a clerk office in person. The online route helps Phoenix couples who have busy schedules or want to avoid downtown traffic and parking fees.
Maricopa County Locations Serving Phoenix
The county runs several offices that issue marriage licenses. Phoenix residents have options beyond downtown. Pick the one closest to you or with the shortest wait times. All locations charge the same $98 fee and follow the same rules.
- Downtown Customer Service Center: 601 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003
- Northeast Regional Court: 18380 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85032
- Northwest Regional Court: 14264 W. Tierra Buena Ln., Surprise, AZ 85374
- Southeast Regional Court Center: 222 E Javelina, Mesa, AZ 85210
The Northeast location serves north Phoenix, Paradise Valley, and nearby areas. It often has shorter lines than downtown. The Southeast location in Mesa works well for East Valley residents. The Surprise office covers the west side. Call ahead to check hours at satellite locations. Some may have limited schedules compared to the main downtown office.
You can book an appointment through the Maricopa appointment system. This cuts wait times. Walk-ins are still welcome, but appointments get priority at busy times.
Recording Phoenix Marriage Certificates
Your marriage is not official until the license gets recorded. The ceremony happens. The officiant signs the license. Two adult witnesses also sign. Then the officiant must return the signed license to the county clerk within 30 days. This is required by A.R.S. 25-123. The clerk records the document and it becomes part of the permanent public record.
If the officiant fails to return the license on time, problems arise. You may have trouble proving your marriage later. Contact the clerk if your license was not returned within a month of your ceremony. You might need to reapply and pay again if the original expires before recording. Most officiants know the rules and file promptly. But it pays to follow up.
How to Get Phoenix Marriage Record Copies
Need a copy of a Phoenix marriage certificate? Contact the Maricopa County Clerk. You can request copies in person, by mail, or through online forms. The county keeps marriage records going back many decades. If the marriage took place in Phoenix or elsewhere in Maricopa County, this is where you go.
Certified copies cost between $35.50 and $43.50 depending on how you order. If you mail in a request with a self-addressed stamped envelope, the fee is lower. Without the SASE, add $8 for postage and handling. Research fees apply if you do not know the year of marriage. The clerk charges $35 per year searched beyond the first.
In person requests often process the same day. Mail requests take one to two weeks. The county also has an online records request form to start the process from home. You will still need to pay the fee and wait for processing.
Note: Marriage records in Arizona are public. Anyone can request a copy. You do not need to be one of the parties named.
Marriage Officiants in Phoenix
Arizona law lists who can perform marriages. Per A.R.S. 25-124, licensed clergy can marry couples. Judges from various courts also have authority. This includes Superior Court judges, municipal court judges, and justices of the peace. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges can officiate too.
Arizona allows something most states do not. Notaries public can perform marriages here. The notary must be commissioned and live in Arizona. This gives couples more options for small ceremonies. You can find a notary willing to officiate if you prefer a civil ceremony without a judge or clergy member.
After the ceremony, the officiant fills out the bottom of your marriage license. They sign and date it. They ensure two witnesses over age 18 also sign. The officiant then returns the completed license to the county for recording. Choose someone reliable who knows these steps.
Phoenix Marriage Legal Resources
The Arizona Bar Foundation runs AZ Court Help. This site explains marriage license steps in plain language. You can find answers to common questions about requirements, fees, and what happens if problems arise. It covers all Arizona counties including Maricopa.
For complex legal questions, consider talking to a family law attorney. The State Bar of Arizona offers a lawyer referral service. An attorney can help with prenuptial agreements, name changes, or immigration issues related to marriage. Some offer free initial consultations.
Low-income Phoenix residents may qualify for free legal help. Community Legal Services and Arizona Legal Center serve those who meet income guidelines. They handle civil matters including family law questions.
Other Maricopa County Cities
Many cities near Phoenix also file marriage records with Maricopa County. If you live in or plan to marry in any of these places, the same county clerk offices serve you. Pick a city below to learn about marriage records in that area.