Arizona marriage guide

Standard Marriage vs. Covenant Marriage in Arizona

Arizona gives you two ways to be married. Most couples pick a standard marriage. Some pick a covenant marriage, which is a stronger promise with a few extra steps. This guide shows the difference in plain words, so you can choose what fits you.

I’m Steven Conn, a U.S. Veteran and ordained minister in Scottsdale. I marry couples all over the Phoenix Valley, and I can do either kind of wedding.

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A real person answers. No call centers.

What is the difference between a standard and a covenant marriage in Arizona?

A standard marriage is the normal kind most people get. A covenant marriage is a lifelong promise that needs pre-marital counseling first, and divorce is only allowed for certain reasons. Your wedding ceremony can look the same either way. Have a question? Text us and a real person will help you.

What is a standard marriage?

A standard marriage is what almost every couple in Arizona has. You get a marriage license from the clerk. You have a ceremony with an officiant and two witnesses. Then the license gets sent back to the court. That’s it.

There is no class and no counseling needed. You can even get your license and get married on the same day. Arizona has no waiting period. Our same-day weddings page shows how that works.

What is a covenant marriage?

A covenant marriage is a choice you make when you get your license. You tell the state you want a marriage that is meant to last for life. You also agree to get counseling if your marriage ever runs into trouble.

Arizona is one of only three states that has covenant marriage. The others are Louisiana and Arkansas. The rules are in Arizona law, A.R.S. 25-901.

To get one, you need three extra things:

Pre-marital counseling with a member of the clergy or a marriage counselor.
A signed, notarized statement from that person saying you had the counseling. They also give you the state’s covenant marriage pamphlet.
A signed declaration from both of you. You sign it at the clerk’s office, in front of the clerk.

Standard vs. covenant marriage side by side

Standard

The kind most couples pick

License: Regular Arizona marriage license
Counseling first: Not needed
Paperwork: License application and ID
Apply online?: Often yes, for Arizona residents in Maricopa County
Same-day wedding: Yes, easy to do
Divorce: No reason has to be proven
Ceremony: Any style you like
Change later?: Can be changed to covenant later

Covenant

A stronger, lifelong promise

License: Same license, with “covenant” checked and a signed declaration
Counseling first: Required, with clergy or a marriage counselor
Paperwork: License, declaration, and a notarized counseling statement
Apply online?: Plan to go in person, since the clerk must watch you sign
Same-day wedding: Only if counseling is already done
Divorce: Only for reasons listed in the law
Ceremony: Any style you like
Change later?: The law has no way to switch back

The big differences are counseling before and the rules for divorce after.

Can we get a covenant marriage on the same day?

This is the question I get the most. The honest answer is: usually not on the same day you decide. But there is an easy fix.

Have you already done your pre-marital counseling?

YES

You can marry today

Bring the notarized statement to the clerk, get your covenant license, and say “I do.” Arizona has no waiting period.

NOT YET

Marry today, convert later

Get a standard marriage now. Later, you can file to change it to a covenant marriage. No counseling is needed to convert.

Good to know: Arizona law lets married couples convert to a covenant marriage at the clerk’s office, with no new ceremony. You can read it in A.R.S. 25-902.

So if your date is today or tomorrow, don’t stress. Text me. We can get you married now and you can make it a covenant marriage when you are ready. Learn more about getting married today in Arizona.

Which one is right for you?

A standard marriage may fit if…

Your wedding is soon, like today or this week.
You want the simple path with no extra steps.
You are eloping or keeping it small.
You may want to convert to covenant later.

A covenant marriage may fit if…

Your faith or values call for a lifelong promise.
You want counseling to be part of getting ready.
You like that divorce is harder to get.
You have a few weeks before the wedding.

Covenant marriage is not only for religious couples. The law lets the counseling come from clergy or a marriage counselor. Many couples pick it because it matches how serious they are about each other.

Is it harder to get divorced in a covenant marriage?

Yes. In a standard Arizona marriage, a judge can end the marriage without anyone proving fault. In a covenant marriage, the court can only end it for a reason listed in A.R.S. 25-903:

Adultery
A felony with a prison sentence
One spouse left home for at least one year and won’t come back
Abuse or domestic violence, including emotional abuse
Living apart for two years in a row
Living apart for one year after a legal separation
Ongoing drug or alcohol abuse
Both spouses agree to end it

I am a wedding officiant, not a lawyer. This is general info, not legal advice. If you have a legal question about divorce, talk with an Arizona family law attorney.

4 steps to a covenant marriage

Do pre-marital sessionsMeet with clergy or a marriage counselor. You talk about what a covenant marriage means and how it can end.
Get the signed statementThey sign a notarized statement and give you the state’s covenant marriage pamphlet.
Go to the clerk togetherPick “covenant” on the license form. Sign the declaration in front of the clerk.
Have your weddingYour officiant marries you with two witnesses, just like any Arizona wedding.

Pre-marital sessions with me

I’m an ordained minister, not a licensed counselor. Arizona law lets a member of the clergy do covenant marriage counseling. So for covenant couples, I offer pre-marital sessions and can sign the notarized statement the clerk needs.

Every couple I marry also gets my free guides, even for same-day weddings. That includes “10 Essential Topics to Discuss Before You Get Married,” a vow writing guide, and a ceremony flow overview. You can read some of those topics in what to talk about before marriage.

Have a question? Text us. A real person answers.

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How it works with me

Send a textTell me your date, your city, and if you want a standard or covenant marriage. I’ll text you back.
Pick your planWe set the time and place. For covenant couples, we set up your pre-marital sessions too.
Get your licenseGo to the clerk’s office. See my Maricopa County marriage license guide for what to bring.
Say “I do”I lead your ceremony, sign your license, and send it back to the court. You will need two witnesses.

Tips before you choose

Talk about it together. Both of you must want a covenant marriage. It is a big promise.
Give yourself time. If you want covenant, plan your counseling a few weeks before the wedding.
Call the clerk first. Ask what to bring for a covenant license. The Maricopa County Clerk has the forms and fees.
Already married? You can convert any time. Some couples pair it with a vow renewal ceremony.
Pick your officiant. Ordained ministers, judges, and justices of the peace can all marry you. Here is how a judge and a wedding officiant compare.
Write your own vows. Covenant or not, personal vows make the day yours. Here are tips for writing your vows.

Weddings all over the Phoenix Valley

I travel to you. Backyards, parks, resorts, chapels, and desert spots. I marry couples in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Glendale, and every town around them. Short notice is my specialty.

Scottsdale
Phoenix
Paradise Valley
Tempe
Mesa
Chandler
Gilbert
Glendale
Peoria
Cave Creek
Fountain Hills
Surprise

Want to see everything I offer? Look at my wedding services or read my officiant FAQ.

Sources: A.R.S. 25-901, A.R.S. 25-902, A.R.S. 25-903, and the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court.

Covenant marriage FAQ

What is a covenant marriage in Arizona?

It is a type of marriage you choose when you get your license. You promise a lifelong marriage and agree to get counseling if you have trouble later. You need pre-marital counseling first, and divorce is only allowed for certain reasons.

Is a covenant marriage harder to get?

A little. You need pre-marital counseling, a notarized statement from the person who counseled you, and a declaration you both sign in front of the clerk. Plan for a few extra weeks.

Do we need counseling for a covenant marriage?

Yes, if you are getting a new covenant marriage license. Arizona law says you must have pre-marital counseling with a member of the clergy or a marriage counselor first. Couples who are already married and convert do not need counseling.

Who can do our pre-marital counseling?

A member of the clergy or a marriage counselor. As an ordained minister, I offer pre-marital sessions for covenant couples and can sign the notarized statement. Text me and we can set them up.

Can we get a covenant marriage the same day?

Only if your counseling is already done and you have the notarized statement. If not, you can get a standard marriage today and convert it to a covenant marriage later. No counseling is needed to convert.

Can we change to a covenant marriage later?

Yes. Married couples can file a declaration with the clerk of the superior court and pay a fee. You do not need counseling or a new ceremony. Some couples do it along with a vow renewal.

Is a covenant marriage more religious?

Not by law. The counseling can come from clergy or a marriage counselor, and your ceremony can be religious or not. Many couples choose it because of their faith, but you don’t have to be religious.

Is it harder to get divorced in a covenant marriage?

Yes. A court can only end a covenant marriage for reasons in the law, like adultery, abuse, a felony, long separation, drug or alcohol abuse, or when both spouses agree. This is not legal advice, so ask an Arizona family lawyer for your case.

Does the wedding ceremony change for a covenant marriage?

No. Your ceremony can look and feel the same. You still need an officiant and two witnesses. Some couples add a line about their covenant promise to their vows.

Where do we get a marriage license?

From the Clerk of the Superior Court. In Maricopa County, many couples can apply online for a standard license. For a covenant license, plan to go in person, since you sign the declaration in front of the clerk.

Can a judge do a covenant marriage ceremony?

Yes. The ceremony is the same as any Arizona wedding. Ordained ministers, judges, and justices of the peace can all perform it. The covenant part happens at the clerk’s office, not at the ceremony.

Can you marry us either way?

Yes. I marry couples with standard and covenant marriages all over Scottsdale and the Phoenix Valley. Text or call me and a real person will answer.

Which states have covenant marriage?

Only three: Arizona, Arkansas, and Louisiana. In every other state, all marriages are the standard kind.

Standard or covenant, I can marry you

Ready to set your date?

Text me your date and city. I’ll answer your questions about standard or covenant marriage and help you plan. Today, tomorrow, or next year, anywhere in the Phoenix Valley.

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A real person answers. Steven Conn, U.S. Veteran and Ordained Minister.