HomeBlogPima County Divorce: Tucson Filing Guide, Fees, Forms, and Court Resources

Pima County Divorce: Tucson Filing Guide, Fees, Forms, and Court Resources

If you live in the Tucson area and are considering a divorce, your case will be handled by the Pima County Superior Court. Pima County is the second most pop...

Clarity Divorce TeamMarch 2, 202610 min read

Pima County Divorce: Tucson Filing Guide, Fees, Forms, and Court Resources

Key Takeaways

  • Pima County is Arizona's second-largest county, serving the Tucson metropolitan area with a population of over 1 million residents.
  • The filing fee for a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in Pima County is approximately $301, which is lower than Maricopa County's $376 fee.
  • All divorce cases are handled by the Pima County Superior Court, Family Court Division, located at 110 W. Congress Street in downtown Tucson.
  • The Pima County Law Library and Resource Center offers free self-help resources, and the Pima County Bar Foundation runs a free Family Law Clinic every Thursday.
  • Clarity Divorce generates all nine essential Arizona divorce documents for $299, formatted for Pima County Superior Court.*

If you live in the Tucson area and are considering a divorce, your case will be handled by the Pima County Superior Court. Pima County is the second most populous county in Arizona, and its family court system serves residents across Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, and the surrounding communities. This guide covers everything you need to know about filing for divorce in Pima County, including specific fees, courthouse information, and local resources.

Residency Requirements

The residency requirements for filing in Pima County are the same as for all Arizona counties. 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 Arizona is your permanent home and you intend to remain here.

You should file in Pima County if either you or your spouse currently lives within Pima County. This includes Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, Sahuarita, Green Valley, and other communities within the county. If you and your spouse live in different Arizona counties, you may file in either county.

Note for military families: If you or your spouse is stationed at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, you can file in Pima County even if your legal domicile is in another state, provided you have been stationed in Arizona for at least 90 days.

Filing Fees

Pima County filing fees are set by the Pima County Superior Court and include both the base fee established by state statute and county-specific surcharges. As of the most recent fee schedule (effective September 1, 2025), the fees are as follows.

DocumentFee
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Petitioner)~$301
Response to Petition (Respondent)~$212
Combined Petitioner + Respondent Total~$513

These fees are notably lower than Maricopa County, where the petitioner's filing fee is $376. The exact amount may vary slightly, so confirm with the Clerk of the Superior Court before filing.

Fee Waiver or Deferral

If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can apply for a Fee Deferral or Waiver. Pima County provides its own application form, available through the Pima County Superior Court website or at the Clerk's office. You will need to demonstrate financial hardship, typically by showing that your household income falls below 150% of the federal poverty guidelines.

Where to File

All divorce cases in Pima County are filed with the Pima County Superior Court, Family Court Division.

Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court 110 W. Congress Street Tucson, AZ 85701 Phone: (520) 724-3200

Office Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday (excluding court holidays)

You can file your petition and supporting documents in person at the Clerk's office. Bring your completed forms, the filing fee (or fee waiver application), and at least one copy of each document for your records.

Required Forms

Arizona uses standardized forms for divorce proceedings, which means the same forms used in Maricopa County apply in Pima County. The core documents you will need include:

  1. Petition for Dissolution of Marriage - The document that officially starts your divorce case. You will use either the "with minor children" or "without minor children" version.

  2. Summons - The official court notice to your spouse that a divorce has been filed.

  3. Preliminary Injunction - An automatic court order that prevents both spouses from disposing of assets, changing insurance, or relocating children during the divorce.

  4. Notice of Right to Convert Health Insurance - Informs your spouse of their right to continue health insurance coverage after the divorce.

  5. Affidavit of Financial Information (AFI) - A comprehensive financial disclosure form that both spouses must complete. This is often the most complex and time-consuming document. See our complete AFI guide [blocked] for detailed instructions.

  6. Parenting Plan (if you have minor children) - Outlines custody arrangements, parenting time schedules, and decision-making authority. See our child custody guide [blocked] for more information.

  7. Child Support Worksheet (if you have minor children) - Calculates child support obligations based on Arizona guidelines.

Free Arizona Divorce Checklist

Download our 4-page checklist covering every form, deadline, and filing requirement for an Arizona divorce. Includes a cost breakdown and step-by-step instructions.

  • All 9 required forms listed
  • County filing fees
  • Cost breakdown
  • Post-divorce checklist

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  1. Marital Settlement Agreement / Consent Decree - The final agreement documenting how you and your spouse have agreed to divide property, handle support, and manage custody.

  2. Cover Sheet - A summary form required by the court for administrative purposes.

Forms are available from the Arizona Judicial Branch Self-Service Center and from the Pima County Law Library.

Step-by-Step Filing Process

Step 1: Confirm Residency and Grounds

Verify that at least one spouse has lived in Arizona for 90 days. Arizona is a no-fault divorce state, meaning you do not need to prove wrongdoing. The only ground required is that the marriage is "irretrievably broken" under A.R.S. § 25-312.

Step 2: Complete Your Forms

Fill out the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage and all supporting documents. Pay careful attention to the AFI, which requires detailed financial information including income, expenses, assets, and debts. If you have children, you will also need to complete the Parenting Plan and Child Support Worksheet.

Step 3: File with the Clerk

Bring your completed forms to the Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court at 110 W. Congress Street. Pay the filing fee (approximately $301) or submit your Fee Waiver application. The Clerk will stamp your documents, assign a case number, and return copies to you.

Step 4: Serve Your Spouse

After filing, you must officially notify your spouse by serving them with copies of the filed documents. Arizona law requires service by one of the following methods:

  • Acceptance of Service - Your spouse signs a form acknowledging they received the documents. This is the simplest and cheapest option for uncontested divorces.
  • Process Server - A licensed process server personally delivers the documents. Costs typically range from $50 to $100 in the Tucson area.
  • Sheriff's Office - The Pima County Sheriff can serve documents for a fee.
  • Service by Publication - If you cannot locate your spouse, the court may allow you to publish notice in a local newspaper. This requires a court order and is used as a last resort.

For more details, see our guide on how to serve divorce papers in Arizona [blocked].

Step 5: Wait for the Response Period

After your spouse is served, they have 20 days (or 30 days if served outside Arizona) to file a Response. If they do not respond, you may be able to proceed with a default judgment.

Step 6: Observe the 60-Day Waiting Period

Arizona requires a minimum 60-day waiting period from the date of service before a divorce can be finalized. This is established by A.R.S. § 25-329. During this time, both parties must complete and exchange their Affidavit of Financial Information.

Step 7: Finalize the Divorce

If your divorce is uncontested and all documents are in order, you can submit a Consent Decree to the court for the judge's signature. In many uncontested cases in Pima County, a hearing is not required. The judge reviews the paperwork and signs the decree, officially ending the marriage.

For a complete overview of the timeline, see our guide on how long a divorce takes in Arizona [blocked].

Free Legal Resources in Pima County

Pima County offers several free resources for people navigating a divorce without an attorney.

Pima County Law Library and Resource Center Located within the Superior Court building, the Law Library provides free access to legal forms, self-help guides, and reference materials. Staff can help you find the right forms but cannot provide legal advice. Phone: (520) 724-8456 Hours: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday

Pima County Bar Foundation Family Law Clinic The PCBF runs a free Family Law Legal Clinic every Thursday from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM by phone. Volunteer attorneys provide brief consultations and can help you understand your rights and options. Schedule an appointment by calling (520) 623-8258.

Southern Arizona Legal Aid (SALA) SALA provides free legal assistance to low-income residents of Pima County in family law matters, including divorce. Eligibility is based on income. Visit sazlegalaid.org or call (520) 623-9461.

Arizona Self-Service Center The statewide Self-Service Center provides forms, instructions, and interactive tools for self-represented litigants.

Pima County vs. Maricopa County: Key Differences

While the legal process is identical across Arizona, there are practical differences between filing in Pima County versus Maricopa County.

FactorPima County (Tucson)Maricopa County (Phoenix)
Filing Fee (Petitioner)~$301$376
Filing Fee (Respondent)~$212$287
Total Combined Fees~$513$663
Court Location110 W. Congress St., Tucson201 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix
Population Served~1.05 million~4.5 million
CaseloadLowerHighest in Arizona
Self-Help ResourcesLaw Library, PCBF ClinicLLRC, Free Workshops
eFiling AvailableLimitedYes (TurboCourt)

The lower filing fees and smaller caseload in Pima County can be advantages for filers. However, both counties use the same state forms and follow the same Arizona Revised Statutes.

How Clarity Divorce Helps Pima County Filers

Completing divorce paperwork correctly is critical, and the Affidavit of Financial Information alone can take hours to fill out manually. Clarity Divorce simplifies this process for Pima County residents by using AI to generate all nine essential divorce documents in approximately 30 minutes.

Instead of downloading blank court forms and trying to figure out what goes where, you answer straightforward questions about your situation, and Clarity produces court-ready documents formatted for the Pima County Superior Court. The flat fee is $299 — less than the cost of a single hour with most Tucson divorce attorneys.

Your document package includes the Petition, Summons, Preliminary Injunction, AFI, and all other required forms. You then file them at the Clerk's office at 110 W. Congress Street and handle service on your spouse.

Start your Pima County divorce filing with Clarity Divorce [blocked] and have your documents ready in 30 minutes.

Related Articles

  • How to File for Divorce in Arizona Without a Lawyer [blocked]
  • Arizona AFI Guide: How to Complete the Financial Disclosure [blocked]
  • How Much Does a Divorce Cost in Arizona? [blocked]
  • How Long Does a Divorce Take in Arizona? [blocked]
  • Maricopa County Divorce Filing Guide [blocked]

Skip the paperwork. Let Clarity handle it.

Clarity Divorce generates all 9 court-ready Arizona divorce documents, including the financial disclosure, for just $299.

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