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Maricopa County exact answer

How is a completed marriage license returned in Maricopa County?

This answer belongs to the issuing office and task named above. It does not substitute a statewide summary or infer a rule the office does not publish.

Direct answer

In Maricopa County, the license must be issued before the ceremony, signed at the end of the ceremony, and returned by the officiant to the Clerk not more than 30 days after the ceremony for the license to be recorded. The signed license carries the signatures of both parties, two witnesses and the person who solemnized the marriage.

Published rule and conditions

Return and recording rule
The license must be issued before the ceremony, signed at the end of the ceremony, and returned by the officiant to the Clerk not more than 30 days after the ceremony for the license to be recorded.

The signed license carries the signatures of both parties, two witnesses and the person who solemnized the marriage.

Official requirement

A marriage license must be issued prior to the ceremony taking place, signed at completion of the ceremony, and returned by the officiator not more than 30 days after the ceremony has taken place in order for the license to be recorded.

Issuing office

Clerk of the Superior Court in Maricopa County

Open the issuing office

Official sources for this answer

  • Marriage LicensesMaricopa County Clerk of Superior Court - checked July 26, 2026

    Both parties must be present to obtain a marriage license. Each individual is required to provide a valid government-issued photo I.D., such as a driver's license, passport, etc. to show proof of age and confirm identity. Arizona Revised Statute 25-121(B) requires applicants to provide their social security number (SSN), if any. A copy of a divorce decree is not required; blood tests are not required. A marriage license must be issued prior to the ceremony taking place, signed at completion of the ceremony, and returned by the officiator not more than 30 days after the ceremony has taken place in order for the license to be recorded. You will receive your marriage license on the same day you apply for the license, and can be married on the same day, if you have made arrangements with an officiator of your choice to perform the ceremony. However, you have up to one (1) year from the date the marriage license was issued to get married, as the license expires one (1) year from the date of purchase. The fee for a marriage license is $98.00 payable by cash or money order, debit card or credit card. Effective August 3, 2018, if you are under 16 years of age, you are prohibited from marrying.

  • A.R.S. 25-125 — Marriage ceremony; official; witnesses; marriage license; covenant marriagesArizona State Legislature - checked July 26, 2026

    A. A valid marriage is contracted by ... persons with a proper marriage license who participate in a ceremony conducted by and in the presence of a person who is authorized to solemnize marriages and at which at least two witnesses who are at least eighteen years of age participate. B. A marriage license shall be signed by both persons married, two of the witnesses to the marriage ceremony and the person who solemnized the marriage, who shall return the signed marriage license to the clerk of the superior court for recording.

Answer boundary

MarriageLicenseCheck is an independent reference, not the issuing office or legal advice. Applicant facts, timing, prior marriages, and document type can change the result. The official office decides what it will accept.

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