Gilbert Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records for Gilbert are kept at the Maricopa County Superior Court Clerk's Office. Gilbert sits in Maricopa County, so the county handles all divorce filings and record storage for people who live here. You can get copies of your decree by visiting the clerk office in person, sending a mail request, or using online tools. Maricopa County offers several ways to search for case information and obtain documents. Some records are free to view while copies and certified documents cost fees. The clerk office serves all residents and can help you get the divorce records you need.
Gilbert Divorce Decree Facts
Maricopa County Handles Gilbert Divorce Decrees
Gilbert is part of Maricopa County. All divorce cases for Gilbert residents get filed with the Maricopa County Superior Court. The Clerk of the Court office manages these records. When you file for divorce in Gilbert, you go to one of the Maricopa County court locations. After the judge signs your decree, it stays in the county system. This is true for all cities and towns in Maricopa County.
The main clerk office sits in downtown Phoenix at 601 W. Jackson. Maricopa County also has regional court centers. The Southeast Court Complex in Mesa is closer to Gilbert. It is at 222 E. Javelina Avenue in Mesa. You can visit this location to file papers or get copies of records. The clerk staff there can help with divorce decree requests. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays.
You do not need to visit a court location to get your divorce decree. Maricopa County lets you submit record requests online or by mail. Many people find this easier than driving to a courthouse. The county also runs online portals where you can search for cases and view some documents from home. These options give you flexibility in how you access your records.
Online Divorce Decree Search
Maricopa County offers ECR Online for people who need to access case information. This system is at ecronline.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov. You need to create an account to use it. ECR stands for Electronic Case Record. Once you log in, you can see family court cases, including divorce filings. The system shows docket entries, court dates, and documents.
The Arizona Public Access portal also covers Maricopa County. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx and pick Maricopa. Search by name or case number. This tool is free. It does not require an account. You can view basic case details but not full documents.
For downloading actual documents like your divorce decree, use the Arizona eAccess system at azcourtdocs.gov. This portal charges $10 per document. You search for the case, find the decree in the list of filed documents, and download it as a PDF. Payment is by credit card. The download is not certified. If you need a certified copy with the clerk's seal, you must request that separately from the clerk office.
Note: Some older cases may not have all documents available online, so you may need to contact the clerk office for records from many years ago.
How to Get Divorce Decree Copies
The fastest way to get a copy is to visit the Southeast Court Complex in Mesa. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk staff you need a copy of your divorce decree. Give them the case number if you have it. If not, provide the full names of both spouses and the approximate divorce date. The clerk will locate the file and make copies for you. You pay the fees at the counter. Most requests are filled the same day.
Mail requests work well if you cannot visit in person. Send a letter to the Maricopa County Clerk of the Court at 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Include the case number or the names of both parties and the divorce year. Say whether you want a plain copy or a certified copy. Enclose a check or money order for the fees. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certification adds $35. Postage and handling is $8. Processing usually takes 5 to 10 business days after they receive your payment.
Maricopa County also has an online records request form at clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/records/obtaining-records. Fill out the form with your case details. Pay by credit card. The clerk office will mail the documents to you or arrange for pickup at a court location. This option combines the ease of online ordering with the official service from the clerk.
Personal checks are not accepted by Maricopa County. Use a money order, cashier's check, debit card, or credit card. Cash is accepted for in-person payments. For online and phone payments, you need a card. Make sure you calculate the total fees before you send payment. The clerk office cannot process your request until they have the correct payment amount.
Maricopa County Court Locations
The Southeast Court Complex in Mesa is the most convenient location for Gilbert residents. It handles family court cases including divorce. The address is 222 E. Javelina Avenue, Mesa, AZ 85210. From Gilbert, you take the US-60 west or drive up Val Vista Road. The courthouse has parking and is easy to access. The clerk staff there can answer questions about your case and help with record requests.
The main customer service center is downtown at 601 W. Jackson in Phoenix. This is the central hub for the Maricopa County Clerk of the Court. All types of cases are handled here. If you need help with a complex records request or have questions about older cases, this location has the most staff and resources. Hours are the same at all locations: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Maricopa County also operates court centers in the northwest and northeast parts of the county. The Northwest Regional Court Center is at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise. The Northeast Regional Court Center is at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix. These locations serve residents in those areas but can also handle record requests from anyone in the county. You can visit whichever location is easiest for you to reach.
Record Copy Fees
Copies cost 50 cents per page. A divorce decree is usually 5 to 15 pages. Expect to pay $2.50 to $7.50 for an uncertified copy of just the decree. If you want the whole case file, the page count can be much higher. Financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and other documents add up fast. Ask the clerk how many pages are in the file before you order copies so you know the total cost.
Certified copies include a $35 certification fee on top of the per-page charge. The certification adds the clerk's raised seal and signature. Some agencies require certified copies as legal proof of the divorce. For example, if you are changing your name back or applying for certain benefits, you may need a certified decree. Uncertified copies work fine for personal records or informal purposes.
Research fees apply if you do not have the case number and the clerk needs to search for your case. Maricopa County charges $35 per year or per source researched. If you know the case number, you avoid this fee. The case number is on any old court papers you have. You can also find it through the free online case lookup before you request records.
Postage and handling is $8 for mail requests. This covers the cost of mailing the documents to you. If you pick up the copies in person, you do not pay this fee. Electronic replication of a full case to a USB drive or CD costs $35 plus $3 for the media. This is an option if you need the entire case file in digital format instead of paper copies.
Divorce Legal Help in Gilbert
The Maricopa County Superior Court Self-Service Center helps people who do not have a lawyer. You can visit the center at any of the court locations. Staff can answer questions about forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the court process. The center has computers you can use to fill out forms. All services are free.
Arizona Court Help at azcourthelp.org provides online resources. The site has step-by-step guides for filing a divorce, responding to a divorce petition, and modifying decrees. You can download forms and find answers to common questions. The site is available 24/7 and is free to use.
Community Legal Services has an office in Phoenix that serves Maricopa County residents. They provide free legal help to people who qualify based on income. Family law is one of their practice areas. Call them to see if you are eligible for their services. Their phone number is on their website at clsaz.org.
The State Bar of Arizona runs a lawyer referral service. You can call them and get connected with a family law attorney in the Gilbert area. The first consultation is often at a reduced rate. This is a good option if you need legal advice about your divorce or decree. The referral service number is available on the State Bar website.
Filing for Divorce in Gilbert
To file for divorce in Gilbert, you go to the Maricopa County Superior Court. You must have lived in Arizona for at least 90 days before you file. The case gets filed in the county where you or your spouse lives. Since Gilbert is in Maricopa County, that is where you file. You start by filling out a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This form is available online or at the court self-service center.
You file the petition at the court and pay a filing fee. The fee varies based on the type of case. If you cannot afford the fee, you can ask for a fee waiver or deferral. After filing, you must serve the petition on your spouse. This means they get official notice of the case. You cannot serve them yourself. You hire a process server or have the sheriff do it. Your spouse then has a chance to respond.
If both spouses agree on all terms, you can file for a consent decree. This speeds up the process. You submit a settlement agreement along with the petition. The judge reviews it and signs the decree if everything is in order. This can take 60 days or more. If you do not agree, the case goes through hearings and possibly a trial. The judge makes decisions about property, debts, and children. The final decree is signed after all issues are resolved.
Divorce Decrees in Nearby Cities
Other cities near Gilbert also file divorce cases with Maricopa County Superior Court. Each city follows the same process and uses the same clerk office for records.