How to Elope in Arizona
If you’ve started planning your elopement or you’re just considering eloping, you may be coming up with a few questions on how exactly you do it. Whether you’re an Arizona native or just choosing the Grand Canyon State as the backdrop for your day - this blog breaks down exactly how you go about all of it. From how to apply for a marriage license, legally get married & choosing locations.
Not sure what exactly an elopement is or entails? Check out my other blog post that covers everything to know about eloping.
What you’ll need to do:
Apply for a marriage license
How to get legally married
Choose vendors & officiant
Choose time of year
Find a ceremony location & check permits
Applying for a marriage license
To apply for a marriage license in the State of Arizona, you & your partner must both appear in person at one of the Justice Court offices. You both must be at least 18 years old, provide a valid government-issued photo I.D., & provide your Social Security Numbers, if you have one.
You will both be sworn in & will sign two affidavits to state that your personal information is correct.
You do not need to provide a copy of a divorce decree.
There is no blood test or waiting period required.
You do not need to obtain a marriage license in the county you’re getting married.
There is a filing fee that is currently $83 (subject to change).
The Marriage License is valid for up to 12 months.
You do not have to be living in AZ to get married here!
A marriage license must be issued prior to your wedding ceremony taking place.
Locate justice court offices in Arizona with this map.
More info about specific county laws can be found on the U.S. Marriage Laws website here.
Sean & Julien chose to have a Shaman Blessing for their elopement ceremony performed by Native American officiant, Uqualla.
How to get legally married
For your elopement in Arizona, you’ll need:
An officiant
2 witnesses (I can count as 1!)
Your marriage license
An officiant must perform the ceremony & two witnesses at least 18 years or older must be present. At the completion of the ceremony, you & your partner, the witnesses, & the officiant will sign the license.
Who can be an officiant?
According to the U.S. Marriage Laws website, the officiant must be legally authorized to perform marriages in the state of Arizona. The cool thing about this is that you don’t have to have just anyone be your officiant. It’s (surprisingly) really easy to become ordained - if you don’t already have someone in mind, but you’d like the person performing your ceremony to be someone you know - ask them to get ordained!
Marriages can also be performed by any of these officiants:
1. Duly licensed or ordained clergymen.
2. Judges of courts of record.
3. Municipal court judges.
4. Justices of the peace.
5. Justices of the United States supreme court.
6. 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 behavior.
7. Bankruptcy court and tax court judges.
8. United States magistrate judges.
9. Judges of the Arizona court of military appeals.
10. Licensed or ordained clergymen (this includes ministers, elders or other persons who by the customs, rules and regulations of a religious society or sect are authorized or permitted to solemnize marriages or to officiate at marriage ceremonies).
Choose Vendors
If you ask me… this the best part of all (I might be a little biased though).
Choosing your vendors for your elopement day are so important. Elopements are so intimate & personal, often times your photographer & officiant are some of the only people with you that day.
Which is why I want you to feel comfortable & completely yourselves during your day. When it comes to elopements, I’m a lot more than just a photographer for you. I’ll be your planner & your guide. I’m going to help you find all the best locations, plan a timeline for your day, & I’ll have you covered with just about everything you need (whether it’s Tylenol, a Tide Pen, extra water, or even a jacket - I’ve got you both covered).
Here’s a list of all the vendors you may want/need for your day:
Photographer
Officiant
Florist
Hair & Makeup Artist
Videographer
Dress/Suit Rentals
Choose Time of Year
The best part about Arizona is depending on where you choose to elope - you can pretty much plan your wedding for anytime of the year.
If you’re wanting to stick to the Southern part of the state (think Phoenix, Lost Dutchman State Park, Tucson, etc.) - then late October to early April is your best time to elope to avoid being too hot.
If you’d like to go up North towards Sedona, Flagstaff, Page, & the Grand Canyon - March through early October are some of the best times (especially to escape the Valley heat). If you’re wanting to have some snow adventures during your elopement though, the winter months are a great time to head up North!
When it comes to elopements, it’s usually best to be a little flexible with your dates. Sometimes certain state & national parks, as well as tribal land, have restrictions on different trail heads & areas during different times of the year.
It’s important to talk with your vendors, specifically your photographer, way ahead of time to discuss what you’re wanting for your day. Let me help you plan your dream elopement.
Find a Ceremony Location & Check Permits
Arizona is so beautiful & truly has so many different landscapes to serve as the backdrop for your elopement. It all depends on what you picture for your day:
Looking to be surrounded by saguaros?
Saguaro National Park, Lost Dutchman State Park, or White Tank Mountain Regional Park.
Want to explore the red rocks?
Sedona has endless trails & areas to explore.
Want to get lost in the mountains?
Mogollon Rim, Mount Lemmon, or Flagstaff.
Looking for canyons & formations to explore?
The Grand Canyon, Horseshoe Bend, or Monument Valley.
Many of these locations require certain passes/permits in order to have a ceremony & photos taken there. I’ll help you get this taken care of way ahead of time!
This truly just touches the surface of what all Arizona has to offer & these are only some of the most popular areas. I help you find those off the beaten path locations that will make you feel right at home. Whether you want to explore somewhere more secluded or a spot you’ve had saved on your Pinterest board for years - let’s start planning.
Looking for more suggestions? Check out my blog post: Nine of the Best Places to Elope in Arizona.
Even if you haven’t decided for sure yet that you & your partner want to elope - I’m so stoked that you’re even considering it! Eloping is such a personal & intimate way to get married. It’s centered all around your love & just celebrating the two of you. It’s not about throwing a party for other people, but planning an epic adventure to start your marriage.
Whether you have more questions about how to plan your elopement, want to inquire about me photographing your day, or just want to chat - send me an email anytime here.
Hi! I’m Samantha, a Phoenix, Arizona based adventure elopement photographer. Originally from the Midwest, I moved out to Arizona two years ago & fell in love with the idea of helping couples plan their wedding completely around themselves & what they want for their day. Elopements bring the idea back of celebrating your love & making your day all about you - you’re not worrying about including certain traditions or following what you think you’re expected to do. Let’s start planning your unique adventure.
When I’m not capturing couples in love, I can be found exploring different hiking trails throughout the Valley, hanging out with my boyfriend Brannon, listening to a true crime podcast, or probably looking up photos of golden retrievers.