Find Divorce Decrees in Maricopa
Divorce decree records for the City of Maricopa are filed and stored at the Pinal County Clerk of the Superior Court in Florence. Maricopa is located in Pinal County, which means all divorce cases from this area go through the Pinal County court system. The clerk office maintains these records at 971 North Jason Lopez Circle in Florence, about 25 miles northeast of Maricopa. You can request copies through online forms, mail, or in-person visits to the courthouse. The office handles all Pinal County divorce filings including those from Maricopa, Casa Grande, San Tan Valley, and other communities. Historical records date back to 1875 when Pinal County began tracking marriage and divorce records. Standard copy fees are 50 cents per page plus $35 for certification.
Maricopa Divorce Decree Facts
Pinal County Court Location
Maricopa residents file divorce petitions at the Pinal County Superior Court in Florence. The clerk office processes all filings and maintains permanent records. Florence serves as the county seat even though several cities in Pinal County are larger. All divorce decrees for the county get filed and stored at this location.
The courthouse address is 971 North Jason Lopez Circle, Building A, Florence, AZ 85132. From Maricopa, take Highway 347 north to Florence. The drive is about 30 minutes. For mailed requests, send to PO Box 2730, Florence, AZ 85132. Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The office closes on state holidays and weekends.
Contact the clerk office by phone at 888-431-1311 toll-free or 520-509-3555 locally. Phone lines operate during business hours. Staff answer questions about procedures, fees, and processing times. They cannot provide legal advice but can explain how to get records. Call volume peaks in early morning and right after lunch. Mid-afternoon calls often have shorter wait times.
Note: Parking is free at the Florence courthouse but spaces fill up during busy court days.
Search Divorce Records Online
Pinal County provides an online records request form at coscpinalcountyaz.gov. You fill out the form with case information. The clerk office reviews your request and contacts you within five business days to confirm fees. After you pay, they process the order and send documents by mail or email. This works for divorce decrees and other Superior Court records.
The Arizona Public Access portal at apps.azcourts.gov offers free case searches. Choose Pinal County from the dropdown menu. Search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Results show filing dates, case status, and party information. You cannot download documents but you can find case numbers that make your records request cheaper and faster.
Arizona eAccess at azcourtdocs.gov provides downloadable court documents for $10 per file. Create a user account. Search for your case by name or number. Select which documents you need. Pay by credit card. Files download as PDFs immediately. This option works well when you need quick copies but do not require certification with the clerk's seal.
Government agencies can email requests to PinalRecordsReq@courts.az.gov. This email is reserved for official government use. General public requests should use the online form or mail system. The clerk responds to agency emails within a few business days.
What Divorce Decrees Contain
The divorce decree is the final order from the judge ending the marriage. It states the marriage is dissolved. Both spouses' names appear at the top. The decree date and case number are listed. If children are involved, the decree includes custody arrangements and parenting time schedules. Child support amounts and payment terms are detailed. Property division is spelled out. Debt allocation assigns responsibility for loans and bills. Alimony terms appear if applicable.
The complete case file contains more than just the final decree. It begins with the initial petition for dissolution. The responding spouse's answer comes next. Financial affidavits disclose income, assets, and debts for both parties. If the couple settled out of court, the settlement agreement is included. If they went to trial, minute entries document court proceedings. Temporary orders for support or custody may be in the file if requested before the final decree.
You can request specific documents or the entire file. Many people only need the final decree for proof of divorce. Others need the full file for legal proceedings or to review settlement terms. The clerk office charges per page, so full files cost more. You can ask what documents are in the file before ordering to estimate costs.
Certified copies include a raised seal and the clerk's signature. These are required by many employers, lenders, and government agencies as official proof. Uncertified copies are standard photocopies without the seal. They cost less but may not be accepted where legal proof is needed. Check requirements with the requesting party before ordering.
Divorce Record Fees
Pinal County charges 50 cents per page for copies. A typical divorce decree is 8 to 12 pages. An uncertified copy costs $4 to $6. Add $35 for certification. A certified 10-page decree totals $40. Longer case files cost more based on page count.
Research fees apply when you do not provide a case number. The clerk charges $35 per year they must search. If you are uncertain about the year, they may search multiple years at $35 each. Avoid this fee by finding your case number first using the free Arizona Public Access portal. The search takes just a few minutes and saves research fees.
Shipping and handling costs $8 for mailed requests. This covers postage, envelopes, and processing. In-person pickups avoid this fee. Payment methods include money order, cashier's check, and credit card. Personal checks are not accepted. Payment is due after the clerk confirms the total fee, not when you submit the initial request.
Online payments go through pointandpay.net. After the clerk office provides the fee amount, visit this site to pay by credit or debit card. Processing starts once payment clears. They will not begin work on your request until payment is received.
How to Get Your Decree
Start by determining if you have the case number. With the number, the process is faster and cheaper. Without it, use Arizona Public Access to search by names. You need either the case number or both spouses' full names plus an approximate divorce date.
For online requests, complete the form at coscpinalcountyaz.gov. Provide all available information. Specify whether you need a certified or uncertified copy. Include your email and phone number. The clerk reviews the request and contacts you within five business days with the fee total. Pay through the online portal they provide. After payment clears, they process and mail the documents. Allow another five business days for delivery.
Mail requests go to PO Box 2730, Florence, AZ 85132. Write a letter with the case number or both names and approximate divorce date. State whether you need certification. Include your return address and contact information. Do not send payment initially. The clerk will contact you with the exact fee. Then pay online or send a money order. Documents mail out after payment is received.
In-person visits to 971 North Jason Lopez Circle in Florence work best for urgent needs. Bring photo identification. Provide the case number or spouse names to clerk staff. They retrieve the file and make copies while you wait if the file is readily available. Pay at the counter. Most requests complete the same day. Files in off-site storage take a day or two. Call ahead for very old cases to check retrieval time.
Divorce Assistance for Maricopa
Arizona Court Help at azcourthelp.org offers free forms and step-by-step guides for people handling divorce without lawyers. The site provides downloadable forms for filing or responding to divorce petitions. Instructions explain each step clearly. Videos demonstrate court procedures. The resource is free, available 24/7, and covers all Arizona counties including Pinal.
The Pinal County Self-Service Center at the Florence courthouse assists with forms and procedural questions. Staff cannot provide legal advice or recommend specific actions in your case. They can identify which forms to use and explain filing procedures. The center is free during courthouse hours. No appointment is required.
Community Legal Services may provide free attorneys to qualifying low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce. You must meet income requirements. If accepted, you receive legal representation at no cost. Their nearest office to Maricopa is in Phoenix. Legal aid prioritizes cases involving children, domestic violence, or urgent custody matters.
Private family law attorneys serve the Maricopa area. The State Bar of Arizona operates a referral service at 602-252-4804. They connect you with attorneys who handle divorce cases. Initial consultations are often free or discounted. If you hire the attorney, you pay their standard rates. Some offer payment plans for those who cannot afford large upfront fees.
Public Access to Records
Divorce decrees are public records under Arizona law. Anyone can request copies. You do not need to be a party to the case. No explanation for why you want the record is required. The clerk office provides copies to any person who pays the applicable fees. This openness follows Arizona's commitment to court transparency.
Some cases have sealed portions. Domestic violence cases may include protective orders restricting certain information. Financial account numbers might be redacted to prevent identity theft. If an entire case is sealed by court order, you need judicial permission to access it. The clerk can inform you if a case has sealed portions when you make your request.
Most divorce cases remain fully public. The final decree and nearly all case documents are available to anyone. Third parties such as employers, landlords, or financial institutions can obtain copies under the same terms as the divorced parties. The only requirements are providing sufficient information to locate the case and paying the required fees.
Nearby Pinal County Cities
Other cities in Pinal County where residents file at the Florence courthouse: