Chandler Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records for Chandler residents are maintained by the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court. Chandler is a fast-growing city in the southeast part of Maricopa County with over 275,000 people. All divorce cases filed by Chandler residents go through the county Superior Court system. The Southeast Court Complex in Mesa at 222 East Javelina Avenue is the nearest regional court facility for most Chandler residents. You can also use the main courthouse in downtown Phoenix or request records by mail or online. Divorce decree records are public in Arizona, which means anyone can request copies for a fee. Plain copies cost 50 cents per page while certified copies with the court seal cost $35 plus the per-page fee.
Chandler Divorce Decree Quick Facts
Where Chandler Divorce Cases Are Filed
Chandler residents file for divorce at the Maricopa County Superior Court. The city sits entirely within Maricopa County. The Southeast Court Complex in Mesa is the most convenient location for Chandler residents. This regional facility is at 222 East Javelina Avenue in Mesa, just a short drive from most parts of Chandler. The complex handles family court cases including divorce for the eastern section of the county.
The downtown Phoenix courthouse at 601 West Jackson Street is another option. Both locations access the same case files and records. Chandler residents can use whichever office is easier to reach. The clerk offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Call (602) 372-5375 before you visit to confirm which services are available at each location.
| Court | Maricopa County Superior Court |
|---|---|
| Southeast Complex | 222 E. Javelina Avenue Mesa, AZ 85210 |
| Downtown Phoenix | 601 W. Jackson Street Phoenix, AZ 85003 |
| Phone | (602) 372-5375 or (602) 37-CLERK |
| Website | clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov |
Parking is available at both court locations. Valley Metro bus and light rail routes serve the area. Bring a valid photo ID when you visit any courthouse. Security checks all visitors. Large bags are not allowed inside, so leave those at home when you go to request Chandler divorce decree records.
Search Chandler Divorce Decrees Online
Chandler residents can search for divorce decree records online through state and county portals. The Arizona Public Access Case Lookup is a free statewide tool at apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx. Pick Maricopa County from the menu. Search by name, case number, or date. The system shows basic case details like filing dates, party names, and case status. This helps you find the right case before you request copies of Chandler divorce decrees.
To view and download actual documents, use the Arizona eAccess portal at azcourtdocs.gov. You can create an account for free. Search for your Chandler divorce case. The system lists all documents filed in that case. Choose which ones you need. Downloads cost $10 per document. Payment is by credit card. You get PDF files that you can save or print. This works well when you need a copy fast and do not want to wait for mail delivery.
Maricopa County offers ECR Online at ecronline.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov for parties to a case. If you are one of the spouses in a Chandler divorce case, you can register and view your case file online. Family court cases are in this system. You see all filings, orders, and court minutes. This service is free for registered users, but only case parties can sign up.
Court minutes are summaries of what happened at each hearing. They are available for free at courtminutes.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov. Anyone can search Chandler divorce case minutes. They are public records. Minutes do not give you the full decree, but they show the timeline of court events in your case.
Requesting Divorce Decree Copies in Chandler
You can get copies of Chandler divorce decrees three ways: in person, by mail, or through an online request form. Which method you choose depends on how fast you need the records and whether you need certified copies.
For in-person requests, visit the Southeast Court Complex in Mesa or the downtown Phoenix courthouse during business hours. Tell the clerk staff which case you need. Provide the case number if you have it. If not, give the names of both spouses and the year the divorce happened. The clerk will look up the case and make copies. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $35 plus the per-page fee. Same-day service is often available if the file is readily accessible.
To request Chandler divorce decree records by mail, send your request to Clerk of the Court, 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Include the case number or both spouse names and the divorce date. State if you need plain or certified copies. Enclose a check or money order for the fees. Personal checks are not accepted at Maricopa County clerk offices. Add $8.00 for postage and handling. Mail requests usually take 5 to 10 business days to process after payment is received.
The online records request form is at bit.ly/46a64wj. Fill out the form with your case details and payment information. The clerk office will process your Chandler divorce decree request and mail the copies to you. This option works 24 hours a day. You get email updates on your request status. Payment is by credit card.
Note: Research fees of $35 per year apply if you do not have a case number and the clerk must search for your Chandler divorce decree.
Fees for Chandler Divorce Decree Copies
Copy fees for Chandler divorce decrees are the same as all Maricopa County fees. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. A typical decree is 5 to 15 pages. Expect to pay $2.50 to $7.50 for an uncertified copy. Certified copies include a raised court seal and signature from the clerk. The certification fee is $35.00 per document plus the per-page charge.
If the clerk must search for your case because you do not have a case number, a research fee of $35.00 per year or per source applies. You can skip this fee by finding your case number yourself through the free Public Access search. Most Chandler residents can locate their case online in a few minutes.
Postage and handling costs $8.00 for mailed requests. This covers the envelope, postage, and processing time. The state eAccess portal charges $10.00 per document for downloads. This is separate from county fees. Online downloads are not certified. If you need a certified Chandler divorce decree, you must request it from the clerk office.
Electronic replication of a full case file on USB or CD costs $35.00 plus $3.00 for the media. This option works when you need all documents from your Chandler divorce case, not just the final decree. Payment methods include cash, debit card, credit card, and money order when you visit in person. Personal checks are not accepted.
Filing for Divorce in Chandler
Chandler residents file for divorce under Arizona state law. The legal term is dissolution of marriage. Arizona uses a no-fault system. You do not have to prove either spouse did something wrong. The only ground needed is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This means the marriage cannot be saved. Either one or both spouses can state this as the reason.
At least one spouse must live in Arizona for 90 days before filing. This residency rule is shorter than most states. You file a petition for dissolution at the Maricopa County Superior Court. There is a filing fee. The other spouse must be served with the petition. You can use a process server, certified mail, or the sheriff. Proof of service is filed with the court.
Arizona is a community property state. This means assets and debts from the marriage are split equally unless the couple agrees otherwise. Separate property, like what you owned before marriage or got as a gift or inheritance, stays with the person who owns it. The Chandler divorce decree lists who gets which property and who pays which debts. If the couple has children, the decree includes legal decision-making authority and a parenting time plan. Child support is based on state guidelines that look at income and the number of kids.
Once both sides agree on all terms, or after a trial if they do not agree, the judge signs the final decree. This legally ends the marriage. It becomes a public record. You can get copies from the clerk office using the methods described above. The decree is legal proof that your Chandler divorce is final.
Legal Help for Chandler Divorce Cases
Several groups help Chandler residents with divorce. Community Legal Services offers free legal aid to people with low income in Maricopa County. They handle family law cases including divorce. Call to see if you meet their income guidelines. The State Bar of Arizona has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney in the Chandler area.
The Maricopa County Superior Court runs a self-service center. Staff can answer questions about forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they help you understand court requirements. The center is free to use. All court forms are online at azcourthelp.org. The site has step-by-step guides for people filing without a lawyer in Chandler.
DNA People's Legal Services helps some Chandler residents with tribal connections. Legal aid groups have income limits. Check their websites or call to find out if you qualify. If you cannot pay court fees, you can ask the judge for a fee waiver. The court will look at your finances and decide if you can file without paying fees for your Chandler divorce case.
Filing Without a Lawyer in Chandler
Many Chandler residents handle their own divorce cases without hiring an attorney. This is called pro se filing. It works best when both spouses agree on all terms and there are no complex property or child issues. The court cannot give legal advice, but resources exist to help you file on your own in Chandler.
Start at azcourthelp.org for all the forms you need. The site has tools that walk you through filling out forms based on your situation. Print the forms when done and file them at the courthouse. The site also has guides that explain each step in plain language. These are easier to understand than reading the law itself.
The self-service center at the courthouse can review your forms. Staff check that they are filled out correctly. They explain procedures and deadlines. They cannot tell you what to do or guess what the judge will decide. But they can help you avoid simple errors that would delay your Chandler divorce case. If you have kids, you must complete the child support worksheet. This form calculates support based on both parents' income, the number of children, and parenting time. The court will not approve your Chandler divorce decree without this worksheet in the file.
Nearby Cities in Maricopa County
Chandler is part of the Phoenix metro area in Maricopa County. Other large cities are nearby. All these cities use the same Superior Court system for divorce. Residents file at the same clerk offices and can access divorce decree records through the same portals described on this page.
Maricopa County Divorce Decree Records
Chandler is in Maricopa County. All divorce cases for Chandler residents are filed through the Maricopa County Superior Court. The county court system handles cases for over 30 cities and towns. Chandler is the fourth largest. For more details on county procedures, complete fee schedules, all court locations, and extra resources for divorce decree records, visit the Maricopa County page.