Buckeye Divorce Records
Buckeye divorce records are kept by Maricopa County, not the city. All divorce cases for Buckeye residents go through the Maricopa County Superior Court system. Buckeye is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona with about 111,000 people living in the far west valley. If you need a divorce decree or want to search court files from a Buckeye divorce, you work with the county clerk office. The city municipal court handles traffic and minor cases only. This guide explains how to get divorce records for Buckeye.
Buckeye Divorce Records Quick Facts
Maricopa County Handles Buckeye Divorces
Buckeye is in Maricopa County. The Maricopa County Superior Court handles all divorce filings for Buckeye residents. When someone files for divorce in Buckeye, the case goes to the county court in Phoenix or one of the regional centers. The Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court stores all the records from these cases.
Arizona law keeps family court matters at the county level. Divorce, child custody, and support cases all go through Superior Court. Municipal courts like the one in Buckeye deal only with traffic tickets and minor crimes. The city has no part in divorce proceedings.
The Buckeye Municipal Court is at 21749 W. Yuma Road, Suite 101. You can reach them at 623-349-6510 for city matters. Staff there cannot help with divorce records. They will tell you to contact the county clerk. This is how it works for all cities in Arizona.
County Clerk Contact Details
The Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court holds all Buckeye divorce records. The main office sits at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix 85003. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Phone the clerk at (602) 372-5375 for help with your request. Staff can look up cases, tell you what documents exist, and explain fees. You can email them at PublicRecords@jbazmc.maricopa.gov too. Email works well for questions before you visit in person or mail a request.
Buckeye sits on the far west edge of the metro area. The closest county court location is the Northwest Regional Court Center at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise 85374. This is about 20 miles from downtown Buckeye. You can request divorce records there instead of driving all the way to Phoenix. The Surprise location connects to the same system as the main office.
Note: The clerk office takes cash, money orders, and cards but not personal checks.
How to Search Buckeye Divorce Records
Online searches give you the fastest access. The Arizona eAccess portal lets you find court documents from home. Type in a name or case number to search. Each document costs ten dollars to view and save. The system works around the clock so you can search any time.
Use the free Public Access system first if you want. It shows basic case data at no cost. You see case numbers, filing dates, and current status. This confirms a divorce exists before you pay for documents. The Court Minutes Portal also shows free minute entries from hearings.
Visit a clerk office to browse files for free. Staff help you find what you need. Looking costs nothing. You pay 50 cents per page only when you want copies. This works well for reviewing a file before deciding what pages to copy. Bring both spouses' names and the divorce year to speed up the search.
Mail requests are another option. Write a letter with case details to the clerk office. Include payment for the expected cost. Call first to get an estimate. Response time is usually one to two weeks. Add eight dollars for postage if you want documents mailed to you.
Buckeye Divorce Record Fees
Copy costs are 50 cents per page at all Maricopa County locations. This is set by Arizona law. A typical divorce decree might run 5 to 15 pages. Cases with children or lots of property have longer documents. Plan your budget based on how much you need.
Certification adds 35 dollars per document. The raised seal proves the copy is real. Banks, employers, and courts require certified copies for legal matters. You pay the certification fee on top of copy costs. A 10-page certified decree costs $5 for copies plus $35 for the seal, totaling $40.
Research fees kick in when you lack a case number. The clerk charges 35 dollars for each year of records searched. Provide both spouses' names and the year of divorce to limit the search. Searching multiple years means multiple fees. More details help keep costs down.
Postage and handling is 8 dollars when documents are mailed. Online downloads through eAccess skip this fee since you get files directly on your computer.
Legal Help for Buckeye Residents
The Arizona Courts Self-Service Center offers free forms and guides for divorce. You can download every form needed to file in Maricopa County. Instructions explain each step in plain terms. This is good for simple divorces where both parties agree on everything.
Community Legal Services at clsaz.org helps low income residents with family law cases. They take divorce cases for qualifying people. Contact them to see if you are eligible. They know the Maricopa County court system and can represent you or help you prepare your own documents.
The Maricopa County Superior Court runs a Family Court Self-Service Center. Staff there help people without lawyers understand the process. They explain procedures and answer questions about forms. They do not give legal advice but can tell you what documents you need and how to file them.
Private attorneys are available through the State Bar of Arizona. Visit azbar.org to use their lawyer referral service. They connect you with family law attorneys who practice in the west valley. A consultation lets you discuss your situation and decide if you need professional legal help. Private lawyers handle contested cases and complex property issues.
Nearby Maricopa County Cities
These west valley cities also use Maricopa County Superior Court for divorce filings. The county clerk keeps records for all of them.
Maricopa County Divorce Records
See our full Maricopa County page for complete details on divorce records. It covers all office locations, online search portals, current fees, and the filing process.