Frequently Asked Questions

​How and where do we get a marriage license?
Your marriage license must be applied for, in person, by both of you. The license issued by any Arizona county clerk's office can be used anywhere in the state of Arizona. 

The fee is currently $83. 

​Visit your county clerk's website for more info.
​PIMA COUNTY CLERK
Pima County Superior Court Building
110 W. Congress Street
​1st Floor
Tucson, AZ 85701
(520) 740-3200
​MARICOPA COUNTY CLERK
Downtown Office*
​Maricopa County Superior Court
601 W. Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 372-5375
​*NOTE: There are 3 additional offices.
PINAL COUNTY CLERK
Main Office*
971 N, Jason Lopez Circle, Building A
Florence, AZ 85132
(520) 509-3555
*NOTE: There are 3 additional satellite offices.
SANTA CRUZ COUNTY CLERK
2150 N. Congress Drive
​Suite 101
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-7990
COCHISE COUNTY CLERK
100 Quality Hill
Bisbee, AZ 85603
(520) 432-8570
OTHER COUNTIES
To see other Arizona county clerks' pages, do an internet search with this term: "your county + AZ + county clerk + marriage license".
​Will we need blood tests?

No. The state of Arizona does not require blood tests.
​Is there a waiting period?
​No. There's no waiting period requirement in the state of Arizona. The marriage license will be issued on the day of your application.
​For how long is the license valid?
The license is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. After that, the license will expire and you'll need to re-apply and pay the license fee again.
​Do we need to have witnesses?
No. Arizona does not require witnesses to sign the marriage license.
​What happens to the license after our ceremony?
The detachable portion of the license, which is completed and signed by the officiant, is to be returned to the Clerk’s Office for recording purposes. In general, it must be returned within 10 business days of the ceremony date, either in person or by mail.
​How do we get copies of our marriage certificate?
You'll need to contact your County Clerk's office to order copies of your marriage certificate, or use their online ordering system. They will not generally send them to you without you first submitting a request. Each couple will vary in the number of official copies needed for subsequent name change requests (bank, driver's license, social security, etc). There are options for you in terms of the type of certificate that you can order.
​Do we, as the couple, sign the license?
​Arizona does not require couples to sign the marriage license.

​However, I usually ask couples if they would like me to sign the license after the ceremony, with them and a photographer, as a photo opportunity.
IF ONE OR BOTH OF US CHANGE(s) OUR LAST NAME(S), WHOM should WE INFORM?
Make the announcement to friends and family (ideally to your in-laws first). Consider using stationery or thank-you cards with your new name printed on them, or ordering name-change cards designed for the occasion.
​
Request a name change on all of the following:
  • Social Security cards
  • Drivers' licenses
  • Passports
  • Bank accounts (and request new debit and credit cards)
  • Credit bureaus
  • Order replacements for checks, business cards, credit cards, investments, etc
  • Employers
  • Schools 
  • Car registrations
  • Insurance (health, auto, home or renters', disability and life)
  • Mortgage companies
  • Frequent-flier programs
  • Post office
  • Utility companies
  • Registrar of voters

Remember to order extra certified copies of your marriage certificate for agencies that require originals before allowing you to change your name on documents, such as the Department of Motor Vehicles.
​WE'D LIKE SOME FOCUSED GUIDANCE ON Creating A HARMONIOUS, SATISFYING RELATIONSHIP. CAN YOU HELP?
Yes. As a Marriage & Family Therapist with 40 years of experience counseling couples and individuals, as well as being a Certified Conscious Loving Coach, I have many road-tested tools for creating sustainable harmony over the long haul in your relationship. ​Click to learn more: