Marriage License Information

FACTS: 

• You don't have to be a resident of AZ to get Married in AZ. 

• No waiting period to get your Marriage License. 

• You can get married the same day you apply for your Marriage License.

• Legal Age to get married is 18.  

• You can get Married at the age of 16 with an Emancipation Order. 

• Blood test are not required. 

• Couple must not already be Married. 

• Both parties must be present to obtain Marriage License. 

•  You can now apply by mail for your Marriage License, if you are a current resident of AZ.

• Both Parties must present a valid picture ID, passport, to show proof of age. 

• Marriage License is valid for 12 months.

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Your Options: 

1. Standard Marriage License: 

• Must be 18 years old, persons the age of 16 & 17 can marry with a valid Emancipation Order, or parental consent. 

• Standard Marriage License are Public. 

•  The Marriage License is registered with the State of Arizona. 

• The Ceremony can take place anywhere in Arizona. 

• Must have 2 Witnesses to be in attendance at the Ceremony that will sign the Marriage License at the end of the Ceremony. 

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2. Covenant Marriage License: 

• Covenant Marriages are legally recognized in 3 states (AZ, LA, AK). 

• Must undergo Pre-Martial Counseling before applying for your Marriage License, and must present proof of completion at the courthouse.  

• Your application that you complete and sign will declare your intentions to enter into a specific type of Marriage. 

• A Covenant Marriage is one  that binds you to one another and prohibits you from getting divorced, except in very specific circumstances. 

• Must be signed & witnessed by the Court Clerk. 

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How To Get One: 

The Couple can schedule an appointment to get obtain a valid Marriage License by going to the following Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court locations: 

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• Downtown Customer Service Center: 

601 W. Jackson St. Phoenix, AZ 85003 

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• Northeast Regional Court:

18380 N. 40th St. Phoenix, AZ 85032

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• Northwest Regional Court: 

14264 W. Tierra Buena Ln. Surprise, AZ 85374

 

MAKE YOUR APPOINTMENT HERE  

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California Marriage License: 

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FACTS:

• You do not need to be a California Resident.

• The Couple must not already be Married.

• The Couple, Officiant, and Witness if applicable, must be physically present together in the same location.

• Blood tests are not required.

• The Couple must appear in person and bring valid picture identification to the County Clerk’s Office to apply for a marriage license.

• Marriage licenses are valid for 90 days from the date of issuance. If you do not get married within 90 days, the license will no longer be valid.

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YOUR OPTIONS: 

1. Public Marriage License: 

• You must be at least 18 years old.  Persons under 18 with written consent from at least one parent (or legal guardian) and permission from a California Superior Court Judge may marry.

• The Marriage License is registered at the County Recorder’s Office in the county where the license was purchased, and is a public record.  Anyone may request copies of the marriage certificate by submitting the required fee to the County Recorder.

• The Ceremony can take place anywhere within the state of California

• You must have at least one Witness present at your ceremony.

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2. Confidential Marriage License 

• The two parties to the Marriage must be at least 18 years old to apply for a confidential Marriage License.  Minors may NOT purchase a confidential marriage license.

• The Couple must be living together.

• The Ceremony may take place anywhere in the state of California

• No Witnesses are required.

• The Marriage License is a confidential record and is registered at the County Clerk’s Office in the county where it was purchased.  Only the couple may purchase copies of the marriage certificate and must present valid picture identification together with the required fee to the County Clerk in order to do so.

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HOW TO GET ONE: 

The Couple will need to go down to the County in which your Ceremony will be held to obtain a valid Marriage License.  

Laws and specific County requirements change from time to time. 

Please visit the County website in which you plan to obtain your license for the most accurate information: 

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San Bernardino County (855) 732-2575

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UPDATE 9.1.20: San Bernardino County 

Click here for the new online options to obtain your marriage license. 

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Riverside County (951) 955-6200

Orange County (714) 834-2500

Los Angeles County (562) 462-2137
Ventura County (805) 654-2263
Santa Barbara County (805) 568-2250