Access Pinal County Family Court Records

Pinal County family court records include divorce filings, child custody cases, paternity actions, and child support orders held by the Superior Court. The Clerk of Superior Court in Florence maintains these public records dating back to 1875. You can search Pinal County family court records online or visit the courthouse at 971 North Jason Lopez Circle. Staff can help you find old case files and request copies of court documents. Records are available to anyone who asks, with some limits on sealed cases and juvenile matters. The fee for copies is $0.50 per page, and certified copies cost an extra $35.00 per document.

Pinal County Clerk of Superior Court

Rebecca Padilla serves as the Clerk of Superior Court for Pinal County. The main office is at 971 North Jason Lopez Circle, Building A, in Florence, Arizona 85132. You can mail requests to PO Box 2730, Florence, AZ 85132. The local phone number is 520-509-3555. A toll free line is also available at 888-431-1311. The fax number is 520-866-5320.

The clerk office handles all family court record requests in Pinal County. Staff can search civil, criminal, probate, domestic relations, juvenile, guardianship, conservatorship, and marriage license records going back to 1875. This is one of the longest record histories of any county in Arizona, which makes Pinal County a good source for people researching older family court matters or looking into family history.

The Pinal County Clerk's office can help you find records even when you do not have a case number. The screenshot below shows the records request page where you can learn more about the process.

You can submit your request by mail, fax, or in person. Include the names of the parties and any case details you know. If you want documents sent to you, add the shipping fee to your payment. The clerk will let you know the total cost once they find the records you need.

Pinal County Family Court Records Fees

Pinal County charges standard fees for copies of family court records. Plain copies cost $0.50 per page. If you need a certified copy with the court seal, the fee is $35.00 per document plus the per page charge. Certification is often needed when you must show an official court record to another agency or employer. The research fee is $35.00 per year if staff must search for your case.

Shipping and handling adds $8.00 to mail orders. You can pay online through the Point and Pay portal for Pinal County Superior Court. This system accepts credit cards and bank payments. Cash, checks, and money orders are accepted at the counter or by mail. Make checks out to the Clerk of Superior Court.

People who cannot afford filing fees may ask for a fee waiver. You must fill out forms that show your income and expenses. A judge reviews the request and decides if you qualify. Forms are available at the clerk window or online through the court self-help center. Fee waivers can cover filing fees but may not cover copy costs for records you request.

Note: All fees are subject to change, so call ahead or check the website to confirm current prices before visiting.

Pinal County Family Court Services

The Pinal County Family Court handles cases that affect families and children living in the county. This includes divorce and legal separation, child custody and parenting time, child support and spousal maintenance, paternity and maternity actions, and orders of protection. Judges in the family division hear only these case types, which helps them gain experience and move cases faster.

Pinal County uses the terms legal decision-making and parenting time instead of custody and visitation. This change came from state law updates in recent years. Legal decision-making covers who makes major choices for a child about school, health care, and religion. Parenting time is the schedule that says when each parent has the child. Both parents can share these rights, or the court may give them to one parent based on what is best for the child.

Child support in Pinal County follows state guidelines. The court looks at both parents' income, the number of children, and other costs like health insurance and child care. The Arizona Division of Child Support Services works with the court to set up and collect payments. You can call them at 602-252-4045 or toll free at 1-800-882-4151. Parents can also use the online portal to track payments and update their information.

Searching Pinal County Family Court Records

Most family court records in Pinal County are public. Anyone can ask to see them or get copies. The Arizona Courts Public Access Portal covers courts across the state, including Pinal County. You can search by name or case number without making an account. Results show basic case info, parties involved, and the current status of the matter.

Some records are not open to the public. Juvenile cases, adoption files, and sealed records are kept private. Arizona law protects these to shield children and families from harm. If you think a record should be unsealed, you must file a motion with the court and explain why. A judge will review the request and make a decision. Even in public cases, some documents may be restricted, such as financial statements or mental health reports.

The Pinal County Clerk's main page provides more details on how to request copies. You can see the screenshot below for an overview of the services available.

If you need help with your search, the AZ Court Help website has guides and tools. It explains how to read court records, what different case types mean, and how to fill out forms if you are handling your own case. The court finder tool gives contact details for any court in Arizona.

Arizona Laws on Pinal County Family Records

Access to court records in Arizona is governed by Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123, not the public records law that covers other government documents. This rule sets out what records are public, what is sealed, and how to request access. Rule 123 applies to all courts in the state, so the same basic rules apply in Pinal County as in any other county.

Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 covers marital and domestic relations. This is where you find the laws on marriage, divorce, legal decision-making, parenting time, child support, and paternity. The statutes explain what must be in a divorce petition, how property is divided, and how courts decide custody matters. If you want to understand the legal basis for a family court order, Title 25 is the place to start.

Arizona law does not allow retroactive changes to child support orders. This means the court cannot go back and change what was owed in the past. If your income changes, you must file a motion to modify the order going forward. Modifications can take up to six months to complete, so file as soon as your situation changes. Keep records of any change in income or expenses to show the court.

Types of Pinal County Family Court Records

Divorce records make up a large part of family court files in Pinal County. A divorce case includes the petition for dissolution, the response, financial disclosure forms, settlement agreements, and the final decree. The decree is the court order that ends the marriage and states the terms for dividing property, paying support, and caring for any children. These records are public unless the court has sealed them for some reason.

Custody and parenting time records contain the parenting plan, any evaluations done by experts, and all court orders related to the children. If parents agree on a plan, the court will approve it and make it an order. If they disagree, the judge holds hearings and makes a decision. Any changes to the plan after the original order are also part of the record. These modifications may happen when a parent moves, a child gets older, or circumstances change.

Child support records show how much each parent must pay and any steps taken to collect the money. Enforcement actions like wage garnishment or license suspension may appear in these files. Paternity records establish who the legal father is. They may include DNA test results, voluntary acknowledgments, or court orders declaring paternity. Once paternity is set, the court can order support and custody arrangements.

Marriage license records are also held by the Pinal County Clerk. These go back to 1875, along with other court records from that era. If you are researching family history, these old records can help trace your ancestors in the region.

Cities in Pinal County

Pinal County includes several growing cities in central Arizona. Family court cases for residents of these cities go through the Pinal County Superior Court in Florence. Municipal courts in each city only handle traffic and misdemeanor matters, not family law. Below are major cities in Pinal County where residents file family court cases at the county level.

Queen Creek straddles the border with Maricopa County, so some residents may file in Maricopa County instead. Check your address to see which county handles your case. The town clerk's office in Queen Creek does not issue marriage licenses or handle family court matters. You must go through either Pinal County or Maricopa County Superior Court depending on where you live.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Pinal County sits in south-central Arizona and shares borders with several other counties. If you are trying to find a family court record and are not sure where it was filed, check these neighboring counties as well. Cases are kept in the county where they were originally filed, not necessarily where the parties live now.

Pinal County Family Court Self-Help

People handling their own family court case in Pinal County can get help from several sources. The courthouse has staff who can explain procedures and show you where to file documents. They cannot give legal advice, but they can point you in the right direction. Forms for common family law matters are available at the clerk window.

The AZ Court Help website is a statewide resource for self-represented litigants. It has step-by-step guides for divorce, custody, and support cases. Video tutorials explain how to fill out forms and what to expect at hearings. The site also has a chat feature where you can ask questions and get answers from trained staff.

If you need more help, consider contacting a family law attorney. Many offer free or low-cost consultations. Legal aid organizations serve people with low income who cannot afford a private lawyer. The Pinal County Bar Association may have a lawyer referral service to help you find someone in your area.