Navajo County Marriage Records

Navajo County marriage records are filed and kept at the Clerk of Superior Court office in Holbrook. The clerk handles new license applications and stores all recorded marriage certificates for the county. If you got married in Navajo County or plan to wed here, this is where you go. The office sits at 100 East Code Talkers Drive in Holbrook, named after the famous Navajo Code Talkers of World War II. Both people who want to marry must come to the office in person. You can apply for a license, get married that same day if you want, and pick up copies of past records all at this one location.

Where to Get Navajo County Marriage Licenses

The Navajo County Clerk of Superior Court is the only place in the county to get a marriage license. The office is at 100 East Code Talkers Drive in Holbrook, right off South Highway 77. Michael Sample serves as the current clerk. His staff can help you apply for a new license, answer questions about requirements, and provide copies of old records. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. They close on legal holidays.

Show Low has a Superior Court building, but it does not offer clerk services. You cannot get a marriage license there. The Holbrook office is the only location in Navajo County that handles marriage records. If you live in Show Low, Pinetop-Lakeside, or other parts of the county, you must drive to Holbrook. Plan for the trip and bring everything you need so you do not have to make a second visit.

For mail, send requests to P.O. Box 668, Holbrook, AZ 86025. The physical address works for walk-in visits only.

Applying for a Marriage License in Navajo County

Both people must appear in person at the Holbrook office. You cannot send one person alone to apply. Each person needs valid photo ID that shows their date of birth. A driver's license works well. A passport or state ID card is fine too. The clerk checks your ID to confirm who you are and that you meet the age rules.

The fee for a Navajo County marriage license is $98. This matches what larger counties like Maricopa and Pima charge. The office accepts cash, money orders, and debit or credit cards. They do not accept personal checks for marriage licenses. Bring one of the accepted payment forms to avoid problems at the counter. Once you pay and sign the paperwork, the clerk issues your license that same day.

The page above shows the official county requirements. Both parties need ID. Both must fill out an application and sign it under oath. The license is issued on the spot.

Under A.R.S. 25-121, you must provide your Social Security number to the clerk. This information stays confidential and is not released to the public. The law requires it for child support enforcement purposes, but otherwise the number is protected. Arizona has no blood test requirement and no waiting period. You can marry the same day you get your license if you find an officiant right away.

How Long a Navajo County Marriage License Lasts

Your license is good for 12 months from the date of issue. Use it anywhere in Arizona during that time. It does not matter that Navajo County issued it. You could hold your wedding in Phoenix, Tucson, or any other part of the state. The license works statewide. If 12 months pass and you have not married, the license expires. You would need to apply again and pay the $98 fee once more.

After the ceremony, the person who performed the wedding fills out the bottom part of the license. They sign it and have two adult witnesses sign as well. Under A.R.S. 25-123, the officiant must return the signed license to the Navajo County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk then records it. This creates the official record of your marriage. If the officiant fails to return the license, it can cause problems later when you need proof you got married.

Getting Copies of Navajo County Marriage Records

The clerk provides copies of marriage certificates on file. Contact the Navajo County Clerk office at 928-524-4188 to ask about fees and how to request a copy. You can visit in person or call to start the process. Have the names of both spouses ready. The date of marriage helps narrow the search. If you do not know the exact date, give at least the year.

Some Arizona counties let you search records yourself for free if you come to the office. Check with Navajo County staff about this option. Walking through old record books takes time, but it costs nothing if the county allows public research access. This works well for genealogy projects where you want to dig through multiple years of records.

The clerk homepage shows contact details and links to various services including marriage records.

Note: Call ahead to confirm current copy fees before visiting or mailing a request.

Who Can Perform Weddings in Navajo County

A.R.S. 25-124 lists who may officiate marriages in Arizona. The rules apply everywhere in the state, including Navajo County. Licensed or ordained clergy can marry couples. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Many couples choose a member of the clergy from their faith community.

Judges have authority to perform weddings too. Superior Court judges, Court of Appeals judges, and Supreme Court justices can all officiate. Justices of the peace handle many civil ceremonies. Municipal court judges work as well. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can marry people in Arizona.

Arizona has a unique rule that sets it apart from most states. Notaries public can perform marriages here. The notary must be commissioned and live in Arizona. This gives couples another option if they want a simple civil ceremony without a judge or clergy member. Any of these authorized officiants can sign your Navajo County marriage license after the ceremony.

Age Rules for Marriage in Navajo County

You must be at least 18 to marry without parental consent. This is the legal age of majority in Arizona. If both people are 18 or older, they can apply for a license on their own. No parent or guardian needs to be involved.

If you are 16 or 17, you can still marry but need extra steps. A parent or guardian who has custody must consent to the marriage in writing. They may need to come to the clerk office with you. There is another catch. The person you marry cannot be more than three years older than you. This rule protects young people from uneven relationships.

Arizona changed its marriage laws in 2018. A.R.S. 25-129 now bans marriage for anyone under 16. The clerk cannot issue a license to someone who is 15 or younger. This law aims to stop child marriages and protect minors. Navajo County follows this state rule like all other Arizona counties.

Are Navajo County Marriage Records Public

Yes. Marriage records in Arizona are public records. A.R.S. 39-121 says public records must be open for inspection during office hours. Anyone can ask to see marriage records at the Navajo County Clerk office. You do not need to be one of the people who got married. You do not have to give a reason for your request.

This differs from birth and death records. The Arizona health department limits who can get those. But marriage licenses filed with the Superior Court are treated as regular court documents. The public has broad access. Social Security numbers are kept confidential, but other details like names and dates are available.

A.R.S. 25-130 allows the clerk to issue an abstract of marriage. This is a summary that includes the bride's name before marriage, the groom's name, the date of marriage, and when the record was filed. An abstract serves as official proof of marriage for most uses. It often costs less than a full copy of the original license.

Historical Navajo County Marriage Records

The Arizona State Archives holds old marriage records from across the state. Their holdings cover 1864 to 1972, though coverage varies by county. Navajo County was created from Apache County in 1895. Records from before that time would be with Apache County. Check with the Archives about what they have for Navajo County specifically.

For genealogy research, several online databases can help. FamilySearch offers Arizona county marriages from 1871 to 1964 for free. Ancestry has Arizona marriage records from 1865 to 1972, but requires a subscription. These tools let you search from home without traveling to the courthouse. The images and indexes make it easy to find ancestors who married in Arizona long ago.

You can also visit the Navajo County Clerk office in Holbrook to search old records in person. Staff may allow public access to historical record books. Call 928-524-4188 first to ask about research options and what years of records they have on site.

Navajo County Clerk Contact Details

Reach the Navajo County Clerk of Superior Court by phone or mail for marriage record questions.

• Physical Address: 100 East Code Talkers Drive, Holbrook, AZ 86025
• Mailing Address: P.O. Box 668, Holbrook, AZ 86025
• Phone: 928-524-4188
• Clerk: Michael Sample
• Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM

The office sits on South Highway 77, making it easy to find from the main road through Holbrook. Parking is available on site. Bring valid ID and your payment when you visit for a marriage license. Remember that Show Low does not have a clerk office for marriage services. Holbrook is your only option in Navajo County.

Note: The clerk does not accept personal checks for marriage licenses, only cash, money orders, or cards.

Search Navajo County Court Records Online

The Arizona Courts website provides a locator tool for finding court information statewide. You can look up the Navajo County Superior Court address and phone number there. Some basic case information may be searchable online through statewide court record portals.

The Arizona eAccess Portal offers access to court documents from various counties. Check if Navajo County participates in this system for marriage record searches. Online access saves a trip to Holbrook if you just need to verify basic information about a marriage record.

For detailed copies with certification, you still need to contact the clerk directly. Online tools work best for simple lookups and research. Official certified copies for legal use require going through the clerk office by mail or in person.

Nearby Counties for Marriage Records

Navajo County shares borders with several other Arizona counties. If you need marriage records from a neighboring area, these links take you to the right pages. Remember that an Arizona marriage license works anywhere in the state. You could get your license in one county and marry in another without any problem.

Apache County sits to the east of Navajo County. The two counties were once a single unit before Navajo County split off in 1895. Coconino County is to the north and west. It includes Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon area. Gila County is to the south, with offices in Globe and Payson. Each of these counties has its own Clerk of Superior Court for marriage services.