Search Maricopa Family Court Records

Maricopa family court records are held by the Pinal County Superior Court, not Maricopa County despite the city's name. This is a key point that confuses many people. The City of Maricopa sits in Pinal County, so all divorce filings, child custody cases, and child support orders go through the Pinal County Clerk of Superior Court in Florence. The Maricopa Municipal Court handles only traffic tickets and misdemeanor offenses. It cannot process family law matters at all. Residents who need court records for divorce or custody cases must contact Pinal County for help.

Maricopa City vs Maricopa County

The City of Maricopa and Maricopa County are two different places. This trips up many people looking for family court records. Maricopa County is the large county that includes Phoenix, Mesa, and Scottsdale. The City of Maricopa is a smaller city that sits south of those areas, entirely within Pinal County. When you need family court records from the City of Maricopa, you go to Pinal County, not Maricopa County.

The city was named after Maricopa County, which was named after the Maricopa people native to the area. Over time, the city grew but remained in Pinal County as it expanded. Today it is one of the fastest growing cities in Arizona, adding many new residents each year. All of them file family court cases at the Pinal County Superior Court in Florence, about 20 miles to the east. The drive takes around 30 minutes depending on traffic. Some residents find this inconvenient but there is no closer option for family law matters.

Maricopa Municipal Court Family Law Limits

The Maricopa Municipal Court is located at 39600 W. Civic Center Plaza in Maricopa, Arizona 85138. Judge Stephen F. McCarville presides over the court. The phone number is (520) 494-2300 and the email is maricopamc@courts.az.gov. Office hours run Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The court is closed on Fridays.

This municipal court cannot handle family law cases. It deals only with traffic violations, misdemeanor crimes, and city code matters. Staff there will tell you the same thing if you ask about divorce or custody records. They do not keep those files. They also cannot file new family law petitions or accept any court documents related to divorce, custody, or support matters.

Note: For any family court matter in Maricopa, you must contact Pinal County Superior Court, not the local municipal court.

Pinal County Superior Court for Maricopa

Maricopa residents file all family court cases at the Pinal County Superior Court in Florence. The Clerk of Superior Court office is at 971 North Jason Lopez Circle, Building A, Florence, AZ 85132. Rebecca Padilla serves as the current clerk. The local phone number is 520-509-3555 and the toll free line is 888-431-1311. Staff can answer questions about filing, fees, and record requests.

The clerk office maintains domestic relations records going back to 1875. This includes divorce cases, legal separation filings, custody orders, parenting time schedules, child support orders, and paternity actions. Maricopa did not exist as a city back then, but the county records cover the whole area. Modern records from Maricopa residents date from when the city was incorporated in 2003 and began growing rapidly.

You can mail requests to PO Box 2730, Florence, AZ 85132. Include the names of the parties and any case number you know. If you do not have the case number, staff can search for it. A research fee of $35.00 per year applies when staff must search for your case. You can also fax requests to 520-866-5320 or visit in person during business hours.

The Pinal County Family Court handles all types of cases that affect families. This means divorce, legal separation, custody, parenting time, child support, paternity, and orders of protection. Judges who hear family cases gain special experience in these matters. This helps them understand the issues and move cases along faster than a general court might.

Maricopa Family Court Records Fees

Pinal County charges standard fees for copies of family court records from Maricopa cases. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. You can get as many pages as you need at that rate. Certified copies carry an extra $35.00 charge per document on top of the per page fee. Most people need certified copies when they must prove something to another agency, employer, or government office. The raised seal shows the copy is authentic.

The research fee is $35.00 per year searched. This applies when you ask staff to look up a case but do not have the case number. If you know the case number, you can skip this fee and just pay for copies. Shipping and handling adds $8.00 to mail orders. This covers postage and packaging for the documents. You can avoid this fee by picking up your copies in person at the Florence courthouse.

Payment is accepted through the Point and Pay portal for online orders. The system takes credit cards and bank payments. In person, you can pay with cash, check, or money order. Make checks payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Credit cards are also accepted at the counter.

Search Maricopa Family Records Online

The Arizona Courts Public Access Portal lets you search court records from most Arizona courts. Pinal County is included. You can look up cases by party name or case number without making an account. Results show basic case information like the filing date, parties involved, and current status. Some documents may be viewable online while others require a trip to the courthouse.

This free tool covers 153 of the 180 courts in Arizona. It works from any computer or phone with internet access. The portal runs 24 hours a day, so you can search at night or on weekends when the courthouse is closed. Keep in mind that sealed cases and juvenile matters do not appear in public searches. If you cannot find a case you know exists, it may be sealed or restricted.

The AZ Court Help website provides guides and resources for people navigating the court system. It explains how to read court records, what different case types mean, and how to fill out forms. The court finder tool gives contact details for any court in Arizona. This is helpful when you need to track down records from multiple counties or figure out where to file a new case.

Types of Maricopa Family Court Records

Divorce records are common in family court files. A divorce case from Maricopa includes the petition for dissolution, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosure forms, temporary orders, settlement agreements, and the final decree. The decree ends the marriage and sets terms for property division, support payments, and child related matters. These documents become part of the permanent court record at Pinal County.

Custody records in Arizona use terms like legal decision-making and parenting time. Legal decision-making covers who makes major choices about a child's school, health care, and religion. Parenting time is the schedule that shows when each parent has the child. Both parents may share these rights, or the court may grant them to one parent based on what is best for the child. All orders and modifications become part of the case file.

Child support records show the payment amount each parent owes. They include income worksheets, guideline calculations, and any enforcement actions. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services helps set up and collect payments. You can reach them at 602-252-4045 or toll free at 1-800-882-4151. Paternity records establish who the legal father is and may include DNA test results or voluntary acknowledgments.

Arizona Law for Maricopa Family Records

Access to court records in Arizona is governed by Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123. This rule sets out what records are public, what is sealed, and how people can request access. The public records law that covers most government agencies does not apply to courts. Rule 123 gives courts their own framework for handling record requests. This applies equally to Maricopa cases and any other case in the state.

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 covers marital and domestic relations. It includes chapters on marriage, divorce, legal decision-making, parenting time, child support, and paternity. When you want to understand the legal basis for a family court order, Title 25 is the starting point. It explains filing requirements, how courts divide property, and how judges decide custody matters.

Arizona law does not allow retroactive changes to child support. The court cannot go back and change what was owed in the past. If your income changes, file a motion to modify the order going forward. This process can take up to six months. Keep records of any job change, income shift, or new expense that affects your ability to pay or need for support. File your motion as soon as the change happens rather than waiting.

Maricopa Family Court Self Help

People handling their own case have several resources available. The Pinal County courthouse has staff who can explain procedures and point you to the right forms. They cannot give legal advice or tell you what to write. But they can help you understand the process and where to file your papers. Forms for common family law matters are available at the clerk window.

The AZ Court Help website serves self-represented litigants across Arizona. It has step-by-step guides for divorce, custody, and support cases. Video tutorials walk you through filling out forms. The site also has a live chat feature where you can ask questions during business hours. Staff who answer are trained to help but cannot provide legal advice.

If you need more help, consider talking to a family law attorney. Many offer free or low cost initial consultations. Legal aid organizations serve people with low income who cannot afford private lawyers. The Arizona State Bar has a lawyer referral service that can connect you with attorneys who handle family law cases. Even a brief consultation can help you understand your rights and options.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Maricopa sits near the border between Pinal County and Maricopa County. Several other cities are within reasonable driving distance. Family court records for these cities are kept at their respective county superior courts. If you are looking for records from someone who lived in a different city, check that city's county for the files.

Casa Grande is also in Pinal County, so its records are at the same courthouse in Florence. Phoenix and Chandler are in Maricopa County, so their records go through the Maricopa County Superior Court instead. If you are unsure which county covers your case, check the address where the parties lived when the case was filed. That determines which court has the records.

Pinal County Family Court

All family court records for Maricopa residents are held by Pinal County. For detailed information about the courthouse, fees, forms, and procedures, visit our main county page. The Pinal County Superior Court in Florence handles cases from across the county, including the City of Maricopa, Casa Grande, and other communities. Staff can help with record requests, new filings, and general court questions.