Maricopa County Marriage Records

Maricopa County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in Phoenix. This is Arizona's largest county by population, and the clerk office handles thousands of marriage license applications each year. The main office is located at 601 W. Jackson Street in downtown Phoenix, with satellite locations in Mesa, Surprise, and north Phoenix. You can apply for a new marriage license or request copies of existing marriage certificates at any of these locations. The clerk also offers an online marriage license program for Arizona residents who want to skip the office visit.

Maricopa Clerk of Superior Court

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court is your primary source for marriage records in this county. The clerk maintains all marriage licenses issued in Maricopa County. They record completed marriages after the ceremony. They also provide certified copies for those who need proof of marriage for legal or personal use.

The downtown Phoenix office at 601 W. Jackson Street serves as the main customer service center. Hours run Monday through Friday, and you can call (602) 372-5375 with questions. The phone line also works as (602) 37-CLERK for easy recall. Staff can help you check if a marriage record exists and explain how to get a copy. Walk-ins are welcome, but booking an appointment ahead of time can reduce your wait.

Maricopa County has four locations where you can apply for a marriage license. The downtown center in Phoenix is the busiest. The Northeast Regional Court at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix serves the north valley. The Northwest Regional Court at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise covers the west valley. The Southeast Regional Court Center at 222 E. Javelina in Mesa handles east valley residents. Pick the location most handy for you.

Getting a Maricopa Marriage License

Both people must show up in person to apply for a marriage license. You cannot send someone else. Bring valid government photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The state also accepts Matricula Consular ID cards from foreign governments that use biometric checks. Under A.R.S. 25-121, each applicant must give their Social Security number to the clerk. This info stays private and is not released to the public.

The fee for a Maricopa County marriage license is $98. You can pay with cash, credit card, or money order. Personal checks may not be accepted, so bring another form of payment. Once you pay, the clerk issues your license the same day. You can marry right away if you want. The license stays good for one full year from the date you get it. Use it anywhere in Arizona during that time.

No blood test is needed. There is no wait period. Couples can get married on the same day they receive their license. You will need two witnesses at your ceremony who are at least 18 years old. After the wedding, whoever performs the ceremony must sign the license and send it back to the clerk within 30 days. This step is required by A.R.S. 25-123 to make the marriage a matter of public record.

Note: The license expires after 12 months if not used, and you would need to reapply and pay again.

Online Marriage License Program

Arizona residents have a handy option in Maricopa County. The online marriage license program lets you apply from home. No office visit is needed. Both applicants must be Arizona residents with valid ID. Your ceremony date needs to be at least 30 days away to use this method.

The clerk reviews online applications within 7 to 10 business days. Once approved, you receive your license by mail. This works well for couples who have planned their wedding date in advance. If you need the license sooner, go to one of the in-person locations instead. The online option does not work for minors, covenant marriages, or couples who are related.

You can book appointments for in-person visits through the Maricopa County appointment system. This online tool shows open time slots at each location. Picking an appointment cuts down on wait time at the office. The screenshot below shows the appointment booking page.

The appointment system displays available dates and times for all four Maricopa County locations. Select your preferred office and pick a slot that works for your schedule.

Maricopa Marriage Record Copies

Need a copy of an existing Maricopa County marriage certificate? The clerk can help. Certified copies cost $35.50 if you include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. Without the envelope, the fee jumps to $43.50 to cover postage and handling. You can also visit an office in person and get copies while you wait.

To request copies, you need basic info about the marriage. Have the names of both spouses ready. Know the year or approximate date of the marriage. If you do not know the year, the clerk charges an extra $35 per year to search. The clerk's website has forms you can use to submit your request by mail or online.

Marriage records in Arizona are public. Under A.R.S. 39-121, anyone can request to see public records during office hours. You do not have to be one of the married parties. You do not need to state why you want the record. 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.

Age Rules for Maricopa Marriages

The legal age to marry in Arizona is 18. Anyone 18 or older can apply for a marriage license on their own. No parent approval is needed. Bring your ID and Social Security number. The clerk will issue the license that day if all is in order.

Applicants aged 16 or 17 face extra steps. You need either a notarized consent form from a parent or guardian, or a certified copy of an emancipation order. Bring a copy of your birth certificate and a government photo ID. There is also a limit on partner age. The person you want to marry cannot be more than three years older than you. This rule protects teens from exploitation.

Anyone under 16 cannot marry in Arizona. This ban took effect on August 3, 2018 under A.R.S. 25-129. The law makes it a crime for a clerk to knowingly issue a license to someone under 16. Maricopa County follows this rule strictly. There are no exceptions.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Maricopa County

Arizona law sets clear rules for who can officiate a wedding. A.R.S. 25-124 lists the authorized people. Licensed or ordained clergy can perform marriages. Judges from the state Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, and Superior Court are allowed. Justices of the peace and municipal court judges can also do it.

Arizona has a unique rule that other states lack. Notaries public can perform weddings here. The notary must be commissioned and reside in Arizona. This gives couples more choices for their ceremony location and style. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges are also on the list. With so many options, finding someone to marry you in Maricopa County is straightforward.

Note: The officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 30 days after the ceremony.

Maricopa Electronic Court Records

The Maricopa County Electronic Court Records system gives online access to many court documents. You can search for case information from your home computer. The system covers civil, criminal, family, and probate cases. Some marriage-related documents may be viewable there as well.

Access to electronic records may require registration or a fee for certain documents. Basic case search is often free. Full document views may cost extra. The clerk's website has details on what is available online and what fees apply. For the most complete Maricopa County marriage records, contacting the clerk office directly is still the best route. The statewide Arizona eAccess Portal also provides court records from across the state, with subscriptions for regular users or one-time fees for occasional access.

Cities in Maricopa County

Maricopa County is home to many of Arizona's largest cities. Phoenix, the state capital, anchors the county. Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Scottsdale, Glendale, Tempe, Peoria, Surprise, Goodyear, Avondale, and Buckeye are all in Maricopa County. None of these cities issue marriage licenses on their own. All residents must use the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court.

Some city facilities are deputized to issue licenses on behalf of the county. Chandler City Hall and the San Tan Justice Court can help Chandler area residents. The Highland Justice Court serves Gilbert. Glendale has its own justice court location. Buckeye's municipal court offers marriage license services. If one of these local spots is closer to you, call ahead to confirm they are still issuing licenses and check their hours.

Major Maricopa County cities with population over 50,000:

Nearby Arizona Counties

Maricopa County borders several other Arizona counties. If you live near the county line, you may find another clerk office more convenient. Remember that a marriage license from any Arizona county is valid statewide. You can get your license in one county and marry in another with no problem.

Counties adjacent to Maricopa include Pinal County to the southeast, Yavapai County to the north, La Paz County to the west, and Gila County to the east. Pinal County charges $83 for a marriage license, which is less than Maricopa's $98 fee. If saving money matters to you and a Pinal County office is close, that could be worth the trip.

Maricopa County Clerk Contact Info

The main Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court office is in downtown Phoenix. Here are the contact details and addresses for all four locations.

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

Northeast Regional Court
18380 N. 40th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85032

Northwest Regional Court
14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane, Surprise, AZ 85374

Southeast Regional Court Center
222 E. Javelina, Mesa, AZ 85210

Office hours are generally Monday through Friday during business hours. Call ahead or check the Maricopa County Clerk website to confirm current hours for the location you plan to visit. Parking downtown costs around $12, so factor that into your trip if you go to the Jackson Street office.