Apache County Divorce Decree Access

Divorce decree records in Apache County are filed and kept by the Clerk of the Superior Court in St. Johns. This office holds all final divorce decrees for cases heard in Apache County. You can view and search court records online at no cost through the county website. If you need a certified copy of your divorce decree, you must contact the clerk office directly. The office is at 70 West 3rd South Street in St. Johns. The clerk charges 50 cents per page for copies and $30 for certification. You can request records in person, by mail, or by phone during business hours. Apache County provides free self-search access if you come to the courthouse.

Apache County Superior Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Superior Court is the official keeper of all divorce decree records in Apache County. When a judge signs the final decree that ends a marriage, the clerk office files and preserves that document. The office is in St. Johns at the county courthouse. This is the only office in Apache County that has these records.

The clerk office has divorce records from 1995 to the present available online. Older records exist in the office files. You can search cases by party name or case number. The free online search shows you basic case details like filing date and case status. It does not show the full text of the decree. To get the actual decree document, you must submit a request to the clerk.

Apache County Superior Court cases since 1995 are accessible at apachecountyaz.gov/Clerk-of-the-Court. The clerk page explains how to search records and what fees apply. You can also view information about Apache County Superior Court to learn more about the court system that handles divorces in the county.

Staff at the clerk office can help you find records if you visit in person. They answer questions about fees and processing time. Bring a photo ID if you plan to pick up records in person. If you know the case number, write it down before you go. This speeds up the search process.

Get Divorce Decrees from Apache County

You can request divorce decree records in three ways. The first is to visit the clerk office. Go to 70 West 3rd South Street in St. Johns. The office is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Tell the clerk what case you need. If you have a case number, provide it. If not, give the full names of both spouses and the year the divorce was finalized. The clerk will search for the file. You pay the copy fee and pick up the documents the same day in most cases.

Mail requests are also accepted. Send a letter to Clerk of the Superior Court, P.O. Box 365, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Include the case number or the names and approximate divorce date. State whether you need a certified copy. Include your mailing address and a check or money order for the fees. Personal checks may not be accepted, so call first at (928) 337-7550 to confirm payment methods and exact fees.

Phone requests work for some situations. Call the clerk office at (928) 337-7550 during business hours. You can ask about fees, confirm case details, or inquire about processing times. Some records can be ordered over the phone if you pay by credit card. The clerk staff will explain what they need from you.

If you search records yourself at the courthouse, there is no charge. Walk-in searches are free. You only pay when you request copies. This is a good option if you are not sure which case you need or if you want to review the file before paying for copies.

Apache County Divorce Decree Fees

Copy fees in Apache County are $0.50 per page. A typical divorce decree runs 5 to 12 pages. Expect to pay $2.50 to $6.00 for an uncertified copy of the decree itself. If you need other documents from the case file, the same per-page rate applies. The clerk will count the total pages and tell you the cost before making copies.

Certified copies cost $30.00 per document plus the 50 cent per-page fee. Certification adds the raised seal and the clerk's signature. Some agencies like banks or government offices require certified copies as proof of divorce. If you only need the record for personal use, an uncertified copy usually works fine and saves you $30.

A search fee of $30.00 applies if you do not have a case number and the clerk must search for your case. This fee covers the time it takes staff to look through records. If you know the case number, you avoid this fee. You can use the online case search tool to find your case number before you contact the clerk. This saves money.

Postage costs about $7.00 if you want documents mailed to you. This covers the envelope, postage, and handling. Total cost for a certified copy sent by mail might be around $40 to $45 depending on how many pages. Call ahead to get an exact quote so you send the right payment amount.

Search Apache County Cases Online

Apache County provides free online access to Superior Court case information from 1995 forward. Go to the clerk website at apachecountyaz.gov/Clerk-of-the-Court. Look for the link to search cases. You enter a party name or case number. The system shows you matching cases with basic details like filing date and case type.

The statewide Arizona Public Access system also covers Apache County. Visit apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx and select Apache County from the dropdown menu. Search by name, case number, or attorney. This portal shows cases from many Arizona courts in one place. It helps if you are not sure which county holds the record you need.

Neither of these online systems gives you the full text of the divorce decree. They show case details and document lists. To get the actual decree, you must submit a request and pay the fees. The online search helps you confirm the case number and make sure you are requesting the right file from the clerk.

Apache County Clerk Contact Details

The clerk office address is 70 West 3rd South Street, St. Johns, AZ 85936. The mailing address is P.O. Box 365, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Phone number is (928) 337-7550. Fax is (928) 337-2771. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

St. Johns is in the northeastern part of Arizona near the New Mexico border. The courthouse is the main building for county offices and the Superior Court. Parking is available near the courthouse. If you are driving from out of town, plan for extra time since St. Johns is a small rural community.

For general questions about court procedures, you can also contact the Superior Court directly. The court and clerk office work together. Court staff can tell you about case status or upcoming hearings. The clerk handles record requests and document filing.

Divorce Help in Apache County

DNA People's Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income residents of Apache County and other parts of northern Arizona. They handle family law cases including divorce. Their main office is in Window Rock. You can call them to see if you qualify for their services.

The Apache County Superior Court has information about self-service options. Visit apachecountyaz.gov/Superior-Court for forms and instructions. Arizona Court Help at azcourthelp.org also has step-by-step guides for people filing or responding to a divorce without a lawyer.

The clerk office cannot give legal advice. They can explain court procedures and filing requirements. If you have legal questions about your divorce, talk to a lawyer or contact a legal aid organization. Many counties have self-service centers at the courthouse, though services vary by location.

What Apache County Divorce Decrees Include

A divorce decree from Apache County Superior Court is the final court order ending a marriage. The judge signs it after the case is resolved. The decree states the marriage is dissolved. It lists the date the marriage ends. Both spouses are named.

If the couple has children, the decree covers custody and parenting time. Arizona uses the term "legal decision-making" for custody. The decree says who makes major decisions about the child. It also includes a schedule for when each parent has the child. Child support amounts and payment terms appear in the decree.

Property division is spelled out. The decree lists who gets the house, cars, bank accounts, and other assets. Debts are assigned to one spouse or divided. If one spouse will pay spousal maintenance, the decree includes the amount and duration. The decree is legally binding. Both spouses must follow its terms.

The full case file includes more than just the decree. It starts with the petition for dissolution. The other spouse files a response. There may be temporary orders, financial affidavits, settlement agreements, or trial transcripts. All these documents together make up the complete divorce record. You can request any part of the file when you contact the clerk.

Cities and Towns in Apache County

Apache County covers a large area in northeastern Arizona. The county seat is St. Johns, where the clerk office and courthouse are located. Other communities in Apache County include Eagar, Springerville, and parts of the Navajo Nation. None of these cities have populations over 50,000, so they do not maintain separate divorce record offices. All divorce cases for residents of Apache County are handled by the Superior Court in St. Johns.

If you live in any town in Apache County and need divorce decree records, you go to the clerk office in St. Johns. The location of your home within the county does not change where records are kept. The Superior Court Clerk has all divorce decrees for the entire county in one central office.

Divorce Records in Nearby Counties

Apache County borders several other Arizona counties. If you are not sure which county handled your divorce case, check these neighboring counties. Navajo County is to the west with the clerk office in Holbrook. Coconino County is to the southwest with the clerk in Flagstaff. Greenlee County is to the south with the clerk office in Clifton.

Each county only has records for divorces filed in that county. Arizona does not have a single statewide repository for all divorce decrees. You must know which county handled your case. The Arizona Public Access search tool can help you find the right county if you are unsure.