It is no wonder that weddings and marriages, in particular, are time-consuming and require a lot of work.
Not only are newlyweds overwhelmed with their emotions after the wedding, but they also have to take care of dozens of legal questions.
In essence, if you plan to change your name to the marital one and file for loans and taxes or want to invest in property together, you need to know how to find marriage records online in Arizona.
This article will showcase some of the best ways how to find marriage records online in Arizona and help you identify whether you are eligible for that.
What Are the Arizona Marriage Records?
Marriage records in Arizona provide information on the couple's marriage, such as the date, place, and names of the spouses. Arizona has two types of marriage records: marriage certificate and marriage license.
A marriage certificate is considered a certified vital record, which serves as marriage proof and is issued by the government.
A marriage certificate is issued after the wedding takes place and has the signatures of the couple and the witnesses.
On the other hand, a marriage license is an official document proving that parties are legally qualified to marry. In essence, the marriage license must be obtained before the wedding or marriage occurs.
As a rule, a marriage license is issued by the county clerk's office.
What Do I Need to Run an Arizona Marriage Records Search?
To run an Arizona marriage records search, you need to be authorized and know a few general details about the records you are willing to obtain.
The information you are required to know when striving to find Arizona marriage records online includes:
* Names of the Spouses
* Maiden Name of the Wife
* Marriage Date
* County, Where the Marriage License was Issued
* Your Name and Address
* Your Phone Number and Signature
Remember that in case you are not one of the spouses and inquire about Arizona marriage records of other people, you may be considered not eligible and therefore requested to ask for written permission from one of the spouses to run an Arizona marriage records search.
How To Find Marriage Records Online in Arizona?
Here are some tips for those who still struggle with the question "how to find marriage records online in Arizona.
Practically, you have two options: running an Arizona marriage records search at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a vital records office (Arizona Department of Health Offices), and independent search platforms like backgroundcheck.co.
The majority of the websites listed allow running a free marriage records search. However, some of them charge a small fee.
Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) | www.azdhs.gov
ADHS is one of the fastest and most accurate ways to run an Arizona marriage records search, as it has all the state's vital records.
The first step you need to undertake is to file a request to look for the specific marriage records online in Arizona. You can do this either by showing up in person at one of the court's clerk's offices or by dropping an email.
However, there are a few other steps you need to consider when running an Arizona marriage records search on the ADHS website:
* The fee you need to pay to look up any of the Arizona marriage records online.
* The proof of identity before you run an Arizona marriage records search.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Another possibility is to run marriage records search at CDC;
CDC can provide marriage records in Arizona, outside the state, and even the country. Make sure to run an Arizona marriage record search in CDC by sending the request by mail to the address provided on their official website.
Independent search engine | (backgroundcheck.co)
Even though marriage records are free, some courts may hide information like place and date of marriage and couple's names.
This is where in some cases, independent search platforms like backgrouncheck.co provide you with the background information on the parties registered in the marriage records in Arizona.
You can also check which education and work history they had, find their contact information, and check their court records if applicable.
Backgroundcheck.co is different from most free marriage records searches, as it charges a small fee for its service. However, it is recommended to use it to provide the big picture.
Who Is Eligible to Run an Arizona Marriage Records Search?
Even though some states, like Minnesota, do not record marriages, most of the state's vital offices keep track of them.
As a rule, Arizona marriage records are public and accessible by third parties unless stated otherwise by the court.
In other words, anyone authorized by law and considered eligible can request access to marriage records online.
Generally, you need to satisfy the following requirements to obtain marriage records online:
* Be at least 18 years old
* Submit an ID card with your photo on it
Key takeaways: make sure you are eligible to run an Arizona marriage records search, and if so, be ready to provide your ID and pay a small fee!