Greenlee County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Greenlee County are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court in Clifton. This small county sits in the far east corner of Arizona. It is the state's smallest county by population. Despite its size, the clerk office offers the same services as larger counties. You can apply for a new marriage license or request copies of past records. The office staff can help you search for old marriages that go back to the 1900s. All records are kept at the courthouse on 5th Street in Clifton. Walk-ins are welcome during normal business hours.

Greenlee County Marriage License Process

Getting a marriage license in Greenlee County is a simple process. Both people must show up together. You cannot send just one person. The clerk needs to see both of you in person before issuing the license. Bring valid photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. You will also need to give your Social Security number to the clerk, though this information stays private under Arizona law.

The fee for a Greenlee County marriage license is $83. This is lower than some of the bigger counties in Arizona. You can pay with cash, credit card, debit card, or money order. Make checks out to the Clerk of the Superior Court. The office does not require a blood test. There is no waiting period either. Your license comes out the same day you apply. Once you have it, the license is good for 12 months and works anywhere in Arizona.

Under A.R.S. § 25-121, both parties must sign an affidavit under oath. This confirms all your information is true. The legal age to marry on your own is 18. Teens aged 16 or 17 can marry with a parent's written consent, and the other person cannot be more than three years older.

Greenlee County Clerk of Superior Court

The Greenlee County Clerk of Superior Court handles all marriage records for the county. The current clerk is Madeline Montoya. Her office is the only place in Greenlee County where you can get a marriage license or request copies of marriage records. There are no satellite offices or justice courts that handle marriages here.

The official Greenlee County Clerk website provides details about services and fees. You can check hours and find forms there before your visit.

The screenshot above shows the Greenlee County Clerk portal. It lists contact info and links to marriage license details.

Office hours run Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The office closes on state holidays. Call ahead if you plan to visit, especially if you have questions about documents or fees. Staff members can tell you what to bring and what to expect.

• Physical Address: 223 5th Street, Clifton, AZ 85533
• Mailing Address: PO Box 1027, Clifton, AZ 85533
• Phone: (928) 865-4242
• Email: greenleeSC@courts.az.gov
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note: Walk-ins are accepted but calling first can save you time if you need specific documents.

Getting Copies of Greenlee Marriage Records

You can request copies of past marriage records from the Greenlee County clerk. Records go back as far as the 1900s. To get a copy, you need to provide the names of both people who got married. Knowing the date or at least the year of marriage helps speed up the search. If you do not know the year, the clerk may charge an extra fee to search multiple years.

A certified copy costs $30. This is an official document with the clerk's seal. It works for legal purposes like name changes, immigration, or proving your marriage. You can request copies in person at the Clifton office. You may also be able to send a request by mail. Call the office at (928) 865-4242 to ask about mail requests and what forms of payment they accept.

Under A.R.S. § 25-130, the clerk can issue an abstract of marriage instead of copying the full license. This abstract shows the bride's name before marriage, the groom's name, the date of marriage, and when it was recorded. An abstract serves as proof of marriage for most needs.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Greenlee County

Arizona law lists who may perform a marriage ceremony. A.R.S. § 25-124 covers this. Ordained or licensed clergy can marry couples. Judges from Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court are also allowed. Justices of the peace and municipal court judges may officiate too.

Arizona has a rule that other states lack. Notaries public who live in Arizona can perform weddings. This gives couples more choices for their ceremony. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can also officiate.

After the wedding, the person who performed it must sign the license. Two adult witnesses also sign. Then, under A.R.S. § 25-123, the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 30 days. The clerk records it as part of the county's permanent marriage files. Failure to return the license on time can cause problems later when you need proof of your marriage.

Greenlee County Marriage License Information

The county's official marriage license page on the Greenlee County website provides complete details about the application process. It lists the fee, what ID to bring, and how to request copies of older records.

The image above shows the official Greenlee County marriage license page. It confirms the $83 fee and explains that both parties must appear in person. The page also notes that records date back to the early 1900s.

All marriage record requests go through this office. Whether you need a new license or a copy of a past marriage, the Clifton courthouse is your only stop in Greenlee County. The staff can help with questions about fees, forms, and what documents you need.

Are Greenlee Marriage Records Public

Yes, marriage records are public in Arizona. A.R.S. § 39-121 says that public records must be open for anyone to see during office hours. Marriage licenses filed with the Greenlee County clerk fall under this rule. You can ask to view them even if you were not part of the marriage. You do not have to explain why you want to see the record.

This is different from birth and death records in Arizona. Those are kept by the state health department and have limits on who can get copies. Marriage records stay at the county level. They are treated like other court documents. The main exception is Social Security numbers. Those stay private under state law, but most other details on the license are viewable by the public.

Marriage Records in Nearby Counties

Greenlee County borders a few other Arizona counties. If you cannot find the record you need in Greenlee, the marriage may have taken place in a nearby county. Each county clerk keeps its own separate records. You need to contact the right county for your search.

Graham County sits to the west of Greenlee. Their clerk office is in Safford. Graham also charges $83 for a marriage license and $30 for certified copies. They have records going back to the 1880s.

Apache County borders Greenlee to the north. The clerk office is in St. Johns. Apache County charges $98 for a marriage license. Their certified copies cost $30, plus a $30 search fee if you do not know the case number.

Cochise County lies to the south. They have offices in both Bisbee and Sierra Vista. Cochise charges $98 for a license. They offer an eAccess online portal where you can search some court records.

Arizona marriage licenses work statewide. It does not matter which county issued the license. You can marry anywhere in the state. But when you need a copy later, you must contact the county that issued it. Records stay with that county clerk.

Note: Call the clerk office in each county to confirm fees before you visit, as costs can change.

Tips for Greenlee County Marriage Records

A few things can make your visit to the Greenlee County clerk go more smoothly. First, bring the right ID. A driver's license or passport works best. Make sure it is not expired. You need to show proof of your identity and age. The clerk will not issue a license without valid ID for both people.

Know your Social Security number. Arizona law requires you to provide it. The clerk keeps this confidential under A.R.S. § 25-121, so it will not appear on the public record. If you do not have a Social Security number, tell the clerk.

Bring cash or a card. The $83 license fee is due when you apply. You walk out the same day with your license in hand. No need to come back later. The license lasts 12 months, so you have plenty of time to plan your ceremony. Just remember that the officiant must return the signed license within 30 days after the wedding.