Maricopa County Divorce: Filing Guide, Forms, Fees, and Step-by-Step Instructions
Key Takeaways
- Maricopa County handles more divorce cases than any other county in Arizona, serving the Phoenix metropolitan area with a population of over 4.5 million.
- The filing fee for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage without minor children is $376 as of 2026. A fee waiver (Fee Deferral) is available for those who qualify.
- You can file in person at the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court or electronically through the court's eFiling system.
- The Maricopa County Law Library Resource Center (LLRC) offers free workshops, forms packets, and self-help resources for people filing without an attorney.
- Clarity Divorce generates all nine essential Arizona divorce documents for $299, formatted specifically for Maricopa County Superior Court.*
If you are filing for divorce in the Phoenix area, your case will be handled by the Maricopa County Superior Court. Maricopa County is the fourth-largest county in the United States by population, and its family court system processes tens of thousands of divorce cases every year. This guide walks you through the specific steps, fees, forms, and resources for filing in Maricopa County.
Residency Requirements
Before you can file for divorce in Maricopa County, you must meet Arizona's residency requirement. Under A.R.S. § 25-312, at least one spouse must have been domiciled in the state of Arizona for a minimum of 90 days before filing the petition. Domicile means more than just physical presence — it means Arizona is your permanent home and you intend to remain here.
You should file in Maricopa County if either you or your spouse currently lives in Maricopa County. If you both live in different Arizona counties, you can file in either county.
Filing Fees
The Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court sets filing fees that include both the base fee established by state statute and county-specific surcharges. As of 2026, the fees are as follows.
| Document | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (without minor children) | $376.00 |
| Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (with minor children) | $376.00 |
| Response or Initial Appearance | $287.00 |
| Summary Consent Decree (with or without children) | $331.50 |
Source: Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court, Filing Fees Schedule
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you may apply for a Fee Deferral (sometimes called a fee waiver). For a complete breakdown of all divorce-related expenses, see our 2026 Arizona divorce cost guide [blocked]. You will need to complete a Fee Deferral Application and provide documentation of your income and expenses. The court will review your application and determine whether you qualify.
Required Forms
The forms you need depend on whether you have minor children. Maricopa County Superior Court provides forms packets through the Law Library Resource Center (LLRC) that bundle all necessary documents together.
Divorce Without Minor Children
The forms packet for a dissolution without minor children (sometimes called "Packet 2a" in the state system) includes:
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage — The primary document that initiates your divorce case. It identifies both spouses, states the grounds for divorce (Arizona is a no-fault state, so the only ground is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken"), and outlines what you are requesting in terms of property division and spousal maintenance.
Summons — The official court document that notifies your spouse that a divorce case has been filed and explains their right to respond within the required timeframe.
Preliminary Injunction — An automatic court order that takes effect when the case is filed. It prohibits both spouses from disposing of marital property, changing insurance policies, or taking other actions that could harm the other party's interests.
Affidavit of Financial Information (AFI) — A comprehensive financial disclosure form required by Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 49. Both spouses must complete and exchange this document. It covers income, expenses, assets, debts, and monthly living costs. This is often the most time-consuming form in the entire process. The Clarity Divorce AFI tool [blocked] automates this form, turning what normally takes hours into a 30-minute guided process.
Consent Decree — If you and your spouse agree on all terms, this is the final settlement agreement that the judge will review and sign to finalize your divorce.
Divorce With Minor Children
If you have children under 18, you will need all of the forms listed above plus additional documents related to custody and support: