Find Chandler Divorce Records
Chandler divorce records are kept by Maricopa County, not the City of Chandler. With about 275,000 residents, Chandler is a fast growing city in the southeast valley. All divorce cases for Chandler residents go through Maricopa County Superior Court. The Chandler Municipal Court handles traffic and misdemeanor cases but has no role in divorces. To get a copy of a divorce decree or search for a divorce case from Chandler, you need to contact the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court.
Chandler Divorce Records Quick Facts
Chandler Divorce Cases Go Through County Court
Arizona law puts all divorce cases in Superior Court. This is the county level court that handles major civil matters. Chandler is part of Maricopa County, so Chandler divorces go to Maricopa County Superior Court. The city has no control over this process. Municipal courts across Arizona are limited to smaller cases like traffic tickets and city code violations.
The Chandler Municipal Court is at 200 E. Chicago St. in downtown Chandler. You can reach them at 480-782-4700. They are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. But if you call about a divorce, they will direct you to the county. They do not have divorce records and cannot help you file for divorce.
The Chandler Municipal Court website explains what types of cases they handle. Traffic citations, misdemeanors, parking violations, and protective orders make up their caseload. Family law is not on the list. Divorce, custody, child support, and adoption all go through Superior Court at the county level.
Maricopa County Clerk for Chandler Residents
The closest county court location to Chandler is the Southeast Court Complex. It sits at 222 E. Javelina Ave. in Mesa. This is about 15 minutes north of downtown Chandler. The Southeast Complex handles the same business as the main Phoenix courthouse. You can request divorce records, get certified copies, and ask questions about cases there.
The main clerk office in Phoenix is at 601 W. Jackson Street. Call the clerk at (602) 372-5375. Staff can answer questions about records, fees, and procedures. For email contact, use PublicRecords@jbazmc.maricopa.gov for record requests. Both locations are open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Chandler residents can visit either location. Some people prefer the Mesa office because it is closer. Others go to Phoenix because they work downtown. Either way, you get the same access to your divorce records. The county system is unified across all its court locations.
How to Search Chandler Divorce Records
The state provides online search tools. Start with Arizona Public Access for a free lookup. You can search by name or case number. The results show case types, filing dates, and status. This tells you if a divorce case exists and whether it is open or closed. You do not pay anything to use this basic search.
For documents, use the eAccess portal. This system charges ten dollars per document. You can view and download divorce decrees, petitions, and court orders. The portal also offers certified copies with electronic verification. Documents from eAccess are accepted for most legal purposes.
Maricopa County also runs a Court Minutes search tool. Minute entries show what happened at each hearing. You see the date, the judge, who appeared, and what was decided. This helps track a divorce from filing to final decree. The minute search is free to use.
Not all records are online. Older divorces may only exist on paper at the clerk office. If your search comes up empty, the case may predate the electronic system. Contact the clerk to request a manual search of older records. A research fee of 35 dollars per year applies when the clerk does the searching.
Chandler Divorce Record Fees
Maricopa County sets all the fees. The city of Chandler has no role in pricing. Copy fees are 50 cents per page. This covers plain copies of divorce documents. Most divorce decrees run between five and fifteen pages.
Getting a document certified costs 35 dollars. The clerk adds a raised seal to prove the copy is genuine. You need certified copies for legal matters. If you plan to remarry, the marriage license office will want a certified divorce decree. Immigration cases also require certified copies.
Other fees include research at 35 dollars per year and postage at eight dollars if you want mailing. The eAccess portal charges ten dollars per document for online viewing. In person viewing at the clerk office is free, but you pay for any copies you want to take with you.
Divorce Help for Chandler Residents
The Arizona Courts Self-Service Center has free forms and instructions. You can download every form needed for a divorce. Guides walk you through the process step by step. This works well for uncontested divorces where both spouses agree on the terms.
Low-income residents can seek help from Community Legal Services. Check clsaz.org for information. They provide free legal assistance for those who qualify. The State Bar of Arizona runs a referral service at azbar.org. They connect you with family law attorneys in the east valley who handle Chandler divorce cases.
Legal document preparation services exist throughout Chandler. These businesses help you fill out forms but do not give legal advice. They cost less than attorneys. For straightforward divorces with no disputes, this option works for some people.
Nearby Arizona Cities
These southeast valley cities also use Maricopa County Superior Court for divorce cases. Click a city for details about local divorce record access.