Yuma County Marriage Records

Marriage records in Yuma County are held by the Clerk of Superior Court. This office handles all marriage license applications and keeps records of past marriages filed in the county. You can get a new license or request a certified copy of an old one at their office in downtown Yuma. The clerk staff can help you search records if you need to find a past marriage certificate. Yuma County also offers courthouse weddings for couples who want a simple ceremony right after getting their license. This guide covers fees, hours, and how to access Yuma County marriage records.

Yuma County Clerk of Superior Court

The Yuma County Clerk of Superior Court is where you go for marriage records. This office sits in downtown Yuma at 250 West 2nd Street, Suite B, Yuma, AZ 85364. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The office closes on state holidays. You can call them at (928) 817-4234 with questions before your visit.

Both people must come to the clerk office in person. This is state law. You cannot send just one person or apply by mail for a new license. Bring valid photo ID like a driver's license, passport, or military ID. The clerk will ask for your Social Security number. This stays private under Arizona law and is not shared with the public. The whole process takes about 15 to 20 minutes if you have all your documents ready.

The fee for a Yuma County marriage license is $98. Cash works. So do local checks, money orders, Visa, and MasterCard. The clerk hands you the license the same day you apply. There is no wait period. You can marry right away if you want.

Yuma County Marriage License Requirements

Getting a marriage license in Yuma County follows Arizona state rules. A.R.S. § 25-121 sets the basic requirements. The legal age is 18 or older. Both parties must show proof of age. A certified birth certificate works. A passport or driver's license also works. Military ID is fine too.

If one or both people are 16 or 17 years old, extra steps apply. The parent or guardian with custody must consent to the marriage in writing. The other person cannot be more than three years older. Some cases also need a court emancipation order. No one under 16 can marry in Arizona at all. This law took effect in 2018 to protect minors.

No blood test is needed in Yuma County. Arizona dropped this rule years ago. You do not need to live in Arizona or Yuma County to get a license here. Tourists and out of state residents can apply. The license you get in Yuma works anywhere in Arizona. You have 12 months to use it before it expires.

Note: Bring your Social Security number even if you are a foreign citizen who does not have one, and write "none" on the form.

Yuma County Marriage Record Copies

Need a copy of a marriage certificate from Yuma County? The clerk office can help. They keep records of all marriages filed in the county. A certified copy costs $35. This is the official version with a seal. Most places like the DMV, passport office, and employers accept certified copies as proof of marriage.

You can request copies in person or by phone. Visit the clerk office at 250 West 2nd Street 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. Staff can usually pull the record and make a copy the same day.

Phone requests are also an option. Call (928) 817-4234 to start the process. They will tell you how to pay and where to send payment. Expect to wait longer for mailed copies compared to in person pickup. Add a few days for processing and mailing time. If you do not know the year of the marriage, the clerk charges an extra $35 per year searched. This research fee adds up if you need them to look through many years.

Finding Yuma County Court Information

The Arizona Courts website has a locator tool that helps you find the right courthouse in any county. You can use this to verify the Yuma County Superior Court address and phone number. The site also lists other court services available at that location.

The court locator shows all 15 Arizona counties. Click on Yuma County to see full contact details. You will find the clerk office address, fax number, and hours listed there. This is handy if you are planning a trip to the courthouse and want to double check the location first.

Courthouse Weddings in Yuma County

Yuma County offers courthouse weddings. This is a simple civil ceremony performed by a judge. Many couples choose this option for a quick, affordable wedding. The ceremony happens at the courthouse after business hours.

Weddings take place Monday through Friday at 5:00 p.m. Holidays are not available. You need to be at the courthouse on the 3rd floor lobby by 4:15 p.m. the day you want to marry. Bring your marriage license with you. If you just got it that day, that is fine. You can marry the same day you apply.

The ceremony fee is $100 cash. Exact change is needed. You also need two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. If you do not have witnesses, the court can provide them. The whole ceremony is short and simple. A judge performs the legal portion and you sign the paperwork. Within minutes, you are officially married.

After the ceremony, the judge signs your marriage license. You keep the top part. The court files the bottom part with the clerk. This gets recorded in the official Yuma County marriage records. Under A.R.S. § 25-123, the signed license must be filed within 30 days.

Note: The City of Yuma Municipal Court also performs weddings for $90, so couples have options for their civil ceremony.

Who Can Perform a Yuma County Marriage

Arizona law allows several types of people to officiate weddings. A.R.S. § 25-124 lists them all. Ordained or licensed clergy can perform marriages. This includes ministers, priests, rabbis, and other religious leaders. They do not need to register with the state first.

Judges at many levels can marry couples too. This includes Superior Court judges, which is why courthouse weddings work. Justices of the peace also qualify. So do municipal court judges. Arizona even allows notaries public to perform wedding ceremonies. The notary must be commissioned and living in Arizona. This gives couples many options beyond religious officiants.

Federal judges can also perform marriages in Yuma County. This includes bankruptcy court judges and U.S. magistrate judges. If you know a federal judge, they can legally marry you anywhere in Arizona.

Are Yuma Marriage Records Public

Yes. Marriage records in Arizona are public. A.R.S. § 39-121 says public records shall be open to inspection by any person during office hours. Marriage licenses and certificates filed with the Yuma County clerk count as public records. Anyone can ask to see them.

You do not need to be the bride or groom. You do not need to explain why you want the record. Researchers, family members, and the general public all have the same right of access. The clerk may ask who you are and charge a copy fee, but they cannot refuse to show you a marriage record based on your identity or purpose.

Social Security numbers are the main exception. Under A.R.S. § 25-121, the SSN stays confidential. Only the person who provided it or certain government agencies can access that part of the file. The rest of the marriage record remains open to public view.

The clerk can also issue an abstract of marriage. A.R.S. § 25-130 allows this summary document in place of a full copy. An abstract shows the bride's former name, groom's name, marriage date, and recording date. It costs the same as a certified copy and works for most legal purposes.

Nearby Counties for Marriage Records

Yuma County sits in the southwest corner of Arizona. It borders California and Mexico. If you live near the county line, you might find another clerk office more convenient. Arizona marriage licenses work statewide, so you can apply in any county and marry anywhere in the state.

Maricopa County is northeast of Yuma. It has the most clerk office locations in the state. The Phoenix area offers walk-in service at several sites. They also have an online marriage license program for Arizona residents. If you live closer to Phoenix, that might be an easier option.

La Paz County is directly north of Yuma County. The clerk office is in Parker. They charge $83 for a marriage license, which is less than Yuma's $98 fee. Parker is about 150 miles from Yuma, so this only makes sense if you are already up that way.

Pima County is east of Yuma. The clerk office in Tucson handles a large volume of marriage licenses. Their fee is $98, same as Yuma. Tucson is roughly 280 miles from Yuma by road. Most Yuma area residents will find it easier to stay local.

Marriage Records for Yuma City Residents

Live in the City of Yuma? Your marriage records are handled by the county, not the city. Arizona cities do not issue marriage licenses. The Yuma County Clerk of Superior Court is the only local office that can help with marriage license applications and certified copies.

The Yuma Municipal Court does offer one related service. They perform civil wedding ceremonies. A judge will marry couples after 5:00 p.m. based on availability. The fee is $90 in exact cash. You still need to get your license from the county clerk first. The municipal court just does the ceremony part.

The county clerk office is close to downtown Yuma. Street parking and garage parking are free in the area. Staff at the information booth inside the courthouse can point you to the right floor. Electronic docket boards help you find your way around. Visitors report the office is easy to navigate once you get through security.

Tips for Yuma County Marriage Records

A few tips can make your visit smoother. First, arrive early in the day if you can. Lines tend to grow after lunch. Second, bring all your documents the first time. Missing paperwork means a second trip. Third, have your Social Security number ready. The clerk needs it for the application.

• Bring valid photo ID for both parties
• Have $98 in cash or card for the license fee
• Know your Social Security number
• Plan for 15 to 20 minutes at the clerk window
• Bring two witnesses if you want a courthouse wedding that day

If you are getting married at the courthouse, plan to stay until after 5:00 p.m. The ceremony happens in the late afternoon. Arrive by 4:15 to be on time. Bring $100 in exact cash for the ceremony fee. Your two witnesses need to be 18 or older. If you do not have witnesses, let the staff know and the court will find them for you.

For copy requests, having the year of marriage saves money. The research fee is $35 per year if the clerk has to search multiple years. If you can narrow it down to a single year, you avoid extra charges. Old records may take longer to find, so plan ahead if you need a copy for a deadline.

Yuma County Marriage Record Resources

Several resources can help you with Yuma County marriage questions. The Yuma County Clerk website has forms and fee info online. You can download paperwork before your visit. The site lists current hours and contact details too.

The Arizona Court Help website explains the marriage license process in plain terms. Run by the Arizona Bar Foundation, this free resource answers common questions. It covers requirements, what to bring, and how the process works across Arizona counties.

For older marriage records, the Arizona State Archives may help. They hold historical records dating back to 1864 for some counties. The Arizona State Archives genealogy page explains what they have and how to request copies. Coverage varies by county and time period. Yuma County records from the early 1900s forward should be at the county clerk office itself.

If you need legal advice about marriage in Arizona, the State Bar of Arizona offers a lawyer referral service. Family law attorneys handle questions about marriage, divorce, and name changes. Some offer free first consultations. For low-income residents, Arizona Legal Center and Community Legal Services provide free help with civil matters.