Coconino County Divorce Records
What Are Coconino County Divorce Records?
Divorce records in Coconino County are official legal documents that provide documentation of the dissolution of marriage between two individuals. These records are maintained pursuant to Arizona Revised Statutes § 25-312, which governs the dissolution of marriage proceedings within the state. Divorce records typically originate in the Superior Court of Coconino County, where divorce petitions are filed and proceedings are conducted.
Divorce records serve multiple purposes for citizens and governmental agencies:
- Legal proof of marital status change
- Documentation required for remarriage
- Evidence for legal name changes following divorce
- Supporting documentation for Social Security benefit adjustments
- Verification for loan applications and financial matters
- Required documentation for immigration proceedings
- Historical and genealogical research
The Coconino County Superior Court maintains these records as part of its official court record system. Under Arizona law, divorce records are categorized as vital records and are subject to specific regulations regarding access, reproduction, and certification.
Are Coconino County Divorce Records Public?
Coconino County divorce records have a nuanced public access status that varies depending on the specific document type and information contained therein. Generally, court divorce case files are considered public records under the Arizona Public Records Law § 39-121, which establishes the presumption that government records are open to public inspection.
However, certain limitations apply:
- Records containing sensitive personal information may be redacted
- Financial affidavits and certain exhibits may be restricted
- Cases involving domestic violence may have protective orders limiting access
- Records pertaining to minor children often have restricted access
- Records sealed by judicial order are not publicly accessible
Certified divorce certificates, which provide official verification of a divorce decree, have more restricted access. Pursuant to Arizona Administrative Code R9-19-212, only the following individuals may obtain certified copies:
- Parties to the divorce
- Legal representatives with proper authorization
- Individuals with a court order authorizing access
- Government agencies for official purposes
The Coconino County Clerk of Superior Court maintains divorce records and processes requests for access in accordance with these regulations.
How To Find a Divorce Record In Coconino County in 2026
Members of the public seeking divorce records in Coconino County may utilize several methods to locate these documents. The primary repository for divorce records is the Clerk of the Superior Court, which maintains official court records including divorce proceedings.
To locate a divorce record, individuals may:
- Visit the Clerk of Superior Court in person to conduct a records search
- Submit a written request for records by mail
- Utilize the online case lookup system for basic case information
- Request certified copies of divorce decrees for legal purposes
For in-person requests, individuals should visit:
Coconino County Clerk of Superior Court
200 N. San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 679-7600
Coconino County Clerk of Superior Court
Required information for record searches includes:
- Full names of both parties to the divorce
- Approximate date of divorce filing or finalization
- Case number (if known)
- Valid identification for certain record types
Fees for record searches and document copies are established by Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-284 and may include:
- Record search fee: $30
- Copy fees: $0.50 per page
- Certification fee: $30 per document
Payment methods accepted include cash, credit card, money order, or cashier's check.
How To Look Up Divorce Records in Coconino County Online?
Coconino County provides digital access to certain divorce record information through online platforms maintained by the Arizona Judicial Branch and county offices. These resources allow for preliminary research without visiting government offices in person.
The primary online resource is the Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access to Court Case Information portal, which provides basic case information including:
- Case numbers and filing dates
- Party names and attorney information
- Hearing schedules and case status
- Judgment information
- Document indexes (without full document access)
To conduct an online search:
- Navigate to the Public Access Case Lookup system
- Select "Coconino County" from the jurisdiction dropdown
- Enter search criteria (name, case number, etc.)
- Review search results for relevant cases
- Note case numbers for further research if needed
Limitations of online searches include:
- Older records may not be digitized or searchable
- Complete case documents are not available for download
- Certified copies cannot be obtained online
- Some sensitive cases may be restricted from online viewing
For comprehensive divorce record information, individuals may need to supplement online searches with in-person requests at the Clerk's office.
How To Find Divorce Records for Free In Coconino County?
Coconino County residents and interested parties may access certain divorce record information without payment, though comprehensive searches and document copies typically involve fees. Free access options are limited but available through several channels.
Free access methods include:
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Public access terminals at the Coconino County Law Library
- Located within the Coconino County Courthouse
- Available during regular business hours
- Self-service research without printing fees
- Staff assistance limited to technical support
-
Online case information through the Arizona Judicial Branch website
- Basic case information available without charge
- Search by party name or case number
- Limited to index information without document access
-
Public records request for specific information
- Narrow requests may be fulfilled without search fees
- Subject to staff availability and workload
Coconino County Law Library
200 N. San Francisco Street, 2nd Floor
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 679-7540
Coconino County Law Library
While initial searches may be conducted without cost, obtaining copies of documents or certified records will incur fees as established by Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-284. Individuals with financial hardship may apply for fee waivers under certain circumstances through the Clerk of Court's office.
What's Included in a Divorce Records In Coconino County
Divorce records in Coconino County comprise multiple document types that collectively document the legal dissolution of marriage. These records vary in content and detail depending on the complexity of the case and whether the divorce was contested or uncontested.
Standard components of divorce records include:
-
Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Initial filing that states grounds for divorce
- Information about marriage date and location
- Residency verification for jurisdictional purposes
-
Summons and Service Documentation
- Proof that respondent received legal notice
- Response from non-filing spouse
-
Financial Disclosure Statements
- Assets and liabilities of both parties
- Income verification documents
- Property valuations
-
Parenting Plans (when applicable)
- Custody arrangements
- Visitation schedules
- Decision-making authority
-
Child Support Worksheets and Orders
- Calculation of support obligations
- Payment schedules and methods
-
Final Decree of Dissolution
- Court's final judgment terminating the marriage
- Property division determinations
- Spousal maintenance provisions
- Name restoration orders
-
Settlement Agreements
- Negotiated terms between parties
- Mediation outcomes
- Stipulations on contested issues
These documents are maintained in accordance with Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123 governing record retention and access. The comprehensiveness of divorce records varies based on case complexity and whether matters were resolved through settlement or trial proceedings.
How To Get Proof of Divorce In Coconino County?
Individuals requiring legal proof of divorce in Coconino County must obtain certified copies of the divorce decree from the Clerk of Superior Court. These certified documents serve as official verification of divorce status and are accepted for legal purposes including remarriage, name changes, and benefit applications.
To obtain certified proof of divorce:
-
Submit a request to the Clerk of Superior Court through one of these methods:
- In-person at the courthouse
- By mail with a notarized request form
- Through an authorized third-party service
-
Provide required identification and information:
- Government-issued photo ID
- Names of both parties to the divorce
- Case number (if known)
- Approximate date of divorce
- Requestor's relationship to case parties
-
Pay the applicable fees:
- $30.00 certification fee per document
- $0.50 per page copy fee
- Additional fees for expedited service if requested
Coconino County Clerk of Superior Court
200 N. San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 679-7600
Coconino County Clerk of Superior Court
Processing times for certified copies typically range from same-day service for in-person requests to 5-7 business days for mail requests. Expedited service may be available for an additional fee. Certified copies bear the official seal of the court and signature of the clerk, making them acceptable for most legal and administrative purposes requiring proof of divorce.
Can a Divorce Be Confidential In Coconino County?
While divorce proceedings in Coconino County are generally matters of public record, certain mechanisms exist to protect sensitive information and, in limited circumstances, maintain confidentiality of divorce records. These protections are governed by Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure 7, which addresses confidentiality in family court proceedings.
Confidentiality options include:
-
Sealing of Records
- Requires judicial order based on compelling privacy interests
- Must demonstrate that privacy interests outweigh public access rights
- Rarely granted for entire case files
- More commonly applied to specific sensitive documents
-
Redaction of Sensitive Information
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account numbers
- Minor children's identifying information
- Victim information in cases involving domestic violence
-
Confidential Hearings
- May be conducted for matters involving child welfare
- Domestic violence considerations
- Mental health issues
-
Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Mediation proceedings remain confidential
- Settlement negotiations may remain private
- Final agreements become public when incorporated into decree
Parties seeking confidentiality must file a motion with the court specifically requesting protection of information and citing legal grounds under Arizona Revised Statutes § 25-322. The court balances privacy interests against the presumption of public access to court records when making determinations about confidentiality.
How Long Does a Divorce Take In Coconino County?
The duration of divorce proceedings in Coconino County varies significantly based on multiple factors, including case complexity, cooperation between parties, and court caseload. Arizona law establishes certain minimum timeframes, but the actual process may extend considerably beyond these minimums.
Key timeframe factors include:
-
Statutory Waiting Period
- Arizona imposes a 60-day cooling-off period from service of petition before a divorce can be finalized, per Arizona Revised Statutes § 25-329
- This represents the absolute minimum timeframe for uncontested cases
-
Type of Divorce
- Uncontested divorces: 2-4 months on average
- Contested divorces without complex issues: 6-9 months
- Highly contested divorces with property/custody disputes: 12-18 months or longer
-
Court Scheduling
- Initial hearing typically scheduled 40-60 days after filing
- Resolution management conferences add 30-45 days
- Trial settings may add 3-6 months depending on court calendar
-
Settlement Efforts
- Mediation may add 30-90 days but often reduces overall timeframe
- Settlement negotiations can occur throughout the process
According to the Arizona Judicial Branch Annual Report, the average time to disposition for family law cases in Coconino County is approximately 8.5 months, though individual cases may resolve more quickly or take significantly longer depending on circumstances.
Factors that commonly extend timeframes include:
- Complex property division issues
- Business valuation requirements
- Child custody evaluations
- Relocation issues
- Discovery disputes
- Expert witness involvement
How Long Does Coconino County Keep Divorce Records?
Coconino County maintains divorce records in accordance with the Arizona Supreme Court's record retention schedule, which establishes minimum retention periods for various court documents. Divorce records are classified as permanent records due to their ongoing legal significance.
Retention periods for divorce-related documents:
-
Final Divorce Decrees
- Maintained permanently in both paper and electronic formats
- Never expunged or destroyed
- Eventually transferred to state archives for historical preservation
-
Case Files and Supporting Documents
- Maintained for a minimum of 50 years from case closure
- After 50 years, may be transferred to archival storage
- Electronic versions increasingly maintained indefinitely
-
Exhibits and Evidence
- Retained for minimum of 5 years after case conclusion
- May be returned to submitting parties after appeal period
- Sensitive exhibits may have specialized retention requirements
-
Financial Affidavits and Disclosures
- Retained for minimum of 25 years
- Subject to restricted access throughout retention period
These retention schedules are established pursuant to Arizona Supreme Court Rule 29 governing court records management. While minimum retention periods exist, in practice, Coconino County maintains most divorce records permanently due to their legal and historical significance.
For records predating digital systems (generally pre-1990s), researchers may need to access microfilm or physical archives maintained by the Clerk of Court or the Arizona State Archives.
How To Get a Divorce In Coconino County
Individuals seeking to dissolve a marriage in Coconino County must follow specific legal procedures established under Arizona law. The divorce process, legally termed "dissolution of marriage," involves multiple steps regardless of whether the case is contested or uncontested.
The general process includes:
-
Residency Requirements
- At least one spouse must have been an Arizona resident for 90 days before filing
- Filing occurs in the county where either spouse resides
-
Petition Filing
- Complete Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- File with Clerk of Superior Court
- Pay filing fee (approximately $349, subject to change)
- Fee waivers available based on financial need
-
Service of Process
- Formal delivery of divorce papers to non-filing spouse
- Options include sheriff service, private process server, or acceptance of service
- Service must be documented with the court
-
Response Period
- Non-filing spouse has 20 days to respond (30 days if served outside Arizona)
- Response indicates agreement or contested issues
-
Financial Disclosures
- Both parties must complete Affidavit of Financial Information
- Exchange documentation of assets, debts, income, and expenses
-
Resolution Process
- Uncontested: Submit consent decree after 60-day waiting period
- Contested: Attend resolution management conference
- Mediation may be required for disputed issues
- Trial scheduled if settlement not reached
Coconino County Superior Court
200 N. San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 679-7600
Coconino County Superior Court
Legal assistance options include:
- Private attorneys
- Self-help resources through the Law Library
- Limited-scope representation
- Legal aid for qualifying low-income individuals
All divorce proceedings must comply with Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25, Chapter 3, which governs dissolution of marriage in Arizona.
How To Get Divorce Papers In Coconino County
Individuals initiating divorce proceedings in Coconino County must obtain and complete the appropriate legal forms. These documents are available through multiple channels to accommodate different needs and circumstances.
Sources for divorce papers include:
-
Coconino County Superior Court Self-Service Center
- Located within the courthouse
- Provides form packets with instructions
- Staff cannot provide legal advice but can answer procedural questions
- Available during regular business hours
-
Online Resources
- Arizona Judicial Branch Self-Service Center
- Downloadable PDF forms with instructions
- Separate packets for different divorce scenarios (with/without children, contested/uncontested)
-
Coconino County Law Library
- Reference materials and form books
- Computer access for online forms
- Limited staff assistance with locating resources
Coconino County Superior Court Self-Service Center
200 N. San Francisco Street
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
(928) 679-7600
Coconino County Superior Court
Standard divorce form packets include:
- Petition for Dissolution of Marriage
- Summons
- Preliminary Injunction
- Notice of Right to Convert Health Insurance
- Affidavit of Financial Information
- Parenting Plan (if children involved)
- Child Support Worksheet (if children involved)
- Decree of Dissolution of Marriage
Forms must be completed in accordance with Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure, which establish requirements for content and format. Individuals with complex cases or legal questions are advised to consult with an attorney, as court staff cannot provide legal advice regarding form completion or strategy.