Peoria, Arizona Wedding Guide
Become a Wedding Officiant in Peoria as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Arizona, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.
Become a Wedding Officiant in Peoria as an AMM Ordained Minister. Learn more about getting ordained in Arizona, officiant training, wedding ceremony planning, and more.
So you’re tying the knot in Peoria! This sunny suburb of Phoenix has a lot to offer, especially when it comes to getting married. Whether you’re planning to have the ceremony out by Lake Pleasant Regional Park, or nearer to the city action, AMM is here to walk you through the logistics of your wedding - from ordaining your minister of choice to signing the marriage license. Let’s begin with the ordainment process.
In Arizona, the law states that licensed or ordained clergymen - including ministers, elders, or other persons - who by the customs, rules, and regulations of a religious society or sect, are permitted to solemnize marriages or to officiate at marriage ceremonies.
This also includes AMM ministers! So, if you’ve been asked to officiate a friend’s wedding but you don’t have any credentials to do so, you can get ordained with us. The process is free and should only take you just a few minutes to complete. There is no state registration process required in Arizona, so once you are ordained, you can start officiating weddings as soon as you want!
Now that the easy part is out of the way, we can help you prepare for the wedding ceremony itself. Being asked to officiate a ceremony is an honor, but it can also feel like a lot of pressure. You will appreciate our wedding training pages, which are a library of information to help you prepare for your first ceremony and ensure that it goes smoothly.
Here you can find everything from sample wedding ceremony scripts to brainstorming ideas, handy hints, and more.
When it comes time to sign the marriage license, it’s the couple’s responsibility to obtain and complete the marriage license, and it’s the officiant’s job to sign and return the marriage license to the county clerk’s office.
According to the Maricopa County website, “A marriage license must be issued prior to the ceremony taking place, signed at completion of the ceremony, and returned by the officiator not more than 30 days after the ceremony has taken place in order for the license to be recorded.”
For The
Couple
In order to get a jump start on the licensing process, the couple can complete the online marriage application form. When this is filled out completely, both members of the couple must visit the county clerk’s office and be able to present valid state-issued identification as well as their social security numbers.
When you go, just remember to bring:
Once the marriage ceremony has taken place, in order to be officially recorded, a portion of the signed marriage license must be returned to the clerk's office where the license was obtained. The newly married couple keeps the remainder of the original license. A copy of the completed license can be obtained for an extra fee.
Issuance Office: Northwest Court Complex, West Tierra Buena Lane 14264
Fee: $83
Waiting Period: None
Expiration: 1 year
Return: Within 30 days by Officiant
For The Couple
& Officiant
For the wedding venue of your dreams, checking out all the options around Phoenix and not just in Peoria will open up a large selection of options from more rustic venues to glamorous banquet halls. The city’s downtown area has a lot of trendy, modern venues to choose from. The Croft is a 10,000 square-foot warehouse with an industrial vibe - equipped with all the spaces you could ask for including a ceremony room, reception area, and an outdoor cocktail patio. Its cement floors, original brick walls, and exposed ceilings will conjure up the steampunk hipster living inside you. If you want a bit more of a minimalist vibe, SoHo63, just a few miles south in Chandler, will give you that modern, snazzy elegance along with great catering options and bar packages.
Outdoor weddings are a great option for winter weddings when the weather is cool enough to enjoy the area’s many parks. At the scenic Lake Pleasant Regional Park you’ll be surrounded by peace and tranquility, a lovely atmosphere for exchanging your “I do’s.”
Peoria has an effective bus transit system called POGO (Peoria On The Go) which will connect you to all the major stops within the city. The Valley Metro, a more extensive public transportation system consisting of trains and buses, serves the greater Phoenix area. If public transportation isn’t your thing, rideshare and taxi services should also be close at hand.
Apart from the occasional thunderstorm, it’s a safe bet you’ll encounter sunshine year-round in Peoria. During the summer it can regularly get up to 100+ degrees but winters are pleasant and average. November, December, and January are ideal times of the year to visit, especially if you want an outdoor reception.
For The Couple
& Officiant
After I apply for a marriage license, when will I receive it?
The same day you apply for the license. There is no waiting period in Phoenix, so you could technically get married the same day you complete the marriage license application process.
Do you need an Arizona state ID to get a marriage license?
No, any government-issued ID is acceptable.
How do you pay the $83 fee for the marriage license in Maricopa County?
Cash, money order, credit, or debit are all acceptable forms of payment.
Can we get married with a Maricopa County marriage license anywhere?
You can get married anywhere in the state of Arizona with a marriage license from Maricopa County.
How do I change my name after I get married?
The Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court will provide direction along with the certificate of marriage that is issued following the return of your marriage license.
Become a Wedding Officiant with Our Free Online Ordination!