A.R.S. § 25-124 • No State Pre-Filing Primary-Source Reviewed (2026-10-31)

How to officiate a wedding in Arizona

Covers all 15 Local Marriage Recording Jurisdictions in Arizona under Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-124 & 25-125.

Jurisdiction Summary • Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-124 & 25-125 No State-Level Officiant Registry

Officiating in All 15 Jurisdictions in Arizona: Under Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-124 & 25-125, Arizona recognizes ordained ministers in active standing without maintaining a statewide officiant registration office. Ecclesiastical ordination with Agape Church International is free ($0). Typical couple marriage-license fees at the Clerk of the Superior Court are $83.00–$98.00 (waiting period: None (Immediate); return window: 20 days—confirm exact local clerk procedures before ceremony day).

Check AZ eligibility & apply free ($0) Build ceremony script

Primary-Source Reviewed (2026-10-31) • Arizona State Legislature — A.R.S. § 25-124 (Persons Authorized to Solemnize) ↗

Interactive Ceremony Deadline Calculator

Calculate your exact filing & ceremony dates

Wedding State or D.C.

Ceremony Date

Step 1 • Church Ordination ($0)
Complete Agape Ecclesiastical Ordination for Arizona
Obtain your permanent Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital Certificate of Ordination ($0, zero renewal fees).
Sun, Nov 15, 2026
30 Days Before Ceremony
Confirm Local Clerk Ink & Return Rules (Clerk of the Superior Court)
Under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-124(A)(1), duly licensed or ordained clergymen (defined to include all ministers, elders, or other persons who by the customs, rules, and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorized to solemnize marriages) may perform weddings across all 15 Arizona counties without pre-registering with the state or county. Arizona has no waiting period after license issuance (licenses are valid for 1 year), and the signed lower portion of the license must be returned to the issuing Clerk of the Superior Court within 30 days after the ceremony. Confirm current license fee schedules directly with the county Clerk of the Superior Court.
Mon, Nov 30, 2026
21 Days Before Ceremony
Complete Couple Questionnaire & Finalize Ceremony Script
Send the 10-question Couple Interview Link, confirm personal vows vs. repeat-after-me vows, and print your script in large altar type.
Wed, Dec 9, 2026
Waiting Period Buffer (None (Immediate))
Couple Secures Arizona Marriage License
Ensure the couple obtains their Arizona Marriage License early enough to clear Arizona’s waiting period (None (Immediate)) without expiring before ceremony day.
Wed, Dec 23, 2026
Within 20 Days After Ceremony
Return Signed Arizona Marriage License to Clerk of the Superior Court
Witness Rule: Under A.R.S. § 25-125(B), at least 2 adult witnesses (age 18+) must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage license alongside both spouses and the officiant.. Deliver in person or via tracked mail before Tue, Jan 19, 2027.
Tue, Jan 19, 2027

Ceremony countdown: 60 days from today • Always confirm holiday/office closures with Clerk of the Superior Court.Open Couple Interview Questionnaire →

Three separate parts of a Arizona wedding (Ariz. Rev. Stat. §§ 25-124 & 25-125)

Under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 25-124(A)(1), duly licensed or ordained clergymen (defined to include all ministers, elders, or other persons who by the customs, rules, and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorized to solemnize marriages) may perform weddings across all 15 Arizona counties without pre-registering with the state or county. Arizona has no waiting period after license issuance (licenses are valid for 1 year), and the signed lower portion of the license must be returned to the issuing Clerk of the Superior Court within 30 days after the ceremony. Confirm current license fee schedules directly with the county Clerk of the Superior Court.

Couple’s Civil Marriage Document

Arizona Marriage License

Recording / Issuing Office: Clerk of the Superior Court

Ceremony Witness Requirement

Under A.R.S. § 25-125(B), at least 2 adult witnesses (age 18+) must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage license alongside both spouses and the officiant.

Spoken Ceremony Wording Rule

Arizona law does not mandate rigid liturgical language, provided both parties declare mutual consent in the physical presence of the authorized officiant and 2 adult witnesses.

Ordination Cost vs. Physical Documents

Ordination: $0. Optional keepsake certificate & altar folder—Arizona Superior Court Clerks do not require officiants to pre-file ordination credentials.

4 clear steps before ceremony day in Arizona

Complete free ecclesiastical ordination ($0): Apply online in under a minute to receive your Agape Registry Credential ID and printable digital certificate—with no annual renewal fees.
Complete any required local clerk registration early: Confirm with the issuing Clerk of the Superior Court whether they request to inspect a printed credential or have county-specific signing instructions.
Prepare and rehearse the ceremony: Take our free 6-lesson first-time officiant course and customize a word-for-word script at /ceremony-scripts.
Execute & return the couple’s marriage license on time: Follow Arizona’s witness rule (under a.r.s. § 25-125(b), at least 2 adult witnesses (age 18+) must be present at the ceremony and sign the marriage license alongside both spouses and the officiant.) and return the signed license to the issuing Clerk of the Superior Court within the statutory deadline (typically 20 days—confirm exact deadline printed on the couple’s license packet).