Yavapai County Marriage Records

Yavapai County marriage records are kept by the Clerk of Superior Court at two office locations in Arizona's central highlands. The clerk handles all marriage license applications and stores past marriage certificates for public access. Couples can apply for a new license or request copies of old records at either the Prescott or Camp Verde office. The county seat in Prescott serves as the main hub for these services, though the Camp Verde location offers the same options. Searching for Yavapai County marriage records starts with knowing the year of the event and the names on the license. Staff can help you find what you need during regular business hours at either office.

Yavapai County Clerk of Superior Court

The Yavapai County Clerk of Superior Court is the only office that issues marriage licenses in this county. They also keep all marriage records on file. This includes licenses issued decades ago and those from last week. The clerk serves as the official keeper of these public documents under Arizona law.

Yavapai County runs two clerk office locations. The main office sits in Prescott at 120 S. Cortez Street. A second office operates in Camp Verde at 2840 N. Commonwealth Drive. Both can help with marriage licenses and record requests. Pick the location that works best for you. Hours and services are the same at both spots.

Getting a marriage license in Yavapai County requires both people to show up. You cannot send just one person. Bring valid photo ID like a driver's license or passport. Have your Social Security number ready too. The clerk needs this information to process your application under A.R.S. § 25-121. Your Social Security number stays confidential and will not appear on public records.

The Yavapai County clerk website shown above provides full details on marriage license requirements and fees for residents and visitors.

Applying for a Yavapai Marriage License

The fee for a Yavapai County marriage license is $98. You can pay with cash, money order, or credit card. The office does not accept personal checks for license fees. Bring the exact payment method you plan to use when you visit. Both applicants must be present at the time of application.

Arizona has no waiting period. You can get married the same day you pick up your license. The license is valid for 12 months from the date it was issued. If you do not use it within one year, it expires. You would then need to apply again and pay another $98 fee. This gives couples plenty of time to plan their ceremony.

No blood test is required in Arizona. No residency requirement exists either. Out of state visitors can obtain a Yavapai County marriage license just like locals. The license is good anywhere in Arizona. You can marry in any of the state's 15 counties with a Yavapai license. This flexibility helps couples who want to wed in places like Sedona or Jerome, which sit within Yavapai County.

Two witnesses must sign your marriage certificate. They need to be at least 18 years old. The person who performs your ceremony also signs the license. Under A.R.S. § 25-123, the officiant must return the signed license to the clerk within 30 days. The clerk then records it as an official marriage record.

Note: Yavapai County also offers Covenant Marriage licenses for $98 and Covenant Marriage conversion for $35 if you are already married.

Age Rules for Marriage in Yavapai County

The legal age to marry without parental consent is 18. This applies across all Arizona counties including Yavapai. If you are 18 or older, you just need your ID and Social Security number. The process is straightforward for adults.

Applicants who are 16 or 17 face additional requirements. At least one parent or guardian must give written consent. The clerk office has a consent form for this purpose. The parent or guardian may need to appear in person at the clerk office. Also, the person you plan to marry cannot be more than three years older than you. State law added this rule to protect minors from large age gaps in marriages.

Arizona law now bars anyone under 16 from marrying. This change took effect in August 2018. Before that date, younger teens could marry under certain conditions. Now there are no exceptions for those under 16. The Yavapai County clerk will not issue a license if either applicant is younger than 16 years old.

Yavapai County Marriage Records Offices

You can visit either office location to apply for a license or request copies of past marriage records. Both locations offer full services. Choose based on which is closer to you.

The Prescott office serves as the main Yavapai County courthouse location. This office sits in downtown Prescott near the famous Whiskey Row area. Street parking is available nearby. The building houses other county services too, so follow signs to the Clerk of Superior Court once inside.

• Prescott Office: 120 S. Cortez Street, Prescott, AZ 86303
• Prescott Phone: (928) 771-3312
• Camp Verde Office: 2840 N. Commonwealth Drive, Camp Verde, AZ 86322
• Camp Verde Phone: (928) 567-7741
• Hours: Monday through Friday, standard business hours

The Camp Verde office serves the Verde Valley portion of Yavapai County. It handles the same marriage services as Prescott. Folks in Cottonwood, Sedona, and nearby communities may find Camp Verde more convenient. Call ahead to confirm hours if you are traveling from out of town. Holiday closures can affect both locations.

Copies of Yavapai County Marriage Certificates

A certified copy of a Yavapai County marriage certificate costs $35. This fee applies whether you visit in person or request by mail. The certified copy serves as official proof of marriage. Banks, government agencies, and insurance companies accept it for name changes and other legal purposes.

Same day service is available at both the Prescott and Camp Verde offices. Walk in and ask for a copy of your marriage record. Staff will search their system and print a certified copy while you wait. This works well if you need the document quickly for a time-sensitive matter. Have the names and approximate date ready to speed up the search.

Mail requests take longer but work fine for non-urgent needs. Send a money order or cashier's check for $35 payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request. If you do not include a return envelope, add $8 for postage and handling. Provide the full names of both spouses and the date or year of marriage. The clerk will mail your certified copy within a few days of receiving your request.

If you do not know the year of marriage, the clerk charges a $35 research fee per year searched. This adds up fast if the marriage could have happened over a wide range of years. To avoid extra fees, try to pin down the approximate timeframe before you request the search. Old family photos, letters, or other documents might help you narrow the date.

Note: Arizona marriage records are public documents, so anyone can request a copy if they provide enough details to locate the record.

Who Can Perform Marriages in Yavapai County

A.R.S. § 25-124 lists several types of people who can officiate a wedding in Arizona. The list is broader than in some other states. This gives Yavapai County couples many options for who performs their ceremony.

Licensed or ordained clergy can marry couples. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. Judges from various courts can also officiate. This means Superior Court judges, justices of the peace, and municipal court judges. Even federal judges like bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges can perform weddings in Arizona.

Arizona allows notaries public to perform marriages too. The notary must hold a valid Arizona commission and reside in the state. This gives couples a non-religious option that is easy to find. Many notaries offer this service for a small fee. Just make sure the notary is currently commissioned before your ceremony.

Yavapai Marriage Records as Public Documents

Marriage records filed in Yavapai County are public documents. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, public records shall be open to inspection by any person during office hours. This means anyone can request to view or copy a marriage record. You do not have to be the spouse or a family member. You do not need to state why you want the record.

This open access differs from birth and death records in Arizona. Those vital records have restrictions on who can obtain copies. But marriage licenses sit with the Superior Court clerk, not the health department. Court documents follow different rules. The public right to inspect court records is strong in Arizona.

Some information stays confidential. Social Security numbers provided on marriage applications are protected. The clerk keeps these private even though the rest of the record is public. This balance protects against identity theft while maintaining transparency about marriages.

A.R.S. § 25-130 allows clerks to issue a marriage abstract instead of copying the full license. The abstract shows the bride's name before marriage, the groom's name, the marriage date, and the recording date. For many purposes, an abstract works just as well as a full copy. Ask the Yavapai clerk which option suits your needs.

Searching Yavapai County Marriage Records

The easiest way to search Yavapai County marriage records is to visit the clerk office in person. Go to either Prescott or Camp Verde. Tell the staff what you are looking for. They can search the computer system for recent records. Older records may require checking paper indexes or microfilm. Staff will guide you through the process.

For genealogy research, the Arizona State Archives holds historical marriage records. Their collection includes Yavapai County records dating back to the territorial era. Coverage varies by county and time period. The archives can help with records from 1864 through 1972 in many cases. Check their website or contact them to see what Yavapai materials they have.

The Arizona Courts Locator can help you find the right office for your search. It lists all 15 county clerk offices with addresses and phone numbers. Use it to plan your visit or find a number to call with questions.

Legal Help for Yavapai Marriage Questions

The AZ Court Help website run by the Arizona Bar Foundation offers free information about marriage licenses. It explains the application process in plain language. The site covers common questions like what ID to bring and how much things cost. Check it out before your visit to the clerk office.

If you have complex legal questions, consider talking to a family law attorney. Issues like prenuptial agreements, name changes, or second marriages may need professional advice. The State Bar of Arizona has a lawyer referral program. They can connect you with an attorney in the Prescott area who handles family matters.

Nearby Arizona Counties for Marriage Records

Yavapai County sits in central Arizona and borders several other counties. If you are unsure which county handled a marriage, these neighboring areas may be worth checking too.

Maricopa County lies to the south and includes Phoenix and its suburbs. Coconino County sits to the north and includes Flagstaff. Mohave County is to the northwest and includes Lake Havasu City and Kingman. Each county clerk maintains separate marriage records for events that occurred there.