The State of Arizona is one of three states that allows "Covenant" marriages in place of a traditional marriage license. The other states are Arkansas and Louisiana.
A Covenant is very much like a Catholic marriage which is considered one of the Seven Sacraments (or Sacrementum, "sign of the sacred") of which are: 1) baptism, 2) eucharist/or holy communion, 3)reconciliation, 4) confirmation, 5) marriage, 6) holy orders, and 7) annointing of the sick (last rites/extreme unction). In my opinion, this type of marriage, that is, the Covenant Marriage, basically is a way for the state to take religious context out but to still hold to certain tenets/or values that stem from, let's say, a Catholic religious wedding of marrying your soulmate. This is not a bad thing. It is a union that says "I take this seriously and am truly commited, for life."
When consenting adults apply for a marriage license in Arizona they can state that they wish their union to ba a "Covenant" marriage. In this type of marriage the couple commits to making their union last "for life."
One would assume if you are to marry that ALL couples marry under the belief that they will be married ever after.
The Covenant marriage requires a notarized statement by the clergy member or counselor that the couple have received pre-marriage counseling. The affidavit will state that the couple have been counseled as to the seriousness of a Covenant Marriage, that this type of marriage is a commitment for life, and that in the event of marital difficulty, the couple shall seek marriage counseling, and also that they have been counseled as to the exclusive grounds to legally terminate or legally separate their marriage
Once the pre-marriage counseling has been completed the couple must state in writing the following:
The above is called a Declaration of Intent to Enter into a Covenant Marriage which can also be found in a form affidavit at the Marriage License Office of the three states.
A Covenant Marriage is harder to dissolve than a 'regular' marriage and the dissolution will only be granted if proof is presented for one of the following eight (8) reasons: