How to Get a Marriage License in Arizona

If you’re getting married in Arizona (or anywhere in the U.S., for that matter), one of the most important things you’ll need is your marriage license. You know, the little piece of paper that says “yep, you’re legally married now.” And if you’re wondering how to get a marriage license in Arizona, you’re in the right place.

But before we dive into all the legal stuff, I want to start with this. You absolutely do not have to legally get married on your actual wedding or elopement day. In fact, TONS of couples choose to separate the paperwork from the celebration itself. Plus, doing so, can make your actual day feel way less stressful and a lot more intentional.

That said, whenever you decide to make things official, there are still a few important steps you’ll need to follow to legally get married in Arizona. Don’t worry, though, it’s actually a pretty straightforward process once you know what to expect. Keep reading, because I’m breaking down everything you need to know step by step so you can get the legal side handled and get back to the fun stuff.

Step-by-Step Process on How to Get Married Legally in Arizona

Getting legally married in Arizona is actually pretty simple once you know the steps. Here’s the quick breakdown of how it all works:

1. Plan a time (or schedule an appointment) to pick up your marriage license
2. Get your marriage license from the county clerk
3. Gather your officiant and witnesses
4. Have your ceremony!
5. Have your officiant and witnesses sign the license to make everything official
6. Return the completed license to the county

That’s really it! Arizona keeps things easy compared to some other states, which honestly makes the whole process way less stressful. Now let’s break down each step a little more so you know exactly what to expect.

Marriage License Vs. Special Use Permits for Arizona Elopements

Before diving into the nitty-gritty of how to get a marriage license in Arizona, it’s important to clear up one thing first. A marriage license and a special use permit are not the same thing. I know they can sound weirdly similar, but they actually do two completely different jobs.

A special-use permit simply gives you permission to hold an organized event on public land. That could be a wedding or elopement, but it could also be a birthday party, group gathering, or another formal event. And a fun fact: not every piece of public land even requires one! It totally depends on where you’re going, how many people are involved, and what your setup looks like.

A marriage license, on the other hand, is the legal document that actually makes your marriage official. You could say your vows in a national park, at a courthouse, or in your own backyard, and your marriage license still works the same way. It’s all about making things legal in the eyes of the state.

So basically, a special use permit lets you hold an event on public land, while a marriage license is what legally ties the knot. And in this blog, we’re focusing on the marriage license side of things, so you know exactly what you need to make everything official, no matter where you say ‘I do’.

Applying for Your Marriage License in Arizona

The first step in how to get a marriage license in Arizona is filling out the marriage license application itself. Most counties require you to do this in person. That said, some counties, like Maricopa County, also offer online application options (more on that in a bit). You’ll also want to double-check whether the county you’re applying through takes walk-ins or also takes appointments. The last thing you want is to show up excited and immediately get hit with a long wait. 

When you’re ready to apply, both people need to be present and bring a valid government-issued photo ID, like a driver’s license or passport. This is basically just the state confirming that you are, in fact, the humans you say you are. The marriage license fee is also $98, so make sure you’re prepared to pay that when you apply.

Once you’ve filled everything out and paid the fee, you’re good to go! Also, one of the best parts about getting married in Arizona is that your marriage license is valid statewide, no matter which county you got it from. So even if you pick up your license in Phoenix and elope somewhere completely different in Arizona, you’re covered.

Marriage License Witnesses and Officiant Requirements in Arizona

In addition to your marriage license, Arizona also requires two witnesses and a licensed officiant to make everything official.

Luckily, your witnesses can be basically anyone as long as they’re over 18. That could be guests you bring to your ceremony, vendors who are there with you (including me!), or even a random hiker passing by. And no joke, hikers are usually SO excited to help. People really love being part of a surprise wedding moment.

You’ll also need a licensed officiant present for the ceremony. This can absolutely be someone you hire professionally, but it can also be a friend or family member who gets ordained online. The easiest route is usually through Universal Life Church, and the process honestly takes just a few minutes. Fill out the form, get ordained, and boom, you’re legally able to marry people.

I’m also ordained and can sign your marriage license for you, as long as I’m not acting as one of your witnesses too.

Beyond just knowing how to get a marriage license, there’s a lot that goes into planning an Arizona elopement. The good news? I also put together a full Arizona elopement guide so you can feel fully prepared for the entire experience, not just the paperwork side of things.

Arizona Marriage License Regional Notes

Phoenix

Phoenix is located within Maricopa County, which is (not surprisingly) the most populous county in the entire state. So yeah… things can get a little busy here. Because of that, I definitely recommend making an appointment if you plan on getting your marriage license in Phoenix. You can also fill out your application ahead of time, which makes the process way quicker, especially if you’re on a tight timeline or just don’t want to spend part of your wedding week sitting around waiting. You can find office locations, appointment info, and all the details through Maricopa County’s marriage license page.

Something pretty cool that Maricopa County also has is an online marriage license application. As long as one of you is a current Arizona resident, your ceremony is at least 30 days away, you both have valid IDs, and you’re using a supported browser, you can apply online. After submitting everything, the clerk’s office will call to verify your identities and process payment, then mail the marriage license directly to you.

After your ceremony, you’ll have 30 days to return the completed license to the county. You can either mail it back or drop it off in person, whichever feels easiest.

If you’re planning a full Phoenix elopement experience, I also have a guide all about how to elope in Phoenix that dives into locations, permits, timing, and everything else you’ll want to know.

Flagstaff

Flagstaff is located in Coconino County. Unlike Maricopa County, Coconino County is way less populated, which makes the whole process feel a bit more relaxed and low-key.

There’s just one pickup location: the Flagstaff Justice Courthouse at 200 N San Francisco St. The best part? Also, you don’t need an appointment. You can just walk in and will likely get seen right away. Just make sure to double-check hours before you go so you’re not caught off guard by a closed courthouse door.

Because it’s a smaller county, you also have to apply in person, since there’s no online option available. And instead of 30 days, you only have 10 days to return your completed license after your ceremony. You can check out more details on Coconino County’s Marriage Licenses page.

You can learn more about how to elope in Flagstaff by visiting this blog!

Sedona

If you’re choosing to get married in Sedona, the closest clerk’s office is actually in Flagstaff. Most couples end up heading there to pick up their marriage license beforehand.

That said, if you’re flying into Phoenix, it often makes more sense to grab your marriage license there instead. Driving up to Flagstaff adds a bit of extra time and backtracking (about an hour), so Phoenix can be the more efficient option depending on your route. Even though it’s busier, you can make an appointment ahead of time and fill out your application in advance, which helps keep the process quick and easy.

You can learn more in my full Sedona elopement planning guide if you want to dive deeper into what getting married here actually looks like!

Application Timing and Waiting Periods for Your Marriage License in Arizona

Now that you know how to get a marriage license in Arizona, the next thing to understand is when to apply and how long everything is valid for.

The GREAT news is there is absolutely zero waiting period after you apply. You can get your marriage license and get married the same day if you want to. No mandatory waiting days…just apply, pick it up, and you’re good to go. Compared to states like Washington, where you have to wait a few days after applying, Arizona keeps things super simple.

Once you have your license, it’s valid for up to one year. This gives you a lot of flexibility if your plans shift or you just want to take your time figuring out the details.

After your ceremony, though, you’ll want to return the completed license relatively soon to avoid it getting lost or damaged. If you don’t want to deal with mailing it in or dropping it off yourself, I’m always happy to handle this part for you if that feels easier.

There’s a lot that goes into your elopement day beyond just the paperwork. If you want to get a better sense of what the full experience actually looks like, you can check out my blog that walks through what your elopement day really feels like from start to finish.

Common Mistakes Couples Make When Getting Their Marriage License in Arizona 

While getting your marriage license in Arizona is a pretty straightforward process, there are a few small (but important) things to keep in mind so you don’t get caught off guard.

The first thing to know is that you can’t get your marriage license on the weekend. Since you’re working with government offices, you’ll want to double-check hours ahead of time. This way, you don’t accidentally show up on a Saturday thinking you’re about to check a big planning task off your list… only to find a locked door.

Along the same lines, if you’re getting your marriage license in a busier county like Maricopa County, it’s usually a good idea to make an appointment. That way, you can walk in, get your license, and be on your way. You can also look into online application options in certain counties, which can make the whole process even smoother.

And finally, when you go to apply, make sure you have all the proper documents with you. That includes a valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number (if you have one).

Oh, and you do not need to bring a divorce decree with you when applying for your marriage license if that applies to you. Again, just another one of the ways that Arizona makes this process super simple!

How to Get a Marriage License in Arizona: Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I use a friend or family member as an officiant?

Yes! And it’s a great way to make the ceremony feel even more “you.” It’s actually super easy to get ordained through Universal Life Church, and it only takes about 3 minutes online.

I’m also ordained and can serve as your officiant. That said, since I’m your photographer first, I typically can’t lead your full ceremony. I’m more than happy to sign as your officiant, though. If you want someone to actually lead the ceremony, a friend or family member can be such a great option for that role.

Do we need a separate license for public land ceremonies?

Depending on where you choose to get married and how many guests you have, you may need a separate permit (AKA a special use permit) for a ceremony on public land.

Some places, like Grand Canyon National Park, are much more structured and require you to get married in specific designated areas with limited guest counts.

Other places, like national forests and BLM land, tend to be more flexible. In some cases, you may not need a special use permit at all.

There’s a lot of nuance here, but you don’t have to figure it out on your own. I help my couples sort through all of this so nothing feels confusing or overwhelming.

Can out-of-state couples get married in Arizona?

Yup, when it comes to getting a marriage license, Arizona doesn’t care where you live! That’s a reason why the state is such a popular place for elopements and weddings.

There you have it, everything you need to know about how to get a marriage license in Arizona! While these logistics may not seem the most shiny, Arizona makes the process very accessible. The process is so flexible and straightforward compared to a lot of other states, which means less stress and more space to focus on the fun parts of your day.

If you’re thinking about getting married here, I’d love to connect and help you bring your Arizona marriage plans to life.

Blog post written by Sonder Studio