Marriage is the legal union of two willing people as partners in a personal relationship. Arizona has laws about who can get married and how to do it. Getting married in Arizona is pretty easy – there is no residency requirement, no blood tests, and no waiting period.
To get married in Arizona, the law states that:
The couple must get a marriage license.
The couple must participate in a marriage ceremony performed by someone authorized by law and witnessed by two people who are 18 years of age or older.
The ceremony must happen within one year of getting the marriage license.
A traditional marriage is a regular marriage with standard rules. A covenant marriage is like a traditional marriage but with extra steps before marriage and stricter rules for divorce.
Any consenting adults, 18 years of age and older, can get a marriage license and have a marriage ceremony. No person under the age of 16 is allowed to marry in Arizona.
Anyone 16 or 17 years of age may marry someone no more than three years older if either:
Two people of the same sex have a legal right to marry in Arizona and the rest of the United States.
You can apply for a marriage license from the clerk of the superior court in any Arizona county. In some areas, a justice of the peace can issue marriage licenses, if their office is far (5 miles or more) from the county seat.
You might need an appointment to apply for a marriage license. Some courts offer an online application. Contact your county’s superior or justice court to learn more about where to apply for a marriage license.
You will need different documentation depending on the type of marriage the license is for. You do not need a copy of a divorce decree. You do not need to take a blood test.
Both people applying for a marriage license must be present, produce identification like a driver’s license, passport, or government-issued identification card, and provide their social security number.
A couple applying for a marriage license must complete and sign under oath an affidavit (a statement made under oath) with their names, ages, residential addresses, and understanding about sexually transmitted diseases.
Each court charges a fee for a marriage license, usually around $80-$85. Before your in-person appointment or online application, check with the court about the types of payment accepted.
A marriage license expires one year after it is issued. You must get married before it expires or get a new one.
Yes, with some planning and coordination. Arizona law does not require a waiting period between the day you get a marriage license and the marriage ceremony.
You must have a marriage license prior to the marriage ceremony.
A court issues a marriage license the same day as your application and, if prior arrangements are made, it is possible to be married on the same day.
Arizona law authorizes the following persons to perform a marriage ceremony:
You can get married in many places like a backyard, wedding venue, or church. In Arizona, judges can perform weddings, but not all courts allow them. Most courthouse weddings are done by a justice of the peace after court hours.
The cost of a court wedding is different than the fee for a marriage license. The cost and payment methods for a court wedding can vary. Call ahead to check availability, cost, and payment methods.
After the marriage ceremony, the couple, the person who performed the ceremony, and two witnesses must sign the marriage license.
The person who performed the ceremony must return the signed license to the superior court clerk within 30 days to record the marriage.
You may need a certified copy of your marriage license to change your last name, get spousal benefits like health insurance, or prove your marriage is legal.
After the license is recorded, you can request a certified copy from the court. It usually costs around $30-$40. Check with your county superior court for more details on costs and how to get a certified copy if your license was lost before being recorded.
This topic can be complicated. You may want to talk to a legal professional for help.
This website shares general legal information. Some content may be simplified or may not reflect recent changes in law. If you need advice for your specific situation, you should talk to a legal professional.
