Yuma Divorce Decree Records
Divorce decree records for Yuma residents are kept at the Yuma County Clerk of the Superior Court in downtown Yuma. The courthouse is at 250 West 2nd Street, making it easy for local residents to access. Yuma is both a city and the county seat of Yuma County. All divorce cases filed in the county go through this courthouse. The clerk office serves as the official custodian of court records. Lynn Fazz is the current Clerk of the Superior Court. You can get copies through in-person visits, mail requests, or phone calls. The office has a dedicated phone line for divorce records at 928-817-4238. General clerk office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost $35 plus the per-page fee.
Yuma Divorce Decree Facts
Yuma County Superior Court
The Yuma County Clerk of the Superior Court is located at 250 West 2nd Street in Yuma. This is the main courthouse for the county. All divorce filings, court proceedings, and record storage happen at this location. The clerk office processes divorce petitions, maintains case files, and provides copies to anyone who requests them. Lynn Fazz serves as the Clerk of the Superior Court and oversees the office operations.
Office hours are 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. The office closes on state holidays and weekends. Parking is available near the courthouse. Some street parking and public lots are within walking distance. Bring photo ID if you visit in person. Security screening happens at the courthouse entrance. Allow extra time for security if you visit during busy court days.
The main phone number for the clerk office is 928-817-4210. For divorce records specifically, call 928-817-4238. This dedicated line connects you to staff who handle divorce record requests. The fax number is 928-817-4211. Email the clerk at lfazz@courts.az.gov for questions about records or procedures. Phone and email inquiries receive responses during business hours.
Note: Yuma County also has a Self-Service Center to help people with court forms and procedures.
Search Yuma Divorce Cases
The Arizona Public Access portal at apps.azcourts.gov includes Yuma County cases. This free system lets you search by party name, case number, or attorney name. Select Yuma County from the dropdown. Enter your search terms. Results show filing dates, case status, and party information. You cannot download full documents but you can confirm cases exist and find case numbers.
Arizona eAccess at azcourtdocs.gov provides downloadable court documents for $10 per file. Many Yuma County cases are in this system. Create an account. Search for your case by name or number. Select which documents you need. Pay by credit card. Files download as PDFs. This works when you need quick copies without certification.
The Yuma County Self-Service Center page at yumacountyaz.gov has resources for people handling divorce cases. Forms are available. Instructions explain court procedures. Staff at the center can answer procedural questions. They cannot give legal advice but can help you fill out forms correctly.
For certified copies with the official seal, you must request them from the clerk office. Online downloads are not certified. Only the clerk office can provide copies with the raised seal and signature that many agencies require as legal proof of divorce.
Divorce Decree Contents
The divorce decree is the final court order dissolving a marriage. The judge signs it after the case concludes. Both spouses' names appear on the document. The decree date shows when the divorce became final. If there are children, the decree includes custody arrangements and parenting time schedules. Child support amounts and payment terms are detailed. Property division lists what each person receives. Debt allocation assigns responsibility for loans and bills. Alimony terms appear if one spouse must pay support to the other.
The full case file contains more than just the final decree. It starts with the petition for dissolution that one spouse filed. The other spouse's response follows. Financial affidavits disclose income, assets, and debts for both parties. If they settled out of court, the settlement agreement is in the file. If they went to trial, minute entries document what happened. Temporary orders for custody or support may be included if those were requested before the final decree.
You can request specific documents or the entire file. Most people only need the final decree as proof the divorce happened. Others need the complete file for legal proceedings or to review all terms. The clerk office charges per page, so full files cost more than single documents. You can ask what documents are in the file before ordering to estimate the cost.
Certified copies have a raised seal and the clerk's signature. Many employers, lenders, and government agencies require this type as official proof. Uncertified copies are plain photocopies without the seal. They cost less but may not be accepted everywhere. Verify what type you need before ordering.
Yuma County Record Fees
Copy fees are 50 cents per page. A typical divorce decree is 10 to 15 pages. An uncertified copy costs $5 to $7.50. Certification adds $35. A certified 12-page decree totals $41. Longer case files cost more based on page count. Fee schedules are posted on the county website and at the courthouse.
Research fees of $35 per year or per source apply when the clerk must search for your case without a case number. If you only know the names and approximate date, they may need to search multiple years. Each year costs $35. You can avoid this fee by finding the case number yourself using the free Arizona Public Access portal. The search takes just minutes.
Postage and handling costs $8 when they mail documents to you. This covers postage, envelopes, and processing. In-person pickup avoids this fee. Payment methods include money order, cashier's check, and credit card. Personal checks may not be accepted. The clerk office will confirm payment options when they contact you with the total fee.
Special certifications like authentication with three seals cost $105. Exemplification with two seals costs $70. These are rarely needed for basic divorce decrees. They are for situations where you need the document for use in a foreign country or certain federal proceedings. Ask the requesting agency if they need these special certifications before paying for them.
Getting Your Divorce Decree
Start by determining if you have the case number. With it, the process is faster and cheaper. Without it, use the Arizona Public Access portal to search by names. You need either the case number or both spouses' full names plus the approximate divorce year.
For in-person requests, visit the clerk office at 250 West 2nd Street. Bring photo ID. Tell the staff what you need. They pull the file and make copies. You pay at the counter. Most requests complete the same day if the file is on-site. Very old files may take a day or two if they are in off-site storage.
Mail requests go to Yuma County Clerk of the Superior Court, 250 West 2nd Street, Yuma, AZ 85364. Write a letter with the case number or both names and the divorce date. State whether you need certification. Include your return address and phone number. The clerk will contact you with the fee. Pay by money order or through the method they provide. Documents mail out after payment clears. Processing takes about a week.
Phone requests work for simple orders. Call the divorce records line at 928-817-4238. Provide case information. They tell you the fee. You can pay by credit card over the phone if they offer that option. They mail the documents once payment clears. Phone requests work best when you have the case number and know exactly what you need.
Divorce Assistance in Yuma
Arizona Court Help at azcourthelp.org provides free forms and step-by-step guides for people handling divorce without attorneys. The site has downloadable forms that work in Yuma County. Instructions explain filing procedures. Videos demonstrate how court processes work. The resource is available 24 hours a day and is free to use.
The Yuma County Self-Service Center helps with forms and procedural questions. Visit yumacountyaz.gov for information and resources. Staff at the courthouse can answer questions about which forms to use. They cannot give legal advice but can explain court procedures. The center is free during courthouse hours. No appointment is needed.
Community Legal Services or other legal aid organizations may offer free help to qualifying low-income residents. Income guidelines apply. If you qualify, you may receive an attorney at no cost. They handle family law cases including divorce. Legal aid focuses on cases involving children, domestic violence, or urgent custody matters.
Private family law attorneys serve the Yuma 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. You pay standard rates if you hire them. Some attorneys offer payment plans for those who cannot afford large upfront fees.
Public Records Access
Divorce decrees are public records in Yuma County. Anyone can request them. You do not need to be a party to the case. No explanation for wanting the record is required. The clerk office provides copies to any person who pays the fees. This follows Arizona's public records laws and court rules that favor transparency.
Some cases have sealed portions. Domestic violence situations may involve protective orders that restrict certain information. Financial account numbers might be redacted to prevent fraud. If an entire case is sealed by court order, you need permission from a judge to access it. The clerk office can tell you if a case is sealed when you request it.
Most divorce cases remain fully public. The final decree and nearly all documents in the file are available to anyone. Third parties such as employers, landlords, background check companies, or researchers can obtain copies under the same terms as the divorced parties. The only requirements are providing enough information to locate the case and paying the applicable fees.
Yuma County Divorce Records
For more details about divorce decree records in Yuma County: