Apache County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Apache County are kept by the Clerk of the Superior Court at the courthouse in St Johns. The clerk office stores all marriage licenses filed in the county and can issue new licenses to couples who want to wed. Apache County sits in the northeast corner of Arizona, covering a large rural area that includes parts of the Navajo Nation and the White Mountains. Getting a marriage license here works the same as the rest of Arizona. Both people must show up in person with valid ID. The fee is $98, and you can pay by cash, credit card, check, or money order. This guide covers how to find Apache County marriage records, where to apply for a license, and what to expect when you visit the clerk office.

Apache County Clerk of Superior Court

The main office for Apache County marriage records is at the Superior Court in St Johns. This is where the clerk keeps all marriage license files. The current Clerk of the Court is Annell Hounshell. Staff at this office can help you apply for a new license or request copies of past records. You can visit the Apache County marriage license page on the county website for more details.

The office address is 70 W. 3rd South Street in St Johns. You can also send mail to PO Box 365, St Johns, AZ 85936. Phone the office at (928) 337-7550 if you have questions. The fax number is (928) 337-2771. Hours run from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

Apache County covers a big area. Driving to St Johns from the far ends of the county can take hours. For this reason, the county lets you get marriage licenses at local Justice Courts as well. You do not always have to drive to St Johns. The Chinle Justice Court serves the northern part of the county near the Navajo Nation. The Puerco Justice Court handles the central area near Holbrook. Round Valley Justice Court is in the south near Springerville and Eagar.

The screenshot above shows the official Apache County page with marriage license info, fees, and contact details for the clerk office and Justice Courts.

Justice Courts for Apache County Marriages

You can get a marriage license at any of the Justice Courts in Apache County. This is helpful if you live far from St Johns. Each court can issue licenses and accepts the same forms of payment. Contact the court near you to set up a time.

• Chinle Justice Court: (928) 674-5922
• Puerco Justice Court: (928) 688-2729
• Round Valley Justice Court: (928) 333-4613

All three courts follow the same rules as the main clerk office. Both parties must show up with valid photo ID. You must sign an affidavit under oath. The license fee is $98 at all locations. Cash, credit cards, personal checks, and money orders are all accepted. Make checks out to "Clerk of the Court." After you get the license, you can marry anywhere in Arizona within one year.

Minors under 16 face extra steps in Apache County. They must complete an interview with a Superior Court judge before the clerk can issue a license. Those aged 16 or 17 need written consent from a parent or guardian. The person they marry cannot be more than three years older. These rules follow A.R.S. § 25-121, which sets requirements for all Arizona marriage licenses.

Apache County Marriage Record Fees

The fee to apply for a new marriage license in Apache County is $98. You pay this at the time of application. The clerk will hand you the license the same day once you complete the affidavit. There is no waiting period. You can marry right away if you have an officiant and witnesses ready.

If you need a certified copy of an existing marriage record, the fee is $30. This is the certification fee per document. Regular copies cost $0.50 per page if you just want a photocopy. When you do not know the case number for the record you need, the clerk charges a search fee of $30. Knowing the year of the marriage helps speed up the search. If you visit the clerk office in person, you can search the records yourself at no charge. This can save you the $30 search fee.

Note: Fees may change over time, so call the clerk office at (928) 337-7550 to confirm current costs before you visit.

How to Apply for a Marriage License

Getting a marriage license in Apache County is straightforward. Both people must appear together at the clerk office or a Justice Court. You cannot send just one person. Each applicant needs valid picture ID. A driver's license works. So does a passport, state ID, or military ID. The clerk will ask for your Social Security number. This stays confidential under Arizona law and will not appear on the public record.

You will fill out an application and sign an affidavit. The affidavit confirms that the information you gave is true. This includes your name, age, and residence. Under A.R.S. § 25-129, it is unlawful to make a false record of a marriage return. Making false statements is a class 2 misdemeanor. Be honest on all forms.

Once you sign and pay, the clerk gives you the license. It is valid for 12 months. You can marry anywhere in Arizona with it. The county of issue does not matter. After your wedding, the officiant fills out the bottom part of the license. They sign it and have two adult witnesses sign as well. The officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 30 days per A.R.S. § 25-123. The clerk then records the marriage as official.

The image above shows the Apache County Clerk of the Court page where you can find the mailing address, phone, and hours for the main office in St Johns.

Search Apache County Marriage Records

You can search for marriage records in Apache County in several ways. The easiest is to visit the clerk office in St Johns. Bring the names of both spouses. If you know the date or year of the marriage, that helps narrow the search. Staff can look up the record and make copies while you wait. Searching the files yourself costs nothing if you come in person.

For older records, the county has marriage licenses going back many years. Apache County Superior Court cases since 1995 are also available online at no charge. The Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access website lets you look up case information from any Arizona county with online records. You can find basic case data there, though full documents may require a request from the clerk.

If you cannot visit in person, you can request records by mail. Send a letter to the clerk with the names of both parties and the marriage date if known. Include a check or money order for the copy fee. The address is PO Box 365, St Johns, AZ 85936. Processing by mail takes longer, usually a week or two. You can also call the clerk office to ask about records. Staff can check if a record exists and tell you how to get a copy.

Marriage records in Arizona are public under A.R.S. § 39-121. Anyone can ask to see them. You do not have to be one of the spouses. You do not need to give a reason. The clerk may issue an abstract of marriage under A.R.S. § 25-130. This abstract shows the names, marriage date, and recording date. It serves as official proof for most purposes.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Apache County

A.R.S. § 25-124 lists who may officiate weddings in Arizona. Several types of people can legally marry couples. Licensed or ordained clergy can perform ceremonies. Judges from the Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court are authorized. Justices of the peace and municipal court judges can also officiate.

Arizona has a unique rule. Notaries public can perform marriages if they are duly commissioned and live in Arizona. This gives couples extra options. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can also officiate in the state. You do not need a special ceremony. Even a brief exchange of vows counts as long as the officiant is authorized and signs the license.

After the wedding, the officiant completes the license. Two adult witnesses must also sign. The witnesses must be 18 or older. Then the officiant returns the signed license to the clerk. This must happen within 30 days. Once the clerk records it, the marriage becomes part of the official county record. If the officiant fails to return the license on time, it can cause problems later when you need proof of marriage.

Historical Marriage Records in Apache County

Old marriage records exist for Apache County going back to the early territorial days. The Arizona State Archives holds historical marriage records from 1864 to 1972. Coverage varies by county and year. If you are researching family history, the Archives can help you find older documents that may not be available at the local clerk office.

Several types of documents may exist in the Archives. These include marriage licenses, affidavits, certificates, and consent forms. Consent forms show when a parent gave permission for a minor to wed. Affidavits list the ages and residences of both parties. These old records offer useful details for genealogy research.

Free online databases also help with historical searches. FamilySearch has Arizona county marriages from 1871 to 1964. You can view images and use their index at no cost. Ancestry offers Arizona marriage records from 1865 to 1972 for subscribers. The BYU Idaho Western States Marriage Index covers mostly pre-1900 records. These resources supplement what you find at the local clerk office or state Archives.

Note: For records before 1995, you may need to contact the clerk office directly or visit the Arizona State Archives in Phoenix.

Nearby Counties for Marriage Records

Apache County borders several other Arizona counties. If you live near the edge of the county, you might find it easier to visit a neighboring clerk office. Arizona marriage licenses are valid statewide. You can get your license in any county and use it anywhere in the state.

Navajo County lies to the west of Apache County. The clerk office is in Holbrook. The marriage license fee there is $98. Greenlee County sits to the south. That clerk office is in Clifton. The fee there is $83, which is lower than Apache County. Graham County is southwest of Apache County. The clerk is in Safford, and the license fee is $83.

Choosing a different county can make sense if you live closer to one of those towns. The license will work the same. You can marry anywhere in Arizona once you have it. The officiant must return it to the issuing county clerk within 30 days. Call ahead to check hours and confirm fees before driving to a different county.