Phoenix Divorce Decree Access

Divorce decree records for Phoenix residents are filed at the Maricopa County Superior Court. Phoenix is the state capital and sits in Maricopa County, which handles all divorce cases for the city. The Clerk of the Superior Court keeps these divorce decree files at several court locations around the metro area. Phoenix has about 1.6 million residents. As the largest city in Arizona, it generates a high volume of divorce filings each year. You can access divorce decree records through online portals, in person at clerk offices, or by mail request. Some services are free while others charge fees for document copies or research time.

Where Phoenix Divorce Decrees Are Kept

All divorce decrees for Phoenix residents are filed with the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court. Phoenix sits entirely within Maricopa County boundaries. The main courthouse is in downtown Phoenix at 601 West Jackson Street. This location houses the Customer Service Center where you can request divorce decree records in person. The office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays.

Maricopa County also runs regional court centers that serve Phoenix. The Northeast Regional Court Center is at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix. The Northwest Regional Court Center is in Surprise but serves parts of northwest Phoenix. The Southeast Court Complex in Mesa handles some Phoenix cases on the east side. All these offices can help with divorce decree records for Phoenix residents. Call ahead to confirm which location has the specific file you need.

The downtown Phoenix courthouse is near city hall and the state capitol. Valley Metro light rail stops right by the court. Bus routes also serve the area. Parking is available in nearby lots and garages. Security checks all visitors at the entrance. Bring a valid photo ID and leave large bags or prohibited items at home when you visit for divorce decree records.

Online Divorce Decree Search for Phoenix

Phoenix residents can search for divorce decree records online through several systems. The Arizona Public Access Case Lookup covers all Maricopa County cases. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx and select Maricopa County. Search by name, case number, or date range. This is a free tool. It shows basic case data like filing dates, party names, and case status. It does not give you document images, but it helps you find the right case number.

The eAccess portal at azcourtdocs.gov lets Phoenix residents view and download divorce decree documents for $10 per document. Create an account, search for your case, and pick which documents you need. Payment is by credit card. The system is open 24 hours a day. Documents come as PDF files that you can save or print at home. This is faster than visiting the courthouse if you just need a copy of the final decree.

Maricopa County also runs its own portal called ECR Online at ecronline.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov. This system is for registered users who are parties to a case. If you are a spouse in a Phoenix divorce case, you can create an account and access your case files online. Family court cases are available through ECR. You can see filings, orders, and minute entries. This portal does not charge per document, but it is only for people who are parties to the case.

For minute entries, which are short summaries of court hearings, use the Court Minutes portal at courtminutes.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov. This free tool shows what happened at each court date in a Phoenix divorce case. Minute entries are public and anyone can search them. They do not replace the full decree, but they help you track the progress of a case.

Getting Divorce Decree Copies in Phoenix

Phoenix residents have three ways to get copies of divorce decrees: in person, by mail, or online. Each method works for different needs. In-person requests are fastest when you need certified copies right away. Mail requests work if you are not in a hurry and do not live near the courthouse. Online requests through the county form save time and let you track your order.

To request divorce decree records in person in Phoenix, visit the Customer Service Center at 601 West Jackson Street during business hours. Tell the clerk staff what case you need. Provide the case number if you have it. If not, give the full names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. Staff will search the records and make copies for you. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies with a raised seal cost $35 plus the per-page fee. Most requests are ready the same day.

For mail requests, send a letter 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 whether you need plain or certified copies. Enclose a check or money order for the fees. Personal checks are not accepted. Postage and handling adds $8.00 to your total. Allow 5 to 10 business days for processing and delivery of Phoenix divorce decree records.

Online requests are available through the Maricopa County Online Records Request Form at bit.ly/46a64wj. Fill out the form with your case details and payment information. The clerk office will process your request and mail the divorce decree records to you. This option lets you submit a request any time, even outside business hours. Payment is by credit card. You get email updates on the status of your Phoenix divorce decree request.

Fees for Phoenix Divorce Decree Records

Copy fees are set by Maricopa County and are the same for all Phoenix divorce decree requests. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. A typical divorce decree runs 5 to 15 pages, so expect to pay $2.50 to $7.50 for an uncertified copy. Certified copies have a raised court seal and the clerk's signature. The certification fee is $35.00 per document, plus $0.50 per page. Some agencies require certified copies as legal proof of divorce.

If you need the clerk office to search for your Phoenix divorce decree and you do not have a case number, a research fee may apply. The fee is $35.00 per year or per source searched. If you know the case number, you avoid this charge. Most people can find their case number through the free Public Access search before requesting copies.

Postage and handling costs $8.00 when you want records mailed to you. This fee covers the envelope, postage, and staff time to process your mail request. The eAccess portal charges $10.00 per document for online downloads. This fee goes to the state system, not the county. Online copies are not certified, so if you need a certified divorce decree for Phoenix, you must go through the clerk office.

Electronic replication of an entire case file costs $35.00 plus $3.00 for a USB drive or CD. This option makes sense if you need all documents from a Phoenix divorce case rather than just the final decree. Payment in person can be made with cash, debit card, credit card, or money order. Personal checks are not accepted at Maricopa County clerk offices.

Divorce Filing in Phoenix

Phoenix residents file for divorce at the Maricopa County Superior Court. The legal term in Arizona is dissolution of marriage, not divorce. Arizona is a no-fault state, which means you do not have to prove wrongdoing by either spouse. The only ground needed is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. This is the same for all Phoenix residents regardless of circumstances.

At least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for 90 days before filing. This is the residency requirement. It is shorter than most other states. You file the petition for dissolution at the courthouse. There is a filing fee. The other spouse must be served with papers. Service can be by a process server, certified mail, or through the sheriff. Proof of service goes in the court file.

Arizona uses community property rules. Assets and debts from the marriage are split equally unless the spouses agree otherwise. Separate property stays with the person who owns it. The divorce decree spells out who gets what property and who pays which debts. If the couple has kids, the decree includes legal decision-making authority and a parenting time schedule. Child support is based on state guidelines.

Once both sides agree on all terms, or after a trial if they do not agree, the judge signs the final decree. This document ends the marriage. It becomes a public record. You can get copies from the clerk office as described above. The decree is the legal proof that the divorce is final in Phoenix.

Legal Help for Phoenix Divorce Cases

Several groups in Phoenix offer help with divorce cases. Community Legal Services has an office in Phoenix and provides free legal aid to low-income residents. They handle family law matters including divorce. Call them to see if you qualify. The State Bar of Arizona runs a lawyer referral service that can connect you with a family law attorney in Phoenix.

The Maricopa County Superior Court has a self-service center where staff can answer questions about forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they help you understand what the court requires. This center is free to use. Forms are available on the Arizona Courts website at azcourthelp.org. The site has step-by-step guides for people filing without a lawyer in Phoenix.

DNA People's Legal Services serves some Phoenix residents, especially those with Native American heritage. Legal aid groups often have income limits, so check their websites or call to see if you qualify. If you cannot afford an attorney, you may file for a fee waiver. The court will review your financial situation and decide if you can proceed without paying filing fees for your Phoenix divorce case.

Phoenix City Resources

The City of Phoenix website at phoenix.gov explains which records the city maintains and which are handled by other agencies. The city itself does not keep divorce decree records. Those are at the county level. But the city site directs residents to the right place. The page lists Maricopa County contact info for marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and Superior Court records.

Phoenix residents looking for divorce decree records should contact the Maricopa County Clerk at (602) 372-5375. This is the same office that serves all Maricopa County residents. Phoenix has no separate city court that handles divorce cases. All dissolution of marriage cases go through the county Superior Court system regardless of which city you live in.

For other family services, the City of Phoenix Human Services Department offers programs that may help during or after a divorce. These include child care assistance, senior services, and community resources. Visit phoenix.gov/humanservices for more details. These are not legal services, but they can help with related needs that come up during a divorce in Phoenix.

Filing Without a Lawyer in Phoenix

Many Phoenix residents handle their own divorce cases without hiring an attorney. This is called filing pro se. It works best when both spouses agree on all terms and there are no complex issues with property or kids. The court does not give legal advice, but free resources are available to help you through the process in Phoenix.

Start at azcourthelp.org, which has all the forms you need for a Phoenix divorce case. The site has interactive tools that help you fill out forms based on your situation. Print the completed forms and file them at the courthouse. The site also has guides that explain each step of the divorce process. These guides are written in plain language and are easier to understand than legal statutes.

The Maricopa County self-service center is in the downtown Phoenix courthouse. Staff there can review your forms to make sure they are filled out correctly. They can explain court procedures and deadlines. They cannot tell you what to do or predict what the judge will decide, but they can help you avoid basic mistakes that would delay your Phoenix divorce case.

If your case involves child support, you must fill out the state child support worksheet. This form calculates support based on both parents' income, the number of children, and parenting time. The worksheet is required in all Phoenix divorce cases with minor children. The court will not approve your decree without it. You can find the worksheet on the court help website along with instructions on how to complete it.

Note: Even in an uncontested divorce, Phoenix residents must follow all court rules and filing requirements to get a final decree.

Nearby Cities in Maricopa County

Phoenix is surrounded by other large cities in Maricopa County. All of these cities use the same Superior Court system for divorce cases. Residents of nearby cities file at the same clerk offices and can access divorce decree records through the same portals and procedures described on this page.

Maricopa County Divorce Decree Records

Phoenix is located in Maricopa County, and all divorce filings for Phoenix residents go through the Maricopa County Superior Court. The county court system handles cases for over 30 cities and towns, with Phoenix being the largest. For more details on county-wide procedures, full fee schedules, regional court locations, and additional resources for divorce decree records, visit the Maricopa County page.

View Maricopa County Divorce Decree Records