Pima County Divorce Records

Divorce decree records in Pima County are kept by the Clerk of the Superior Court at the courthouse in Tucson. Anyone who filed for divorce in Pima County will find their final decree in this office. The clerk office acts as the official custodian for all court records including divorce cases. You can search for records online through several portals, visit the clerk office in person at 110 West Congress Street, or submit a written request by mail. Many Pima County divorce records dating back decades are available, though older files may take a bit longer to retrieve if they are stored off-site. Copy fees are 50 cents per page and certification costs $33 if you need an official sealed copy of your divorce decree.

Pima County Superior Court Clerk

The Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court holds all divorce decree records for cases filed in this county. The office is at 110 West Congress Street in Tucson. Business hours run from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekdays. The clerk office is closed on weekends and county holidays. Staff can help you locate your case if you know the case number or the names of both parties. They also handle requests for certified copies and answer questions about fees.

You can reach the clerk office by phone at 520-724-3200 for general questions. If you need help with legal records specifically, call 520-724-3240. The email address for legal records is legalrecords@sc.pima.gov. These contact methods work well if you want to confirm fees or ask about a specific case before you visit or mail a request. The clerk staff cannot give legal advice, but they can explain the process for getting copies of court records.

Pima County also has an online records request form. Visit jp.pima.gov/OnlineRecordsRequest/Default.aspx to submit a request through the web. The court processes most requests within five business days. You can pay online with a credit card. This is faster than mailing a check and waiting for the clerk to process it. The online form asks for case details and what type of copies you need.

Payment can be made by phone with Visa, MasterCard, or Discover. If you pay by mail, send a check or money order made out to Clerk of the Court. Cash is accepted in person but not through the mail for obvious reasons. All payments must be received before 4:45 pm if you are paying in person or by phone on the same day.

Search Pima Divorce Decrees Online

Pima County participates in the Arizona Public Access system. This statewide portal lets you search for cases by name or case number. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx and pick Pima County from the list. Type in the name of one of the spouses or the case number. The system shows basic info like the case type, filing date, and status. This is a free search. It helps you confirm the case number before you request copies.

The Pima County website also has a records search page at pima.gov/2867/Records-Search. This page links to various county resources including court records. You can use it to find contact info for different departments and learn about what records are available. It is a good starting point if you are not sure exactly which office handles the type of record you need.

For actual document downloads, use the Arizona eAccess portal. Log in at azcourtdocs.gov and search for your Pima County case. Once you find it, you can view a list of all documents in the file. Pick the divorce decree or any other document you need. The system charges $10 per document. This is a one-time download fee paid to the state system, separate from county clerk fees. Documents come as PDF files that you can save or print. The eAccess portal is available 24 hours a day, which is helpful if you need a copy outside normal business hours.

Copy and Certification Fees

Pima County charges 50 cents per page for copies of court records. A typical divorce decree runs 5 to 12 pages. This means a plain uncertified copy costs $2.50 to $6.00 in most cases. If you need a certified copy with the clerk's seal and signature, add $33 to the copy fee. Certification is required when you need to prove the divorce to government agencies, employers, or financial institutions. An uncertified copy works fine if you just need it for your own records or reference.

If you request copies by mail, there is usually a small mailing fee. Check with the clerk office to confirm the exact postage charge. Some counties in Arizona charge $8 for postage and handling, though Pima County fees may differ slightly. Paying the mailing fee saves you a trip to the courthouse if you live far from Tucson or cannot visit during business hours.

The online records request form will calculate your total fee once you enter what you need. This helps you know the exact cost before you pay. The clerk office does not accept personal checks for in-person requests. Money orders, cashier's checks, and credit cards work. If you mail a request, include a money order or cashier's check for the full amount. The clerk will contact you if there is a problem or if the fee is different than expected.

Steps to Request Your Decree

Start by gathering the information you need to identify your case. The case number is the best identifier. If you do not have it, get the full legal names of both spouses as they appear on the divorce paperwork. You also need the approximate year the divorce was finalized. This info helps the clerk staff find your case quickly.

For in-person requests, go to the clerk office at 110 West Congress Street in Tucson. Bring a photo ID. Tell the clerk staff what case you need and whether you want a plain copy or a certified copy. They will search the records, make copies, and calculate the fee. You pay at the counter and usually get the copies right away unless the file is stored off-site. Most recent cases are accessible immediately.

Mail requests work if you cannot visit in person. Write a letter with the case number or the names and divorce date. State clearly whether you need certification. Include your full mailing address and a phone number in case they need to reach you. Send a check or money order for the estimated fee. Mail it to Clerk of the Court, 110 West Congress St, Tucson, Arizona 85701-1317. Processing time is usually about a week after they receive your payment.

The online form is the fastest option for many people. Fill it out at jp.pima.gov/OnlineRecordsRequest/Default.aspx. Enter your case details, select what you need, and pay by credit card. The clerk office will process it within five business days and mail or email the documents depending on what you request. This method works well if you live out of state or need the records quickly.

Note: Sealed or confidential cases require a court order before the clerk can release records.

Using Arizona eAccess Portal

The eAccess portal is a statewide system for viewing and downloading court documents. It covers many counties in Arizona, including Pima County. The system is at azcourtdocs.gov. You can register for a free account or log in if you already have one. The portal is available to the public, attorneys, government users, media, and litigants. Anyone can use it.

Once you log in, search for your case by name or case number. The system will show a list of documents filed in that case. Click on the divorce decree or any other document you want to view. The first page preview is usually free. To download the full document, you pay $10. This is a one-time fee per document. If you need many documents, you can register for a monthly subscription. Subscriptions range from $80 to $10,000 per month based on how much access you need. Most people just use the one-time $10 fee for occasional downloads.

Documents from eAccess are not certified. They are regular copies. If you need a certified copy with a raised seal, you still have to contact the Pima County Clerk office. The eAccess system is useful when you need a copy fast and do not require certification. It works 24 hours a day, so you can get documents at any time. The portal also lets you electronically certify some documents and verify the authenticity of certified documents if you receive one from someone else.

Who Can Access Divorce Decrees

Divorce decree records in Pima County are public. Anyone can request them. You do not need to be one of the spouses. You do not have to explain why you want the record. The clerk office provides copies to any person who asks and pays the fee. This is based on Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123, which governs access to judicial records across the state.

Some cases have restrictions. If the court sealed a case due to domestic violence, privacy concerns, or other reasons, you cannot access it without permission. Sealed cases are rare in divorce matters. Most final decrees and case files are open to the public. Financial information like bank account numbers may be redacted from public copies to prevent identity theft. Details about minor children can also be limited in certain situations.

If you are not sure whether a case is sealed, ask the clerk office. They will tell you if the records are available or restricted. If a case is sealed and you are one of the parties, you may still be able to get a copy by showing ID and proving you are part of the case. Non-parties cannot access sealed records without a court order.

Old Pima County Divorce Records

Pima County has maintained Superior Court records since the county was formed. This includes divorce cases going back over a century. Older records may be stored off-site rather than at the main courthouse. If you need a divorce decree from many decades ago, call the clerk office first. They can tell you if the file is readily available or if they need extra time to retrieve it from storage.

The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records holds some historical court records for various counties. Their holdings generally cover cases from the 1860s through the 1970s. Not all Pima County records are at the Archives. Coverage varies based on what the county transferred to the state. If your divorce is from before 1950, try contacting the Archives at azsos.libguides.com/azgenealogy/marriagedivorce. They can search their index and let you know if they have the case file.

Very old records may be handwritten and harder to read than modern typed documents. Copies of handwritten decrees are still legal and valid. The clerk office can make photocopies or scans of old records just like they do for newer ones. Fees are the same regardless of the age of the record.

Help with Divorce in Pima

Pima County Superior Court has a self-service center. Staff there can answer questions about court forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you fill out paperwork and understand court rules. The center is located at the courthouse and is free to use. Hours may vary, so check the court website before you visit.

Arizona Court Help offers free online resources at azcourthelp.org. The site has step-by-step guides for filing for divorce, responding to a divorce petition, or modifying a decree. You can download forms and read about what to expect in court. The information applies to all Arizona counties, including Pima.

Community Legal Services has an office in Tucson. They provide free legal help to low-income residents. If you qualify, they can assist with divorce cases and other family law matters. Call them to see if you meet their income guidelines. Other legal aid organizations in southern Arizona may also offer help with divorce-related issues.

Pima County Cities

Residents of these Pima County cities file for divorce at the Pima County Superior Court in Tucson. Select a city to learn more about local resources and where to find divorce decree records.

Nearby Arizona Counties

If your divorce was filed in a different county, check these nearby county clerk offices for records.