Access Yavapai County Dissolution Of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage records in Yavapai County are maintained at three Superior Court locations. The county has clerk offices in Prescott, Camp Verde, and at the Justice Center in Prescott. All three sites have access to the same case files. Yavapai County sits in central Arizona and includes cities like Prescott, Prescott Valley, and Sedona. People can search for dissolution records through online portals, visit any courthouse location, or contact the clerk by phone or email to obtain decrees, verify case status, or get certified copies for legal use.

Clerk Office Locations

Yavapai County has three Superior Court clerk offices. All three locations can help with dissolution records. The Yavapai County Clerk system connects all sites. Staff at any location can access the same records database for the entire county.

The Prescott Courthouse is at 120 S. Cortez, Room 207, Prescott, AZ 86303. Call (928) 777-7934 for help. This is the main courthouse for Yavapai County. It sits in downtown Prescott near the historic courthouse plaza.

The Camp Verde office serves the Verde Valley area. It is at 2840 N Commonwealth Drive, Camp Verde, AZ 86322. Call (928) 567-7741 for this location. Many residents from Cottonwood, Clarkdale, and Sedona use this office because it is closer than Prescott.

The Justice Center is at 1200 Prescott Lakes Parkway, Building A, Prescott, AZ 86301. Call (928) 610-6510 for this location. This is the newest facility. It serves the Prescott Valley area and other northern parts of the county.

All offices are open from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays. They close for state holidays and weekends. For email requests, use YavapaiRecordsManagement@courts.az.gov. This email address works for requests to any of the three locations in Yavapai County.

Request Copies of Records

Yavapai County has a clear process for requesting court records. The Superior Court Records page explains what you need. You can request records in person at any of the three locations. Mail and email requests work too.

Include the case number or names of both spouses in your request. State what documents you need. Provide your contact information. Tell them how you want to receive the records. Processing times vary based on how busy the office is when you submit your request in Yavapai County.

Records prior to 1992 are available only through the Yavapai County Courthouse in Prescott. Older records are not at the other locations. If you need very old records, contact the Prescott office or ask when you call. This helps you avoid going to the wrong location for historical records in Yavapai County.

Note: Records from before 1992 are only available at the Prescott Courthouse location.

Fees for Records

Yavapai County charges set fees for court records. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $35.00 plus $0.50 per page. This means certification adds to the base copy cost. Postage runs $8.00 if you want records mailed to you.

Payment methods include cash, money orders, and credit or debit cards. Ask about current payment options when you contact the clerk. Some payment methods may work in person only. Others work for phone or mail requests in Yavapai County.

Filing a new dissolution case costs more than getting copies of old records. Contact the clerk for current filing fees. Fee waivers exist for people with low income. File a form showing your financial situation. The judge reviews waiver requests and decides if you qualify for reduced or waived fees in Yavapai County.

Pay Fees Online

Yavapai County offers an online payment center for some court fees. This system lets you pay certain fees from home. Not all types of payments work through this portal. Check with the clerk to see if your payment can be made online.

The system accepts credit and debit cards. You need your case number to make a payment. Follow the prompts to enter payment details. You will get a receipt. Save this receipt in case questions arise about your payment in Yavapai County.

Search Cases Online

You can search Yavapai County dissolution cases through the statewide Arizona Public Access portal. This free system covers all Superior Court cases in Arizona. Enter a name or case number to search. The system shows basic case details and docket entries for Yavapai County.

Type either spouse's name to find dissolution cases. The system lists all matches. Click on a case to see more information. Docket entries show filings, hearings, and orders. Some family court details may be restricted to protect privacy. For actual court documents, contact the clerk office directly in Yavapai County.

The online portal works well for basic lookups. It shows if a case exists and gives you the case number. You can see when the case was filed and its current status. This helps you know what to request when you contact the clerk for copies of documents.

How to File for Dissolution

To file in Yavapai County, meet Arizona residency requirements. Under A.R.S. Section 25-311, one spouse must live in Arizona for 90 days before filing. You file in the county where either spouse currently lives. If you live in Yavapai County, file at any of the three Superior Court locations.

Arizona uses no-fault dissolution under A.R.S. Section 25-312. The court only needs to find the marriage is broken beyond repair. You do not have to prove wrongdoing. One spouse stating the marriage cannot continue is usually enough for the court to grant dissolution in Yavapai County.

The petition begins your case. This document names both spouses and states what you want. Pay filing fees when you submit the petition. The clerk assigns a case number right away. You must serve your spouse with copies of all papers. Proof of service gets filed with the court. After service and any responses, the judge can set hearings and make orders.

The final decree ends the marriage under A.R.S. Section 25-325. It becomes final when signed by the judge. The decree covers property, debts, custody, support, and other issues. A spouse can ask to restore a former name. This document becomes part of the permanent public record in Yavapai County.

Information in Case Files

Dissolution files in Yavapai County contain many types of documents. The petition and response start the case. These state what each party wants. Financial disclosures list income, assets, and debts for both spouses. If there are children, you will find custody forms, parenting plans, and support worksheets.

Temporary orders may be in the file. A judge can issue these during the case. They set rules until the final decree. Orders might cover who stays in the home, who pays bills, and when children see each parent. All motions and responses from both parties get filed. Court minutes record what happened at hearings in Yavapai County.

The final decree is the most important document. It legally ends the marriage. The decree divides property and assigns debts. It sets custody and visitation schedules. It may order child support or spousal maintenance. Once signed by a judge, the decree is binding. You can get certified copies from the Yavapai County clerk for legal purposes.

Getting Legal Help

Yavapai County residents have access to several legal resources. Legal aid programs serve low-income people across Arizona. They focus on cases involving abuse or safety issues. Call to see if you qualify based on income. The Arizona State Bar runs a referral service at 1-800-392-5660. The first meeting with a referred lawyer costs up to $50 for 30 minutes.

Self-help resources are available at Arizona Court Help. This site has guides for people filing without lawyers. You can learn about dissolution procedures and what to expect. All official court forms are at the Arizona Courts Self-Service Center. These are the same forms used in Yavapai County Superior Court.

Some lawyers offer free consultations or reduced fees for initial meetings. Local bar associations may have referral programs. Community groups sometimes host legal clinics. Check with organizations in Prescott, Prescott Valley, or Sedona. They can point you to resources available in Yavapai County.

Public Access to Records

Dissolution records are public in Yavapai County. Arizona law gives people the right to view most court records. You do not need to be part of the case to request records. You do not have to explain why you want them. The clerk must provide access to public files when you ask.

Some limits exist to protect privacy. Details about minor children may be hidden. Financial account numbers are often redacted. A party can ask to seal records in rare cases. The judge must approve sealing after a hearing. Most dissolution files stay open to the public in Yavapai County.

Request records in person at any of the three courthouse locations. You can also mail or email your request. Online search tools show basic case information for free. For actual documents, contact the clerk about costs and processing times. They can tell you the best way to get what you need from Yavapai County.

Cities in Yavapai County

Yavapai County includes several cities and towns. Prescott serves as the county seat. Prescott Valley is the largest city by population. Sedona sits in the red rock country to the north. Other communities include Cottonwood, Clarkdale, Camp Verde, Chino Valley, and Dewey-Humboldt. All residents file dissolution cases at Yavapai County Superior Court. Choose the location most convenient for you.

Nearby Counties

These counties border Yavapai County. Make sure you file in the right county based on where you or your spouse lives. The court needs jurisdiction over your case.