Find Tempe Family Court Records

Tempe family court records are held at the Maricopa County Superior Court, not at any city office. All divorce filings, child custody disputes, support orders, and paternity cases for Tempe residents go through the county court system. The Tempe Municipal Court at 140 E. 5th Street handles traffic tickets, misdemeanors, and protective orders but has no role in family law matters. If you need to search Tempe family court records, you must contact the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court or use the county's online case search portal. This page explains where to find these records and how the process works for Tempe residents.

Which Court Handles Tempe Family Cases

Tempe does not have its own family court. Arizona law places all family law matters under the Superior Court in each county. Since Tempe sits in Maricopa County, the Maricopa County Superior Court handles every divorce, custody, and support case filed by Tempe residents. This is true for all cities in Arizona. Municipal courts like the one in Tempe deal with local ordinance violations, traffic matters, and some criminal cases. They do not hear family law disputes at all.

The Maricopa County Superior Court has a dedicated Family Department that handles thousands of cases each year. Judges in this division hear only family law matters, which means cases move faster than they might in smaller counties. The court has four regional locations across the valley. Tempe residents can file at any of these, though the central Phoenix location tends to handle the bulk of new filings. Staff at each site can help you understand the filing process and find the forms you need.

You can reach the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court at (602) 372-5375. The main office is at 620 West Jackson Street in Phoenix. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For general questions about family court procedures, call the Information Center at 602-506-3204. This line connects you with staff who can explain the basics of filing for divorce, modifying custody orders, or establishing support payments.

Tempe Municipal Court Information

The Tempe Municipal Court serves a different purpose than family court. It is located at 140 E. 5th Street in Tempe, AZ 85281. The phone number is (480) 350-8271. Staff are available Monday through Friday during normal business hours. Email the court at court-inquiries@Tempe.gov for general questions. For public records requests, use the separate email address TempeCourtPublicRecords@Tempe.gov.

This court handles civil traffic cases, criminal traffic cases, criminal misdemeanors, and protective order matters. If someone in Tempe needs an order of protection against another person, they can file at this location. The AZ Court Help directory lists Tempe Municipal Court and explains what types of cases it accepts. The site also has links to forms and resources for people handling cases without an attorney.

Orders of protection filed in Tempe Municipal Court are separate from family court cases. These emergency orders help protect people from harassment, stalking, or domestic violence. They do not address custody, support, or property division. For those issues, you must go through the family court system at the county level. Many people file a protective order at the local court while also pursuing a divorce or custody case at the Superior Court.

Search Tempe Family Court Records Online

Searching for Tempe family court records starts with the Maricopa County court system. The Maricopa County Family Court Case Search is a free online tool. It lets you look up divorce cases, custody filings, and support orders without visiting the courthouse. You can search by party name or case number. The results show case status, filing dates, and the names of people involved.

The Arizona Courts Public Access Portal covers courts across the state. This statewide system includes Maricopa County Superior Court records. You do not need to create an account to search. Just pick the county and enter your search terms. Some basic case information shows up right away. More detailed documents may require a trip to the clerk office or a formal records request.

For people handling their own cases, the AZ Court Help website has guides and forms. It explains how to read case records and what the different case types mean. The court finder tool helps you locate the right office for your needs. If you are searching for a Tempe resident's family court case, this site can point you to the correct resources at the county level.

Note: Some family court documents may be sealed or restricted from public view, especially those involving children or sensitive matters.

Tempe Family Court Filing Procedures

Filing for divorce or custody in Tempe follows Maricopa County rules. You must meet Arizona residency requirements first. At least one spouse needs to have lived in the state for 90 days before filing. You file in the county where either spouse currently lives. For Tempe residents, this means Maricopa County. The court charges $376.00 to file a petition for dissolution of marriage, whether or not children are involved.

After you file the initial petition, the other party must be served with the papers. Arizona law requires proper service before a case can move forward. Once served, the other spouse has time to respond. If both parties agree on all terms, the case can proceed as a consent decree for a lower fee of $331.50. Contested cases take longer and may require multiple court hearings before a judge issues final orders.

Arizona has a 60-day waiting period for divorces. The court cannot finalize your case until at least 60 days after the respondent was served. This gives both parties time to consider reconciliation and work out agreements on property, custody, and support. Many couples use this time to attend mediation or negotiate settlements through their attorneys. The waiting period applies even if both parties want to end the marriage quickly.

The Law Library Resource Center in Maricopa County helps people who are handling their own cases. Staff there can show you which forms to use and explain the filing steps. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you to self-help resources and guides. Call (602) 506-7353 for more information about their services.

Tempe Family Court Record Fees

Fees for Tempe family court records follow the Maricopa County fee schedule. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. This applies to divorce decrees, custody orders, and other documents in the case file. If you need a certified copy with an official seal, the certification fee is $35.00 on top of the per-page cost. Certified copies are often required for legal purposes like name changes or property transfers.

When staff must search for records on your behalf, there is a research fee. Maricopa County charges $35.00 per year searched. If you do not have the case number and the clerk needs to look through multiple years of records, these fees add up. Mail requests also include a postage and handling charge of $8.00. You can reduce costs by finding the case number yourself through the online search portal before requesting copies.

The Maricopa County filing fee schedule lists all current costs. Some additional fees that Tempe residents may face include:

• Response to dissolution petition: $287.00
• Legal decision-making petition: $306.00
• Paternity or maternity filing: $371.00
• Order of protection: No fee

Fee waivers exist for people who cannot afford court costs. You fill out an application showing proof of low income. A judge reviews the request and decides if you qualify. Forms are available at the clerk office or through the Law Library Resource Center. If approved, the waiver covers filing fees and sometimes other court costs as well.

Types of Tempe Family Court Records

Divorce records make up the largest category of family court documents. A complete divorce file contains the petition that started the case, any response from the other spouse, financial disclosure statements, temporary orders, settlement agreements, and the final decree. The decree of dissolution officially ends the marriage and sets the terms for property division. If children are involved, it also establishes custody and support arrangements.

Custody records in Arizona use specific terms. Legal decision-making refers to who makes major choices about the child's education, health care, and religious upbringing. Parenting time covers the physical schedule of when each parent has the child. The Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25, Chapter 4 governs these matters. Records include parenting plans filed by the parties, any evaluations done by court-appointed experts, and the judge's orders setting the final arrangements.

Child support records track payment orders and enforcement. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services works with courts to establish support amounts and collect payments. You can reach them at 602-252-4045 or toll-free at 1-800-882-4151. These records show the monthly payment amount, any arrears that have built up, and actions taken to enforce the order. Modifications happen when circumstances change for either parent.

Paternity cases establish legal fatherhood. The records may include DNA test results, acknowledgments signed by both parents, or court orders declaring who the father is. Once paternity is set, the court can address custody and support. These cases often start when a mother applies for state benefits or when a father wants legal rights to his child.

How to Get Tempe Family Court Record Copies

In-person visits work well if you need copies quickly. Go to the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court during business hours. The Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson in Phoenix handles most record requests. Bring the case number or party names and be ready to pay the copy fees. Staff can search the system and print documents while you wait. Cash, check, and credit cards are accepted at the counter.

The Southeast Justice Center at 222 E Javelina Ave in Mesa is the closest Maricopa County court location to Tempe. This regional center offers the same services as the main Phoenix office. You can request record copies here, file new cases, and get help from staff. It serves the east valley area and may be more convenient for Tempe residents who want to avoid downtown Phoenix traffic.

Mail requests take longer but work for people who cannot visit in person. Write a letter to the Clerk of Superior Court with the names of the parties, the approximate date of the case, and what documents you need. Include payment by check or money order payable to the Clerk of Superior Court. Send your request to 620 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Processing usually takes one to two weeks.

Online payment options are available through the Maricopa County records request page. You can pay by credit card for some services. Check the website for current procedures as they change from time to time. The clerk office also accepts requests by fax for certain record types.

Tempe Family Court Legal Resources

The Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center provides free help to people handling family court cases on their own. Trained staff can show you where to find forms, explain court procedures, and point you to self-help guides. They offer live webinars and workshops on family law topics. Recorded videos are also available online for people who cannot attend in person.

Arizona State University in Tempe has a law school that sometimes offers legal clinics for community members. These clinics may provide free consultations or limited legal help on family law matters. Contact the ASU Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law for current programs and eligibility requirements. Law students work under attorney supervision to help people with basic legal questions.

The AZPOINT portal handles protective order petitions statewide. If you need an order of protection, you can start the process online from home. The system guides you through the forms and lets you submit them electronically. There is no filing fee for protection orders. While the Tempe Municipal Court accepts walk-in filings for protective orders, the online system offers another option for people who prefer not to visit in person.

Note: Legal aid organizations in the Phoenix area may offer free or low-cost help for people who qualify based on income.

Nearby Arizona Cities

Tempe borders several other major cities in the Phoenix metropolitan area. All of these cities fall under Maricopa County for family court purposes. If you are searching for family court records and are not sure which city the parties lived in, the records will be at the county level regardless. Below are nearby cities where residents also use the Maricopa County Superior Court for family law matters.

Maricopa County Family Court

All Tempe family court records are part of the Maricopa County court system. For complete information about the clerk office, court locations, filing procedures, and fees, visit our Maricopa County page. The county handles family law cases for Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Scottsdale, Gilbert, Glendale, Peoria, Surprise, and all other cities within its borders.