Phoenix Divorce Records Search
Phoenix divorce records are kept at the county level, not by the city. As the state capital and largest city in Arizona, Phoenix has over 1.6 million people. All divorce cases filed by Phoenix residents go through the Maricopa County Superior Court. The city of Phoenix does not process or store divorce records. If you need a divorce decree or case file from a Phoenix divorce, you must contact the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court. This office maintains all family law records for the county.
Phoenix Divorce Records Quick Facts
Which Court Handles Phoenix Divorce Cases
The Maricopa County Superior Court has sole jurisdiction over divorce cases in Phoenix. Arizona law requires all dissolutions of marriage to be filed in Superior Court. Municipal courts, including Phoenix Municipal Court, cannot hear family law cases. They handle traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and city code violations only. The city of Phoenix clearly states on its public records page that marriage licenses, divorce decrees, and Superior Court records must be obtained from the Maricopa County Clerk.
Maricopa County is the largest county in Arizona by population. It serves Phoenix and dozens of other cities. The county handles more divorce cases each year than any other county in the state. Whether you live in central Phoenix, north Phoenix, or south Phoenix, your divorce goes through the same county court system. The location of your home within Phoenix does not change which court handles your case.
The City of Phoenix public records page lists court records as being held by an external agency. It directs people to the Maricopa County Clerk for divorce documents.
Maricopa County Clerk Office for Phoenix Residents
The main clerk office is in downtown Phoenix. This makes it easy for Phoenix residents to visit in person. The Customer Service Center sits at 601 W. Jackson Street. You can walk in during business hours to request divorce records. Staff can help you search for cases and get copies. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Call the clerk office at (602) 372-5375 if you have questions. You can also dial (602) 37-CLERK as an easy to remember option. The staff can tell you what information you need to find a case and explain the costs. For email inquiries about public records, use PublicRecords@jbazmc.maricopa.gov to reach the records team directly.
Maricopa County also has regional court centers. The Southeast Court Complex at 222 E. Javelina Ave. in Mesa serves the east valley. The Northwest Regional Court Center at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise serves the west valley. The Northeast Regional Court Center is at 18380 N. 40th St. in Phoenix. Any of these locations can help with divorce record requests.
How to Search Phoenix Divorce Records
Start your search online. The Arizona Courts system provides two main tools. The Public Access portal lets you look up case information for free. You can search by name or case number. This shows basic data like filing dates, case status, and hearing dates. It does not show the actual documents.
For full documents, use the eAccess portal. This system gives you access to court records and documents that are open to the public. Each document costs ten dollars to view and download. You can also get certified copies through eAccess. The system runs around the clock so you can search any time. Create an account to save your searches and access documents later.
Maricopa County has its own Court Minutes portal as well. This shows minute entries from court hearings. A minute entry is a short record of what happened at each hearing. It shows who was present and what the judge ruled. This can help you track the progress of a divorce case.
Note: Older cases may not be in the online system and require an in-person visit to the clerk office.
Phoenix Divorce Record Fees
Fees for divorce records come from Maricopa County, not the city of Phoenix. Copies cost 50 cents per page. This is the standard rate across Arizona. You pay this whether you visit in person or request copies by mail. The fee applies to each page in the document you want.
Certification costs 35 dollars per document. A certified copy has a raised seal that proves the document is genuine. You need a certified copy for legal purposes like remarriage or name changes. The 35 dollars is on top of the page copy fees. If your divorce decree is ten pages, you pay five dollars for copies plus 35 dollars for certification.
Filing a new divorce in Maricopa County costs 376 dollars for the petition. This is the fee to start the case. A response to a divorce petition costs 287 dollars. Summary consent decrees, used in uncontested divorces, cost 331.50 dollars. These fees apply to all Phoenix residents filing in Maricopa County.
Research fees apply if you need the clerk to search for a case. The rate is 35 dollars per year of records searched. If you know the case number, there is no research fee. Postage and handling costs eight dollars if you want records mailed to you.
Legal Help for Phoenix Divorce Cases
Several resources can help with divorce in Phoenix. The Arizona Courts Self-Service Center has forms and guides for people handling their own divorce. You can find all the forms you need to file. The site explains each step in plain language. This is free to use.
Community Legal Services at clsaz.org provides free legal help to low-income residents. They handle family law cases including divorce. Call to ask about eligibility and services. The State Bar of Arizona at azbar.org runs a lawyer referral service. They can connect you with family law attorneys who handle divorces in Phoenix and Maricopa County.
The Maricopa County Superior Court has a Family Court Self-Service Center in downtown Phoenix. Staff can help you understand the forms and process. They cannot give legal advice but can answer questions about procedures. Visit the main courthouse at 201 W. Jefferson Street to find this resource center.
Nearby Arizona Cities
These cities near Phoenix also use the Maricopa County Superior Court for divorce cases. Select a city to learn about divorce records in that area.