Last reviewed: March 2025 · Clarity Divorce Document Services
8 min read · Process time: 60–120 days for uncontested cases
Quick answer: In Arizona, you can file for divorce without a lawyer by completing the Petition for Dissolution of Marriage (Form DR-04), filing it at your county Superior Court, serving your spouse, and submitting a Consent Decree or requesting a court hearing after the mandatory 60-day waiting period.
| Form | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| DR-04 | Petition for Dissolution of Marriage | Initiates the divorce case |
| DR-05 | Summons | Notifies your spouse of the filing |
| DR-08 | Preliminary Injunction | Prevents both spouses from hiding/disposing of assets |
| DR-10 | Notice of Right to Convert Health Insurance | Informs spouse of COBRA rights |
| DR-13 | Affidavit of Financial Information (AFI) | Full financial disclosure required by law |
| Form | Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| DR-04A | Petition Addendum for Children | Additional information about minor children |
| DR-11 | Parenting Plan | Custody, visitation, and decision-making schedule |
| DR-A4 | Child Support Worksheet | Calculates child support per Arizona guidelines |
If you use Clarity Divorce, we prepare all required forms based on your answers — formatted for your county and ready to file. Learn more about our document preparation service.
The Petition is the document that officially starts your divorce case. It includes basic information about you, your spouse, your marriage, and what you are requesting from the court (property division, custody, support, etc.).
You will also need to complete the Summons (DR-05), Preliminary Injunction (DR-08), and Notice of Right to Convert Health Insurance (DR-10) at the same time. If you have children, add the Petition Addendum (DR-04A) and Parenting Plan (DR-11).
Take your completed forms to the Clerk of the Superior Court in the county where you or your spouse lives. In Maricopa County, the filing fee is approximately $349. Other counties may vary slightly.
If you cannot afford the filing fee, you can apply for a fee deferral or waiver by submitting a Fee Deferral Application to the court. For a full breakdown of costs, see our Arizona divorce cost guide.
Arizona law requires that your spouse be formally notified of the divorce filing. You have three primary options:
After your spouse has been served, you must file proof with the court that service was completed. This is typically an Acceptance of Service form signed by your spouse or an Affidavit of Service completed by the process server.
The 60-day waiting period begins on the date your spouse was served, not the date you filed the petition.
Arizona law (A.R.S. § 25-329) requires a minimum 60-day waiting period from the date of service before the court can finalize the divorce. This period cannot be shortened or waived.
During this time, both spouses must exchange Affidavits of Financial Information (Form DR-13). If you have minor children, both parents must also complete a Parent Information Program (PIP) class — available online for approximately $50.
If you and your spouse agree on all terms, prepare a Consent Decree (also called a Decree of Dissolution) that outlines the final terms of your divorce: property division, debt allocation, custody, child support, and spousal maintenance.
Both spouses sign the Consent Decree, and it is submitted to the court along with any required supporting documents. If you do not agree on all terms, you will need to request a trial date from the court.
Once the Consent Decree is filed, a judge reviews the agreement to ensure it is fair and complies with Arizona law. In many uncontested cases, the judge signs the decree without requiring a hearing.
After the judge signs, the Clerk of Court enters the decree, and your divorce is final. You will receive a certified copy that serves as your official proof of divorce.
Clarity Divorce prepares all required documents for a flat fee. $299 + court filing fees. No hidden costs.
See Pricing & StartYour spouse won't sign the papers. You do not need your spouse's permission to file for divorce in Arizona. If they refuse to sign an Acceptance of Service, you can have them served by a process server or the county sheriff. The case proceeds whether or not they cooperate.
Your spouse doesn't respond after being served (default divorce). If your spouse does not file a Response within 20 days of being served (30 days if served outside Arizona), you can apply for a default judgment. The court may grant your divorce based on the terms you requested in your Petition, without your spouse's participation.
Your spouse contests the divorce. If your spouse files a Response disagreeing with your terms, the case becomes contested. You will likely need to attend mediation and potentially a trial. At this point, consulting with an attorney is strongly recommended. Clarity Divorce is designed for uncontested cases and is not a substitute for legal representation in contested matters.
You can't locate your spouse. If you have made diligent efforts to find your spouse and cannot locate them, you can ask the court for permission to serve by publication. This involves publishing a notice in a newspaper for a set period. The court will require you to show evidence of your search efforts before granting this option.
| Situation | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Simple divorce, no children, no shared property | DIY is feasible — download free forms from azcourts.gov |
| Uncontested with children or shared assets | Document preparation service recommended to avoid errors |
| You find the AFI (financial disclosure) confusing | Document preparation service — the AFI is the most error-prone form |
| Your spouse is cooperative but you want it done right | Document preparation service saves time and reduces rejection risk |
| Your spouse is contesting or there is domestic violence | Hire a family law attorney — this is beyond document preparation |
Clarity Divorce prepares all required Arizona divorce forms for a flat fee of $299. See what's included and get started.