Planning a wedding in Sedona when you live somewhere else comes with a few logistical questions you probably don’t encounter while choosing flowers or saving ceremony inspiration. One of the biggest is also one of the most important: How do you get legally married in Arizona? The good news is that the marriage license process doesn’t have to complicate your Sedona destination wedding. You just need to know where to go, what to bring, and what needs to happen before and after you say “I do.”
At the Lantern Light Inn and Wedding Gardens, we provide a wedding venue that is often described as enchanted. That’s the fun part. The logistics? We can help you with that too. If you’re planning a destination wedding or elopement in Sedona, here’s how to get a marriage license in Arizona.
How to Get an Arizona Marriage License for a Sedona Wedding
Sedona has one geographical quirk worth knowing before you start planning. The city sits in both Yavapai and Coconino counties. The Lantern Light Inn and Wedding Gardens is in West Sedona, which is Yavapai County. However, that doesn’t really matter when it comes to getting a marriage license.
An Arizona marriage license issued by a county clerk can be used for a wedding anywhere in the state. For couples staying in Sedona, the Yavapai County Clerk’s Camp Verde location can be a convenient option. Depending on your travel plans, you may also choose to obtain your license in Flagstaff or another Arizona county.
Both partners must appear together to apply. You do not have to live in Arizona, which makes the process relatively easy for couples traveling here for a destination wedding. You’ll need valid government-issued identification to verify your identity and age. For most couples, a current driver’s license or passport is the simplest option.
Arizona does not require a blood test or waiting period. For most adults, you also won’t need a birth certificate or previous divorce decree. Additional requirements apply if either person is under 18.
What Is a Covenant Marriage License in Arizona?
While researching how to get an Arizona marriage license, you may come across another option: a covenant marriage. This isn’t a different type of wedding ceremony or a requirement for getting married in Sedona. It’s an optional legal form of marriage available in Arizona that comes with additional requirements both before the marriage and if the couple later decides to separate or divorce.
Couples choosing a covenant marriage must declare that choice when applying for their marriage license and complete premarital counseling with a member of the clergy or a marriage counselor. The counseling covers the responsibilities of covenant marriage, its intended lifelong commitment, and the more limited legal grounds available for ending the marriage. The couple also submits documentation confirming that the counseling took place.
In other words, you won’t accidentally end up in a covenant marriage because you checked the wrong box at the courthouse. It’s something both partners deliberately choose and prepare for in advance. For most couples planning a Sedona destination wedding, the standard Arizona marriage license is the more straightforward option.
If you’re considering a covenant marriage, however, it’s worth reading the requirements through the Arizona courts and discussing the legal implications before deciding which type of marriage license is right for you.
When to Get Your Marriage License Before a Sedona Destination Wedding
An Arizona marriage license is valid for 12 months after it’s issued, so there’s no need to squeeze this errand into the final hours before your ceremony. If you’re arriving in Sedona a few days early, taking care of the license toward the beginning of your trip leaves room for courthouse hours, holidays, travel delays, and all the other little surprises that tend to accompany destination weddings.
Fees, hours, identification requirements, and accepted forms of payment can vary by county and can change. Check directly with the Clerk of the Superior Court where you plan to apply before leaving home.
- Coconino County Clerk of the Superior Court — 200 N. San Francisco St., Flagstaff, AZ 86001; phone: (928) 679-7600
- Page Justice Court (Coconino County) — 547 Vista Ave., Page, AZ 86040; phone: (928) 645-8871
- Williams Justice Court (Coconino County) — 700 W. Railroad Ave., Williams, AZ 86046; phone: (928) 679-7698
- Yavapai County Courthouse — 120 S. Cortez St., Prescott, AZ 86303; phone: (928) 771-3312.
- Camp Verde Superior Court (Yavapai County) — 2840 N. Commonwealth Drive, Camp Verde, AZ 86322; phone: (928) 567-7741.
- This is generally the most convenient Yavapai County option for many Sedona-area wedding couples.
Do You Need Witnesses for a Sedona Wedding in Arizona?
Yes, and this is one requirement that’s especially important if you’re planning a small wedding or elopement. Arizona requires two witnesses who are at least 18 years old. Your ceremony also needs to be performed by someone legally authorized to solemnize marriages in Arizona. If your dream Sedona elopement consists of you, your partner, an officiant, and nobody else for miles, you’ll need to adjust the headcount slightly. Arrange for your two adult witnesses before the wedding rather than trying to recruit a couple of hikers five minutes before the ceremony. Afterward, the couple, officiant, and witnesses complete the required portions of the marriage license.
What Happens to Your Arizona Marriage License After the Wedding?
There’s one final paperwork step before you can officially retire the wedding checklist. The completed marriage license must be returned to the appropriate Clerk of the Superior Court for recording. Your officiant may handle this for you, but confirm that ahead of time so everyone knows who is responsible for returning it.
Once your marriage has been recorded, you can request certified copies of the marriage record. You’ll likely need them if you’re changing your name or updating certain legal, financial, insurance, or identification records.
Planning a Sedona Destination Wedding From Out of State
Getting legally married is only one small part of planning a destination wedding in Sedona. The trick is taking care of the practical details early, so they aren’t competing for your attention once the wedding weekend begins. If you’re looking to get married in Sedona and want a garden wedding, we encourage you to contact us at the Lantern Light Inn. We’re an ideal location for micro weddings of 50 or fewer people.