Access Buckeye Family Court Records

Buckeye family court records are managed by the Maricopa County Superior Court, not any city office in Buckeye. If you need divorce filings, child custody orders, or support documents, you must work with the county court system. Buckeye is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona, but it does not run its own family court. The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court holds all family law case files for Buckeye residents. You can search for these records online through the county portal. You may also visit the Northwest Regional Court Center in nearby Surprise, which serves the west valley including Buckeye.

Buckeye Municipal Court Does Not Handle Family Matters

Many people make the mistake of going to Buckeye Municipal Court for family law issues. The municipal court handles traffic tickets, city code violations, and some misdemeanor cases only. Divorce filings, custody disputes, and child support cases do not go through this court. Those matters belong in the Maricopa County Superior Court system. If you show up at the municipal court for a family case, staff will tell you to go to the county courthouse instead.

The Buckeye Municipal Court is at 21749 W. Yuma Rd., Suite B101, Buckeye, AZ 85326. You can call them at 623-349-6510. Email the court at court@buckeyeaz.gov for general questions. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. While staff can help with traffic matters and protective orders, they have no access to divorce or custody records. For all family court matters, you need the Maricopa County Superior Court.

The AZ Court Help directory for Buckeye Municipal Court lists the services this court provides. You will see traffic cases, misdemeanors, and protective orders on the list. Family law is not there. The court does have information about how to get help with other legal matters. Staff can point you in the right direction if you are unsure where to go.

Where Buckeye Residents File Family Court Cases

Buckeye residents file all family court cases at the Maricopa County Superior Court. The most convenient location for west valley residents is the Northwest Regional Court Center at 14264 W Tierra Buena Ln. in Surprise. This courthouse is much closer to Buckeye than the downtown Phoenix locations. It offers the same family court services as the main courthouse. You can file new cases, attend hearings, and request records at this location.

The main Clerk of Superior Court office is at 620 West Jackson Street in Phoenix. This is where most record requests are processed. You can reach them by phone at (602) 372-5375. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. The Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson in Phoenix also handles record requests. If you need certified copies or want to search old records, this is a good option.

For Buckeye residents, the drive to downtown Phoenix takes time. That is why many people use the Surprise location for court business. The Northwest Regional Center handles family law cases just like the central courthouse. You can file a divorce petition, respond to a custody motion, or pick up copies of court orders there. Call ahead at (602) 506-3204 to check on wait times or ask about specific services.

Note: All Maricopa County court locations are closed on state holidays and weekends.

Search Buckeye Family Court Records Online

Buckeye family court records are searchable through the Maricopa County Family Court Case Search portal. This free tool lets you look up divorce cases, custody matters, and support orders by party name or case number. The search is quick. Results show the case status, filing date, and basic party information. Some documents may be viewable online. Others require an in-person visit to the clerk office.

The statewide Arizona Courts Public Access Portal also covers Maricopa County cases. This system connects to courts across Arizona. You can search more than one county at a time if you are not sure where a case was filed. Neither the county nor state portal requires an account or login. Just enter your search terms and results appear on the screen right away.

The AZ Court Help website has guides for understanding court records in Arizona. It explains what different case types mean. The site walks you through how to read case documents. There is a court finder tool that shows contact information for every court in the state. Use this if you need forms or want to find the right office for your case. The site is free to use and available around the clock.

Types of Buckeye Family Court Records

Divorce records are the most common family court documents Buckeye residents look for. A divorce file includes the initial petition, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosures, temporary orders, settlement agreements, and the final decree. The decree ends the marriage. It sets the terms for property division, spousal support, and child-related matters if there are kids. All of these documents become part of the court record kept by Maricopa County.

Child custody records in Arizona use terms like legal decision-making and parenting time. Legal decision-making covers who makes big choices for the child. These include education, health care, and religion. Parenting time sets the schedule for when each parent has the child. Custody records include parenting plans, evaluations from experts, and court orders. When parents go back to court to change things, those modification filings also become part of the case file.

Child support records show the amount of payment ordered by the court. They include income worksheets for both parents and support calculations. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services works with the court to collect and enforce support payments. You can reach them at 602-252-4045. The agency helps set up new orders, modify old ones, and track down parents who owe support. Paternity records establish legal fatherhood. They may contain DNA test results or voluntary acknowledgments signed by both parents.

Buckeye Family Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for Buckeye family court cases follow the Maricopa County fee schedule. Dissolution of marriage costs $376.00 to file, with or without children. A summary consent decree for uncontested divorces costs $331.50. These fees apply when you first submit your petition to the court. You pay at the clerk window or online before the court accepts your filing.

Other family court fees in the Buckeye area include:

• Response to Dissolution: $287.00
• Legal Decision-Making Petition: $306.00
• Paternity Filing: $371.00
• Document Certification: $35.00
• Copy Fees: $0.50 per page
• Research Fee: $35.00 per year searched

Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. You must fill out a form and provide proof of low income. The judge reviews each request and decides if you qualify. Forms are available at the clerk office or online through the court website. Orders of protection have no filing fee in Maricopa County. You can file one at no cost if you need protection from domestic violence.

How to Get Buckeye Family Court Record Copies

Getting copies of Buckeye family court records takes a few steps. You can go in person to any Maricopa County court location. The Northwest Regional Center in Surprise is closest to Buckeye. Tell the clerk what you need and give them the case number or party names. Staff will search the system and print copies for you. Bring cash, a check, or a credit card to pay the fees. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page.

Mail requests are another option. Write a letter to the Clerk of Superior Court and include the names of the parties, the approximate date of the case, and your contact information. Send payment with your request. The clerk office accepts checks or money orders made out to the Clerk of Superior Court. Include $8.00 for postage and handling. Processing usually takes one to two weeks for mail requests.

The Maricopa County Clerk records page has forms and instructions for requesting copies. You can download a request form, fill it out, and mail it in. If you need a certified copy, add $35.00 to the total. Certified copies have an official court seal and are often required for legal purposes. Banks, government agencies, and some employers ask for certified copies instead of plain ones.

Note: Some sensitive documents may be sealed or redacted in family court cases involving minors.

Legal Help for Buckeye Family Court Cases

The Law Library Resource Center helps people who handle their own family court cases. Staff can show you where to find forms. They explain filing procedures. They point you to guides and self-help tools. The center is in downtown Phoenix at the main courthouse. You can call (602) 506-7353 or (602) 506-SELF for information. Email questions to services@jbazmc.maricopa.gov.

The center offers live webinars and workshops on family law topics. These free classes cover how to fill out divorce forms, what to expect at a hearing, and how to modify custody orders. Recorded videos are online if you cannot attend a live session. Self-help tools on the website walk you through common tasks step by step. This is helpful if you have never been to court before or feel unsure about the process.

Family court forms are available online. You can download them, fill them out at home, and print them for filing. Some forms can be submitted through the court's e-filing system. Attorneys must e-file all family law documents. Self-represented parties can still file in person if they prefer. The forms include instructions that explain what to write in each blank and how to serve the other party.

Nearby Cities in Maricopa County

Buckeye is part of the west valley area in Maricopa County. Other cities nearby also use the Maricopa County Superior Court for family law matters. If you lived in one city but your case was filed while living in another, the records are still at the county level. Below are major cities near Buckeye that file family court cases through the same county system.

Maricopa County Family Court Information

All Buckeye family court records are maintained by Maricopa County. For detailed information about court locations, fees, forms, and procedures, visit our main county page. The county has four regional court centers to serve residents across the metro area. The Northwest Regional Center in Surprise is the closest option for Buckeye residents. Staff at each location can help with record requests, new filings, and basic court questions.