Apache County Family Court Records

Apache County family court records are kept at the Superior Court in St. Johns, Arizona. The Clerk of Superior Court handles all case files for divorce, child custody, child support, and paternity matters. Apache County is a rural county in the northeast corner of Arizona, and the court serves a large land area with a small population. You can search Apache County family court records in person at the clerk office or request copies by mail. The court is part of the statewide public access system, so some case information may be found online. Fees for copies and searches are set by county policy, and staff can help you find the records you need during regular business hours.

Apache County Clerk of Superior Court

Annell Hounshell serves as Clerk of the Apache County Superior Court. The clerk office is the place to go for all family court record requests in Apache County. Staff there can help you search for divorce decrees, custody orders, and other family law documents. The office is in St. Johns, which is the county seat. You can visit in person, call ahead, or send a written request by mail.

The Apache County Clerk of Superior Court can be reached at the following address: PO Box 365, St. Johns, Arizona 85936. The phone number is (928) 337-7550. If you need to send a fax, use (928) 337-2771. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The office closes for lunch from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM each day, so plan your visit around that break if you go in person. The clerk office does not open on weekends or state holidays.

You can view details about the Apache County Superior Court on the Apache County Superior Court website. This page has information about court services, hours, and how to reach staff with questions.

The court handles all family law matters for the county. This includes divorce filings, legal separation cases, child custody disputes, parenting time schedules, child support orders, and paternity cases. Apache County is one of the smaller courts in Arizona by case volume, but staff there provide the same services as larger counties.

Apache County Family Court Record Fees

Apache County has set fees for family court record services. If you come to the office and search records on your own, there is no charge. This is a good option if you have time and want to save money. You can look through the files yourself and find what you need. Staff will show you how to use the system.

If you need the clerk staff to search for records on your behalf, the fee is $30.00. This applies when you do not have a case number and need help finding a specific file. Copies of documents cost $0.50 per page. This is the standard rate across most Arizona counties. If you need a certified copy of any document, there is an extra fee of $30.00 per document. Certified copies have a court seal and signature that prove the document is authentic. These are often needed for legal proceedings or official use.

Apache County also issues marriage licenses at the clerk office. The fee for a marriage license is $83.00. Both parties must appear in person with valid photo identification. This is a separate service from family court records, but the same office handles both. If you need a copy of a marriage certificate that was issued in Apache County, you can request it from the clerk. The certificate is a certified copy that shows the marriage took place.

Note: Fees may change over time, so call the clerk office at (928) 337-7550 to verify current costs before you visit or send a request.

How to Get Apache County Family Court Records

There are a few ways to get copies of family court records in Apache County. In-person visits work well for people who live near St. Johns or can make the trip. Go to the clerk office during business hours. Tell the staff what you are looking for. If you have a case number, share it. If not, give them the names of the parties and an approximate date range. Staff will help you search the system. You can look at the records yourself at no cost. If you want copies, pay the per-page fee.

Mail requests are another option for people who cannot visit in person. Write a letter with the details of your request. Include the names of the parties, the type of case, and any dates you know. Send your letter to PO Box 365, St. Johns, Arizona 85936. Include payment for the search fee and estimated copy costs. Checks and money orders should be made out to the Apache County Clerk of Superior Court. The office will process your request and mail the copies back to you. This takes longer than an in-person visit, so allow a few weeks for processing.

Online access is limited for Apache County. The statewide Arizona Courts Public Access Portal covers many courts in Arizona, but not all case details may be available for smaller counties. You can try searching there for basic case information. For full documents, you will likely need to contact the clerk office directly. The AZ Court Help directory for Apache County has additional contact information and resources.

The AZ Court Help site is a good resource if you need forms or help with your case. It provides links to court information and self-help tools for people handling family law matters without an attorney.

Types of Apache County Family Court Records

Apache County family court records cover several case types. Divorce cases are the most common. When a married couple files for dissolution of marriage, the case creates a court file. That file holds the petition, any response, financial disclosures, settlement terms, and the final decree. The decree is what officially ends the marriage. It sets out how property is split, whether anyone pays support, and how custody works if there are kids.

Child custody records in Arizona are called legal decision-making and parenting time cases. Legal decision-making refers to who makes big choices for the child. This covers things like schooling, medical care, and religious upbringing. Parenting time sets the schedule for when each parent has the child. These records include the parenting plan, any custody evaluation reports, and all court orders. If a parent asks to change the arrangement later, those modification filings go into the same case file.

Child support records track payment orders and enforcement actions. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services helps with these cases. They work with courts to set support amounts and collect payments from parents who owe. You can call them at 602-252-4045 or toll-free at 1-800-882-4151. Support orders are based on both parents' income and the child's needs. The court record shows the order amount, payment history, and any changes made over time.

Paternity cases establish the legal father of a child. These records may have DNA test results or signed acknowledgments of paternity. Once paternity is set, the court can order child support and set up custody. Both parents then have legal rights and duties toward the child. Apache County handles paternity cases in the same way as larger counties do.

Arizona Family Law in Apache County

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 covers family law matters in the state. This includes all the rules for marriage, divorce, custody, support, and paternity. Apache County courts follow these same state laws. The rules do not change from county to county. What differs is how busy the court is and how fast cases move through the system. Apache County has a lighter caseload than urban counties, so cases may get more personal attention.

To file for divorce in Arizona, one spouse must have lived in the state for at least 90 days. You file in the county where you or your spouse lives. Arizona is a no-fault state. This means you do not have to prove your spouse did something wrong. You just state that the marriage is broken beyond repair. After one spouse is served with the divorce papers, the court must wait 60 days before it can finalize the case. This waiting period gives time for both sides to work out the details.

Arizona is a community property state. Most things acquired during the marriage belong to both spouses equally. When a couple divorces, the court divides this property fairly. Each person keeps their separate property, which is what they owned before the marriage or received as a gift. Community debts are also split between the spouses. The court looks at all assets and debts to come up with a fair division.

Are Apache County Family Court Records Public

Most family court records in Apache County are public. Anyone can request copies of divorce decrees, custody orders, and support judgments. You do not have to be a party to the case to get copies. The public has a right to access these records under Arizona law. However, some records are sealed or restricted. Adoption records, juvenile cases, and some protective order files are not open to the public.

Court records in Arizona are governed by Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123. This rule is different from the general public records law. It sets out what court documents are available and what is kept confidential. Sensitive information like Social Security numbers and financial account numbers may be redacted from public copies. If you need a document for legal use, a certified copy shows that it came from the official court file.

Records older than 50 years may have been transferred to the Arizona State Archives. If you are looking for very old family court records from Apache County, you might need to contact the archives instead of the clerk office. Current records stay with the county. The clerk office can tell you if the records you need are still on site or have been moved elsewhere.

Note: Some sensitive details may be blacked out on public copies of family court records in Apache County.

Legal Help for Apache County Family Cases

People handling their own family court cases in Apache County have access to several resources. The AZ Court Help website has forms, guides, and videos that explain how to file documents and prepare for court. This free site covers divorce, custody, support, and other family law topics. It is designed for people who cannot afford an attorney or who want to handle things themselves.

The Arizona Courts Self Service Center also has tools for self-represented parties. You can find forms, instructions, and links to local court resources there. Many of the forms used in Apache County are the same as those used across the state. The self-service center explains how to fill them out and where to file them.

If you need a protective order, the AZPOINT portal lets you file online. This system works for orders of protection in domestic violence situations. There is no filing fee for protection orders in Arizona. The portal guides you through the process step by step. Once you file, the court will review your request and schedule a hearing if needed.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Apache County sits in the northeast corner of Arizona. It borders two other Arizona counties. If you are not sure where a family court case was filed, check with these neighboring counties. Records are kept in the county where the case was originally filed, not where you live now.