Buckeye Divorce Decree Information

Buckeye divorce decree records are maintained by Maricopa County Superior Court where all Arizona divorce cases are processed and stored at the county level. The Clerk of the Superior Court keeps final divorce decrees along with all other documents filed during the case from start to finish. Anyone can request copies of divorce decree records through in-person visits to any Maricopa County courthouse, mail requests sent to the clerk office, or online portals that let you search and download documents. Standard fees apply with copies priced at 50 cents per page and certified documents costing an extra $35 for the official seal and signature that some organizations require for legal proof of divorce.

Maricopa County Court Jurisdiction

Buckeye residents file all divorce cases with Maricopa County Superior Court. The Superior Court has jurisdiction over dissolution of marriage cases throughout Arizona. No city government offices handle divorces or keep divorce decree records. The county clerk office is the sole official custodian of these court records.

Maricopa County runs multiple courthouse locations to serve different areas. The Northwest Regional Court Center at 14264 West Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise is the closest Superior Court facility for most Buckeye residents. This location handles family court matters including divorce filings and hearings. You can also use the main courthouse in downtown Phoenix at 601 West Jackson Street or the Southeast Court Complex in Mesa at 222 East Javelina Avenue. All locations provide the same services for divorce decree records.

Clerk office staff at each location can help you request copies of divorce decrees. Walk in during business hours with a photo ID. If you have the case number, the clerk can pull up your case quickly. Without a case number, provide the full legal names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was granted. The clerk uses this information to search the database. Recent cases can usually be copied the same day. Older cases stored off-site may take a few days.

Court hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. All courthouses are closed on weekends and state holidays. Call ahead if you are unsure about holiday closures or need to confirm that a specific location can help with your request.

Search Divorce Cases Online

Maricopa County offers free online case search tools. The ECR Online system is for registered users who need to access case documents. Go to ecronline.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/login.aspx to create an account. Once you log in, you can search for family court cases and view documents that have been filed. This system works well for checking case status and seeing what documents are available.

Another free resource is the Court Minutes database at courtminutes.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/index.asp. This tool shows hearing dates, minute entries from court proceedings, and basic case activity. It does not provide full document text, but it helps you understand what has happened in a case over time. You can use it to confirm hearing dates or check whether a final decree has been filed.

The Arizona eAccess portal at azcourtdocs.gov is the best option for downloading actual documents. This statewide system includes Maricopa County cases. Search by party name or case number. Once you locate your case, you can see a list of all available documents. Select the divorce decree or any other document you need. The system charges $10 per document. Payment is by credit card and the document is delivered as a PDF file you can save or print.

Note: Documents downloaded from eAccess are not certified copies and may not be accepted by some agencies that require official court seals.

How Buckeye Residents Get Copies

The easiest way to get divorce decree copies is to visit the Northwest Regional Court Center in Surprise. This courthouse is just east of Buckeye and serves the west valley. Walk in during business hours. Go to the clerk office window. Tell the staff you need a divorce decree copy. Give them the case number if you know it. If not, provide both spouses' names and the approximate divorce date. The clerk will search for the case and make copies for you. You pay the fees and take the copies with you.

Mail requests are another option. Send a written request to Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court at 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Your letter should include the case number or the full names of both parties, the date the divorce was finalized, and your return mailing address. State whether you need a plain copy or a certified copy. Include payment with your request using a money order, cashier's check, or credit card details. Do not send cash or personal checks. The clerk office will process your request and mail the documents within about one week.

Maricopa County also has an online records request form. Visit bit.ly/46a64wj to access the form. Fill in your case information, contact details, and what documents you need. The clerk office will review your request and contact you within five business days to confirm the fees. After you submit payment, they will send your documents by mail or email depending on what you selected on the form.

For questions about the process or fees, call the clerk office at 602-372-5375. Staff can answer questions about what information you need to provide, how long requests take, and what payment methods are accepted. Phone lines are staffed Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Divorce Decree Copy Fees

Maricopa County charges 50 cents per page for document copies. Divorce decrees range from about 5 to 15 pages in most cases. A plain copy will cost $2.50 to $7.50 depending on the length. If you need a certified copy with the clerk's raised seal and signature, add $35 to the per-page cost. Certified copies are required by some government agencies, employers, and financial institutions as legal proof of divorce.

When the clerk must search for your case because you do not have a case number, a research fee of $35 applies. This fee is charged per year or per source the clerk searches. You can avoid the research fee by finding your case number first using the free online search tools. Look up your case before you request copies and you save this extra charge.

Mailing costs are $8 for postage and handling. This applies to any request where the clerk office mails documents to you. The fee covers the envelope, stamps, and processing time. If you pick up copies in person, you do not pay the mailing fee. Electronic delivery through the online request form may have different mailing charges depending on how the documents are sent.

Payment methods at courthouse locations include cash, debit cards, credit cards, money orders, and cashier's checks. Personal checks are not accepted by Maricopa County courts. For online payments, use a credit or debit card through the clerk's payment system or the online request portal.

Filing for Divorce as a Buckeye Resident

To file for divorce in Buckeye, you start by submitting a petition for dissolution of marriage to Maricopa County Superior Court. At least one spouse must have resided in Arizona for 90 days before the filing date. This is the state residency requirement. You can file at any courthouse in Maricopa County. The Northwest Regional Court Center in Surprise is the most convenient location for Buckeye residents.

The petition is the first legal document in the case. It includes information about the marriage, both spouses, and any children. You must state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This is the only ground needed for divorce in Arizona. The state has no-fault divorce laws, so you do not need to prove wrongdoing by either spouse.

After filing the petition, you must serve the other spouse with copies of the petition and a summons. Service is done by a process server, certified mail, or acceptance of service. The served spouse then has 20 days to respond if they live in Arizona, or 30 days if they live out of state. If both spouses agree on all terms, they can sign a consent decree and the case can be finalized quickly. Uncontested cases often take about 60 days from start to finish.

When spouses disagree about property, custody, or support, the case takes longer. Mediation may be required. If mediation does not resolve the issues, the case goes to a hearing before a judge. The judge makes the final decisions. Once all matters are settled, the judge signs a decree of dissolution. This decree is filed with the clerk and becomes the permanent court record. Both parties get copies of the signed decree. You can request additional copies from the clerk office at any time.

What the Divorce Decree Contains

The divorce decree is the court order that officially ends the marriage. It names both spouses and lists the case number. The decree states the date the marriage is dissolved. This date is when the divorce becomes legally final.

Property division terms appear in the decree. Arizona law treats property acquired during marriage as community property belonging to both spouses equally. The decree lists what each person receives. Real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement funds, and personal belongings are all addressed. The decree also assigns debts. Each spouse is responsible for certain debts like credit cards, loans, or mortgages. The goal is a fair division, which usually means a 50-50 split of community assets and debts.

If the couple has minor children, the decree includes legal decision-making and parenting time orders. Legal decision-making is what Arizona calls custody. The decree says who makes major decisions about the children's education, medical care, and religious upbringing. The parenting time schedule shows when each parent has the children. Child support is also included. The amount is calculated using state guidelines based on each parent's income and the number of children. The decree states the monthly support payment, who pays it, and how long it continues.

Spousal maintenance, or alimony, may be part of the decree. Not all divorces include maintenance. When it is ordered, the decree specifies the monthly amount, how it is paid, and how long it lasts. Some maintenance orders are for a set period like three years or five years. Others continue until a triggering event such as the recipient's remarriage.

Name changes are granted in the decree if requested. If one spouse wants to return to a prior last name, the decree authorizes that change. The decree serves as legal documentation for updating driver's licenses, Social Security records, and other identification.

Note: The complete case file includes many other documents besides the final decree such as the original petition, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and court orders issued during the case.

Legal Help for Buckeye Residents

Community Legal Services provides free legal assistance to low-income individuals in Arizona. Their Phoenix office covers the west valley including Buckeye. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support matters. Check their website at clsaz.org or call to find out if you qualify based on income.

The Maricopa County Self-Service Center offers help with court forms and procedures. Staff can assist you in completing divorce paperwork correctly. They cannot provide legal advice about your specific situation, but they can explain the court process, answer procedural questions, and point you to the right forms. Self-service centers are located at each courthouse and are free to use during regular court hours.

Arizona Court Help provides online resources at azcourthelp.org. The website has downloadable forms, instructional videos, and step-by-step guides for divorce cases. You can access the site 24 hours a day from any device. All resources are free.

Divorce Records in Nearby Cities

Cities near Buckeye also process divorce cases through Maricopa County Superior Court. Find local information for these nearby areas.