1. How to Become a Minister in Pima County

Before you do anything, your first move will be to become ordained (in case you haven't already done so). How does it work? Get Ordained™ offers legal ordination via the Universal Life Church, and the process is completely free. The ULC welcomes anyone who feels called to ministry, and does not discriminate based on identity, creed, or any other characteristics. You can become ordained online in just a few minutes, right from your device. With this important step complete, you'll have the power to officiate legal weddings! To start the application, follow the link below.

Important Info for Ministers in Pima County

ULC Ordination Accepted:
Yes
Minister Registration Required:
No
Documents Required:
N/A
Minister's Residency:
Irrelevant
Minister's Minimum Age:
18

2. Learn Pima County Marriage Requirements

Your next action item is to contact the office in charge of issuing marriage licenses in Pima County. Politely explain that you're an ordained minister planning to perform a wedding ceremony in their jurisdiction, and you'd like to know what credentials or official documents you need to show prior to officiating. Below you'll see contact information for this office in Pima County.

Office Address:
110 West Congress St.
Tucson, AZ 85701
Office Phone Number:
(520) 724-3201
Office Website:
Pima County Office Website

3. Who Can Officiate a Wedding in Pima County?

How about you! (Once you are ordained, of course). Weddings have a reputation for being pretty spendy, and couples are always looking for ways to reduce costs. One way to do that, while also injecting extra meaning to the proceedings, is by selecting someone they know personally to officiate. This could be a friend, a loved one, or even a mentor.

Regardless of your relationship to the couple, being asked to officiate is a tremendous honor. It shows that the couple has deep trust in you, and that they find confidence in having you standing alongside them on the big day. It's worth noting, however, that not everyone planning a wedding knows this is an option! If you are close to an engaged couple, you could always present the idea of you becoming ordained and officiating, just in case it hadn't occurred to them.

Average Cost of a Wedding in Pima County:
$23,800

4. What You'll Need to Officiate in Pima County

After contacting the Pima County office that handles marriages, you should have a solid idea of what you will need to order from our website. Based on conversations with our ministers in Pima County, the Classic Wedding Kit is the most popular option. However, your selection may depend on the specific requirements for officiating in your area.

Once you receive the items you need, you'll be ready to officially perform the wedding! If it's your first time officiating, (or even if it's not!) we'd encourage you to visit our wedding training center, which features a suite of resources and tools you may find helpful when preparing for the ceremony.

5. How Pima County Marriage Licenses Work

Once you finish the ceremony, your final (and most crucial) responsibility is to correctly fill out and return the marriage license. A Pima County marriage license is valid for one year, and after the document has been issued, there is no mandatory waiting period before the marriage can take place. Please note that a marriage license in Pima County must be returned to its issuing office before it expires.

Remember that this is a legal document, so always double-check all fields have been properly completed before returning it. The license itself can be a bit confusing, so if you need tips for how to fill out a marriage license, please check out our marriage license training page.

Marriage License Waiting Period:
None
Marriage License Valid For:
1 Year
Return Within:
20 Days

6. Performing a Wedding in Pima County

Pima County is home to Tucson, Arizona, the second largest city in Arizona. Nestled in the foothills, this mountainous part of Arizona is home to gorgeous landscapes with cacti only found in that region. More arid and cooler than Phoenix due to its higher elevation, Pima County and Tucson is home to amazing resorts from well known brands (like the Westin from Marriott), and the only Ritz-Carlton in the state. If fancy isn't your calling then fret not, Tucson is a city big into food, drinks, and culture, so no one would have an issue finding a venue in this vibrant desert county.

7. What You Should Do Now for a Wedding in Pima County

The majority of people come during the winter months, when you can experience cool 60-70 degree weather and sun- but the summer months are usually in the triple-digits, so be wary of that!

Well that about does it! You are now an expert on Pima County weddings! Even if your ceremony isn't for a while, a friendly reminder that it's never too early to become a minister (ordination is good for life, after all). Go ahead and click the button below to get started.

Once you've completed this all-important step, performing a legal wedding ceremony in Pima County will be within your reach!