Mesa Divorce Records
Mesa divorce records are stored at the Maricopa County Superior Court, not by the city of Mesa. With a population of about 500,000, Mesa is the third largest city in Arizona. The city does not process divorce cases or keep divorce records. All family law matters for Mesa residents go through the county court system. When you need a divorce decree, case file, or certified copy from a Mesa divorce, contact the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court. This guide shows you where to look and what to expect.
Mesa Divorce Records Quick Facts
Which Court Handles Mesa Divorces
Maricopa County Superior Court handles all divorce cases in Mesa. This is true for every city in Maricopa County. Arizona law gives Superior Court exclusive jurisdiction over family law matters. The Mesa Municipal Court only handles traffic violations, misdemeanors, and city ordinance cases. It cannot process divorces.
Mesa Municipal Court is at 250 E. 1st Ave. in downtown Mesa. You can call them at 480-644-2255. But they will tell you the same thing we are telling you here. Divorce cases do not go through municipal court. If you visit the Mesa court thinking you can file for divorce or get divorce records, they will send you to the county court instead.
When you file for divorce while living in Mesa, your case goes to Maricopa County Superior Court. The case becomes part of county records. Even if you later move out of Mesa or out of the county, the record stays in Maricopa County. Years from now, you would still contact Maricopa County to get copies of that divorce file.
Where Mesa Residents Get Divorce Records
Mesa residents have a convenient option. The Southeast Court Complex sits right in Mesa at 222 E. Javelina Ave. This is a regional branch of the Maricopa County court system. You can request divorce records here without driving to downtown Phoenix. The office handles the same services as the main courthouse.
The main Maricopa County clerk office is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. This is about 20 miles west of central Mesa. If you prefer, you can visit this location instead. Both offices have the same access to county divorce records. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at both locations.
Contact the clerk by phone at (602) 372-5375. You can also use (602) 37-CLERK as an easy number to remember. Email the public records team at PublicRecords@jbazmc.maricopa.gov for questions about divorce documents.
How to Search Mesa Divorce Records Online
Start with the free search tool. The Arizona Public Access portal lets you look up cases at no cost. Enter the names of the parties in the divorce. You can also search by case number if you have it. The system shows filing dates, case type, and current status. It does not show the actual documents in the file.
To see documents, use eAccess from the Arizona Supreme Court. This portal provides access to court documents that are open to the public. You pay ten dollars per document. The fee covers viewing and downloading. Documents include divorce decrees, petitions, motions, and orders. Create an account to save your work and access documents later.
The Maricopa County Court Minutes portal shows hearing records. Minute entries summarize what happened at each court date. This helps you track a case from start to finish. You can see hearing dates, who appeared, and what the judge decided. This information is free to view.
Note: Not all older records have been scanned into the online system, so you may need to visit the clerk office for cases from many years ago.
Mesa Divorce Record Costs
Maricopa County sets the fees for divorce records. Copies cost 50 cents per page. This applies to all pages you request. A ten page divorce decree would cost five dollars in copy fees. You pay this rate whether you visit in person or request by mail.
Certification adds 35 dollars per document. A certified copy has a raised seal from the clerk. You need certified copies for legal purposes like remarriage or immigration. The certification fee is in addition to the per page copy charge. Most people who need proof of divorce will want a certified copy of the final decree.
If you do not have a case number, research fees apply. The clerk charges 35 dollars per year of records searched. This pays for staff time to locate your case. Having names and an approximate year helps narrow the search. Postage and handling adds eight dollars if you want the clerk to mail your documents. Online access through eAccess costs ten dollars per document with no mailing wait.
Filing a new divorce costs 376 dollars in Maricopa County. This is the petition filing fee. Responding to a divorce petition costs 287 dollars.
Mesa Divorce Legal Resources
The Arizona Courts Self-Service Center offers free forms and guides. You can download divorce forms and read instructions for each step. The site is designed for people who want to handle their own divorce without a lawyer. It covers filing, serving papers, and finalizing the case.
Community Legal Services helps low-income residents in the Mesa area. Visit clsaz.org or call to check if you qualify. They handle family law cases including divorce. The State Bar of Arizona at azbar.org offers a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with family law attorneys who practice in the east valley.
Mesa has legal document preparation services that help with divorce paperwork. These are not law firms and cannot give legal advice. They type up your forms based on information you provide. This option costs less than hiring an attorney but gives less support. For simple uncontested divorces, this may be enough help.
Nearby Arizona Cities
These east valley cities also use Maricopa County Superior Court for divorce cases. Choose a city for local information about divorce records.