How to Get a Marriage License in Phoenix: Step by Step
Published October 17, 2026
If you want your nikah to be a legal marriage in Arizona as well, you need a marriage license first. Here is how it works in Phoenix, from applying to collecting the license, in plain steps.
At a glance
- Where
- Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court (Marriage Licenses), Downtown Customer Service Center, 601 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. Other locations: Northeast Regional Court, 18380 N. 40th St., Phoenix, AZ 85032; Northwest Regional Court, 14264 W. Tierra Buena Ln., Surprise, AZ 85374; Southeast Regional Court Center, 222 E Javelina, Mesa, AZ 85210. Some deputized justice and municipal courts also issue licenses.
- Booking
- For in-person service, appointments are recommended at the four Clerk locations and walk-ins are accepted; appointments are honored ahead of walk-ins. Check in with your confirmation QR code on arrival. The Clerk's reservation page cannot book appointments at justice or municipal court facilities.
- Fee
- $98 License fee per the Clerk's page read in October 2026; confirm with the Clerk. A certified copy after recording is $43.50, or $35.50 with a business-size self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Payment
- Cash or money order, debit card or credit card. At the Justice Courts only money orders are accepted.
- Who attends
- For an in-person license, both parties must be present, each with valid government-issued photo ID.
- Valid for
- One year from the date of purchase.
- Same day?
- Yes. The license is issued the same day you apply and you can marry the same day if your officiant is arranged. The page lists no waiting period.
Step by step
- Apply. Apply through the Clerk's Online Marriage License Program (the page says no office visit or appointment is needed; Arizona residents only), or apply in person: print and complete the in-person application, or complete one on site.
- Book or plan your visit. For in-person service, appointments are recommended at the four Clerk locations and walk-ins are accepted; appointments are honored ahead of walk-ins. Check in with your confirmation QR code on arrival. The Clerk's reservation page cannot book appointments at justice or municipal court facilities.
- Gather your ID and documents. See the list below. Bring originals.
- Attend and pay. For an in-person license, both parties must be present, each with valid government-issued photo ID. Cash or money order, debit card or credit card. At the Justice Courts only money orders are accepted.
- Give the license to your officiant. Your imam needs it at the ceremony, and must be authorized to solemnize marriages in Arizona. One year from the date of purchase.
What to bring
- Valid government-issued photo ID for each person (for example a driver's license, passport, state or military ID; a Matricula Consular card with biometric identity checks is accepted)
- Social Security number, if you have one (A.R.S. 25-121(B))
- Under 16 may not marry; ages 16 and 17 need an Emancipation Order or parental consent, a birth certificate, and the younger applicant's spouse cannot be more than 3 years older
- A divorce decree is not required and blood tests are not required
Good to know
- The license must be signed after the ceremony and returned by the officiant within 30 days for it to be recorded
- The page does not describe who may officiate; ask your officiant and the Clerk
- Covenant marriage licenses need a notarized statement from clergy or a marriage counselor about premarital counseling
Your nikah and the license
The license is what makes your marriage legal. Your nikah is the religious ceremony. If your imam is authorized to solemnize marriages in Arizona, one ceremony can be both. See imams serving Phoenix and our Arizona nikah guide for who may officiate and how the marriage is recorded.
A few common questions
How much is a marriage license in Phoenix?
The issuing office lists the license fee as $98. License fee per the Clerk's page read in October 2026; confirm with the Clerk. A certified copy after recording is $43.50, or $35.50 with a business-size self-addressed stamped envelope. Fees change, so check the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court (Marriage Licenses) page before you go.
Do I need an appointment in Phoenix?
For in-person service, appointments are recommended at the four Clerk locations and walk-ins are accepted; appointments are honored ahead of walk-ins. Check in with your confirmation QR code on arrival. The Clerk's reservation page cannot book appointments at justice or municipal court facilities.
Can I get my license in one place and marry in another?
It depends on the state. One year from the date of purchase. Confirm with Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court (Marriage Licenses) whether your license can be used outside this county or state before you plan your ceremony.
Do I need a marriage license for a nikah?
Only if you want the marriage to be legally recognized in Arizona. A nikah on its own is religiously valid but is not a legal marriage. If you want both, you need a license and an authorized officiant, and one ceremony can cover both.
Planning a nikah in Phoenix?
Tell us your date and we will help you find an imam, including one who can register the marriage if you want the legal side done the same day.
Details come from the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court (Marriage Licenses) website, checked in October 2026. Fees, hours and booking rules change, so confirm before you go. Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court (Marriage Licenses): marriage license page. Contact: (602) 37-CLERK or (602) 372-5375. This guide is general information, not legal advice.