Do I Qualify for an Online Divorce in Arizona?
Key Takeaways
- Arizona requires at least one spouse to have lived in the state for 90 days before filing for divorce.
- Online divorce document preparation works best for uncontested cases where both spouses agree on all major issues.
- Having children does not disqualify you. You will need extra forms, but document prep services include them.
- Domestic violence situations and highly contested cases are not appropriate for online document preparation.
- Most Arizona couples going through an amicable split do qualify, and can complete the process for under $700 total.
When you first start researching divorce, it is easy to assume that "online divorce" is only for simple situations with no kids, no property, and no complications. The reality is more encouraging than that. A large percentage of Arizona couples going through a divorce do qualify for online document preparation. The criteria are straightforward, and understanding them upfront can save you a significant amount of time and money.
Arizona Residency Requirement
Before anything else, Arizona requires that at least one spouse has lived in the state for a minimum of 90 days before filing for divorce. It does not matter which spouse files. The 90-day clock is based on physical presence in Arizona, not just having an Arizona address on file.
If you have not yet met the residency requirement, you will need to wait until you do before filing. Once you cross the 90-day mark, you are eligible to file in any Arizona county where either spouse currently resides.
Your Divorce Must Be Uncontested
This is the most important qualifying factor. An online divorce in Arizona works when both spouses agree on the terms of the split. That means reaching agreement on all of the following:
- Property division. Who keeps the house, vehicles, bank accounts, and investments.
- Debt allocation. Who takes responsibility for the mortgage, credit cards, and any shared loans.
- Custody and parenting time. If you have children, both legal decision-making (major life decisions) and the day-to-day parenting schedule. Our covers what that agreement needs to include.
- Child support. The amount is calculated using Arizona's guidelines, based on both parents' incomes and the parenting time split.
- Spousal maintenance. Whether one spouse pays support to the other, and if so, the amount and duration.
If you and your spouse are on the same page about all of these issues, your divorce is uncontested. The court process becomes administrative rather than adversarial. You file paperwork, wait the required period, and a judge signs off. For a deeper look at how uncontested cases compare to contested ones, see our .