Track down free Maricopa County marriage records efficiently through official resources. According to Arizona’s Public Records Law, everyone can view marital records through applicable public information.
Whether seeking important information to trace ancestral lines, verifying marital status for legal disputes, or merely for other personal purposes, there are many reasons to check marriage records – but knowing where and how to locate them is crucial.
Therefore, this all-encompassing resource will help anyone walk through the process of checking marriage records using the best resources and record custodians in Maricopa County.
How To Perform a Search for Maricopa County Marriage Records
The easiest way to search for marriage records is online at the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court.1 Interested parties can request marriage records online, which would be delivered via post within 10 business days.
To conveniently make requests online for copies of marriage records, the searcher will need to fill out the public record requests page form.2 Next, the concerned party will provide the following information:
- Type of Record Being Ordered (in this case, Marriage license copies)
- Case Type
- Case Year (year of the marriage)
- Case Number (if the information is available)
- Marriage License Number (if the information is available)
- Confirm that the license was purchased in Maricopa County, Arizona, with a “Yes” or “No”
- Names of both persons at the time of purchasing their marriage license
- Dates of Birth (if the information is available)
- Aliases & Filing Date (if the information is available)
- Type of Request
Remember, the more information provided, the easier it is to find the marriage record.
The requestor will also have to provide their details, including:
- Agency/Firm Represented (when applicable)
- First & Last Name
- Email Address
- Phone Number
- Mailing Address Line 1 & 2
- City, State & Zip
- Intended Use of the Requested Record (commercial, non-commercial, or both)
That said, requests for marriage records in Maricopa County take up to 10 business days to be fulfilled but may be processed faster if they provide accurate information. Suppose details like case numbers, names, and marriage years are unavailable.
In that case, the searcher will be required to pay a minimum of $30.00 for every year that must be searched.
For instance, if requests go back 3 years from the entered date, the interested person will provide an additional $90.00 (30.00 x 3 years).
When searchers only have a small amount of information, such as the name and nothing else, they can only obtain records by contacting the Clerk’s office at (602) 372-5375 or via email at [email protected].
Additionally, uncertified copy fees cost $0.50 per page, with an additional $7.00 for postage and handling fee and $0.50 per page for docket printout. For certified copies, the concerned persons will pay an extra $30 per document for certification, $60 per document for exemplification, and $90 per document for authentication.
Alternatively, the searcher can view records at no charge by visiting the Clerk’s Office in person to view documents via the public access computers available at the locations below:3
Customer Service Center
601 W. Jackson
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Northwest Regional Court Center
14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, Arizona 85374
Southeast Court Complex
222 E. Javelina Avenue
Mesa, Arizona 85210
Northeast Regional Court Center
18380 N. 40th St.,
Ste. 120 Phoenix, Arizona 85032
If the requester also requires copies, they can pay $0.50 per page and an additional $30.00 to certify the document. However, in-person requests may be made during business hours between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm on weekdays at the Customer Service Center, Northwest Regional Court Center, or the Southeast Court Complex (addresses above).
For additional questions and concerns, the Maricopa Court Clerk answers common questions via an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant, Cleo.4 Concerned persons may also call 602-372-5375 or (602)37-CLERK during office hours (8:00 am to 5:00 pm) for other complicated issues or email [email protected].
For example, citizens should visit the Maricopa County Public Records request page to find marriage records for anyone around Surprise.
Alternatively, appointments may be made on the Maricopa County bookings page if interested parties prefer to visit the Northwest Regional Court Center location (address above), where they can view and request copies of the records.5
Beyond that, interested persons may also call during office hours (8.00 am to 5.00 pm) or email using the contact details above to ask questions and get answers to any problems they might have.
The requester will then pay $0.50 for every uncertified copy and $30.00 to certify the document. Postage stamp fees also apply. Nevertheless, it’s equally possible to find archived marriage records for genealogy purposes. All it takes is knowing where to find them.
How To Find Historical & Archived Maricopa County Marital Records
Interestingly, there are no local archives to find Maricopa County marital records dating as far back as the 1950s. Searchers may still request such records, but they are not available locally through any official custodian.
Nevertheless, any marriage documentation will not contain common-law marriages or civil unions because Arizona does not recognize these types of unions or partnerships.
Besides using official resources, it’s also possible to find historical records, including marriage aliases, by visiting public libraries online or in-person, church archives, old newspapers, historical societies, other religious institutions, and more. Citizens may also browse local older newspapers to see if they can discover wedding announcements.
Beyond that, it’s equally possible to find older divorce (and marital records) at the Arizona State Archives.7
How To Locate Arizona Marriage Records Outside of Maricopa County?
Sometimes, when searching for Maricopa County records of marriage, the concerned party may realize that the marriage was held in a neighboring county instead, or even elsewhere in the state. In such cases, the Maricopa County custodians will not be able to assist, as they don’t host records for other counties.
However, since there is no way to access marital records through state facilities in Arizona, the requester will need to confirm the county before being able to look up the papers. Once the location where the marriage ceremony was held is determined, the searcher can then go through the relevant county’s superior court to request these documents or records.
How To Apply for a Marriage License in Maricopa County Arizona?
The best way to apply for a marriage license in Maricopa County is online; no office visits are needed. Nevertheless, suppose requesters wish to marry within the next 30 days. In that case, they should instead schedule an appointment and go in person (using the instructions for in-person appointments).
It’s possible to receive the marriage license in person on the same day as the application and get married that very day.
Otherwise, to apply online, interested parties must follow these instructions:
- Fill out the Maricopa County marriage license application form.8
- Upload a copy of the front of your valid government I.D. (for example, state ID, Matricula Consular I.D. card, passport, or driver’s license). I.D. should have a signature and match the signature on the affidavit and at least a valid government picture I.D. showing you are an Arizona resident.
- Ensure the names on the application match the I.D.s used to obtain the marriage license.
- Complete the online marriage license application form and click ‘submit’ at the end of the application.
If these documents listed above are not presented or uploaded, the couple won’t be able to submit the application form. Only Arizona residents may use the online program and must ensure that their browsers have any of the following requirements. Without meeting these computer requirements, the online form will not work correctly:
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 11
- Mozilla Firefox (59 and greater)
- Microsoft Edge (EdgeHTML 16 and greater)
- Apple Safari (10.1, 11.0, 11.1 and greater)
Next is the processing stage, which begins with receiving an email from [email protected] to download the affidavit sent to the e-mail.
- One copy of the affidavit should be downloaded, and both parties should sign by the original hand.
- Then, save the document to the computer and upload and send via email to the email address listed just above.
- An email will be sent, and a staff member will also call about how to make a payment.
- Staff will review the application and call within five business days using a restricted phone number to accept the application. On this call, the interested parties will confirm their social security numbers and date of birth. Then, they will need to give payment information (Visa, American Express Card, or MasterCard are accepted).
- If there’s any problem with the application, staff will reach out with information about why the application was rejected.
Alternatively, for in-person appointments, interested parties should fill and print the in-person marriage license application and then provide the completed document at the following physical addresses of the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court locations:9
Downtown Customer Service Center
601 W. Jackson St.,
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Northeast Regional Court
8380 N. 40th Street,
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Northwest Regional Court
14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, Arizona 85374
Southeast Regional Court Center
222 E Javelina,
Mesa, Arizona 85210
All locations require appointments, which can be scheduled via the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court bookings page. Nevertheless, walking in at the Downtown Customer Service Center is also possible.
Alternatively, requesters can get their marriage license services by visiting the facilities of the deputy justices or municipal court. Citizens can find the nearest physical Justice Court location in their area.10
The marriage license fee is $83.00 and cannot be refunded. Inquirers must also pay an additional $7 for postage. To pay for a certified copy in advance, requesters will need to provide an additional $37.50 or $30.50 and provide a business-sized, self-addressed, and stamped envelope when they request the license.
Once payment is made and received, the license will be mailed to the Arizona address in two business days using USPS First Class Mail, alongside a copy of the receipt. Citizens should note that the license expires within one year after issuance.
Furthermore, couples who are already married may want to convert their marital license into a covenant marriage.11
Whether or not they have a license issued, they don’t need a wedding ceremony. The spouses only need to sign a Declaration of the Intent to Enter into a Covenant Marriage Conversion form at the Marriage License office.12 They will also fill and sign a certificate of covenant marriage conversions.13
Also, they will need to pay a fee of $30.00 to convert their traditional license into a covenant marriage.
Interested parties may ask any questions they have by calling 602-372-5375 (press option 5, and then 1) or sending an email to [email protected].
Anyone can find Maricopa County marriage records quickly and effectively for various purposes when they know where and how to unearth them; this resource empowers you to find them seamlessly.
References
1Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Obtaining records. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/records/obtaining-records/-loadingmode-EditContent/-fsiteid-1?navid=79>
2Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Exhibits Online. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://exhibitsonline.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/appnet/UnityForm.aspx?d1=ARk%2Bv2b5rdWeWaeHy2ZlN6TFI5RqGNdXNiRL9Fcezcap22H8Qwupnh8di9kGGARg8FnV0hGrodPIGDBecHtqyK1Hb5YI8FRiZIEx2XQraTIVx/55if1zf3oMfn8PwyXNZuSQW4Eaha533YAXtJo5cC0r2zexHf0EDdN5CDZX2EYzHuOibPAxNjNHQvSBmmoxaB0rpml4XqEQ6tPZJqONLgORv5k9%2BGkGHkxGEc7%2Bm7vAelZfn7hR0qzI4U0ivN1cNw%3D%3D>
3Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Contact us. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/about/contact-us>
4Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Meet Cleo. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/about/meet-cleo>
5Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Make an appointment. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/services/make-an-appointment>
6Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Qmatic appointments. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://qmaticappointments.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov:8090/qmaticwebbooking/index.html#/>
7Arizona State Library, Archives, and Public Records. (n.d.). Accessing Arizona public records. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://azlibrary.gov/arm/accessing-arizona-public-records>
8Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Marriage licenses submissions page. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/services/marriage-licenses-passports/marriage-licenses/submissions-page>
9Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Marriage License Application Form [PDF document]. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/home/showpublisheddocument/2743/637642748106700000>
10Clerk of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, Arizona. (n.d.). Justice court locations. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/about/office-hours-locations/justice-court-locations>
11Arizona Court Help. (2022, March 10). Covenant marriage. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.azcourthelp.org/topics/marriage/covenant-marriage>
12Arizona State Legislature. (n.d.). Arizona Revised Statutes Section 25-901. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.azleg.gov/ars/25/00901.htm>
13Arizona Court Help. (2017, March 16). Covenant marriage booklet. Retrieved January 10, 2024, from <https://www.azcourthelp.org/finder/family/marriage/154-covenant-marriage-booklet>