La Paz County Divorce Decrees

Divorce decree records in La Paz County are kept by the Clerk of the Superior Court in Parker. This office serves as the official record keeper for all court cases filed in the county, including dissolution of marriage proceedings. The clerk maintains divorce decrees from when the county was formed in 1983 through the present day. You can search for divorce case information online through state portals or request copies of decree documents directly from the clerk office. Access methods include in-person visits to the courthouse, mail requests, and online searches through the Arizona Public Access system and eAccess portal.

La Paz Superior Court Clerk

The La Paz County Superior Court Clerk office is the place you go to get divorce decree records. Hollie Lucas is the current Superior Court Clerk. Her staff handles records requests for all case types including family law matters. The office is located at 1316 Kofa Avenue, Suite 607, in Parker. The mailing address is the same. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

You can reach the clerk office by phone at 928-669-6131 during business hours. Staff can answer questions about how to request records, what fees apply, and whether a specific case is in their system. The fax number is 928-669-2186 if you need to send documents. For general questions about court procedures or case status, calling first can save you a trip to the courthouse.

La Paz County participates in statewide court systems. This means you can search for case information through the Arizona Public Access portal without needing to visit Parker. The official clerk website provides links to these online resources and lists current fee schedules. The site also has information about other services the clerk office offers such as marriage licenses and civil filings.

Because La Paz County is smaller than places like Maricopa or Pima, the clerk staff can often process requests quickly. If you visit in person with a case number, you may get copies the same day. Mail requests typically take 5 to 10 business days once they receive your payment and request form.

Search Divorce Cases Online

La Paz County divorce cases can be searched through the Arizona Public Access system. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx and select La Paz County from the list. You can search by party name, case number, or attorney name. The system shows basic case information including the filing date, case type, and case status. This is a free search tool. It helps you confirm that a divorce case exists and get the case number if you do not have it.

For actual divorce decree documents, use the Arizona eAccess portal at azcourtdocs.gov/arizona. This system lets you view and download court documents for a fee. You create an account or log in as a guest. Search for the case by name or number. Once you find it, you can see a list of all documents filed in that case. Select the final decree or any other document you need. The system charges $10 per document. Payment is by credit card. The document downloads as a PDF file that you can save or print.

The La Paz County Clerk website links directly to these portals. You can also use the online payment system to pay fees remotely. The payment portal is at ncourt.com. This is useful if you request records by phone or mail and need to pay the fees without visiting the courthouse.

Cost to Get Divorce Decree Copies

Copy fees in La Paz County are 50 cents per page. Most divorce decrees are 5 to 15 pages, so expect to pay $2.50 to $7.50 for an uncertified copy of just the final decree. If you need a certified copy with the clerk's seal and signature, there is an additional fee. The exact certification fee should be confirmed with the clerk office as it can vary, but many Arizona counties charge $30 to $35 for this service.

If you want the entire divorce case file, the cost goes up based on how many pages are in the file. A full file might be 50 to 100 pages or more if the case was contested. At 50 cents per page, a 100-page file would cost $50 for copies. Add the certification fee if you need certified copies of specific documents.

There may be additional fees for research if you do not have the case number and the clerk staff needs to search for the case. Some counties charge around $35 for this service. If you request copies by mail, you may also pay a postage and handling fee, typically $7 to $8. Call the clerk office before you send a mail request to get the exact total cost so you send the right payment amount.

Payments can be made by money order, cashier's check, or credit card through the online payment portal. Personal checks may or may not be accepted, so it is best to call ahead. If you visit in person, you can pay with cash, debit card, or credit card at the clerk counter.

How to Request Divorce Records

You have three main ways to get divorce decree records from La Paz County. The first is to visit the clerk office in person. Go to the courthouse at 1316 Kofa Avenue in Parker during business hours. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk staff the case number or the names of both spouses and the approximate date of the divorce. The staff will search the records and make copies for you. You pay the fees and can often get the copies the same day.

The second method is to submit a mail request. Write a letter to the La Paz County Clerk of the Superior Court at PO Box 5 (or 1316 Kofa Avenue, Suite 607), Parker, AZ 85344. Include the case number if you have it. If not, provide the full names of both spouses and the year the divorce was finalized. State whether you want plain copies or certified copies. Include your mailing address and a check or money order for the fees. It helps to call first to confirm the exact fee. Processing time is usually 5 to 10 business days after they receive your payment.

The third method is to use online resources. Search for the case on Arizona Public Access to get the case number. Then use the eAccess portal to download the decree for $10. This method is fast and does not require a trip to Parker or waiting for mail. However, online downloads are not certified. If you need a certified copy for legal purposes, you must request it from the clerk office directly.

Filing for Divorce in La Paz County

To file for a dissolution of marriage in La Paz County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for 90 days before filing. You file the petition at the Superior Court Clerk office in Parker. The petition starts the legal process. Arizona is a no-fault state, so you only need to state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. You do not have to prove fault or wrongdoing.

After you file the petition, the other spouse must be served with the papers. They have a chance to respond. If both spouses agree on all terms including property division, child custody, and support, the case can proceed as a consent decree. This is faster and less costly than a contested divorce. The court reviews the agreement and issues the final decree if everything is in order.

If the spouses do not agree, the case may go to hearings or trial. The judge will make decisions about property, debts, custody, and support. Once all issues are resolved, the judge signs the final decree. The decree legally ends the marriage and sets out the terms both parties must follow. The clerk office files the signed decree and it becomes part of the permanent court record.

La Paz County uses the same statewide forms as other Arizona counties. You can get forms and instructions from azcourthelp.org, a self-service website run by the Arizona courts. The site has step-by-step guides for filing, responding to a petition, and handling other divorce-related issues. The clerk office can also provide forms, but they cannot give legal advice.

Note: If you need legal help and have low income, contact Community Legal Services or another legal aid organization to see if you qualify for free assistance.

Legal Help and Forms

The Arizona Court Help website at azcourthelp.org is the main self-service resource for divorce cases. It has forms, instructions, and videos that explain the court process. You can download forms for free. The site covers topics like how to file for divorce, how to respond if you were served with divorce papers, and how to modify an existing decree.

Each form comes with instructions. Some forms are interactive PDFs that you can fill out on your computer before printing. This makes them easier to complete and reduces errors. The site also has a family law case flowchart that shows the steps from filing to final decree. This helps you understand what to expect at each stage.

If you need in-person help, the La Paz County Superior Court may have limited self-service resources compared to larger counties. You can call the clerk office to ask if they have staff who can answer procedural questions. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you understand what forms to use and how to file them correctly. For actual legal advice about your case, you need to consult an attorney or a legal aid organization.

Legal aid groups serve low-income residents. Community Legal Services has offices in Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff. They may handle cases in La Paz County depending on funding and staffing. Call them to ask about eligibility. Other statewide resources include the State Bar of Arizona's lawyer referral service, which can connect you with an attorney in your area.

About La Paz County Court Records

La Paz County was created in 1983 when it separated from Yuma County. It is one of the youngest counties in Arizona. Because the county is relatively new, all divorce decree records from La Paz County date from 1983 or later. If you need a divorce decree from before 1983 for someone who lived in what is now La Paz County, you would request it from Yuma County since that is where the records were filed at the time.

The county seat is Parker, which is located along the Colorado River. Parker is the largest town in La Paz County but has a population under 50,000. Other communities in the county include Quartzsite, Ehrenberg, and Salome. All divorce cases for residents of these towns are filed at the Superior Court in Parker.

La Paz County Superior Court is part of Arizona's general jurisdiction trial court system. Superior Courts handle all felony criminal cases, civil cases over $10,000, family law matters including divorce, probate, and juvenile cases. Because it is a smaller county, La Paz has fewer judges and staff than urban counties. This can mean a more personal experience when you visit the courthouse, but it may also mean fewer walk-in services or limited hours for certain functions.

Public Records and Privacy

Divorce decree records are generally public in La Paz County. Anyone can request copies if they pay the fee. You do not have to be one of the parties in the case. You do not need to explain why you want the record. The clerk office treats all records requests the same way regardless of who is asking.

Some cases may be sealed by court order. This is rare but can happen in cases involving sensitive issues. If a case is sealed, the clerk cannot provide copies to the public. Only the parties in the case or people with a court order can access sealed records. Most divorce cases are not sealed.

Financial account numbers and Social Security numbers may be redacted from public copies to protect against identity theft. Information about minor children may also be limited in some situations. The final divorce decree itself is almost always public and includes the basic terms of the divorce such as property division and custody arrangements.

Communities in La Paz County

La Paz County has no cities with a population over 50,000. The largest community is Parker, the county seat. Other towns include Quartzsite, known for its winter visitor population and gem shows, and Ehrenberg near the California border. Residents of all these communities file divorce cases at the La Paz County Superior Court in Parker.

Nearby Counties

La Paz County is bordered by several other Arizona counties. If you are searching for divorce records and are not sure which county to check, consider these neighboring counties: