Who Can Officiate An Arizona Wedding?

Arizona is a popular wedding destination, with many spectacular views. If you're planning to get married there, or you've been asked to officiate a wedding, there are a few legal requirements you need to be aware of. While Arizona law doesn't require marriage officiants to register with any government office, there are specific criteria that need to be met for a marriage to be legally recognised.

No registration required

Arizona law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office

Although Arizona does have a law that specifies who can solemnize a marriage, there are no laws, offices, or procedures requiring officiants to register with any government office. This means that once you are ordained, you have the legal ability to officiate weddings anywhere in Arizona.

Local regulations in Arizona

Local regulations in Arizona stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization, such as American Marriage Ministries. While you are not required to register with any Arizona government office as a wedding officiant, it is a good idea to keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials. Proof of your ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

County clerks may ask for proof of ordination

While there is no state-level registration necessary in Arizona, county clerks have been known to ask ministers to present an ordination certificate and/or an Official Letter of Good Standing from the church. It is recommended to have these documents on hand.

Must be ordained

Arizona law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, to be able to legally perform a marriage in Arizona, one must be ordained. Local regulations in Arizona stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization, such as the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries. While there is no state-level registration necessary in Arizona, it is a good idea to keep personal records of your official Ministry Credentials, as proof of ordination may be requested by the couple, government officials, or the wedding venue.

In addition to ordained ministers, there are several other types of individuals authorized to perform marriage ceremonies in Arizona. These include:

• Judges of courts of record
• Municipal court judges
• Justices of the peace
• Justices of the United States Supreme Court
• Bankruptcy court and tax court judges
• United States magistrate judges
• Judges of the Arizona court of military appeals

It is important to note that Arizona does have a law (Arizona Revised Statutes § 25-124) that specifies who can solemnize marriages. This includes all ministers, including online ordained ministers. However, there are no laws or procedures requiring officiants to register with any government office.

Who can officiate

Arizona law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office. However, only certain people are authorised to solemnise marriages. These include:

• Duly licensed or ordained clergymen, including ministers, elders, or other persons who by the customs, rules, and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorised or permitted to solemnise marriages or officiate at marriage ceremonies.
• Judges of courts of record.
• Municipal court judges.
• Justices of the peace.
• Justices of the United States Supreme Court.
• Judges of courts of appeals, district courts, and courts that are created by an act of Congress if the judges are entitled to hold office during good behaviour.
• Bankruptcy court and tax court judges.
• United States magistrate judges.
• Judges of the Arizona court of military appeals.

While there is no need to register with a government office, officiants must be ordained by a religious organisation, such as the American Marriage Ministries or Universal Life Church, to be able to legally perform marriages. It is also recommended that officiants keep personal records of their official Ministry Credentials as proof of ordination.

County clerk's role

The role of the county clerk in an Arizona wedding is primarily administrative. County clerks are responsible for issuing marriage licenses to couples intending to marry. In Arizona, each county has at least one location where couples can apply for a marriage license. Both parties must be present to obtain the license, and they must provide valid, government-issued photo identification. There is no waiting period for the marriage license, meaning the couple does not need to wait after receiving the license before the wedding ceremony can be legally performed. The license is valid for one year from the date of purchase.

Once the marriage ceremony has been performed, the signed marriage license must be returned to the clerk's office where it was obtained within a specified time frame, typically between 10 to 30 days. The newly married couple keeps the remainder of the original license. The county clerk's office is also responsible for recording the marriage, ensuring that it is officially recognized by the state.

While county clerks do not perform wedding ceremonies, they play a crucial role in facilitating the legal process of marriage in Arizona. They serve as the point of contact for couples seeking to obtain their marriage licenses and provide information on the requirements and procedures for obtaining a license. County clerks also maintain records of marriages performed in their jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with state laws and regulations.

In addition to issuing marriage licenses, county clerks may also provide information and resources to wedding officiants. In some cases, county clerks may request to see proof of ordination or credentials from officiants before the wedding ceremony. This ensures that the officiant is legally authorized to perform marriages in the state of Arizona.

Documents required

To officiate a wedding in Arizona, you must be an ordained minister or a member of the clergy, a judge, or a justice of the peace.

While Arizona Law does not require marriage officiants to register with any government office, you must be ordained by a religious organization to be able to legally perform marriage. Local regulations in Arizona stipulate that wedding officiants under the designation of "Minister" be ordained by a religious organization, such as the Universal Life Church or American Marriage Ministries.

• Ordination Certificate: You must be able to prove your ordination status. You may be asked to show a number of items to verify this, and requirements vary from county to county.
• Letter of Good Standing: This is signed by a church officer, dated, and notarized.
• Marriage License: The couple must obtain this from the office of the county clerk, but as the officiant, you should familiarize yourself with the rules. The marriage license is valid for one year and there is no waiting period, meaning the ceremony can take place immediately after the couple receives the license.
• Identification: You will need to provide a valid, government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport, to show proof of age and confirm your identity.
• Return of the Signed Marriage License: After the ceremony, the signed marriage license must be returned to the county clerk within 20 days.

Frequently asked questions