Maricopa County Family Court Records

Maricopa County family court records are public documents held by the Superior Court of Arizona in Maricopa County. These records include divorce filings, child custody cases, child support orders, paternity actions, and legal separation petitions. The Clerk of Superior Court at 620 West Jackson Street in Phoenix maintains all family law case files. You can search Maricopa County family court records online through the court's public access portal or visit any of the four regional court locations in person.

Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court

The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court handles all family court record requests. The main office is at 620 West Jackson Street in Phoenix, Arizona 85003. You can reach the clerk by phone at (602) 372-5375 or (602) 37-CLERK. Office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The clerk office is closed on weekends and state holidays.

Copy fees in Maricopa County are $0.50 per page for plain copies. Certified copies cost an extra $35.00 per document. If staff must search for records on your behalf, there is a research fee of $35.00 per year searched. Postage and handling add $8.00 to mail requests. You can pay by cash, check, or credit card at the counter. Mail requests should include a check or money order made out to the Clerk of Superior Court.

The Maricopa County Family Court handles the following case types: divorce and legal separation proceedings, legal decision-making and parenting time disputes, child and spousal support matters, and conciliation services for families in conflict. The Family Department has dedicated judges who hear only family law cases, which helps move cases through the system faster than in smaller counties.

Note: Maricopa County processes more family court cases than any other county in Arizona due to its large population.

Maricopa County Family Court Locations

Maricopa County has four regional court centers that handle family law matters. Each location offers the same services, so you can choose the one closest to you. The Central Court Building at 201 W Jefferson St. in Phoenix is the main hub for family cases. It has the most judges and handles the highest volume of filings in the county.

The Northeast Regional Center is at 18380 N 40th St. in Phoenix, serving residents in the north part of the county. The Northwest Regional Center at 14264 W Tierra Buena Ln. in Surprise covers the west valley area. The Southeast Justice Center at 222 E Javelina Ave. in Mesa serves the east valley. All four locations have self-help kiosks and staff who can assist with basic questions about family court procedures.

You can file new family court cases at any of these locations. The Customer Service Center at 601 W. Jackson in Phoenix handles most record requests. If you need certified copies or want to search old records, this is the best place to go. Staff there can help you locate cases and explain what documents are available. Call ahead at (602) 506-3204 if you have questions about which location to visit.

Search Maricopa County Family Court Records Online

The Maricopa County Family Court Case Search lets you look up cases from your computer or phone. This free tool shows case information for divorce, custody, support, and paternity matters. You can search by party name or case number. Results show the case status, filing date, and basic party information.

The statewide Arizona Courts Public Access Portal also covers Maricopa County. This system connects to courts across the state, so you can search multiple counties at once. Both systems are free to use and do not require an account. Some documents may be available to view online, while others must be requested from the clerk office in person or by mail.

For more help with your search, the AZ Court Help website has guides and resources. It explains how to read case records and what different case types mean. The site also has a court finder tool that gives you contact information for any court in the state. Use this if you are not sure where a case was filed or need to find forms for your situation.

Maricopa County Family Court Filing Fees

The Maricopa County filing fee schedule lists costs for all family court matters. Filing for dissolution of marriage costs $376.00 whether or not there are children. A summary consent decree, which is a simpler divorce process, costs $331.50. These fees apply at the time you file your initial petition with the court.

Other family court filing fees in Maricopa County include:

• Response or Answer to Dissolution: $287.00
• Legal Decision-Making Petition: $306.00
• Paternity or Maternity Filing: $371.00
• Order of Protection: No charge
• Certification of Documents: $35.00

Fee waivers are available if you cannot afford to pay. You must fill out an application and show proof of low income. The judge will review your request and decide if you qualify. Forms for fee waivers are available at the clerk office or online through the Law Library Resource Center. Staff there can help you fill out the forms but cannot give legal advice about your case.

Maricopa County Family Court Self-Help Resources

The Law Library Resource Center helps people who are handling their own family court cases. Staff can show you where to find forms, explain filing procedures, and point you to helpful guides. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM. You can call (602) 506-7353 or (602) 506-SELF for information. Email questions to services@jbazmc.maricopa.gov.

The center offers live webinars and workshops on family law topics. These free classes cover things like how to fill out divorce forms, what to expect at a hearing, and how to modify custody orders. Recorded videos are also available online if you cannot attend a live session. Self-help tools on the website walk you through common tasks step by step. This is especially useful for people who have never been to court before.

Family court forms are available online through the Family Court Forms page. You can download, fill out, and print these forms at home. Some forms can be submitted electronically through the court's e-filing system. Attorneys must e-file all family law documents as of March 2022. Self-represented parties can still file in person if they prefer.

Note: Librarians can help you find forms but cannot tell you what to write in the blanks or give legal advice.

Types of Maricopa County Family Court Records

Divorce records are the most requested type of family court document in Maricopa County. A divorce file includes the petition for dissolution, the response from the other spouse, financial disclosures, any settlement agreements, and the final decree of dissolution. The decree is the court order that officially ends the marriage. It states the terms for property division, spousal support, and child-related matters if applicable.

Child custody records in Arizona use the terms legal decision-making and parenting time. Legal decision-making covers who makes major choices for the child about education, health care, and religion. Parenting time sets the schedule for when each parent has the child. These records include parenting plans, custody evaluations from experts, and court orders. If parents go back to court to change the arrangement, those modification filings also become part of the record.

Child support records show the payment amount ordered by the court and any enforcement actions. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services works with the court to establish and collect support. You can reach them at 602-252-4045. Support orders include calculations based on both parents' income and the child's needs. Modifications happen when circumstances change, such as a job loss or the child getting older.

Paternity records establish who the legal father of a child is. These cases may include DNA test results, acknowledgments of paternity signed by both parents, or court orders declaring paternity. Once paternity is set, the court can order child support and set up custody arrangements. Maricopa County handles thousands of paternity cases each year.

Cities in Maricopa County

Maricopa County is the most populous county in Arizona. It includes Phoenix, the state capital, along with many other major cities. All family court cases for these cities go through the Maricopa County Superior Court. There is no separate city family court. Below are major cities in Maricopa County where residents file family law cases at the county level.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Maricopa County borders several other Arizona counties. If you are not sure where a case was filed, it may be in one of these neighboring counties. Family court records are kept in the county where the case was originally filed, not where you live now.