Scottsdale Marriage Records

Scottsdale marriage records are kept by the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. The city itself does not issue marriage licenses or maintain marriage certificate files. Scottsdale residents must go to a county office to apply for a license or request copies of past records. The Northeast Regional Court Center at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix serves as the closest location for most Scottsdale residents. You can also visit the downtown Phoenix office or other Maricopa County satellite locations. This guide walks you through the process of getting a Scottsdale marriage license and finding existing marriage records.

Where Scottsdale Residents Get Marriage Licenses

Scottsdale does not have its own marriage license office. The City of Scottsdale website confirms this and directs residents to Maricopa County. All marriage licenses in Scottsdale come from the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. This is true for every city in the county. The county handles all marriage records, from new license applications to certified copies of old certificates.

The screenshot below shows the official City of Scottsdale page. It states clearly that the city does not issue marriage licenses. It points Scottsdale residents to the Northeast Regional Court Center as the closest option. This is helpful since that office sits just south of Scottsdale city limits.

The Northeast Regional Court is handy for north valley residents. It handles the same services as the downtown Phoenix office. You can get a new license there or pick up copies of existing records. Call ahead to check hours before you make the trip.

Maricopa County Marriage Records for Scottsdale

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court is where Scottsdale residents file for marriage licenses. This office maintains all marriage records for the county. The clerk stores the original signed license after your ceremony. They can also give you certified copies when you need proof of marriage for work, travel, or legal matters. The main phone number is (602) 372-5375, which also works as (602) 37-CLERK.

You have four Maricopa County locations to choose from. The Downtown Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix has the most staff. The Northeast Regional Court at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix is best for Scottsdale residents. The Northwest Regional Court in Surprise and the Southeast Regional Court Center in Mesa serve other parts of the county. Pick whichever office fits your schedule and location.

Note: A marriage license from any Maricopa County office works anywhere in Arizona.

Applying for a Scottsdale Marriage License

Both people must show up in person to apply for a marriage license. This is state law under A.R.S. 25-121. You cannot send someone else. You cannot apply by mail for a new license. Both of you will sign an affidavit under oath stating the info you provide is true.

Bring valid government photo ID. A driver's license works fine. So does a passport or military ID. Maricopa County also accepts Matricula Consular ID cards if the foreign government used biometric checks. You must give your Social Security number to the clerk. This stays private under state law and is not released to the public or shown on your marriage certificate.

The fee for a Scottsdale area marriage license is $98. This is the same across all Maricopa County. Pay by cash, credit card, or money order. Personal checks may not work, so bring another payment form. The clerk hands you the license the same day. No waiting period exists. You can marry that very day if you want. The license stays valid for 12 full months.

You will need two witnesses at your ceremony. Both must be 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 required by A.R.S. 25-123 to make your marriage part of the official record.

Online Marriage License for Scottsdale Residents

Arizona residents have a special option. The Maricopa County online marriage license program lets you skip the office visit. Both applicants must live in Arizona. Your wedding date needs to be at least 30 days away. You apply from home. The clerk reviews your application in 7 to 10 business days. Once approved, you get your license by mail.

This works well if you plan ahead. It does not work for last-minute weddings. It also does not work for minors, covenant marriages, or couples who are related. If you need your license fast, go in person instead. The online option is for people who can wait a bit and want to avoid a trip to the courthouse.

You can also book appointments for in-person visits. The Maricopa County appointment system shows open time slots. Pick the Northeast Regional Court if you live in Scottsdale. An appointment cuts down on wait time at the office.

Getting Copies of Scottsdale Marriage Records

Need a copy of a marriage certificate from Scottsdale? Contact the Maricopa County Clerk. 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. You can also visit an office in person and get copies while you wait.

To request a copy, have some basic info ready. Know the names of both spouses. Know the year or rough date of the marriage. If you do not know the year, the clerk charges an extra $35 per year to search the records. You can use the Maricopa County online records request form to submit your request by mail or online.

Marriage records are public in Arizona. Under A.R.S. 39-121, anyone can ask to see public records during office hours. You do not have to be one of the married parties. You do not need a reason. 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.

Note: Social Security numbers stay confidential, but most other marriage record details are open to the public.

Scottsdale Marriage License Requirements

Arizona sets clear rules for marriage licenses. These apply to all Scottsdale residents. Here are the key requirements to know before you apply:

• Both parties must appear in person at the clerk office
• Bring valid government photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID)
• Provide your Social Security number
• Pay the $98 fee in cash, credit card, or money order
• No blood test required
• No waiting period after application
• No residency requirement to get an Arizona license

The legal age to marry is 18. At that age, you can apply on your own. If you are 16 or 17, extra steps apply. You need a notarized consent form from a parent or guardian, or a certified emancipation order. Bring your birth certificate and photo ID. The person you want to marry cannot be more than three years older than you.

Under A.R.S. 25-129, anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona. This law passed in 2018 to protect minors. There are no exceptions. Clerks who violate this rule face criminal charges.

Who Can Perform a Scottsdale Wedding

A.R.S. 25-124 lists who may officiate a wedding in Arizona. This applies to ceremonies in Scottsdale and everywhere else in the state. Licensed or ordained clergy can marry couples. Judges from the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Superior Court are authorized. Justices of the peace and municipal court judges can do it too.

Arizona has a unique rule. Notaries public can perform marriages here. The notary must be commissioned and reside in Arizona. This gives couples more choices. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges are also on the list. With all these options, finding an officiant in Scottsdale is straightforward. Many wedding venues can help connect you with someone authorized to perform your ceremony.

Historical Scottsdale Marriage Records

Looking for old Scottsdale area marriage records? The Maricopa County Clerk has records going back many decades. For very old records, the Arizona State Archives may help. The Archives holds marriage records from 1864 to 1972, though coverage varies by county. They have consents, affidavits, certificates, and licenses from this period.

Free online databases can help with family history research. FamilySearch has Arizona county marriages from 1871 to 1964. Ancestry has records from 1865 to 1972, but needs a subscription. The BYU Idaho Western States Marriage Index covers mostly pre-1900 records. These resources can point you to the right county and year, even if you need to get the actual document from the clerk later.

Contact Info for Scottsdale Marriage Records

Since Scottsdale marriage records go through Maricopa County, here are the key contacts. The Northeast Regional Court is closest to Scottsdale.

Northeast Regional Court Center
18380 N. 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 372-5375

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

Hours run Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Call ahead or check the Maricopa County Clerk website to confirm current hours. Downtown parking costs around $12. The Northeast location has free parking.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Scottsdale sits in the heart of Maricopa County. Several other large cities are nearby. All use the same Maricopa County Clerk for marriage records. If you live near a city boundary, you might find one office more handy than another. The Northeast Regional Court serves Scottsdale, Phoenix north valley, and nearby areas.

Phoenix is the largest city in Arizona and borders Scottsdale on the west and south. Tempe lies to the south. Mesa is to the southeast. All three cities are in Maricopa County. Their residents use the same clerk office as Scottsdale for marriage licenses and records.

Maricopa County Marriage Records

For full details on Maricopa County marriage services, visit our county page. It covers all four office locations, fees, online options, and forms. Scottsdale is one of many cities served by this county clerk. The county page has info that applies to all Maricopa County residents.