Gila County Divorce Records

Divorce decree records in Gila County are kept by the Clerk of the Superior Court at the courthouse in Globe. This office holds all case files for divorces granted in Gila County since the county was formed. You can get copies in person, by mail, or through online payment systems. The clerk staff can help you find your case and provide certified or plain copies. Records are public unless a court order seals the file. Most people need the final decree, but you can also get other documents from the case file if you need them for legal or personal reasons.

Gila Superior Court Clerk

The Clerk of the Superior Court in Gila County maintains divorce decree records at the main courthouse in Globe. This is where all divorce cases filed in Gila County get processed. Staff at the clerk office can search for your case. They make copies. They certify documents. The office is on the third floor of the courthouse building at 1400 East Ash Street in Globe.

You can visit the office from 8 AM to 5 PM on weekdays. Bring a photo ID. If you know your case number, have it ready. That makes the search go fast. If you do not know the case number, give the clerk both spouses' full names and the year the divorce happened. They will look it up in the court system. Most searches finish right away unless the records are very old.

The main phone number for the clerk office is 928-425-3231. Call if you have questions before you visit. Ask about fees. Ask if your case file is on-site or in storage. Ask how long it will take to get copies if you mail a request. The clerk staff answers general questions but cannot give legal advice about your case.

Gila County also has a satellite office in Payson. That office is at 714 South Beeline Highway, Suite 104. The Payson location handles some court business, but most divorce decree records are kept at the main courthouse in Globe. If you live near Payson, you can call the clerk office to see if they can help you at the Payson location or if you need to go to Globe.

The official website for the Gila County courts provides information about records requests at gilacountyaz.gov. You can find details about fees, payment options, and how to submit requests by mail or phone. The site also has links to online payment systems that let you pay for copies using a credit card.

Note: The clerk office closes on state holidays and some county holidays, so call ahead if you plan to visit on a day near a holiday.

Getting Divorce Decree Copies

Three ways exist to get copies from Gila County. Walk in. Mail a request. Use online payment after talking to the clerk. Each method works, but timing and steps differ.

For in-person requests, go to the clerk office in Globe during business hours. Tell the clerk what you need. They will search the system. They pull the file if it is on-site. They make copies while you wait in most cases. You pay at the counter. You get your copies right then. Bring cash, a money order, or a card. Most people get what they need in 30 minutes or less unless the file has hundreds of pages.

Mail requests take longer but save you a trip. Write a letter to the Clerk of the Superior Court at 1400 E. Ash St., 3rd Floor, Globe, AZ 85501. Say what you need. Include the case number or both names and the divorce year. Say if you want a plain copy or a certified one. Include your mailing address and a phone number in case they need to reach you. Some people call first to ask the exact cost, then send a check or money order for that amount. Others send an estimate and the clerk calls back to confirm the balance. Processing takes about 5 to 10 business days after they get your payment.

The county uses an online payment system called NCOURT. You can pay for records or audio requests using a credit card at gilasuperiorcourtpay.com or by calling 1-844-310-0743. Talk to the clerk office first to find out what you owe. Then use the NCOURT system to pay. They will mail your copies once payment clears.

Gila County Record Fees

Copy fees are 50 cents per page. If your divorce decree is 10 pages, that costs $5 for a plain copy. Certification adds $35 plus 50 cents per page. So a 10-page certified decree would be $40 total. That breaks down as $35 for the seal and signature, plus $5 for the 10 pages.

Mailing costs $8 if you want the clerk to send your documents. This covers postage and handling. It applies whether you get one page or a whole case file. If you pick up in person, you do not pay the mailing fee.

Payment methods include cash, money order, debit card, and credit card. Personal checks may not be accepted for some transactions. Ask before you send a check in the mail. The NCOURT system takes most major credit cards. A small convenience fee may apply when you pay online or by phone.

Search Gila County Cases Online

The Arizona Public Access system covers Gila County. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess and select Gila County from the list. Then search by name, case number, or attorney. The system shows basic case info. You can see when the case was filed. You can see the status. You can see the names of the parties. This is free to use.

The Arizona eAccess portal at azcourtdocs.gov has document-level access for some Gila County cases. Create an account. Search for your case. If the case is in the system, you can view and download documents for $10 per document. Not all Gila County cases are in eAccess yet, so you may still need to contact the clerk office for older cases or cases not yet uploaded.

These online systems help you find the case and confirm details before you request copies. They do not replace the clerk office, but they save time by letting you verify information first. If you need a certified copy, you must get it from the clerk office because online downloads are not certified.

What Documents Are Available

The final divorce decree is the most common document people request. It shows that the court ended the marriage. It lists terms for custody, support, and property. The decree is signed by a judge and filed with the clerk. That is the official record of the divorce.

Other documents in the case file include the petition for dissolution of marriage, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosure forms, and any motions filed during the case. If the couple had a settlement agreement, that is in the file. If there was a trial, minute entries or transcripts describe what happened. All these documents are part of the court record and you can request copies of any of them.

Certified copies come with a raised seal and the clerk's signature. These are needed when you apply for a new marriage license, change your name on a Social Security card, or update property titles. Plain copies work fine if you just need a record for your own files or to show someone who does not require certification.

Help with Divorce Cases

Gila County Superior Court has a self-service center where you can get help with court forms and procedures. The staff cannot give legal advice, but they can show you how to fill out forms and explain court rules. This is a free service. Check the court website or call the clerk office for hours and location.

If you need legal advice, talk to a lawyer. The State Bar of Arizona has a lawyer referral service. Community Legal Services and other legal aid groups may help if you qualify based on income. The Arizona Court Help website at azcourthelp.org has forms and guides for people representing themselves in family law cases.

Older Divorce Records

Gila County was formed in 1881. The clerk office has divorce records going back to that time. Very old files may be stored off-site. If you need a decree from decades ago, call the clerk office first. They will tell you if the file is in the building or if they need a few days to pull it from archives. There may be extra time for retrieval, but there is usually no extra fee.

The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records may also have some Gila County divorce records from before 1950. Their holdings vary by county and time period. If the clerk office cannot find an old case, try contacting the state archives at azsos.libguides.com to see if they have it.

Who Can Get Divorce Decrees

Divorce decree records are public. Any person can request them. You do not need to be a party to the case. You do not need to give a reason. The clerk office will provide copies to anyone who pays the fee.

Some cases are sealed by court order. If a case is sealed, you need a judge's permission to view it. Sealed cases are rare. Most divorce decrees are open to the public. If you try to access a sealed case, the clerk will tell you that it is restricted.

Information about children or financial account numbers may be redacted in public copies to protect privacy. The final decree itself is almost always available with only minor redactions if any.

Cities in Gila County

Gila County includes several communities. Globe is the county seat. Payson is the largest town. Other places in the county include Miami, Winkelman, and Hayden. None of these cities have their own divorce record offices. All divorce cases from anywhere in Gila County go through the Superior Court Clerk in Globe.

If you live in Globe, Payson, or any other part of Gila County, you file for divorce at the Superior Court in Globe. The clerk office there handles all cases. Residents can visit the satellite office in Payson for some services, but divorce decree records are kept at the main courthouse.

Nearby Counties

Gila County borders several other Arizona counties. Each has its own Superior Court Clerk office.