Same-Sex Marriage in Arizona
Same-sex-marriage has been legal in the state of Arizona since 2014. In October of that year, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that laws denying same-sex marriage were unconstitutional because they prevented same-sex couples from receiving equal protection of the law. Following this, U.S. District Court Judge John Sedwick ruled that Arizona’s amendment to ban same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. When Arizona’s Attorney General Horne announced quickly thereafter that he would not appeal that ruling, same-sex marriage immediately became legal throughout the state.
In 2015, same-sex marriage became legal across the country as a result of a Supreme Court ruling legalizing such marriages in all fifty states.
According to the Arizona Capitol Times, in the week following the legalization of same-sex marriage in Arizona, all fifteen counties in the state issued marriage licenses to at least one same-sex couple.
All couples looking to get married, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, can obtain a marriage license in Arizona if they are 18 years old or older, provide sufficient identification, and pay the license fee. Requirements and fees vary slightly by county, with some courthouses recommending scheduling an appointment time. Couples should look into the requirements for the county in which they reside for specific guidelines. Rideout Law Group’s guide to marriage licenses in each Arizona county can be found here.
Rideout Law Group handles cases throughout the entire state of Arizona, with offices located in Scottsdale and Lake Havasu City. Our attorneys are experienced in handling family law cases. For a free consultation, call 480-584-3328.