Greenlee County Family Court Records

Greenlee County family court records are stored at the Superior Court in Clifton, Arizona. As the smallest county in Arizona by population, Greenlee County offers a more personal experience when searching for court documents. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains all family law case files including divorce decrees, child custody orders, paternity actions, and support filings. You can visit the courthouse at 223 5th Street in Clifton or call ahead to ask about your records. The staff can help guide you through the process and let you know what documents are on file.

Greenlee County Clerk of Superior Court

The Greenlee County Clerk of the Superior Court is run by Madeline Montoya. The office sits at 223 5th Street in Clifton, Arizona 85533. If you need to mail something, use PO Box 1027, Clifton, AZ 85533. The phone number is (928) 865-4242. You can also reach the office by email at greenleeSC@courts.az.gov. This is a small office, so calling ahead helps staff prepare for your visit.

Business hours are Monday through Thursday from 7am to 5pm. The office is closed on Fridays. The Superior Court itself keeps different hours and is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm if you need to attend a hearing or check on a case in person. Because Greenlee County is small, wait times are often short. Staff can usually help you the same day you call or visit, which is not always the case in larger counties where demand is higher.

You can view the official clerk office page for current contact details and any updates to services. The screenshot below shows what you will find on that site.

Note: Greenlee County offices follow a four-day work week, so plan visits for Monday through Thursday.

Greenlee County Superior Court Family Cases

The Greenlee County Superior Court handles all family law matters for residents of the county. This includes divorce and legal separation cases, child custody and parenting time disputes, child support orders, paternity actions, and orders of protection. Since Arizona uses the term legal decision-making instead of custody, you may see that phrase in court documents. It refers to who makes major choices for a child about school, health care, and other big life decisions.

Family court cases in Greenlee County follow the same rules as the rest of Arizona. State law under ARS Title 25 governs marriage, divorce, custody, and support matters. The court applies these statutes when deciding cases. If you need to file for divorce in Greenlee County, at least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for 90 days before filing. The 60-day waiting period starts after you serve the other party with the petition.

The low case volume in Greenlee County means judges often have more time to spend on each matter. This can work in your favor if you have a complex situation that needs careful review. The small staff knows the local families and community well, which creates a less formal atmosphere than you might find in a big city courthouse.

How to Request Greenlee County Family Court Records

You can request copies of family court records in several ways. The easiest is to visit the clerk office in person at 223 5th Street in Clifton. Bring a valid ID and the case number if you have it. Staff will pull the file and make copies while you wait. If you do not know the case number, they can search by name. This may take a bit longer, so be patient.

Mail requests work too. Write a letter that explains what records you need. Include the names of the parties, the case number if known, and your contact information. Add a check or money order for the copy fees. Send it to PO Box 1027, Clifton, AZ 85533. The clerk will process your request and mail the documents back to you. Phone requests start with a call to (928) 865-4242. Staff can tell you what is on file and what the costs will be.

Email is another option. Send your request to greenleeSC@courts.az.gov. Describe what you need and provide as much detail as you can. The clerk will respond with instructions on how to pay and when to expect your copies. Email works well for simple questions or to check if a record exists before you drive to Clifton. For certified copies, you may still need to visit in person or mail a formal request.

Greenlee County Family Court Fees

Greenlee County follows the statewide fee schedule set by the Arizona courts. As of December 2024, Class A filing fees are $330 and Class B fees are $165. Divorce petitions fall under Class A, which means you will pay $330 plus any surcharges to start your case. The exact total depends on your situation. Call the clerk at (928) 865-4242 to get the current amount before you file.

Copy fees in Arizona courts are typically $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost more, usually around $35.00 per document plus the per-page fee. If you need staff to search for records, there may be a research fee as well. These fees help cover the cost of maintaining the court's files and paying staff to process requests. If you cannot afford the fees, you can ask the court for a fee waiver. You must fill out forms that show your income and expenses.

The Arizona Courts Fee Schedule has the full list of charges. Check this before filing so you know what to budget. Greenlee County accepts cash, checks, and money orders at the counter. Credit card payment may be available through the state's online system at AZCourtPay. Ask the clerk which payment methods work best for your situation.

Types of Greenlee County Family Court Documents

Divorce records make up a large part of the family court files in Greenlee County. A complete divorce file has the initial petition, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosure statements, and the final decree. The decree is the most requested document because it proves the marriage ended. It lists the terms for property division, debt allocation, and any spousal support. If there are children, it also includes custody and support orders.

Child custody records show who has legal decision-making rights and the parenting time schedule. Arizona courts try to give both parents meaningful time with their kids unless safety is a concern. The parenting plan spells out the weekly schedule, holidays, and vacation time. If parents go back to court to change the plan, those modification orders become part of the record too. Custody evaluations done by experts may also be in the file, though some parts can be sealed if they contain sensitive information about the children.

Child support records include the original order, any modifications, and enforcement actions if a parent falls behind on payments. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services works with the court to establish and collect support. You can reach them at 1-800-882-4151 for help with your case. Support orders are calculated using both parents' incomes and the amount of time each parent has the child. The goal is to make sure kids have their needs met no matter which parent they are with.

Paternity records establish who the legal father of a child is. These may include voluntary acknowledgments signed by both parents or court orders based on DNA tests. Once paternity is set, the father has both rights and responsibilities toward the child, including paying support and having parenting time. Orders of protection are another type of family court record. These protect victims of domestic violence and can include no-contact provisions. They are public records unless the court seals them for safety reasons.

Search Greenlee County Records Online

The Arizona Courts Public Access Portal lets you search court records from across the state. This free tool covers 153 of the 180 courts in Arizona. You can look up cases by name or case number. Results show basic information like the filing date, case type, and current status. Not all documents are available to view online, but the search tells you what exists so you can request copies from the clerk.

The AZ Court Help directory for Greenlee Superior Court has useful links and contact information. This state-run resource helps people who are handling their own cases find forms, understand procedures, and locate court offices. The screenshot below shows what this page looks like.

For statewide forms that work in Greenlee County, visit the Arizona Self-Service Center. This site has packets for common family law matters like divorce without children, divorce with children, custody modifications, and child support changes. The forms come with instructions, but they do not give legal advice. If your case is complicated, consider talking to a lawyer even if you plan to represent yourself.

Legal Help in Greenlee County

Finding a lawyer in Greenlee County can be tough because of the small population. Many attorneys who serve the area are based in neighboring counties like Graham or Cochise. The AZ Court Help website has a legal aid directory that can point you to low-cost options. Some attorneys offer payment plans or sliding scale fees based on your income. It is worth asking about these options when you call around for quotes.

Self-help resources are available at the clerk office. Staff cannot give legal advice, but they can show you where to find forms and explain the filing process. The Arizona Judicial Branch website has video tutorials that walk you through common tasks step by step. These free tools are designed for people who cannot afford a lawyer or who have straightforward cases that do not need much legal help.

If you face domestic violence, you can file for an order of protection at no cost. The AZPOINT system lets you start this process online. A judge can grant temporary protection right away if there is immediate danger. The court will then schedule a hearing where both sides can speak. Victim advocates may be available to help you through this process. Ask the clerk for referrals to local organizations that assist survivors of domestic abuse.

Note: Legal aid organizations may have income limits, so ask about eligibility when you call.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Greenlee County borders several other Arizona counties. Family court records are kept in the county where the case was filed, not where you live now. If you are looking for a case and cannot find it in Greenlee County, try searching in one of the nearby counties listed below. Cases sometimes get filed in unexpected places based on where the parties lived at the time.