How to Get Married in Arizona (2026)
Reviewed by DocDraft Legal Team · Arizona · Last updated 2026-05-18
A Arizona marriage is governed by Arizona statute, not a generic national process. On the timing side: 0 days. The license validity window is: 1 year. On informal marriage, Arizona does not recognize common law marriages established within the state. Below are the Arizona license requirements, supporting documents, and the officiant rules that control whether the ceremony is legally complete.
Key Considerations
Before the wedding logistics begin, two Arizona legal points need to be settled: license cost and applicant age. $98.00. See the state agency website. A person who is at least sixteen years of age and who is under eighteen years of age may marry only if one of the following is true: 1. The person has received an emancipation order. and the person's prospective spouse is not more than three years older than the person. 2. The parent or guardian who has custody of the person consents to the marriage and the person's prospective spouse is not more than three years older than the person. B. Persons who are under sixteen years of age shall not marry. These are statutory questions, not negotiable ones, and the issuing clerk applies them at the counter.
The Arizona marriage code carries two timing layers. The first is the waiting period between issuance and lawful solemnization: 0 days. The second is the license's validity period, after which a fresh license is required: 1 year. See the state agency website. Both are statutory; neither is negotiable with the clerk.
Once the license clears, two more Arizona rules govern whether the marriage is legally formed. Common-law recognition: Arizona does not recognize common law marriages established within the state. Authorized officiants: A. The following are authorized to solemnize marriages between persons who are authorized to marry: 1. Duly licensed or ordained clergymen. 2. Judges of courts of record. 3. Municipal court judges. 4. Justices of the peace. 5. Justices of the United States supreme court. 6. Judges of courts of appeals, district courts and courts that are created by an act of Congress if the judges are entitled to hold office during good behavior. 7. Bankruptcy court and tax court judges. 8. United States magistrate judges. 9. Judges of the Arizona court of military appeals. B. For the purposes of this section, "licensed or ordained clergymen" includes ministers, elders or other persons who by the customs, rules and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages or to officiate at marriage ceremonies. Couples eloping in Arizona or using an out-of-state officiant should confirm both before the ceremony.
Need These Documents?
DocDraft can help you draft them with AI, with licensed attorney review included. Plans from $39.99/mo.
Relevant Documents
Marriage-license filings in Arizona typically include the application form itself, the applicants' photo identification, and a premarital-course completion certificate where the state's discount program applies. No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. Whatever the current Arizona marriage-license fee amount, it is collected by the issuing clerk at the application appointment rather than billed later.
Beneficiary Designation Forms
Documents that specify who receives assets from retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other financial accounts upon your death.
Durable Power of Attorney
Authorizes someone to make financial and legal decisions on your behalf if you become incapacitated, ensuring your affairs can be managed without court intervention.
Healthcare Power of Attorney
Designates someone to make medical decisions for you if you're unable to do so, ensuring your healthcare preferences are respected.
Prenuptial Agreement
A contract entered into before marriage that establishes rights to property and financial support in case of divorce or death. This document can protect pre-marital assets and outline financial responsibilities during marriage.
Updated Will
A legal document that specifies how your assets should be distributed after death. Marriage typically invalidates previous wills in many jurisdictions, making it important to create a new one that includes your spouse.
Relevant Laws
Arizona Marriage License Requirements
In Arizona, both parties must appear in person at a county clerk's office to apply for a marriage license. You'll need valid government-issued photo ID and your Social Security number. There is no waiting period after receiving your license, but it expires after 12 months if unused. The license fee varies by county (typically $76-$83).
Arizona Age Requirements for Marriage
In Arizona, the legal age to marry without parental consent is 18. Individuals who are 16 or 17 may marry with parental consent. Arizona law prohibits marriage for anyone under 16 years of age.
Arizona Marriage Ceremony Requirements
Arizona recognizes marriages performed by judges, court clerks, justices of the peace, ordained ministers, priests, or other authorized clergy. The ceremony must include a declaration by both parties that they take each other as husband and wife, and must be witnessed by at least two people over 18 years of age.
Arizona Community Property Laws
Arizona is a community property state, meaning that most assets and debts acquired during the marriage are considered jointly owned by both spouses, regardless of who earned the money or whose name is on the title. Understanding these laws is important for financial planning in marriage.
Arizona Covenant Marriage Option
Arizona offers couples the option of a 'covenant marriage,' which has stricter requirements for both entering and dissolving the marriage. Couples choosing this option must undergo premarital counseling and can only divorce under specific circumstances such as adultery, abuse, or abandonment.
Regional Variances
Major Cities in Arizona
As Arizona's capital and largest city, Phoenix requires marriage licenses to be obtained from the Maricopa County Superior Court Clerk's Office. The fee is $83, and both parties must appear in person with valid ID. Phoenix does not have a waiting period after receiving your license, and the license is valid for 12 months.
In Tucson, marriage licenses are issued by the Pima County Superior Court Clerk's Office. The fee is $83, and both parties must appear together with government-issued photo ID. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for 12 months. Tucson also offers a Covenant Marriage option, which requires premarital counseling and makes divorce more difficult to obtain.
In Flagstaff, marriage licenses are issued by the Coconino County Superior Court Clerk's Office. The fee is $83. Both applicants must appear in person with valid ID. There is no waiting period, and the license is valid for 12 months. Due to its scenic location, Flagstaff has specific regulations for outdoor weddings in certain natural areas that may require special permits.
Native American Reservations in Arizona
The Navajo Nation has its own requirements for marriages performed within its jurisdiction. Couples may need to obtain a marriage license from both the state of Arizona and the Navajo Nation if they wish to be married on reservation land. Traditional Navajo wedding ceremonies have their own customs and may be recognized by the tribe even if not all state requirements are met.
Marriages on Tohono O'odham Nation lands may be subject to both tribal and state laws. Couples should check with both the tribal authorities and Pima County for specific requirements. Traditional ceremonies may have different requirements than civil ceremonies.
Border Regions
As a border city, Yuma has specific considerations for international marriages. If one party is not a U.S. citizen, additional documentation may be required. The Yuma County Superior Court Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses for $83, with both parties required to appear in person with valid ID.
In Nogales, which borders Mexico, there are special considerations for binational couples. The Santa Cruz County Superior Court Clerk's Office issues marriage licenses. If one party is not a U.S. citizen, they will need to provide proper identification such as a passport. Translation services may be available for documentation.
Suggested Compliance Checklist
Submit the Arizona marriage-license application in person at the issuing clerk's office
Before the ceremony days after starting$98.00. Identification requirements typically include a current government-issued photo ID; some clerks also ask for a birth certificate or certified copy of any divorce decree.
Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application
Before the ceremony days after startingStandard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married.
Plan the ceremony date around the statutory waiting period
Before the ceremony days after starting0 days. A ceremony performed before the waiting period runs is voidable; the couple should confirm the earliest lawful date directly with the clerk.
Consider completing a state-approved premarital preparation course if this state offers a discount or waiting-period.
Before applying days after startingNo state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. The certificate of completion must be presented to the clerk at the time of application, not later.
Track the license validity window
Before the ceremony days after starting1 year. The wedding has to occur inside that window; if it does not, the license lapses and a fresh license (with a new fee and another application) is required.
Solemnize the marriage with an officiant the state recognizes
At the ceremony days after startingA. The following are authorized to solemnize marriages between persons who are authorized to marry: 1. Duly licensed or ordained clergymen. 2. Judges of courts of record. 3. Municipal court judges. 4. Justices of the peace. 5. Justices of the United States supreme court. 6. Judges of courts of appeals, district courts and courts that are created by an act of Congress if the judges are entitled to hold office during good behavior. 7. Bankruptcy court and tax court judges. 8. United States magistrate judges. 9. Judges of the Arizona court of military appeals. B. For the purposes of this section, "licensed or ordained clergymen" includes ministers, elders or other persons who by the customs, rules and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages or to officiate at marriage ceremonies. Verifying the officiant's authority in advance is important because a defective solemnization is one of the few errors the marriage code does not always cure retroactively.
Make sure the officiant files the executed license back with the issuing office promptly after the ceremony
After the ceremony days after startingRecording converts the license into a recorded marriage on the state's vital-records system and is what makes a certified marriage certificate available.
| Task | Description | Document | Days after starting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Submit the Arizona marriage-license application in person at the issuing clerk's office | $98.00. Identification requirements typically include a current government-issued photo ID; some clerks also ask for a birth certificate or certified copy of any divorce decree. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Have identification and prior-marriage paperwork ready when filing the application | Standard documents include a current driver's license or passport for each applicant, plus a certified divorce decree, annulment order, or spouse's death certificate for anyone previously married. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Plan the ceremony date around the statutory waiting period | 0 days. A ceremony performed before the waiting period runs is voidable; the couple should confirm the earliest lawful date directly with the clerk. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Consider completing a state-approved premarital preparation course if this state offers a discount or waiting-period. | No state-level statute. Governed by common law / municipal ordinance / case law as applicable. The certificate of completion must be presented to the clerk at the time of application, not later. | - | Before applying |
| Track the license validity window | 1 year. The wedding has to occur inside that window; if it does not, the license lapses and a fresh license (with a new fee and another application) is required. | - | Before the ceremony |
| Solemnize the marriage with an officiant the state recognizes | A. The following are authorized to solemnize marriages between persons who are authorized to marry: 1. Duly licensed or ordained clergymen. 2. Judges of courts of record. 3. Municipal court judges. 4. Justices of the peace. 5. Justices of the United States supreme court. 6. Judges of courts of appeals, district courts and courts that are created by an act of Congress if the judges are entitled to hold office during good behavior. 7. Bankruptcy court and tax court judges. 8. United States magistrate judges. 9. Judges of the Arizona court of military appeals. B. For the purposes of this section, "licensed or ordained clergymen" includes ministers, elders or other persons who by the customs, rules and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages or to officiate at marriage ceremonies. Verifying the officiant's authority in advance is important because a defective solemnization is one of the few errors the marriage code does not always cure retroactively. | - | At the ceremony |
| Make sure the officiant files the executed license back with the issuing office promptly after the ceremony | Recording converts the license into a recorded marriage on the state's vital-records system and is what makes a certified marriage certificate available. | - | After the ceremony |
Frequently Asked Questions
$98.00. Applicants should plan to confirm the current dollar amount directly with the Arizona issuing clerk that will handle the application, since the published fee schedule can change and county add-ons (where allowed) shift the total.
Arizona does not recognize common law marriages established within the state. The doctrine has been narrowed or abolished prospectively in most states over the past century. Couples planning a future marriage in Arizona should not assume common-law status without confirming the current rule against the state marriage code.
0 days. The practical effect in Arizona is that the license-application date has to be planned backward from the ceremony date with the waiting period built in, so applicants do not arrive at the ceremony without a usable license.
Ready to Draft Your Document?
Get AI-powered legal documents with attorney review included. Plans start at $39.99/mo.