How Long Does Divorce Take in Arizona? Real Timelines for 2026
Key Takeaways
- Arizona has a mandatory 60-day waiting period. No judge can finalize your divorce before it ends.
- The clock starts when your spouse is served, not when you file. Slow service means a longer wait.
- Uncontested divorces typically finish in 90 to 120 days total.
- Contested divorces take 1 to 3 years. Every unresolved disagreement adds time.
- You cannot waive the waiting period, but you can eliminate every other delay with good preparation.
The question almost everyone asks first: how long is this going to take? The honest answer depends on one thing more than anything else: whether you and your spouse agree on the terms.
The 60-Day Waiting Period Explained
Arizona law requires a minimum 60-day waiting period before a judge can sign off on any divorce. This applies to every case, uncontested or not. There are no exceptions.
The clock starts the day after your spouse is served with the divorce papers. Not when you file. Not when you call your spouse to tell them you filed. The day after official legal service is complete.
This matters more than most people realize. If you file today but it takes three weeks to arrange service, you have pushed your earliest possible finish date back three weeks. The fastest way to start the clock is to have your spouse sign an Acceptance of Service as soon as possible after you file, ideally the same day.
Uncontested Divorce: 90 to 120 Days
An uncontested divorce is one where both spouses agree on all major terms: property division, debt allocation, and (if you have children) custody and support. When you are aligned on the outcome, the court process is straightforward.
Here is the typical flow:
- File the Petition and supporting documents with your county Superior Court. Pay the filing fee (around $300 to $400 depending on your county).
- Arrange service on your spouse. The 60-day clock starts the day after this happens.
- Complete the Affidavit of Financial Information (AFI). Both spouses must fill this out. It is a detailed sworn financial disclosure covering income, expenses, assets, and debts. Our walks through every section.
- Prepare the Consent Decree. This is the final settlement agreement that covers everything you agreed on. Once signed, you submit it for the judge's signature.
- Judge reviews and signs. After day 60 passes and your paperwork is complete, the judge signs the Consent Decree and your divorce is final.
From start to finish: 90 to 120 days for most uncontested cases. The variation comes from how quickly service is completed and how long the court takes to process final paperwork, which varies by county and caseload.