Queen Creek Family Court Records

Queen Creek family court records are held by two different county Superior Courts, which makes this town unique in Arizona. The town spans parts of both Maricopa County and Pinal County. Where you live within Queen Creek determines which county court handles your divorce, custody, or child support case. Residents on the west side of town file through Maricopa County Superior Court in Phoenix or Mesa. Those on the east side use Pinal County Superior Court in Florence. The Queen Creek Town Clerk at 480-358-3000 does not handle any family court matters. Neither does the town issue marriage licenses or process domestic partnerships. All family law filings must go through your county of residence.

Queen Creek Family Records in Two Counties

Queen Creek sits on the border of Maricopa and Pinal counties. This split creates a special situation for family court matters. Your street address determines your county. Most of the town falls in Maricopa County, but the eastern portion is in Pinal County. Check your property tax bill if you are not sure which county you live in. The county name appears at the top of the document.

The county line runs roughly along Meridian Road and Schnepf Road in some areas, though the exact boundary can be hard to follow. When you file for divorce or custody, the case goes to the county where you live. If both spouses live in Queen Creek but in different counties, the first person to file picks the county. Once a case is filed, that court keeps it even if someone moves across the county line later.

This two-county situation also affects where you search for records. A divorce filed ten years ago might be in either county depending on where that family lived at the time. If you cannot find a case in one county, check the other. Both counties have online search tools that are free to use.

Maricopa County Family Court for Queen Creek

Most Queen Creek residents fall under Maricopa County jurisdiction. The county Superior Court handles all family law cases including divorce, legal separation, custody, and child support. Queen Creek residents in Maricopa County have easy access to the Southeast Court Complex at 222 E. Javelina Ave. in Mesa. This is the closest location for most Queen Creek families.

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court maintains all family court records. Their main office is at 620 West Jackson Street in Phoenix. Copy fees run $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $35.00 per document. You can visit in person from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Call (602) 372-5375 if you need help before your visit.

The Maricopa County Family Department resolves cases affecting families and children. This includes divorce, legal decision-making, parenting time, and spousal support. Their Information Center at 602-506-3204 can answer basic questions. Family Court Administration at 602-506-1561 handles more complex matters.

Pinal County Family Court for Queen Creek

Queen Creek residents living in Pinal County file family court cases in Florence. The Pinal County Superior Court handles divorce, custody, support, and paternity cases for this part of town. The drive to Florence takes about 30 minutes from eastern Queen Creek. There is no regional court center closer to Queen Creek on the Pinal side.

The Pinal County Clerk of Superior Court processes all record requests. Rebecca Padilla serves as the current Clerk. The office is at 971 North Jason Lopez Circle, Building A, Florence, AZ 85132. You can call locally at 520-509-3555 or toll-free at 888-431-1311. Fax requests go to 520-866-5320.

Pinal County maintains family court records going back to 1875. Copy fees match Maricopa at $0.50 per page. Certification costs $35.00. There is also a $35.00 research fee per year if staff must search for your case. Add $8.00 for shipping and handling on mail requests. You can pay online through their payment portal at the Point and Pay website.

Note: Pinal County and Maricopa County use similar fee structures, but their online systems differ.

Queen Creek Town Hall Does Not Handle Family Cases

The Queen Creek Town Clerk cannot help with family court matters. This office handles town business like public records requests for council meetings and local ordinances. The Town Clerk does not issue marriage licenses. It does not process divorce filings. It has no access to custody records or child support orders. Those documents exist only at the county level.

Queen Creek contracts its court services from Gilbert Municipal Court. But municipal courts only handle traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and protective orders. They do not process divorce cases. They cannot modify custody arrangements. For all family law matters, you must go to your county Superior Court. Do not waste a trip to Gilbert or the Queen Creek town offices expecting help with family court records.

Marriage licenses for Queen Creek residents come from either the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court or the Pinal County Clerk of Superior Court. Both offices issue licenses to any Arizona resident regardless of where the wedding takes place. The fee is around $83.00. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo ID.

Search Queen Creek Family Court Records Online

Queen Creek residents have two county systems to search for family court records. Each county runs its own case search portal. Start with the county where you believe the case was filed. If you find nothing, try the other county. Both portals are free to use and do not require an account.

The Maricopa County Family Court Case Search covers all family cases in that county. You can search by party name or case number. Results show filing dates, case status, and basic party information. Some documents are viewable online. Others require an in-person visit or a formal records request.

Pinal County cases appear in the statewide Arizona Courts Public Access Portal. This system covers 153 of Arizona's 180 courts, including Pinal County Superior Court. You can search multiple counties at once. This is helpful when you are not sure where a case was filed. The portal works from any device with internet access, 24 hours a day.

The AZ Court Help website explains how to read court documents. It has a court finder tool and links to forms for every county. Use this resource if you need help understanding what you find in your search results.

Queen Creek Family Court Filing Fees

Filing fees for Queen Creek family cases depend on your county. Maricopa County and Pinal County have similar but not identical fee structures. Both charge $0.50 per page for copies and $35.00 for certification. Divorce filing fees are slightly different between the two counties.

In Maricopa County, a dissolution of marriage costs $376.00 to file. A summary consent decree for uncontested divorces runs $331.50. The response fee is $287.00. Legal decision-making cases cost $306.00 to file. Paternity actions run $371.00. Orders of protection are free to file in both counties. These fees may change, so check with the clerk office before filing.

Fee waivers exist for people who cannot afford court costs. You fill out an application and provide proof of income. The court reviews your situation and decides whether to grant the waiver. Forms are available at the clerk offices or online. Many Queen Creek families qualify for partial or full fee waivers based on income and family size.

Types of Queen Creek Family Court Records

Divorce records make up most family court files. A Queen Creek divorce case includes the petition, the response, financial disclosures, any temporary orders, and the final decree. The decree ends the marriage and spells out property division, support terms, and child-related arrangements. These documents become permanent records in whichever county handled the case.

Custody records in Arizona use the term legal decision-making instead of custody. This covers who makes major choices about a child's schooling, health care, and religion. Parenting time sets the schedule for when each parent has the child. These files include parenting plans, any custody evaluations, and court orders. Parents can file modifications when circumstances change. Each modification creates new records in the case file.

Child support records show the court-ordered payment amount. They include income worksheets, child support guidelines calculations, and any enforcement actions. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services handles enforcement statewide. Queen Creek parents with support questions can call 602-252-4045 or 1-800-882-4151 toll-free. Paternity records establish legal fatherhood through DNA tests, voluntary acknowledgments, or court orders.

Legal Help for Queen Creek Family Cases

The Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center helps self-represented parties navigate the court system. Staff provide forms, workshops, and video tutorials. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to the right resources. Call (602) 506-7353 or (602) 506-SELF for help. Email services@jbazmc.maricopa.gov with questions. The office is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM.

Arizona law governs all family court matters in Queen Creek. Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 covers marital and domestic relations. This includes marriage licensing, divorce procedures, custody arrangements, child support duties, and paternity. The statute also covers covenant marriage, which requires counseling before divorce. Understanding these laws helps you know your rights and what to expect from the court process.

Access to court records in Arizona falls under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123, not the public records law. Some family court records have restricted access to protect children's privacy. Adoption records and cases involving minors may be sealed. You can request sealed records in certain situations, but you must file a motion and get court approval first.

Nearby Cities for Queen Creek Residents

Queen Creek sits near several other East Valley cities. All of them file family court cases through county Superior Courts. Gilbert is just to the west and falls entirely within Maricopa County. Mesa lies to the northwest and also uses Maricopa County Superior Court. Chandler is nearby as well.

On the Pinal County side, Casa Grande uses the same Pinal County Superior Court as eastern Queen Creek residents. If you have family in any of these cities, their court records are searchable through the same county systems that Queen Creek uses. Moving between these cities does not change which court has jurisdiction over an existing case. The original filing location keeps the case.

Queen Creek County Court Information

Queen Creek family court records are split between two counties. Visit our county pages for detailed information about court locations, fees, forms, and procedures. If you live on the Maricopa County side of Queen Creek, the Southeast Court Complex in Mesa offers the closest full-service location. Pinal County residents must travel to Florence for most court matters.