Arizona Divorce Records: Certified Decrees, Case Lookups and Name Restoration
Arizona family law · Last reviewed November 2, 2026
In Arizona the decree is the record of your divorce, and the court that granted it keeps it. The state health department doesn't issue divorce certificates. Its Bureau of Vital Records says:
Marriage and divorce records in Arizona are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where the event occurred.
Marriage and divorce records are not available from the Bureau of Vital Records.
So start with the clerk's office in the county where the divorce was granted.
Certified copies of the decree
When you need proof of the divorce for an agency, a lender or a new marriage, ask for a certified copy, which carries the clerk's certification. The Maricopa Clerk puts it this way: if you are using the copy for legal or official purposes, a certified copy may be required, so check with whoever asked for it.
| County | Copies | Certification |
|---|---|---|
| Maricopa | $0.50 a page | $35 to certify any document |
| Pima | $0.50 a page | $35 certificate of correctness of a copy of a record |
| State schedule (other counties may add fees) | $0.50 a page | $35 certificate of correctness of a copy of a record |
The Maricopa Clerk takes in-person requests at its locations and has an online records request form for certified copies and harder requests; research fees may apply. Pima's figures are from its fee schedule effective June 1, 2026, and the state figures from the Supreme Court's superior court fee schedule. Other counties set their own procedures, so call the clerk first.
To order, have the names of both spouses, the approximate date of the decree and, if you can, the case number.
Looking up a case online
The Supreme Court's eAccess portal gives online access to court records and documents that are unrestricted and open to the public, for a fee. Parties to a Maricopa case can also register for the Clerk's electronic court records system, which covers family court cases. Filings the court treats as confidential, such as the sensitive data cover sheet, are not part of the public record.
Restoring your former name
You can ask for your former name back as part of the divorce. Section 25-325(C) says:
On request by a party at any time before the signing of the decree of dissolution or annulment by the court, the court shall order that the party's requested former name be restored.
The request must come before the judge signs the decree. If you miss that point, you can still change your name later in a separate name-change case. Once the decree restores your name, use a certified copy to update your records.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a copy of my divorce decree in Arizona?
Ask the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county that granted the divorce. Certified copies cost $35 for the certification plus copy fees in Maricopa and Pima. The state Bureau of Vital Records doesn't keep divorce records.
Can I get an Arizona divorce certificate from Vital Records?
No. The Arizona Department of Health Services says marriage and divorce records are not available from the Bureau of Vital Records; the county superior court clerk keeps them.
Are Arizona divorce records public?
Documents that are unrestricted and open to the public can be viewed through eAccess, for a fee. Filings the court treats as confidential, such as the sensitive data cover sheet, are not.
When can I ask to restore my former name?
Any time before the judge signs the decree. Put it in your petition or response, or ask before the decree is signed.
How long does it take to get a certified copy?
It depends on the clerk's office, how you order and how much research the request needs. Ask your county clerk for current processing times.