Gilbert Divorce Records
Gilbert divorce records are held by Maricopa County, not the town of Gilbert. With about 267,000 residents, Gilbert is one of the largest towns in Arizona. Despite its size, Gilbert does not process divorce cases. All divorces filed by Gilbert residents go through Maricopa County Superior Court. The Gilbert Municipal Court handles traffic violations and misdemeanors only. To get divorce decrees or search divorce case records from Gilbert, contact the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court.
Gilbert Divorce Records Quick Facts
Gilbert Divorces Filed at County Level
Arizona law requires divorces to go through Superior Court. This is the county level court. Gilbert Municipal Court cannot process divorces, award custody, or divide property. Those powers belong to the county. When Gilbert residents file for divorce, the case enters the Maricopa County court system.
The Gilbert Municipal Court website states this clearly. They explain that felony cases and criminal juvenile cases go to Superior Court. Family law cases, including divorce, also go there. The municipal court sticks to traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and town code violations.
Gilbert Municipal Court is at 55 E. Civic Center Drive. Call (480) 635-7800 for questions. They are open Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. But they cannot help with divorce matters. If you need divorce records, they will send you to Maricopa County.
Getting Divorce Records for Gilbert Cases
The Southeast Court Complex in Mesa serves the east valley. It is at 222 E. Javelina Ave. in Mesa. This location is about ten minutes from Gilbert. You can request divorce records, get certified copies, and search case files there. The office has the same services as downtown Phoenix.
The main Maricopa County clerk office is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. This downtown location handles all types of record requests. Pick whichever location is more convenient for you. Both are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call (602) 372-5375 to reach the clerk. You can also dial (602) 37-CLERK. Email PublicRecords@jbazmc.maricopa.gov for questions about divorce records. Staff can explain what you need to bring and how much it will cost.
How to Search Gilbert Divorce Records
The Arizona Public Access portal offers free searches. You enter names or case numbers. The results show case type, filing date, and status. This tells you if a divorce case exists and whether it finished. You do not pay anything for this basic lookup.
For actual documents, use eAccess. This Arizona Supreme Court system provides court records. You pay ten dollars per document. Divorce decrees, petitions, and orders are available. The system runs around the clock. Create an account to save your work.
Maricopa County has its own Court Minutes search tool. Minute entries show what happened at each hearing. You see dates, parties, and rulings. This is useful for tracking a divorce through the system. The minute search costs nothing.
Not every case appears online. Older divorces may be on paper only. If you cannot find a case online, call the clerk. They can search paper records for a fee. Expect to pay 35 dollars for each year of records searched.
Gilbert Divorce Record Costs
Maricopa County sets all fees for divorce records. Gilbert has no role in pricing. Copies cost 50 cents per page. This applies to every page in the documents you request. A divorce decree of eight pages costs four dollars in copy fees.
Certification adds 35 dollars. A certified copy has an official seal from the clerk. You need certified copies for remarriage, immigration, and other legal purposes. The certification fee is on top of copy charges. To certify a ten page document, you pay 35 dollars plus five dollars in copy fees.
Other costs include research fees of 35 dollars per year and postage of eight dollars if you want mailing. The eAccess portal charges ten dollars per document for online viewing. In person record inspection at the clerk office is free, but you pay for any copies you take.
Filing a divorce in Maricopa County costs 376 dollars for the petition. Responding to a divorce petition costs 287 dollars. These fees apply to all Gilbert residents who file through the county.
Divorce Resources for Gilbert Residents
The Arizona Courts Self-Service Center has free forms and guides. You can find all the paperwork for a divorce. Instructions explain each step. This resource helps people who want to handle their own divorce without hiring a lawyer.
Community Legal Services helps people with low incomes. Check clsaz.org to learn about eligibility. They handle family law cases for those who qualify. The State Bar of Arizona at azbar.org can refer you to family law attorneys in the Gilbert area.
Gilbert has legal document services that help with paperwork. They fill out forms based on your information. This is not legal advice but can help with straightforward cases. For complicated divorces involving custody disputes or significant property, an attorney may be worth the cost.
Nearby Arizona Cities
These east valley cities also use Maricopa County Superior Court for divorces. Select a city to learn about local divorce records.