Rule 8.Telephonic Appearances and Testimony

Part I. General Administration · Last amended January 1, 2022 · Last verified September 4, 2026

In one sentenceRule 8 allows telephonic and video appearances, and lets a party or witness testify remotely where they cannot reasonably attend, would be unduly inconvenienced, or would face a burdensome expense.

Full Text of Rule 8

Text sizeJump to: (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f)

(a) Meaning of “Telephonic.” When used in this rule, “telephonic” includes an appearance or testimony by telephone, by videoconferencing, or by other available audio and video technology.

(b) Appearance of a Party at a Non-Evidentiary Proceeding. The court may allow a party to appear telephonically at a non- evidentiary proceeding if each person will be audible to every other person participating in the proceeding, including the judge, and, if applicable, to the certified reporter or an electronic recording system.

(c) Testimony of a Party or Witness at an Evidentiary Proceeding. On request of a party or a witness or on its own, and subject to A.R.S. § 25-1256(F), the court may allow a party or witness to testify telephonically if the court finds it would not substantially prejudice any party and the testifying party or witness:

(1) is not reasonably able to attend the hearing or trial;

(2) would be unduly inconvenienced by attending the hearing or trial in-person; or

(3) would incur a burdensome expense to attend the hearing or trial in-person.

(d) Request to Testify by a Telephonic Appearance.

(1) Time. A party must file a request to have a party or witness give telephonic testimony within a time that allows the opposing party a reasonable opportunity to respond.

(2) Hearing. The court may rule on the request with or without a hearing.

(e) Introducing Documents During Telephonic Testimony. To introduce exhibits through a party or witness who testifies telephonically:

(1) the party calling the witness must make a good faith effort to contact the opposing party to identify and provide exhibits that will be used during the witness's testimony;

(2) the exhibits must be provided in advance to the party or witness;

(3) the party who introduces the exhibits must affirm that they are accurate copies of the exhibits provided to the party or witness who is appearing telephonically.

(f) Responsible Party. The party requesting a telephonic appearance, or who presents a witness's testimony telephonically, must arrange and pay the related cost, unless the court orders otherwise.

End

Rule History

Added Aug. 30, 2018, effective Jan. 1, 2019. Amended on an emergency basis, effective Sept. 30, 2021, adopted on a permanent basis effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Plain-English Summary

Rule 8 uses "telephonic" as an umbrella term: it includes appearance or testimony by telephone, by videoconferencing, or by other available audio and video technology. So the rule governs a video hearing as much as a phone call.

Non-evidentiary proceedings

The court may allow a party to appear telephonically at a non-evidentiary proceeding on one condition: each person must be audible to every other person participating, including the judge and, where applicable, the certified reporter or electronic recording system. No motion, no findings — audibility is the whole test.

Testimony

Evidentiary proceedings are harder. On request of a party or witness or on its own, and subject to A.R.S. § 25-1256(F), the court may allow telephonic testimony if it finds this would not substantially prejudice any party and the party or witness meets one of three conditions: is not reasonably able to attend; would be unduly inconvenienced by attending in person; or would incur a burdensome expense.

A request must be filed within a time allowing the opposing party a reasonable opportunity to respond. The court may rule with or without a hearing.

Exhibits

Subsection (e) sets three steps for introducing exhibits through a remote witness, and they have to happen in advance:

the party calling the witness must make a good faith effort to contact the opposing party to identify and provide the exhibits;
the exhibits must be provided in advance to the party or witness; and
the party introducing them must affirm they are accurate copies of what was provided.

Who pays

The party requesting the appearance, or presenting the testimony, arranges and pays the related cost unless the court orders otherwise.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I appear by video in an Arizona family law case?

Rule 8(a) defines 'telephonic' to include appearance or testimony by telephone, videoconferencing, or other available audio and video technology, so the rule covers video as well as telephone.

What does the court have to find before allowing remote testimony?

Under Rule 8(c), that it would not substantially prejudice any party, and that the testifying party or witness is not reasonably able to attend, would be unduly inconvenienced by attending in person, or would incur a burdensome expense.

Is a non-evidentiary appearance easier?

Yes. Rule 8(b) allows the court to permit a party to appear telephonically at a non-evidentiary proceeding if each person will be audible to every other person participating, including the judge and, if applicable, the certified reporter or electronic recording system.

How do exhibits work with a remote witness?

Rule 8(e) requires the party calling the witness to make a good faith effort to contact the opposing party to identify and provide the exhibits, requires the exhibits to be provided in advance to the party or witness, and requires the introducing party to affirm they are accurate copies.

Who pays for a telephonic appearance?

Rule 8(f) puts the cost on the party requesting the appearance or presenting the testimony, unless the court orders otherwise.

Source & verification. Rule text and Rule History reproduced verbatim from the Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure as published by the Arizona Supreme Court, current through amendments effective January 1, 2026. Promulgated by the Supreme Court of Arizona (Ariz. Const. art. 6, § 5). Last verified September 4, 2026. · Official text

Also known as: telephonic appearancevideo hearingremote testimonyappear by phonevideoconferenceZoom hearing