Maricopa County Divorce Records

Maricopa County divorce records are kept by the Clerk of the Superior Court in Phoenix. This is the largest county in Arizona with over four million residents. The clerk office handles thousands of divorce cases each year. You can search these records online through the court portal or visit one of several office locations in person. The clerk maintains all divorce decrees, case files, and related court documents for the county.

Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court

The Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court is the official record keeper for all court cases including divorce. The main office is in downtown Phoenix at the courthouse complex. This office stores every divorce record filed in Maricopa County. Staff can help you find records, make copies, and certify documents you need for legal purposes.

The clerk office has multiple locations across the county to serve residents. The Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix is the main location for records requests. You can also visit regional court centers in Surprise, Mesa, and north Phoenix. Each location can help with divorce record requests during regular business hours from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays.

Contact the clerk office by phone at (602) 372-5375 or email at PublicRecords@jbazmc.maricopa.gov for help with your request. Staff can tell you what records are available and how much copies will cost. They can also explain what you need to bring if you plan to visit in person. The office does not accept personal checks. You can pay with cash, money order, debit card, or credit card.

How to Search Divorce Records in Maricopa County

You have several ways to search for divorce records in Maricopa County. Online access is the fastest option for many people. The Court Minutes Portal lets you look up minute entries from court hearings. This shows what happened in a case without paying for full documents. You can search by party name or case number.

The statewide eAccess portal provides full document access for Maricopa County cases. Each document costs ten dollars to view and download. This system covers divorce decrees, petitions, responses, and other filings in the case. You can also get documents certified electronically through eAccess. The portal works around the clock so you can search any time from home.

In-person searches at the clerk office are free. You can come to any location and look at public records at no charge. Staff will help you find what you need. When you want copies, you pay 50 cents per page. Certified copies cost extra. This method works well if you need to review a file before deciding what copies to order.

Maricopa County Divorce Record Fees

Copy fees are 50 cents per page for any court document including divorce records. This is the standard rate set by Arizona law. You pay this for each page you want copied from the file.

Certification costs 35 dollars per document. A certified copy has a raised seal from the clerk office that proves it is genuine. Many places that need divorce proof will only accept certified copies. You pay the certification fee on top of the per-page copy cost. If your document is 10 pages, you pay 5 dollars for copies plus 35 dollars for certification, which comes to 40 dollars total.

Research fees apply when the clerk must search for records without a case number. The fee is 35 dollars per year of records searched. If you know the names of both spouses and the approximate year of the divorce, the clerk can narrow the search. Having more details helps keep research costs lower and speeds up the process.

Postage and handling costs 8 dollars if you want documents mailed to you. This covers the cost of shipping and processing your request. Online orders through eAccess do not have a postage fee since you download the files yourself.

Filing for Divorce in Maricopa County

Filing a new divorce case costs more than getting copies of existing records. The petition to start a divorce costs 376 dollars in Maricopa County. This fee is the same whether you have children or not. It covers the court costs to open your case and process the initial paperwork.

The response or answer to a divorce petition costs 287 dollars. This is what the other spouse pays to file their response in court. If both spouses agree to the divorce terms, you can file a Summary Consent Decree for 331.50 dollars. This is faster than a contested divorce but requires full agreement on all issues.

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford court costs. You file a form called Affidavit of Indigency or Application to Defer Fees. The judge reviews your income and decides if you qualify. If approved, the court waives some or all of the filing fees. Legal aid groups in Maricopa County can help you with this process if you have low income.

Note: Filing fees change from time to time, so check the clerk website or call the office to confirm current costs before filing.

Maricopa County Court Locations

The county has four main locations where you can request divorce records. The Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix 85003 is the primary records office. This is downtown near the main courthouse. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

The Northwest Regional Court Center at 14264 W. Tierra Buena Lane in Surprise 85374 serves the west valley. The Southeast Court Complex at 222 E. Javelina Avenue in Mesa 85210 serves the east valley. The Northeast Regional Court Center at 18380 N. 40th Street, Suite 120 in Phoenix 85032 serves the north Phoenix area. All locations have the same hours and can help with divorce record requests.

Each location connects to the same records system. A divorce filed in downtown Phoenix can be looked up at the Surprise office. You do not need to go to the location where the case was originally filed. Pick whichever office is most convenient for you. Call ahead if you want staff to pull specific files before you arrive.

Divorce Help in Maricopa County

The Arizona Courts Self-Service Center has forms and guides for people handling their own divorce. You can download all the forms you need to file in Maricopa County. Instructions explain each step of the process. This is free to use and works well for uncontested divorces where both spouses agree.

Community Legal Services at clsaz.org provides free legal help to qualifying residents. They focus on family law cases including divorce. Call them to find out if you qualify for their services based on income. They can represent you in court or help you fill out paperwork on your own.

The Maricopa County Superior Court has a Family Court Self-Service Center. This office helps people who do not have a lawyer. Staff can answer questions about forms and procedures. They cannot give legal advice, but they can explain how the court process works. This is a good resource if you have questions while handling your own divorce case.

Cities in Maricopa County

Maricopa County includes Phoenix and many other cities. All divorce cases for these cities go through the Maricopa County Superior Court. Municipal courts in these cities do not handle divorce cases.

Nearby Arizona Counties

If you are not sure which county handles your divorce records, check where the case was filed. Bordering counties have their own clerk offices and court systems.