Living Together Is Not Marriage
A.R.S. 25-111 — no marriage by agreement without a ceremony
In Arizona, a marriage may not be contracted by agreement without a marriage ceremony.
A license, a solemnization, and the timing. A marriage contracted in the state is valid only if a license is issued, the marriage is solemnized by a person authorized to do so, or one at least one party in good faith believes is authorized, and the solemnization happens before the license expires.
| The assumption | What the law actually does |
|---|---|
| The assumptionLiving together for some years makes a marriage | What the law actually doesNo marriage by agreement without a ceremony |
| The assumptionA license alone is enough | What the law actually doesThe marriage must also be solemnized before the license expires |
A marriage validly formed in another state, property and support claims between unmarried partners, and how a marriage ends are separate questions this page does not answer. Whether a particular relationship is a marriage is a question for a licensed Arizona attorney.
Sources for this section (1)
- A.R.S. 25-111 — Requirement of license and solemnization; covenant marriages
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Arizona attorney.