Arizona Research Online:
Genealogy Marriage Records
Arizona Marriage Certificates
Arizona Marriage Database Index
Arizona Marriage Records Links
In Arizona official recording of vital records was not required until 1909, but many records of marriage exist from earlier dates.
Information on a modern Arizona marriage license includes the county where the wedding took place, name of groom, maiden name of bride, bride and groom's age and birthdates, residence and parents
names, previous marriages, divorce status, the name of the officiate, such as a minister or justice of the peace, and names of witnesses.
Unlike birth and death records which can be obtained from County Vital Records Offices, marriage records in Arizona are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the
county where the event occurred. (This also applies to Arizona divorce records.) For official copies of Arizona marriage certificates, contact the Clerk of the Superior Court where the
license was issued. Early Arizona marriage records are public records.
Arizona Court Clerks have marriage records starting at these dates:
Apache - 1879
Cochise - 1881
Coconino - 1891
Gila - 1889
Graham - 1881
Greenlee - 1911
La Paz - 1983
Maricopa - 1871
Mohave - 1887
Navajo - 1895
Pima - 1872
Pinal - 1875
Santa Cruz - 1889
Yavapai - 1865
Yuma - 1864
I haven't checked all counties, but am assuming that records exist from at least the date of county formation. Check with the county of interest to see what records they have and fees associated
with ordering copies of records. Arizona Superior Court Clerks
Of Interest to future genealogists:
Arizona now has two types of marriage licenses available - a standard marriage license and a covenant marriage license.
A couple who intend to enter a covenant marriage will have to have premarital counseling, then get a notarized statement that confirms the parties were counseled as to the nature and purpose of the
marriage. When applying for a marriage license they must advise the clerk that they want a covenant license, sign a declaration of intent and present the notarized statement. If the marriage does not
work out, the couple must have counseling to try to solve conflicts before a divorce is granted. No-fault divorces are not permitted. There are specific guidelines for granting a divorce: such as a
lengthy separation, adultery, abuse, or felony conviction.
Several states are considering making covenant marriages available but as of 2004 only three states have covenant marriage legislation: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. A married couple may
convert their marriage to a covenant marriage by applying to the clerk of the superior court and filling out the necessary documents. They are already married and do not require premarital counseling.
Information regarding licenses issued since 1995 are currently available through the Arizona Supreme Court's Public
Access. |
Arizona Genealogy Resources:
General Resources:
Add or Search Marriage Records.
Connect with others researching your genealogy roots!
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Arizona Marriage Indexes on CD-ROM
1727-1900 AZ, CO, NE, NM, OR, and WA
1850-1951 AZ, CA, ID, and NV
Other Records:

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