You may obtain a motion to open an adoption file from the Clerk’s Office at either the Durango or Southeast Facilities. The instructions are included on the form. We request a $60 deposit for the cost of research and copy fees. The form must be notarized before being returned.

The court will not routinely release identifying information. If you are looking for a reunion with a birth parent or a child given up for adoption, you may want to contact the Confidential Intermediary Program through the Supreme Court. The Confidential Intermediary will be given permission to review files and records in order to locate a party (but cannot release identifying information to their client). If a party is located and agrees to meet the other party, a reunion may be made. If any party objects, there can be no reunion and information cannot be exchanged. The phone number is (602) 542-9586.

If you and your ex-spouse are in agreement regarding the changes, you can pick up the forms at the Law Library Resource Center The stipulation consists of what the current order states and what you are requesting that it be changed to. Both parties will have to sign the Stipulation and have their signatures notarized. The Order is for the Judge to sign adopting the provisions of the Stipulation. You will need to file the original Stipulation at the Family Court File Counter. You will then need to take two copies of the Stipulation, original order, two copies of the order and two stamped, self-addressed envelopes to the Family Court Administrator’s Office and get the Judge Assignment. You will leave the documents in the Judge’s box.

If you and your ex-spouse are not in agreement regarding the change, you can go to the Law Library Resource Center or an office supply or legal form store to obtain the forms for filing for a modification. The forms consist of: Petition for Modification of........, Order to Show Cause RE...., or Order to Appear, two Affidavits of Financial Information and a copy of Local Rule 6.4. You will need to fill out the forms, make three sets of copies of all the documents (except the one Affidavit of Financial Information and the copy of Local Rule 6.4) and file the original Petition and your Affidavit of Financial Information at the Family Court File Counter. You will then leave the documents in the Judge’s box. Your next step will be to hire a Process Server of the Sheriff’s Office to serve a set of forms to your ex-spouse after a hearing has been set.

All transcripts are public record and can be viewed by anyone, unless they are specifically ordered sealed by the Court.

All confidential materials are available for viewing by those who are permitted access at the various Clerk of Court locations.

The hours of operation at the Clerk facilities are weekdays, between 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Copies can be made of paper transcripts, the statutory fee applies.

1. If the party wishes to file their own divorce, they can pick up the forms at the Law Library Resource Center, 101 W. Jefferson, from 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM or Mesa at 222 E. Javelina Ave. or the Northeast Facility at 18380 N. 40th St., Suite 120, Phoenix, or the Northwest Facility at 14264 W. Tierra Buena lane, Surprise, from 8:00 am to 5:00 p.m., or download the forms at eForms, or buy the forms at either an office supply, legal forms store or any retail or bookstore that sells the forms. The forms come in packets.
2. The party who is filing the divorce will need to fill out a Family Court Sensitive Data Cover Sheet, Petition for Dissolution of Marriage, Summons, Preliminary Injunction, Notice Regarding Health Insurance and if applicable the Affidavit Regarding Minor Children and Order and Notice to Attend a Parenting Class. Note: Some of these documents will need to be notarized; this can be done at the Family Court Filing Counter at no charge.
3. The petitioning party will need to bring the original packet of forms plus two sets of complete copies of the forms. This does not include instructions.
4. The clerk at the counter will assign you a case number, collect the appropriate fees and file in the documents that are necessary to start the divorce. The clerk will stamp two sets of copies, one for you to retain for your records and one for service to the other party.
5. Once the initial papers have been processed, the petitioning party will need to have the respondent served with one set of the copies. If the respondent is in agreement, he/she can sign the Acceptance of Service form contained in the packet either at the time that the divorce is filed or anytime after the divorce proceedings has begun. If the respondent party is not in agreement, the petitioner will need to make arrangements with a Process Server or the Sheriff's Office to have the papers served. Service within the State of Arizona can now be done by certified mail or National Courier Service. The respondent has to be the one to sign for it. Appropriate service affidavits will then need to be filed with the Clerk of the Court.

All exhibits are public record and can be viewed by anyone, unless they are specifically ordered sealed by the Court.

Criminal and Non-Criminal exhibits are available for viewing at:

South Court Tower
175 W. Madison
Phoenix, Arizona

The hours of operation at the facilities listed above are weekdays, between 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Copies can be made of paper exhibits, the statutory fee applies.

There are strict criteria that have to be met in order to return exhibits or dispose of them. There is no set time for a case; only specific criteria that must be met to determine when an individual case closed.

1. At the conclusion of a hearing, exhibits not offered into evidence or received in evidence by the court, can be returned to the respective parties. If the matter is taken under advisement, exhibits can be returned at the time of ruling.
2. There is a different method of return for exhibit offered into evidence or received in evidence by the court.
3. In civil cases, Local Rule of Maricopa County 2.8(d) is used to determine that the case is closed for all parties. When a case is determined closed, including such considerations as a final judgment or decree, all appeals times are over, complete, dismissal of the case, etc., exhibits can be released to the parties or disposal can occur.
4. In criminal cases, Arizona Rules of Court - Rules of Criminal Procedure 28.1 and 28.2 and Local Rules of Maricopa 2.8(d) are used to determine that the case is closed for all parties. When a case is determined to be closed, including such considerations as all appeal times are over, all post-conviction relief time is over, all sentences have been completed, etc., exhibits can be returned to the parties. If exhibits cannot be returned to the parties, they can be released to the agencies that seized them if contraband or of value or disposal can occur if a paper exhibit.

You should consult an attorney, who will give you the necessary information and direction to file a civil suit, pursue the payers probation officer (if on probation), or suggest other avenues that are available. The Clerk’s Office only records the filings, receives payments, sends checks to recipients, and maintains filings. These are also available to the public and the Clerk is there to assist in viewing / copying public records. For further information regarding restitution, please call CFO Criminal Financial Obligations (602) 37-CLERK, or (602) 372-5375.

The new Way2Go Electronic Payment Card (EPC) is safer and more convenient than paper checks. With the Way2Go Payment Card, you can access your cash 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through ATMs and retail sales terminals throughout Arizona and across the country. You can use the EPC to withdraw cash in local currency at all Bank of America ATMs in Arizona and across the country without a fee. Note: You must obtain authorization to receive an Electronic Payment Card. You can enroll by completing the DCSS Electronic Payment Authorization form. The form can be mailed to the DCSS address listed on the form or to your local Clerk of Court Office. You may also use this form to make changes to your bank account information, stop a current direct deposit, or to stop an EPC.

Important: Before using your EPC, you must call 1 (833) 915-4041 to activate your card by selecting your access code and your Personal Identification Number (PIN). ATM owners may impose an additional "convenience fee" or "surcharge fee" for certain ATM transactions (a sign should be posted at the ATM to indicate additional fees). To use the card at retail locations: You can use the EPC anywhere that accepts Mastercard, including grocery stores, gas stations, restaurants, and more. 

You can find an ATM through one of the following locators:

• Comerica®: https://locations.comerica.com/
• MoneyPass®: https://moneypass.com/atm-locator.html
• AllPoint®: https://www.allpointnetwork.com/locator.html
• MasterCard®: https://www.mastercard.us/en-us/personal/get-support/find-nearest-atm.html 

Customer Service:

• For customer service call 1 (833) 915-4041, TTY: 1 (877)427-4172 or Direct International Dial: 1-214-210-2249. 
• For general information about prepaid accounts, visit the following website.
• If you have a complaint about a prepaid account, call the Customer Financial Protection Bureau at 1 (855) 411-2372 or visit the following website.

You may call Family Support Services at (602) 37-CLERK, or (602) 372-5375 or fax your address change form to (602) 506-1937.

View a listing of job openings.

View a listing of office locations and hours.

Without Notice Income Withholding Order to the first employer, it is binding 14 days after service of the Income Withholding Order to the employer or payor of funds. The Without Notice Income Withholding Order is binding upon future employers or payors 14 days after the employer receives a copy of the Income Withholding Order.

Automatic and After Hearing Income Withholding Orders are binding on the employer or payor 14 days after the employer has received the Income Withholding Order.

Packets to initiate a Without Notice Income Withholding Order are available from the Law Library Resource Center.

Emancipation laws became effective in the State of Arizona as of August 12, 2005, when it became possible for a minor that is at least 16 years of age to petition the Court for the status of an emancipated minor.

In Arizona, a child is considered emancipated when that child reaches 18 years of age, upon marriage, active military service, or by order of the Court. A minor can petition the Court for emancipation if all of the following apply:

• The minor is at least 16 years of age
• A resident of this state
• Is financially self-sufficient
• Reads and understand the information provided by the Court regarding the rights and obligations as well as the potential risks and consequences of emancipation; and
• Is not a ward of the Court in the care, custody, and control of a state agency.

The Filing fees for a Petition for Emancipation or an Answer to a Petition for Emancipation can be located in the list of Superior Court fees.

We do not have any information regarding how to establish paternity when one of the parents is deceased. You will need to contact an Attorney for assistance in establishing paternity.

You can go to the Law Library Resource Center or go to a document preparation service to obtain the forms for establishing post paternity orders. These forms are available for one parent to file on their own or you can use the Stipulation packet if both parties are in agreement regarding the issues. After you obtain the forms, you will need to file them at the Family Court Filing Counter. You should have an original set of the forms plus three copies.

The clerk at the filing counter will file in the required original documents. The clerk will also stamp your copies. Once your filing is complete, you will need to proceed by forwarding your documents to the judicial officer on your case and / or service. This will vary depending on the documents that you file; you will need to refer to the instructions in your packet for your next step.