Santa Cruz County Marriage Records

Santa Cruz County marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court in Nogales. This border county office serves couples looking to get married or find past marriage documents. The staff offers Spanish translation services for those who need help with the process. You can visit in person to apply for a new license or request copies of older records. The courthouse sits on Congress Drive and handles all filings for the county. Whether you need a fresh license or proof of an old marriage, this is where to start your search in Santa Cruz County.

Santa Cruz County Clerk of Superior Court

The Santa Cruz County Clerk of Superior Court handles all marriage license matters for this area. Juan Pablo Guzman serves as the current clerk. The office sits at 2160 N. Congress Drive, Suite 2200, in Nogales, Arizona 85621. This is where you go to apply for a new marriage license or pick up certified copies of existing records. The building is easy to find along Congress Drive near the main courthouse complex.

Hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on state holidays and weekends. Phone the clerk at 520-375-7700 if you have questions before your visit. Staff can confirm what you need to bring and answer basic questions about fees. The fax number is 520-375-7703 for sending documents.

Mail requests go to P.O. Box 1265, Nogales, AZ 85628. Use this address when sending payment for copies or submitting forms by post. Include your return address and contact info so staff can reach you if needed.

How to Get a Marriage License in Santa Cruz County

Getting a marriage license requires both people to show up at the clerk office together. You cannot apply alone. Arizona law under A.R.S. 25-121 says both parties must appear in person and sign an affidavit under oath. The clerk verifies your identity and age before issuing the license. Plan to spend about 20 to 30 minutes at the office once you arrive.

Bring valid government-issued photo ID for both people. A driver's license works well. Passports and state ID cards are also fine. You must provide your Social Security number if you have one. This info stays private and does not show on the marriage license itself. The clerk keeps it separate per state law for child support enforcement uses only. If you lack a Social Security number, let the clerk know when you apply.

The fee for a Santa Cruz County marriage license is $83. Pay by cash, money order, or cashier's check. Check with the office about credit card options before you go. Once you pay and complete the forms, you get your license the same day. No waiting period applies. You can marry that afternoon if you want.

Note: Your Santa Cruz County marriage license is valid for 12 months and works anywhere in Arizona.

Santa Cruz County Marriage License Resources

The official Santa Cruz County website provides key details about getting a marriage license in Nogales. It covers fees, ID requirements, and what to expect at the clerk office.

The page above shows the clerk office contact info and basic steps for applying. Couples planning a wedding in Santa Cruz County should review this before their visit. It lists what documents you need to bring along.

Spanish Translation Services Available

Santa Cruz County sits on the Mexico border. Many residents speak Spanish as their first language. The clerk office offers Spanish translation services to help people through the marriage license process. If you need help with forms or have questions in Spanish, let the staff know when you arrive. They can assist you.

This makes Santa Cruz County stand out from some other Arizona counties. Not all clerk offices have bilingual staff ready to help. If you or your partner feels more comfortable working in Spanish, this office can make the process smoother. Just ask at the counter.

Santa Cruz County Marriage License Return Rules

After your wedding ceremony, the person who married you must complete the license. They sign it and fill in the date and location of the ceremony. Two witnesses age 18 or older also sign the document. This completed license then goes back to the Santa Cruz County Clerk for recording.

Here is something important to know. Santa Cruz County requires the signed license back within 20 days of the ceremony. This is shorter than the 30-day window that applies in most Arizona counties under A.R.S. 25-123. The county website states ministers must return it within 20 days. Make sure your officiant knows this deadline. Late returns can cause problems when you need to prove your marriage later.

Once the clerk records the license, your marriage becomes part of the official Santa Cruz County records. The clerk files the original document. You can then request certified copies whenever you need them.

Marriage Requirements in Santa Cruz County

Arizona sets the rules for who can marry. Santa Cruz County follows these state laws. The legal age is 18 to marry on your own. Anyone 16 or 17 needs written consent from a parent or guardian. Under a law passed in 2018, nobody under 16 can marry in Arizona at all.

For minors age 16 or 17, additional rules apply. The older spouse cannot be more than three years older than the younger one. A parent or guardian must give consent in writing. The clerk checks these requirements carefully before issuing a license to anyone under 18.

No blood test is required. Arizona dropped that rule years ago. There is no waiting period between getting the license and having your ceremony. You can wed the same day if you have an officiant ready. Two witnesses must attend and sign the license. They need to be at least 18 years old.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Santa Cruz County

A.R.S. 25-124 lists who can marry couples in Arizona. Ordained or licensed clergy from any religion can perform weddings. Judges from Superior Court, the Court of Appeals, and the Arizona Supreme Court can officiate too. Justices of the peace also have this power.

Arizona is one of the few states where notaries public can perform marriages. The notary must hold a current commission in Arizona. This gives couples more options when picking someone to lead their ceremony. Municipal court judges and federal bankruptcy judges round out the list of authorized officiants.

After the wedding, the officiant completes the license. They record the date, location, and their own info. Then they sign it. Remember that Santa Cruz County has a 20-day return deadline. The officiant must send the completed license to the clerk within that time. Failure to do so creates problems for the couple later when they need proof of their union.

Getting Copies of Santa Cruz County Marriage Records

Certified copies of Santa Cruz County marriage records cost $34.50. This fee covers the clerk's certification stamp that makes the document official for legal uses. You need certified copies for things like name changes, passport applications, and immigration paperwork. A plain photocopy will not work for those purposes.

Request copies in person at the clerk office for the fastest service. Bring the names of both spouses and the date of marriage if you know it. The clerk searches the records and can often make copies while you wait. Walk out with your documents the same day in most cases.

Mail requests take longer. Send your request to P.O. Box 1265, Nogales, AZ 85628. Include payment for the certified copy fee plus any handling charges. Provide the names of both parties, the marriage date, and your return address. Processing by mail can take a week or more depending on how busy the office is.

Searching Santa Cruz County Marriage Records

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

When searching for a record, provide as much detail as you can. The last name of one spouse is the minimum. First names help narrow results. The date or year of marriage makes the search faster. Without good info, the clerk may need to look through multiple years of files. This takes more time and could add research fees to your request.

Visit the clerk office in person to search records yourself at no charge. Staff can point you to the right files. Bring paper and pen to write down case numbers for any records you want copies of. Once you have the case number, ordering copies goes much quicker.

Marriage Records in Nogales

Nogales is the county seat of Santa Cruz County. All marriage license business for this area goes through the Nogales courthouse. The city itself does not issue marriage documents. If you live in Nogales or plan to wed there, you file your license with the county clerk.

The border location makes this office unique. Many couples from Mexico come here to marry. The Spanish translation services help smooth the process for those who need it. The clerk staff is used to working with people from both sides of the border.

Parking near the courthouse is available. The building on Congress Drive has spots for visitors. Arrive a bit early to find a space and allow time to get through security before your appointment at the clerk window.

Nearby Counties for Marriage Records

Santa Cruz County borders two other Arizona counties. If you married elsewhere in southern Arizona, you may need to contact a different clerk office. Each county keeps its own marriage records. Your license is only on file in the county where it was recorded.

Neighboring counties include:

• Pima County to the north, covering Tucson and the surrounding area
• Cochise County to the east, covering Sierra Vista and Bisbee

Think about where your ceremony took place. The officiant should have returned the signed license to that county's clerk. If you are not sure which county has your record, start by calling the county where you got married. They can confirm whether your marriage is on file there.

Arizona Marriage Laws That Apply in Santa Cruz County

Several Arizona statutes govern marriage records. Under A.R.S. 25-129, it is a crime for a clerk to issue a license to someone under 18 without proper parental consent. Making false entries on a marriage record is also illegal. Violations can result in misdemeanor charges.

The A.R.S. 25-130 statute allows clerks to issue an abstract of marriage in place of a full copy of the original license. The abstract includes the names of both parties, the date of marriage, and when the license was recorded. Some people prefer this shorter document for basic proof of marriage.

Santa Cruz County follows all state marriage laws. The clerk office enforces age limits, ID requirements, and return deadlines. If you have questions about specific rules, the staff can explain how they apply to your situation. They deal with these laws every day and know the details well.