How to File for Divorce in Maricopa County

Maricopa County handles more divorce filings than any other county in Arizona — and it has its own set of local rules, fees, and resources that differ from the rest of the state. If you live in Phoenix, Mesa, Scottsdale, Chandler, Tempe, or Gilbert, this is where your case will be filed.

Maricopa County Filing Fees

The petitioner's filing fee is $376. The respondent's fee to file a response is $287. These are among the highest in Arizona (Santa Cruz County, by comparison, charges as low as $188 for the petitioner).

If you file electronically through AZTurboCourt, expect an additional $6.50 transaction fee per filing plus a 3% credit card processing surcharge.

If you cannot afford the fees, file an Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees alongside your petition. A waiver permanently forgives the fee for applicants receiving SSI or who are permanently unable to pay. A deferral postpones payment — but you sign a consent judgment, and unpaid fees are sent to collections 30 days after the final decree unless you submit a supplemental application proving ongoing need.

E-Filing Through AZTurboCourt

Maricopa County requires electronic filing for most family court documents. The process:

1. Create an account at AZTurboCourt (the state's e-filing portal)
2. Select "New Case" and choose the appropriate dissolution packet
3. Upload your completed forms (Petition, Summons, Sensitive Data Cover Sheet, Preliminary Injunction)
4. Pay the filing fee online
5. The system generates a case number and file-stamped copies

Paper filing at the clerk's counter is still accepted for self-represented litigants who cannot file electronically, but the court strongly encourages e-filing.

The Law Library Resource Center

Maricopa County's Law Library Resource Center (LLRC) is one of the best self-help resources in the state. Available at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/llrc/, it provides:

• Complete form packets organized by case type (Divorce with Minor Children, Divorce without Minor Children, Legal Separation)
• Step-by-step written instructions for each packet
• In-person assistance at the downtown Phoenix and Mesa Southeast facilities
• Instructions for completing financial disclosure forms and Resolution Statements

The LLRC packets include every form you need for your case type, but they do not provide a chronological workflow — you get a bundle of documents without a clear sequence for when each one is filed, served, or exchanged.

Maricopa-Specific Requirements

Resolution Statement — Before the judge will sign a Consent Decree in Maricopa County, both parties must file a Resolution Statement confirming that all financial disclosures have been exchanged. This is a local requirement that does not exist in every Arizona county.

Parent Information Program — Both parents must complete a court-approved parenting class within 45 days. The fee is capped at $50 per person. Maricopa County accepts online completion through approved providers like AZ.OnlineParentingPrograms.com and Children In-Between. The provider e-files your Certificate of Completion directly with the court.

Parenting Conference fee — If your case involves disputed custody, the court may require a parenting conference through Conciliation Services. The fee is $300 per person.

Default Decree review time — After you submit a default decree package, expect 4 to 6 weeks for the judge to review and sign it. This processing time is specific to Maricopa's volume of cases.

Filing Timeline in Maricopa County

For an uncontested case with no complications:

• Day 0: File petition and serve respondent
• Day 1-20: Response window (respondent has 20 days to respond)
• Day 0-45: Both parents complete Parent Information Program
• Day 60: Cooling-off period ends
• Day 60-90: Submit Consent Decree, Resolution Statement, and supporting documents
• Day 75-120: Judge signs decree

The Arizona Divorce Filing Process Guide includes Maricopa County-specific fee tables, e-filing instructions, and deadline trackers mapped to this county's processing times.

See more Arizona guides →