Pinal County Divorce Decrees

Divorce decree records in Pinal County are kept at the Clerk of the Superior Court office in Florence. This county covers about 440,000 residents spread across cities like Casa Grande, San Tan Valley, Maricopa, Apache Junction, and Coolidge. The Superior Court in Pinal County handles all divorce cases filed in the county, which are legally called dissolution of marriage cases under Arizona law. You can request copies of divorce decrees by visiting the clerk office in person, mailing a written request, or using online systems. The county provides several ways to access these records depending on what you need. Fees apply for copies and certification of documents. Most divorce decree records from 1875 to the present day are available.

Pinal County Clerk of Superior Court

The Clerk of the Superior Court serves as the official record keeper for all divorce decree cases in Pinal County. Staff at the clerk office can help you search for divorce cases, get copies of decrees, and answer questions about record access. They maintain files from cases going back to the 1800s. The main clerk office is at the courthouse in Florence. This is where all divorce records for Pinal County are stored and where most requests are processed.

You can visit the clerk office during business hours to request divorce decree records in person. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Bring a photo ID with you. If you know the case number, write it down before you go. If you do not have the case number, you need the full names of both spouses and the approximate year the divorce was finalized. The clerk staff will search the records for you. Simple requests can often be filled the same day. More complex searches may take extra time, especially for older records stored off-site.

The Pinal County Clerk also offers remote access through the online records request page on their official site. You fill out a request form and submit it online. The clerk office will contact you within five business days to confirm fees. Once you pay, they process your request and mail the documents to you. This option works well if you live outside Pinal County or cannot visit during office hours.

The Pinal Superior Court website at pinalcourtsaz.gov also has a court records request page with detailed instructions. This site explains what types of documents are available and how long processing takes. Marriage license records from 1875 to present are also maintained by this office, which can help if you need proof of the original marriage before the divorce.

Note: Processing time is typically five business days after the clerk office receives your payment.

How to Find Pinal Divorce Decrees

Several ways exist to search for divorce decree records in Pinal County. The method you choose depends on what information you have and how fast you need the documents. All methods give you access to the same records, but fees and processing times vary.

Arizona Public Access is the statewide system for searching court cases. Go to apps.azcourts.gov/publicaccess/caselookup.aspx and select Pinal County from the list. Search by party name or case number. The system shows basic case info like filing date, case type, and status. This free tool helps you find the case number before you request documents from the clerk. Many people use it first to make sure they have the right case.

The Arizona eAccess portal at azcourtdocs.gov lets you view and download divorce decree documents for a fee. Create an account or log in. Search for the Pinal County case. Click on the document you need. The system charges $10 per document. Payment is by credit card, and you get a PDF file you can save or print. This portal is available 24 hours a day, which makes it useful for urgent requests.

For in-person searches, visit the clerk office in Florence. Staff can search the database and pull files for you to review. You can look at the case file for free. When you find what you need, ask the clerk to make copies. They charge 50 cents per page. If you need certified copies with the official seal, the certification fee is $35 per document plus the per-page cost. Many people get both regular and certified copies of their divorce decree because certified copies are needed for legal matters like changing your name or refinancing property.

Pinal County Divorce Decree Fees

Pinal County charges standard fees for copying and certifying divorce decree records. These fees are set by Arizona law and county policy. They cover the cost of staff time, materials, and maintaining the records system. Fees are the same whether you request records in person or by mail.

Copy fees are 50 cents per page. A typical divorce decree runs between 5 and 20 pages depending on the complexity of the case. Simple uncontested divorces have shorter decrees. Cases with property division, child custody, and support orders have longer decrees. If you want the entire case file, which includes the petition, response, financial disclosures, and other documents, the page count can be much higher. Make sure to ask how many pages your request will include before you pay.

Certification adds $35 to your total. This gives you an official copy with a raised seal and the clerk's signature. Certified copies are needed for some legal purposes. Banks often require them for mortgage changes. Government agencies want them for name changes on Social Security cards or driver licenses. Ask for certified copies if you are using the divorce decree for official business. Regular copies work fine for personal records or informal uses.

Other fees apply in certain situations:

• Research fee: $35 per year searched when no case number is provided
• Shipping and handling: $8 for mailed requests
• eAccess download: $10 per document through the state portal

Payment can be made by money order, cashier's check, or credit card. The clerk office does not accept personal checks or cash for mailed requests. In-person payments can be made with credit or debit cards. If you order online through the Pinal County payment portal at Point and Pay, you must use a credit or debit card. This portal is available for certain types of court payments and makes it easy to pay fees without visiting the courthouse.

Note: Fee amounts can change, so confirm current rates with the clerk office before submitting payment.

What Divorce Decrees Include

A divorce decree is the final court order that dissolves a marriage. The judge signs it after reviewing the case. In Arizona, it is called a decree of dissolution of marriage. This document has legal power and must be followed by both parties. The decree spells out all the terms of the divorce.

The decree states that the marriage is ended. It gives the date the decree becomes final. Most decrees include a section on property division. Arizona is a community property state, so assets and debts from the marriage are split. The decree lists what property each spouse gets. It also says who pays which debts. Real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, retirement funds, and personal belongings are all addressed if they were part of the marital estate.

If the couple has minor children, the decree covers custody and support. Arizona calls this legal decision-making authority rather than custody. The decree says who makes major choices about the child's education, health care, and religion. It also sets the parenting time schedule. This is when each parent has the child. Child support amounts appear in the decree based on state guidelines. Spousal maintenance, also called alimony, may be ordered if one spouse needs financial help. The decree gives the amount and how long it lasts.

The full divorce case file in Pinal County holds more than the final decree. It starts with the petition for dissolution. The other spouse files a response. Financial affidavits show income, assets, and debts. Settlement agreements are included if the parties reached a deal. Trial minutes or transcripts may be in the file if the case went to a hearing. Temporary orders for support or custody during the case are also part of the file. You can request any of these documents when you ask the clerk for records.

Filing for Divorce in Pinal County

To file for divorce in Pinal County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for 90 days before filing. This is the residency rule. You file your petition at the Superior Court Clerk office in Florence. The filing fee varies based on the type of case, but a standard dissolution petition costs several hundred dollars. Check with the clerk for the current filing fee.

After you file, you must serve your spouse with the divorce papers. This can be done by a process server, the sheriff, or certified mail in some cases. Proof of service is filed with the court. Arizona has a 60-day waiting period from the time the petition is served until the judge can sign the final decree. This waiting period gives both parties time to work out terms or prepare for trial.

Many Pinal County divorces are resolved through settlement. The parties agree on property division, custody, and support. They sign a consent decree, which the judge reviews and signs. The case is done. If the parties cannot agree, the case goes to trial. The judge hears evidence and makes decisions. Either way, the final decree is filed with the clerk and becomes part of the public record. You can get copies of this decree at any time after it is signed.

Pinal County offers self-service resources for people who want to file without a lawyer. The court website has forms and instructions. The clerk staff can answer procedural questions but cannot give legal advice. If you need help understanding your legal rights or how the law applies to your situation, consider talking to a family law attorney in Pinal County.

Public Access to Pinal Divorce Records

Divorce decree records in Pinal County are public. Anyone can request them. You do not have to be a party to the case or have a legal reason. The clerk office will provide copies to anyone who asks and pays the fee. This is based on Arizona's public records laws, which favor open access to court records.

Some divorce cases have sealed records. This happens when the court orders it to protect sensitive information. Cases involving domestic violence allegations may have parts sealed. Financial details like account numbers are sometimes redacted to prevent fraud. If a case is sealed, the clerk will tell you. You may need a court order to access sealed records. Most divorce cases in Pinal County are not sealed, so public access is usually allowed.

Online portals like Arizona Public Access and eAccess also follow these rules. Cases that are public show up in searches. Sealed cases do not appear or show limited info. The systems are designed to respect court orders on access while providing convenient service to the public.

Older Divorce Records in Pinal County

Pinal County has divorce decree records dating back to 1875. The county was formed in 1875, and the clerk office has maintained court records since then. Older records may be stored differently than recent ones. Files from the 1800s and early 1900s are often in paper form and may be archived off-site. The clerk office can retrieve these records, but it may take extra time.

For divorces that occurred before 1950, you may also check with the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records. Their holdings include some court records from Pinal County. Visit azsos.libguides.com to see what is available. The Archives can search their collection and provide copies for a fee. This is especially useful for genealogical research or when the county clerk cannot locate very old records.

If you need an older divorce decree from Pinal County, call the clerk office first at 520-509-3555. Explain what year the divorce happened. They will tell you if the record is on-site or in storage. Older records may be handwritten, which can make them harder to read. The clerk can still make copies, and you get the same per-page and certification fees as for newer records.

Related Court Services in Pinal County

The Pinal County Clerk of the Superior Court handles more than just divorce decrees. They also maintain marriage license records. If you need proof of the marriage before the divorce, you can get a copy of the marriage license or abstract from the same office. Marriage records go back to 1875 as well. The fee for a certified marriage license copy is $35 plus 50 cents per page.

Other family law matters are also filed with the Superior Court in Pinal County. This includes paternity cases, child support modifications, and orders of protection. If your divorce case later needs a modification for custody or support changes, you file that motion with the same court. The clerk office can help you find those records too. All family law cases are indexed together, so searching by name will show related cases.

For questions about ongoing cases, the clerk office can provide case status information. They can tell you when hearings are scheduled and whether a final decree has been filed. This service is free if you visit in person or call. The online case lookup systems also show this information for no charge.

Legal Help for Divorce in Pinal County

Several resources exist for people who need help with divorce in Pinal County. Arizona Court Help at azcourthelp.org is a statewide self-service site with forms, guides, and videos. You can learn how to file for divorce, respond to a petition, or ask for a modification of an existing decree. The site is free and available any time.

Community Legal Services provides free legal help to low-income Arizona residents. They have offices across the state and serve Pinal County. Call them to see if you qualify based on your income. They handle family law cases including divorce, custody, and support. Their main line is available on their website.

The Pinal County Superior Court also has a self-service center. Staff there can answer questions about court forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to do in your case, but they can explain how the process works. The center is located at the Florence courthouse. Check the court website for hours and contact info.

If you need a private attorney, the State Bar of Arizona has a lawyer referral service. You can search for family law attorneys who practice in Pinal County. Many offer a free or low-cost first consultation. This can help you understand your options and what it might cost to hire legal help.

Cities in Pinal County

Pinal County covers a large area with several cities and towns. All residents file divorce cases at the Superior Court in Florence regardless of where they live in the county. The clerk office serves the entire county from the one location. These cities have populations over 50,000 and are covered by Pinal County divorce records.

Other communities in Pinal County include Apache Junction, Coolidge, Eloy, Florence, and Kearny. All of these file divorce cases at the Pinal County Superior Court in Florence.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Pinal County. If you are not sure which county has jurisdiction over your divorce case, check where you or your spouse lived when the case was filed. Arizona law requires you to file in the county where at least one spouse resides.