Scottsdale Divorce Decree Search
Scottsdale divorce decree records are filed with and kept by the Maricopa County Superior Court. All dissolution of marriage cases for people who live in Scottsdale go through this county system. The Clerk of the Superior Court office maintains these records and provides copies to the public. You can search for your divorce case online for free using state and county portals. Copies of the actual divorce decree and other case documents are available through in-person visits, mail requests, or online ordering. Fees apply for copies and certified documents. The clerk office makes it easy to get the records you need through several access options.
Scottsdale Divorce Records Overview
Where Scottsdale Divorce Records Are Kept
Scottsdale is located in Maricopa County. All divorce filings and decrees for Scottsdale residents are handled by the Maricopa County Superior Court. The Clerk of the Court office is the official custodian of these records. When you file for divorce in Scottsdale, the case goes into the county court system. Your final decree is stored there permanently. This is true for everyone in Maricopa County, which includes Phoenix, Mesa, Tempe, and many other cities.
Maricopa County Superior Court has four main locations. The central office is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. This is the main hub for the clerk office. Phone number is 602-372-5375. Hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. You can visit this location to file papers, attend hearings, or request copies of divorce decrees. Many Scottsdale residents find the Northeast Regional Court Center more convenient since it is closer to Scottsdale.
The Northeast Regional Court Center is at 18380 N. 40th Street in Phoenix. From Scottsdale, take Scottsdale Road south to Shea Boulevard, then head west. The court center handles family law cases. You can get copies of divorce decrees there. Parking is available. The staff can help with record requests and answer questions about your case. This location is open the same hours as the downtown office.
Online Divorce Decree Searches
The Arizona Public Access system lets you search for divorce cases across Maricopa County. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx. Select Maricopa County. Then search by party name, case number, or attorney. The system shows basic info like filing date, case type, and current status. You can confirm whether a divorce has been finalized. This tool is free. You do not need to create an account. It is a good way to find your case number if you do not have it.
Maricopa County offers ECR Online for more detailed case information. ECR stands for Electronic Case Record. The portal is at ecronline.clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov. You must register for an account. Once logged in, you can view case dockets, scheduled hearings, and some documents. Family court cases including divorce are available. The system is updated daily. This is useful if you have an active divorce case or need to track what is happening in court.
To download actual documents like the divorce decree, use the Arizona eAccess portal. Visit azcourtdocs.gov. Search for your case. You will see a list of all documents filed in the case. Click on the divorce decree to view it. The download fee is $10 per document. Payment is by credit card. The file comes as a PDF. This is not a certified copy, but it is good for personal records. If you need a certified copy with the clerk's seal, you must request that from the clerk office separately.
Note: Not all cases have full documents available online, especially older cases from before the electronic filing system started.
How to Get Copies of Divorce Decrees
Visit the clerk office in person for same-day service. Go to the Northeast Regional Court Center or the downtown Phoenix location. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk you need a copy of a divorce decree. Provide the case number if you have it. If not, give the full names of both spouses and the year the divorce was finalized. The clerk searches the records and makes copies. You pay at the counter with cash, debit, or credit card. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $35 plus the per-page fee. Most requests are filled right away.
Mail requests work if you cannot visit in person. Write a letter to the Clerk of the Superior Court at 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Include the case number or the names of both parties and the approximate divorce date. Say whether you want a plain copy or a certified copy. Add your mailing address and phone number. Enclose a check or money order for the fees. Maricopa County does not accept personal checks, so use a money order or cashier's check. Add $8 for postage and handling. Processing time is usually 5 to 10 business days after they receive payment.
Maricopa County has an online records request form. Go to clerkofcourt.maricopa.gov/records/obtaining-records. Fill out the form with case details and what you need. Pay by credit card. The clerk office processes the request and mails the documents to you. This is faster than sending a letter because payment is instant. Most online requests are completed within a week.
For uncertified copies that you need right away, use the Arizona eAccess portal. Download the divorce decree for $10. You get a PDF file immediately. Print it or save it on your computer. This works well if you need a copy today and do not need certification. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes like changing your name or proving your divorce to an agency, you still have to go through the clerk office.
Divorce Decree Copy Fees
Copies are 50 cents per page. A divorce decree is usually 5 to 15 pages long. An uncertified copy of just the decree costs $2.50 to $7.50. If you want other documents from the case file, the page count can be much higher. Financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and other filings add many pages. Ask the clerk how many pages are in the file before you order so you know the total cost.
Certified copies include a $35 certification fee on top of the copy fee. The certified copy has a raised seal and the clerk's signature. This proves the document is a true copy from the court. You need a certified copy for things like changing your name at the DMV, applying for benefits, or proving your marital status to a bank or lender. For personal records, an uncertified copy is enough and costs less.
Research fees apply if you do not have the case number. Maricopa County charges $35 per year or per source they search. If you can find the case number using the free online Arizona Public Access tool, you avoid this fee. Look up your case first. Write down the case number. Then when you request copies, provide the case number and skip the research charge.
Postage and handling is $8 for mail requests. If you pick up copies in person, you do not pay this fee. Electronic replication of an entire case file to a USB drive or CD costs $35 plus $3 for the media. This is useful if you need all the documents in digital format. The clerk office copies everything to the USB drive for you. You can then view the files on your computer or give copies to a lawyer.
Maricopa County Court Locations
The Northeast Regional Court Center at 18380 N. 40th Street is the closest location to Scottsdale. This court center handles family law cases. You can file divorce papers, attend hearings, and request copies of decrees. The clerk office is open 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Parking is available at the courthouse. From Scottsdale, the drive is short. Take Scottsdale Road south or use the Loop 101 freeway.
The main clerk office is downtown at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. This location is the central hub for Maricopa County Superior Court. All types of cases are handled here. If you need help with an old or complex case, this office has the most staff and resources. From Scottsdale, you can take the Loop 101 south to downtown Phoenix. Public transit is available. Parking garages are near the courthouse.
Maricopa County also has court centers in the northwest and southeast. The Northwest Regional Court Center is at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise. The Southeast Court Complex is at 222 E. Javelina Avenue in Mesa. You can visit any of these locations for divorce record requests even if your case was filed at a different court center. Use whichever location is most convenient for you.
Filing for Divorce in Scottsdale
To file for divorce, you go to the Maricopa County Superior Court. At least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for 90 days before filing. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives. Since Scottsdale is in Maricopa County, you file there. Start by filling out a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage. This form is available online at azcourthelp.org or at the court self-service center. You can also get it at the clerk office.
File the petition at the clerk office and pay the filing fee. The fee depends on the type of case. If you cannot afford it, you can ask for a fee waiver or deferral. After filing, you must serve the petition on your spouse. This gives them official notice of the case. You cannot serve the papers yourself. Hire a process server or use the sheriff's office. Your 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 everything, you can file a consent decree. You submit a settlement agreement along with the petition. The agreement covers property, debts, children, and support. The judge reviews it and signs the decree if it meets legal standards. This process usually takes at least 60 days. If you do not agree, the case goes to hearings or trial. The judge decides on contested issues. This can take many months. Once all issues are resolved, the judge signs the final divorce decree.
Keep a copy of your divorce decree in a safe place. You may need it later for legal or financial reasons. If you lose it, you can always request a new copy from the clerk office. The decree is a permanent record and is available as long as you need it.
Legal Help for Scottsdale Residents
The Maricopa County Superior Court Self-Service Center provides free help. Staff can answer questions about court procedures and forms. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the steps you need to follow. The center has computers and printers for public use. You can fill out forms there. The self-service center is at each of the four court locations. Hours vary, so call ahead.
Arizona Court Help is an online resource at azcourthelp.org. The site has step-by-step guides for filing a divorce, responding to a divorce petition, and modifying decrees. You can download all the forms you need. The site also has FAQs and videos that explain the court process. It is free to use and available 24/7. Many people find it helpful to review the info on this site before they go to court.
Community Legal Services offers free legal help to low-income residents of Maricopa County. They have an office in Phoenix. Family law is one of their practice areas. Call to see if you qualify based on income. If you do, they can represent you in your divorce case at no cost. Their website is clsaz.org. They also have info about other legal aid programs in Arizona.
The State Bar of Arizona runs a lawyer referral service. Call them to get connected with a family law attorney near Scottsdale. The first consultation is often at a reduced rate. This is helpful if you need legal advice about your divorce or want to understand your rights. The referral service matches you with an attorney based on your needs. Contact info is on the State Bar website.
Divorce Records in Nearby Cities
Other cities near Scottsdale also file divorce cases with Maricopa County Superior Court. The same process and fees apply to all residents of the county.