How to Elope in Arizona: Everything You Need to Know

Whether you’re in the desert or the Rockies, Arizona is an awe-inspiring place filled with southwestern charm. From the Grand Canyon to Sedona, there’s something for every couple. Now that you’ve decided to tie the knot in State 48, the question remains  – how to elope in Arizona? 

The steps to make your marriage legal, whether that be through an elopement, a micro wedding or a traditional ceremony – are different from state to state. With all the local intricacies – it can feel overwhelming and confusing. With some planning and a little bit of help, going through your marriage process can be made simple and stress free. Here, we’ll review:

• How to obtain a marriage license in Arizona
• Witness requirements for your Arizona elopement
• All inclusive Arizona elopement packages
• Top booked venues in Arizona on Simply Eloped
• Post elopement: getting a marriage certificate
• Post elopement: changing your last name

How to Get your Marriage License in Arizona

Your marriage license is an incredibly important step in getting you down the aisle. This is because to get married in Arizona, you legally need a marriage license. Neither you or your partner need to be residents of Arizona to obtain a marriage license in the state. You do, however, need to both appear in person at your marriage license appointment in the county you plan to get married to provide identification, proof of age and associated fees. Be sure to bring a valid government issued ID. Examples of this are a valid driver’s license or current passport.  If either person is under the age of 18, they will need parental consent or to be emancipated. Arizona does not require blood tests, or copies of divorce decrees. The fees associated with your marriage license will differ from county to county, most ranging from $83.00 – $98.00 dollars. Be sure to check with your county beforehand and come prepared with the required payment. 

Once you have your license, you have 12 months to get married before your marriage license expires. After your ceremony, there’s a few people who need to sign your license to make it legal. This includes you, your spouse, your two witnesses, and the person who performed the ceremony. After all parties have signed, have the person who performed your ceremony mail the bottom portion of your license into the Clerk of Superior Court. That’s it! You’re married!

Obtaining a Wedding Officiant

It is a requirement in the state of Arizona that an officiant perform your wedding ceremony. In Arizona, those who are licensed clergy members, judges, magistrates and clerks of the Circuit Court in your city or town are legally able to officiate a wedding. If it seems stressful to handle this on your own, Simply Eloped is more than happy to coordinate a local, professional officiant for you.

Are Witnesses Required for my Arizona Elopement?

Yes, two witnesses who are 18 or older need to be witnesses and sign your marriage license. After your ceremony, your witnesses will need to sign your marriage license for it to be legally valid.

All Inclusive Arizona Elopement Packages

Simply Eloped offers a number of customizable elopement packages for your Arizona elopement! Our Seed, Simply Photographed, Sprout, Bloom, and Oasis packages are available in Arizona. This provides each couple the unique opportunity to build their perfect, customizable elopement package from top to bottom. Here are a few details on each package. To see more information on each of these Arizona elopement packages, click here.

• Seed Package Details: Includes professional officiant, personalized ceremony, advice on obtaining your marriage license and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Simply Photographed Details: Covers one hour of professional photography and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Sprout Package Details: Offers a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Bloom Package Details: Includes a professional officiant, personalized ceremony, one hour of photography, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere, and dedicated Elopement Specialist.
• Oasis Package Details: Covers professional officiant, two hours of photography, one hour of videography, hair and make up for one person, a Nosegay bouquet and boutonniere and dedicated Elopement Specialist.

Places to Elope in Arizona

Let’s talk about venues! Here are our top booked venues in the state of Arizona, with all of their details.

Crescent Moon Day Use Area

Hoping for an intimate ceremony among the red rocks? Crescent Moon Day Use Area is a stunning outdoor elopement location to consider for a ceremony of 13 guests or  less. Nestled right between Oak Creek and Cathedral Rock, this little slice of Mars gives you a harmonious combination of desert landscape and lush greenery. A permit is required to get married at Crescent Moon Day Use Area which Simply Eloped will coordinate on your behalf.

Crescent Moon Day Use Area welcomes leashed pets, is wheelchair accessible, and has an onsite bathroom. Please note that chairs, decor, drones, candles, and sparklers are not permitted.

Grand Canyon National Park

Is there anything more iconic than tying the knot in the Grand Canyon? Able to host ceremonies of 20, this once in a lifetime ceremony location is ready for your once in a lifetime day. Please note that this venue requires a permit that the couple is responsible for coordinating. It also takes at least 30 days to obtain this permit, so plan accordingly.

Grand Canyon National Park is available for ceremonies year round. However, November through April can be dicey with weather conditions. This venue welcomes leashed pets, is wheelchair accessible depending on the location, and has a bathroom available. Please note that candles, sparklers, drones, chairs and decor are not permitted.

Briar Patch Inn

A sweet inn in Sedona right next to a tranquil creek, Briar Patch Inn is perfect for intimate elopements and micro weddings. With several locations on site, couples can pick a location that is uniquely suited to their love story. Please note that this venue requires a permit, which the couple is responsible for coordinating. 

Briar Patch Inn welcomes alcohol, streaming, is wheelchair accessible, and has an on site bathroom. Please note that drones, pets, candles, sparklers, chairs and decor are not permitted. Briar Patch Inn also has a reception space, which can be coordinated directly between the couple and the venue.

How to Change your Last Name After Marriage

Changing your name legally is a bit of a process. Between social security, license and passport services – it can feel daunting. If you take it in digestible steps though, it’ll feel a lot more manageable. Here’s what you need to do: 

1. Obtain a copy of your marriage certificate: you’ll need this document to change your name with social security, your driver’s license and your passport. Be sure to have a few copies of your marriage certificate before you get started changing your name. 
2. Change your name with social security: a name change in any state starts with updating your name with social security. You’ll first need to complete the SS-5 application for a new social security card. Within this application, different steps are outlined depending on your needs. Once complete you can either mail your application or drop it off at your local social security office. Regardless of whether you’re doing this process in person or through the mail, you’ll also need to submit proof of identity. These documents include:
   • Your marriage certificate
   • Proof of identity, like your driver’s license
   • Proof of citizenship if it has not already been established, such as your passport
3. Change your name on your driver’s license: Once approved, your new social security card will be mailed to you in a matter of weeks. After it’s been delivered, it’s time to make an appointment at your local MVD. At your appointment, bring identification that shows both your new and previous name. This includes your marriage certificate, current driver’s license and your passport. Needs can change based on the MVD you go to, so be sure to call ahead and find out what else you should bring to your appointment. Once you’re there with all your paperwork and documentation, it’s a $12.00 fee to get a name change to your driver’s license in Arizona. After your appointment, you’ll receive your new license by mail in a matter of weeks.
4. Change your name on your passport: After you’ve received your new driver’s license, you’re ready to change your name on your passport. The forms you will need to do so are dependent on a few factors, like whether your passport is expired or not. Depending on your passport needs, you will also either be able to submit everything by mail, or need to submit your documents in person. After submitting, a new passport will take several weeks to arrive. To find out which documents apply to you, go to Travel.State.Gov. Once you have filled out the proper paperwork, you’ll need:
   • Your current passport
   • Your certified name change document (marriage license or otherwise)
   • A new color passport photo
   • Payment and other fees in the form of a check
5.  Non legal name changes: From here, you’re done with the legal tasks! Your next step is changing your name on non-legal documents. Examples to consider at this point are things like car titles, insurance (health, car, renters,) employers, credit cards and more. 

While a rather lengthy process, it is digestible if you just take it step by step.

Eloping is an exciting moment in you and your partner’s life! Though there’s a few steps to get you down the aisle, Simply Eloped is here to support you in the full process. To learn more about our packages and services, chat with one of our Personal Elopement Designers.

This article has been fact checked and reviewed for accuracy by a Simply Eloped Personal Elopement Specialist in January 2026

Written by Lisa Guglielmo

Lisa is the Marketing Manager at Simply Eloped. Having gotten married in 2022, she experienced the good (and not so good,) of traditional wedding planning. Here, she loves watching couples do their weddings their way.