Gila County Marriage Records

Gila County marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Globe, Arizona. The county also runs a satellite office in Payson for residents in the northern part of the county. Both offices can issue new marriage licenses and provide copies of past records. Appointments are required at both locations, so you must call ahead before visiting. Gila County charges $83 for a new marriage license, which is lower than many other Arizona counties. The clerk office maintains records going back many decades. Whether you need to get married or find an old certificate, the Gila County clerk staff can help you with your marriage record needs.

Gila County Clerk of Superior Court

The main office for Gila County marriage records sits in Globe, the county seat. This is where most people go to apply for a marriage license or request copies. The clerk staff handles all marriage filings for the county. They can look up old records and issue certified copies on the spot in most cases.

You must make an appointment before you visit. The clerk office does not take walk-ins for marriage services. Call ahead and they will set up a time that works for you. This policy helps the office run smooth and cuts down wait times. Both parties must appear together with valid photo ID. Bring your Social Security cards too. The fee is $83 in cash, money order, or credit card. Personal checks may not be accepted, so bring another form of payment to be safe.

The Globe office address is 1400 E. Ash St., Globe, AZ 85501. You can reach them by phone at (928) 402-8866. For email questions, contact GilaSC@courts.az.gov. The office follows standard county hours on weekdays. When you call to book your appointment, ask about the exact hours if you need to plan your visit.

The Gila County Clerk website has more details on the marriage license process. You can find forms and fee info there. The site also lists what documents you need to bring.

Payson Satellite Office for Marriage Records

Gila County runs a second office in Payson. This satellite location serves residents in the Rim Country area. If you live closer to Payson than Globe, you can get your marriage license there instead. The Payson office offers the same services as the main Globe location for marriage records.

Like Globe, the Payson office requires an appointment. Do not show up without calling first. Phone the Payson satellite at (928) 474-3978 to schedule your visit. The address is 714 S. Beeline Hwy #104, Payson, AZ 85541. The fee for a marriage license is the same $83 at this location.

Having two offices makes it easier for Gila County residents. The county covers a large area with mountains and forests between towns. The Payson office saves people a long drive south to Globe. Both offices can issue new licenses and look up old marriage records in the county system.

Gila County Marriage License Requirements

Arizona law sets the rules for marriage licenses statewide. Under A.R.S. § 25-121, both people must appear in person to apply. You cannot send someone else to get the license for you. The clerk will have you sign an affidavit under oath with your names, ages, and addresses. This is a legal document, so everything must be true.

You need to bring valid photo ID. A driver's license works fine. So does a passport, state ID card, or military ID. Both of you must also provide your Social Security numbers. The clerk keeps this private under state law. No blood test is needed in Arizona. There is no waiting period either. Once you pay and sign, you get your license that same day.

The image below shows the Gila County appointment notice from their website.

Age limits apply to all Gila County marriage license applicants. You must be 18 to marry on your own. If you are 16 or 17, you need written consent from a parent or guardian. The person you want to marry cannot be more than three years older than you. No one under 16 can marry in Arizona at all. This rule protects young people from harmful situations.

Note: Call the clerk office to confirm current requirements before your visit, as policies can change.

How Long Is a Gila County Marriage License Valid

Your Gila County marriage license stays valid for 12 months from the date you get it. You can use it anywhere in Arizona during that year. It does not have to be used in Gila County. If you get the license in Globe, you can still have your wedding in Phoenix, Sedona, or any other Arizona spot.

After the wedding, the person who performs the ceremony must fill out the license. They sign it and have two witnesses sign as well. Under A.R.S. § 25-123, the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 30 days. This is how your marriage becomes part of the official Gila County records. If the license is not returned, you may have trouble proving you are married later on.

Once the clerk records the returned license, you can get certified copies. Many couples order at least one copy for their records. Others need them for name changes, insurance, or legal matters.

Get Copies of Gila County Marriage Records

The Gila County Clerk of Superior Court can provide copies of marriage records on file. A certified copy costs between $30 and $35. This is the official document with the county seal. Banks, government agencies, and courts accept certified copies as proof of marriage. An abstract of marriage may also work for some purposes.

You can request copies in person at either the Globe or Payson office. Bring the names of both spouses and the date of the marriage if you know it. Staff can look up the record in their system. If you do not know the exact year, they may charge a search fee. Processing is usually quick for in-person requests.

Mail requests are another option. Send a letter with all the details about the marriage you need. Include a check or money order for the copy fee plus $8 for postage. Make payments out to the Clerk of Superior Court. Mail your request to the Globe office at 1400 E. Ash St., Globe, AZ 85501. Allow extra time for mail to arrive and for staff to process your order.

Anyone can request marriage records. These are public documents in Arizona. You do not need to be one of the spouses. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, public records are open for inspection during office hours. Only Social Security numbers stay private.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Gila County

A.R.S. § 25-124 lists everyone who can legally perform a wedding in Arizona. This applies to Gila County just like the rest of the state. Licensed or ordained clergy can marry couples. Judges at every level are authorized too. This includes Superior Court judges, justices of the peace, and municipal court judges.

Arizona also lets notaries public perform marriages. The notary must live in the state and hold a valid commission. This gives couples another option for their ceremony. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can officiate as well.

After the ceremony, the officiant must complete the marriage license. They record the date and place of the wedding. They sign it and make sure two adult witnesses also sign. The license then goes back to the Gila County clerk within 30 days. This step is critical. Without it, there is no official record of your marriage in the county files.

Gila County Marriage Record Fees

Gila County has lower marriage fees than some larger Arizona counties. The license costs $83. This is the same at both the Globe main office and the Payson satellite. Payment can be in cash, money order, or credit card in most cases. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment they accept on the day you plan to visit.

Here are the key fees for Gila County marriage services:

• Marriage license application: $83
• Certified copy of marriage record: $30 to $35
• Copies per page: $0.50
• Postage and handling for mail requests: $8

Compare this to Maricopa County at $98 or Pima County at $98. Gila County offers a modest savings. If you live near the county line, you might choose Gila for the lower fee. The license works anywhere in Arizona, so it does not matter which county issues it.

Note: Always verify fees with the clerk office before your visit since they may change.

Historical Marriage Records in Gila County

The Gila County clerk office holds marriage records going back many years. For older records, the Arizona State Archives may have documents from the territorial period through 1972. Coverage varies by county. The Archives can help with genealogy research when county records do not go far back enough.

Free online databases also help with old Gila County marriage searches. FamilySearch has Arizona county marriages from 1871 to 1964. This free site includes images and an index. Ancestry has records from 1865 to 1972, but you need a subscription. These tools work well for finding great-grandparents or tracing family lines.

You can also search records in person at the clerk office for no charge. Staff will let you look through older indexes if you want to do your own research. This takes more time but costs nothing beyond a copy fee if you find what you need.

Nearby Counties for Marriage Records

Gila County borders several other Arizona counties. If you live near a county line, you have options for where to get your marriage license. Remember, the license works statewide. You can pick the county with the best hours, location, or fees for your situation.

Maricopa County sits to the southwest of Gila. It has four office locations and an online application option for Arizona residents. The fee is $98 there. Maricopa handles more marriage licenses than any other Arizona county due to its large population.

Navajo County borders Gila to the north and east. Their clerk office is in Holbrook. The fee is $98 in Navajo County. They do not accept personal checks. Clerk services are only at the Holbrook location, not at Show Low.

Graham County lies to the southeast of Gila. Their office in Safford charges $83 for a marriage license, the same as Gila County. Graham also has records going back to the 1880s.

Pinal County is to the south of Gila. They have offices in Florence, Casa Grande, and Apache Junction. The fee is $83. Pinal has lunch closures and cut-off times for license applications, so check their hours carefully.