Pima County Marriage Records

Pima County marriage records are maintained by the Clerk of Superior Court in downtown Tucson. Couples who wed in Pima County file their license with this office, and the clerk keeps the original on record. You can request certified copies of marriage certificates for legal use or obtain new licenses at the courthouse. The office also handles research requests for older marriages going back many decades. Staff can help you find what you need whether you visit in person, call, or send a mail request.

Pima County Clerk of Superior Court

The Pima County Clerk of Superior Court handles all marriage license requests. Their main office sits at 110 W. Congress Street, Room 241, in downtown Tucson. This is the spot where you apply for a new license or get copies of past records. The building is the historic Pima County Courthouse. Finding the right room is easy once you enter.

Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. You can apply for a marriage license from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. The office stays closed on state holidays. Plan your visit so you have time to complete the paperwork before the day ends. Arriving early helps avoid lines, especially on Fridays when more couples tend to stop in.

Reach the clerk by phone at (520) 724-3200 for general questions. The Legal Records department has its own line at (520) 724-3240. You can fax requests to (520) 724-3531. For email contact, use COCLegalRecordsWeb@sc.pima.gov when asking about copies of existing records.

How to Get a Marriage License in Pima County

Getting a marriage license in Pima County takes just one visit. Both people must show up together. You cannot send a friend or apply alone. The clerk needs to see both parties in person to issue the license. Once there, you fill out the application and sign an affidavit under oath.

Bring two forms of ID when you come. One must have your photo. A driver's license works well. Passports and military IDs are also fine. You need your Social Security card too. Foreign-born applicants without a Social Security number can write "none" on the form. The clerk checks your documents and confirms your age before processing the application. If you look under 21, staff may ask for extra proof of age even if you are older.

The Pima County marriage license application is available for download on the county website. Filling it out before you arrive saves time. The Pima County Marriage License page has the worksheet you need. Print it, complete each section, and bring it with you. This cuts down your wait at the counter.

The fee for a Pima County marriage license is $98. You must pay by money order or cashier's check. The office does not take personal checks for new licenses. Credit and debit cards are accepted in some cases. Confirm payment options before your visit. Once you pay and sign, you receive your license the same day.

Note: Your Pima County marriage license is valid for 12 months and can be used anywhere in Arizona.

Pima County Marriage License Resources

The official Pima County website has detailed instructions for couples seeking a marriage license. It covers what to bring, where to go, and current fees.

The page above shows the main county resource. It lists ID requirements, office locations, and what forms to complete before you visit.

Arizona law under A.R.S. 25-121 requires both applicants to appear in person. The statute also requires you to provide your Social Security number to the clerk. This info stays confidential and does not appear on the marriage license itself. The clerk keeps it separate for child support enforcement purposes only.

Pima County Marriage Requirements

Arizona sets clear rules for marriage licenses. In Pima County, you follow the same state requirements as everywhere else. The legal age to marry is 18. Anyone 16 or 17 needs written consent from a parent or guardian. Under a 2018 law, nobody under 16 can marry in Arizona at all. This applies in Pima County and every other county.

No blood test is needed. Arizona dropped that rule long ago. There is no waiting period either. You can marry the same day you pick up your license if you want. Many couples do exactly that. Just make sure you have an officiant ready to perform the ceremony.

Two witnesses age 18 or older must sign your marriage certificate. The officiant also signs. Under A.R.S. 25-123, the person who performs your wedding has 30 days to return the signed license to the Pima County Clerk. Once recorded, your marriage becomes part of the official county records. Failure to return the license on time creates problems later when you need proof of your union.

Getting Copies of Pima County Marriage Records

You can request certified copies of marriage records from the Pima County Clerk. A certified copy costs $30 plus $0.50 per page. This fee covers the clerk's certification stamp that makes the document official. Most legal uses require a certified copy rather than a plain photocopy. Banks, passport offices, and name change forms usually need the certified version.

In-person requests are the fastest option. Visit the clerk office during business hours. Give them the names of both spouses and the date of marriage. If you know the case number, that speeds things up. The clerk can often pull the record and make copies while you wait. Walk out with your documents in hand the same day in most cases.

Mail and fax requests are also possible. Send your request to the Legal Records department. Include a check or money order for $30 plus $0.50 per page. Add $7 for handling and postage if you want them to mail the copies back to you. Provide the names of both parties and the marriage date. Processing takes longer by mail, usually a week or more depending on workload. You can download the Request for Copies of Court Records form from the clerk website.

Note: Pima County marriage records begin with the prefix "ML" in the court system.

Pima Library Marriage Guide

The Pima County Library maintains a helpful guide about getting married in the area. It breaks down the steps in plain terms.

Library staff put together this page as a community resource. It covers the basics without legal jargon. New couples find it useful for quick answers.

How to Search Pima County Marriage Records

Searching for marriage records in Pima County starts with knowing some key details. At minimum you need the last name of one spouse. First names help narrow results. The date or year of marriage makes the search faster. Without this info, the clerk may charge a research fee to look through multiple years of files.

The Pima County court system uses an online case search tool. You can look up records from your computer before visiting in person. Enter the last name in the search field. Set the option to search by name rather than case number. Results show matching cases with basic details. Marriage records in Pima County use the prefix "ML" at the start of the case number. Divorce records use "D" instead. This tip helps you spot the right record type.

Free searches are available if you visit the courthouse. You can use public terminals to look through records at no cost. Staff may help point you in the right direction. Bring a pen and paper to write down case numbers for any records you want copies of. Once you have the case number, requesting copies goes much quicker.

Marriage licenses are public records in Arizona. Under A.R.S. 39-121, any person can inspect public records during office hours. You do not need to be related to the parties. You do not need to state a reason for your request. The clerk must allow access to these files.

Arizona Court Help for Pima Marriage

The AZ Court Help website offers guidance specific to Pima County marriages. The Arizona Bar Foundation runs this free resource.

This page answers common questions about the local process. It links to forms and explains fees in straightforward language. People new to Arizona find it especially helpful.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Pima County

A.R.S. 25-124 lists the people authorized to marry couples in Arizona. This applies across Pima County and statewide. Ordained or licensed clergy can officiate. Judges from the Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court can too. Justices of the peace work as well.

Arizona allows notaries public to perform weddings. This is rare among states. The notary must hold a current Arizona commission. Municipal court judges can also marry couples. Federal judges like bankruptcy court judges have this power too. The wide range of options gives couples flexibility in choosing who leads their ceremony.

After the wedding, the officiant fills in the marriage license. They sign it along with two witnesses. The completed license must go back to the Pima County Clerk within 30 days. The clerk records it and files the original. This step creates the official record of your marriage. Without it, you may struggle to prove you are married later on.

Marriage Licenses at Ajo Justice Court

Pima County residents in the western part of the county have another option. The Ajo Justice Court can issue marriage licenses. This saves a long drive to Tucson for people living near Ajo. Both parties must still appear together in person. The same ID requirements apply.

The Ajo location offers marriage license services Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Fees match the main courthouse at $98. Call ahead to confirm hours since smaller court locations sometimes adjust schedules. Having a closer option helps couples in rural Pima County.

Tucson Marriage Records

Tucson is the largest city in Pima County. Residents here file for marriage licenses at the Pima County Clerk of Superior Court downtown. The city itself does not issue marriage documents. All marriage records for Tucson go through the county system. Learn more about local options on our Tucson marriage records page.

Parking downtown can be tricky. The El Presidio parking garage sits close to the courthouse. Look for the southeast corner entrance for the shortest walk to the Superior Court building. Street parking is limited but possible if you arrive early. Some visitors use rideshare services to avoid parking fees.

Nearby Counties for Marriage Records

Several counties border Pima County. If you married elsewhere in southern Arizona, you may need to contact a different clerk office. Each county keeps its own records. Your marriage certificate is only on file in the county where it was recorded.

Neighboring counties include:

• Pinal County to the north, covering Casa Grande and Florence
• Cochise County to the east, covering Sierra Vista and Bisbee
• Santa Cruz County to the south, covering Nogales
• Maricopa County to the northwest, covering Phoenix and Mesa

If you are unsure where the marriage was filed, think about where the ceremony took place. The officiant should have returned the license to that county's clerk. Contact that county to verify they have the record.