Gilbert Family Court Records

Gilbert family court records are held by the Maricopa County Superior Court, not a city office. Gilbert is part of Maricopa County, which is the largest county in Arizona. When you file for divorce, seek custody changes, or request child support in Gilbert, your case goes to the county court system. The Clerk of Superior Court stores all family law documents at the main Phoenix location or at the Southeast Justice Center in nearby Mesa. Gilbert residents can search family court records online through the county portal or visit a regional court center in person to get copies of case files.

Where Gilbert Family Court Cases Are Filed

Gilbert does not have its own family court. All family law matters for Gilbert residents go through the Maricopa County Superior Court. This includes divorce, legal separation, child custody, parenting time, child support, and paternity cases. The county court handles every family law case in its jurisdiction, which covers Gilbert and all other cities in Maricopa County.

The closest court location to Gilbert is the Southeast Justice Center at 222 E Javelina Ave. in Mesa. This regional center is about 5 miles from downtown Gilbert. It has staff who can help with family court filings and record requests. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. You can file new cases there, check on existing cases, or ask for copies of documents from your file.

The main Clerk of Superior Court office is at 620 West Jackson Street in Phoenix. This location handles the highest volume of family court filings in the county. If you need certified copies of Gilbert family court records, you can request them from either location. Call the Maricopa County Clerk at (602) 372-5375 to ask about your options. Staff can tell you what records are available and how to get them.

Gilbert Municipal Court Does Not Handle Family Cases

The Gilbert Municipal Court at 55 E. Civic Center Drive handles traffic tickets, misdemeanor crimes, and protective orders. It does not hear family law cases. The court is clear on its website that felony cases and criminal juvenile matters go to the Superior Court. The same is true for divorce, custody, and support cases. These all go to Maricopa County.

You can reach Gilbert Municipal Court at (480) 635-7800. Hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 AM to 6 PM. The court is closed on Fridays. If you call about a divorce or custody matter, staff will direct you to the county Superior Court instead. Do not file family law papers at the Gilbert Municipal Court because they will not be accepted there.

Note: Gilbert Municipal Court handles protective orders, but all other family law matters must go through Maricopa County Superior Court.

Search Gilbert Family Court Records Online

The Maricopa County Family Court Case Search lets you look up family law cases from any computer or phone. This free tool covers all family court filings in Maricopa County, including cases from Gilbert residents. You do not need an account to search. Just enter the name of a party or the case number to find what you are looking for.

Search results show basic case information. You can see the filing date, case status, and names of the parties. Some documents may be viewable online. Others require a visit to the clerk office or a formal records request. The search system is updated regularly, so recent filings should appear within a few days of being processed by the clerk.

The statewide Arizona Courts Public Access Portal also covers Maricopa County. This system connects to 153 courts across Arizona, making it useful if you need to search multiple counties at once. Both portals are free to use. They work well for basic lookups when you have a name or case number to search. For more complex requests, you may need to contact the clerk office directly.

The AZ Court Help website has guides that explain how to read case records and what different case types mean. It also has a court finder tool that gives contact information for any court in the state. This can help if you are not sure where a case was filed or need forms for your situation.

Gilbert Family Court Record Fees

Fees for Gilbert family court records follow the Maricopa County fee schedule. Copies cost $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies add $35.00 on top of the copy fee. If you need staff to search for records, there is a research fee of $35.00 per year searched. Postage and handling add $8.00 to mail requests.

Filing fees for new family court cases in Maricopa County are set by the Clerk of Superior Court. The cost to file for divorce is $376.00 whether or not you have children. A summary consent decree costs $331.50. Legal decision-making petitions cost $306.00. Paternity filings are $371.00. Orders of protection have no filing fee.

You can pay by cash, check, or credit card at the clerk counter. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the Clerk of Superior Court. Fee waivers are available for people who cannot afford to pay. You must fill out an application and show proof of low income. Forms for fee waivers are available at the clerk office or through the Law Library Resource Center online.

How to Get Gilbert Family Court Records

There are three ways to get copies of Gilbert family court records. You can go in person, send a mail request, or use the online portal for basic lookups. Each method has its own steps and costs. Pick the one that works best for your situation.

In-person visits work well if you need records quickly. Go to the Southeast Justice Center in Mesa at 222 E Javelina Ave. or the main clerk office in Phoenix at 620 West Jackson Street. Tell the clerk what you need. Bring the case number or party names. Staff will search the system and make copies for you. Bring cash or a check to pay the fees. Most requests are filled the same day.

Mail requests take longer but are convenient if you cannot visit in person. Write a letter to the Clerk of Superior Court at 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Include the names of the parties, the approximate date of the case, and your return address. Send payment with your letter. Processing usually takes one to two weeks for mail requests. Add extra time if you need certified copies.

Online lookups through the Maricopa County Clerk website let you view basic case information for free. Some documents can be downloaded directly. For certified copies or full case files, you will need to submit a formal request. The clerk office accepts online payments for record requests through their system.

Note: Bring valid ID when picking up family court records in person.

Types of Gilbert Family Court Records

Divorce records are the most common type of family court document. A divorce case file includes the petition for dissolution of marriage, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosures, settlement agreements, and the final decree. The decree is the official court order that ends the marriage. It sets out the terms for property division, spousal support, and any matters related to children.

Child custody records in Arizona are called legal decision-making and parenting time records. Legal decision-making covers who makes big choices for the child about school, health care, and religious upbringing. Parenting time sets the schedule for when each parent has the child. These records include parenting plans that the parents agreed to or the court ordered. If parents later go back to court to change custody, those modification filings become part of the case file too.

Child support records show how much money the court ordered one parent to pay. These records include the support calculation worksheet and any orders for medical support or childcare costs. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services works with courts to establish and collect support. You can reach them at 602-252-4045 or toll-free at 1-800-882-4151. They help parents get new support orders, modify existing orders when income changes, and collect payments when someone falls behind.

Paternity records establish the legal father of a child. The case file may have DNA test results, a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity signed by both parents, or a court order declaring paternity after a hearing. Once paternity is set, the court can order child support and establish custody rights for the father. These records are public unless the court has sealed them for privacy reasons.

Legal Help for Gilbert Family Court Cases

The Law Library Resource Center helps people who are handling their own family court cases. Staff can show you where to find forms, explain court procedures, and point you to helpful guides. They cannot give legal advice, but they can help you understand the process. Call (602) 506-7353 or (602) 506-SELF for information. Email questions to services@jbazmc.maricopa.gov.

The center offers free webinars and workshops on family law topics. These classes cover things like how to fill out divorce forms, what to expect at a hearing, and how to modify custody orders. Recorded videos are available online if you cannot attend a live session. Self-help tools on the website walk you through common tasks step by step. This is useful for people who have never been to court before and need extra guidance.

Family court forms are available through the Maricopa County family court forms page. You can download and print these forms at home. Some forms can be submitted through the court's e-filing system. Attorneys are required to e-file all family law documents. People representing themselves can still file in person at the clerk counter if they prefer the paper method.

Arizona Family Law for Gilbert Residents

Arizona law sets the rules for all family court cases. Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 covers marital and domestic relations. This includes marriage licensing, divorce procedures, custody rules, and support obligations. The state legislature updates these laws each session. Courts in every Arizona county, including Maricopa County, follow the same state laws.

To file for divorce in Arizona, at least one spouse must have lived in the state for 90 days. You file in the county where you or your spouse currently lives. Gilbert residents file in Maricopa County. Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, which means you do not have to prove your spouse did something wrong. You just state that the marriage is irretrievably broken. The court must wait at least 60 days after service before it can finalize the divorce.

Arizona is a community property state. Most assets and debts from the marriage are split equally between spouses. Each person keeps their separate property, which includes things they owned before the marriage or received as gifts. The court divides community property fairly, which usually means a 50/50 split. This applies to Gilbert divorces just like any other divorce in the state.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Gilbert is in the southeast part of the Phoenix metro area. These nearby cities are also in Maricopa County and use the same family court system. If you have moved from one of these cities to Gilbert, your old case records are still at the county Superior Court.

Maricopa County Family Court Information

For complete details about family court procedures, fees, and resources in the county that serves Gilbert, visit the Maricopa County page. It has contact information for all four regional court centers, the full fee schedule, and links to online search tools.