Arizona Divorce Laws and Forms (2026)

Where and how to file in Arizona

Who can file (residency): You or your spouse must have lived (been domiciled) in Arizona, or been stationed there in the military, for 90 days before you file.
Waiting period: The court can't hold the final hearing or sign the decree until 60 days after your spouse is served or signs an acceptance of service.
Court: Superior Court in your county
Official forms: Divorce forms (Arizona courts)
Court self-help: Divorce self-help (Arizona courts)
Filing fee: $261 statewide for a petition for dissolution, and $172 for a response (state schedule under A.R.S. 12-284, effective Dec. 28, 2024). Some counties add local fees.
If you can't afford the fee: File an Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees and Costs. A deferral lets you pay later or in installments; a waiver means you don't pay: https://www.azcourts.gov/courtfilingfees/Fee-Waivers-and-Deferrals
Simpler process for agreed cases: If you agree on everything, you can file a Consent Decree signed by both spouses; the court can sign it after the 60-day wait, often without a hearing. If your spouse never responds, you can ask for a default decree.
E-filing: Some counties allow eFiling for family cases; see https://www.azcourts.gov/efilinginformation/
Law: A.R.S. 25-312(A)(1) · A.R.S. 25-329

Divorce in Arizona, step by step

Check that you can file in Arizona
You or your spouse must have lived (been domiciled) in Arizona, or been stationed there in the military, for 90 days before you file.
Get the official forms
Use the court's official divorce forms: Divorce forms (Arizona courts) If you agree on everything, you can file a Consent Decree signed by both spouses; the court can sign it after the 60-day wait, often without a hearing.
File the papers and pay the fee, or ask for a waiver
File with the Superior Court in your county. Filing fee: $261 statewide for a petition for dissolution, and $172 for a response (state schedule under A.R.S. 12-284, effective Dec. 28, 2024). Can't afford it? File an Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees and Costs. A deferral lets you pay later or in installments; a waiver means you don't pay: https://www.azcourts.gov/courtfilingfees/Fee-Waivers-and-Deferrals.
Serve your spouse
Your spouse must be served with the petition and summons by a sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail if allowed, or can sign an Acceptance of Service.
Your spouse responds
20 days after service if your spouse was served in Arizona; 30 days if served outside Arizona (Maricopa County Superior Court service instructions, DR23p). The summons states the deadline. If your spouse doesn't respond in time, you can usually ask for a default judgment.
Wait out the waiting period
The court can't hold the final hearing or sign the decree until 60 days after your spouse is served or signs an acceptance of service.
Agree, or go to mediation or a hearing
Common. If you agree on everything, you can usually submit a signed agreement. If not, the judge decides the issues you can't settle.
Get the final decree
The judge signs the final decree (judgment), which ends the marriage. Get a certified copy and keep it. Name change: Yes. If you ask before the judge signs the decree, the court must restore your former name.

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Divorce timeline estimator for Arizona

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Grounds for divorce in Arizona

No-fault ground: the marriage is irretrievably broken
Fault grounds: Not available: no-fault only
Law: A.R.S. 25-312(A)(3); covenant marriages need one of the grounds in A.R.S. 25-903

Property and debts in Arizona

System: Community property
The rule: Property and debts either spouse gets during the marriage are usually community and are divided equitably, which in practice usually means close to equal. What you owned before marriage, or got by gift or inheritance, is usually your separate property.
Law: A.R.S. 25-211, 25-318

Alimony (spousal support) in Arizona

Called spousal maintenance. A spouse can qualify for reasons such as not having enough property or earning ability, or a long marriage. Judges must use the Arizona Supreme Court's Spousal Maintenance Guidelines for amount and length unless they explain in writing why that would be unjust, and maintenance lasts only as long as needed to become self-sufficient. A.R.S. 25-319. Guidelines: https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/Spousal-Maintenance-Guidelines

Children: custody and support in Arizona

What Arizona calls custody: legal decision-making and parenting time
Parenting class: Yes. Each county's superior court runs a required parent education program for parents of minor children in a divorce (A.R.S. 25-351, 25-352): https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/Parent-Education-Program
Child support calculator: Official child support calculator or guidelines
Child support agency: Arizona Department of Economic Security, Division of Child Support Services (DCSS)

Serving your spouse in Arizona

How your spouse gets the papers: Your spouse must be served with the petition and summons by a sheriff, a private process server, or certified mail if allowed, or can sign an Acceptance of Service.
Time to respond: 20 days after service if your spouse was served in Arizona; 30 days if served outside Arizona (Maricopa County Superior Court service instructions, DR23p).
Law: Ariz. R. Fam. Law P. 40-41 (service); Maricopa County Superior Court, 'How to serve court papers by registered process server' (https://superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/media/aiuljlzo/dr23pz.pdf)

Going back to a former name in Arizona

Yes. If you ask before the judge signs the decree, the court must restore your former name.

Mediation in Arizona

Common. Many superior courts offer conciliation services and mediation for parenting disputes, and judges may order it. Check your county's conciliation court.

Free help in Arizona

Good to know in Arizona

Arizona is a community property state: earnings and things bought during the marriage generally belong to both spouses (A.R.S. 25-211).
Arizona also has covenant marriage, which can only be ended for specific reasons such as adultery or living apart for set periods (A.R.S. 25-903).

Changes in 2024–2026

New superior court fee schedule took effect Dec. 28, 2024 (Administrative Order 2024-210), setting the dissolution petition at $261.

Divorce checklist for Arizona

Answer a few questions to get a checklist for your state: documents to gather, the official forms, the fee or fee waiver, serving your spouse, children and the final steps. Print it or download it. Nothing you type is sent anywhere.

Questions about divorce in Arizona

How long do you have to live in Arizona to file for divorce?

You or your spouse must have lived (been domiciled) in Arizona, or been stationed there in the military, for 90 days before you file.

How long does a divorce take in Arizona?

The court can't hold the final hearing or sign the decree until 60 days after your spouse is served or signs an acceptance of service.

What are the grounds for divorce in Arizona?

Arizona's no-fault ground is the marriage is irretrievably broken. Arizona has no fault grounds.

Is Arizona a community property state?

Yes. Property and debts either spouse gets during the marriage are usually community and are divided equitably, which in practice usually means close to equal. What you owned before marriage, or got by gift or inheritance, is usually your separate property.

How much does it cost to file for divorce in Arizona?

$261 statewide for a petition for dissolution, and $172 for a response (state schedule under A.R.S. 12-284, effective Dec. 28, 2024). Some counties add local fees.

Can I get the divorce filing fee waived in Arizona?

File an Application for Deferral or Waiver of Court Fees and Costs. A deferral lets you pay later or in installments; a waiver means you don't pay: https://www.azcourts.gov/courtfilingfees/Fee-Waivers-and-Deferrals

Is there a simpler divorce process in Arizona?

If you agree on everything, you can file a Consent Decree signed by both spouses; the court can sign it after the 60-day wait, often without a hearing. If your spouse never responds, you can ask for a default decree.

How long does my spouse have to respond in Arizona?

20 days after service if your spouse was served in Arizona; 30 days if served outside Arizona (Maricopa County Superior Court service instructions, DR23p).

Can I change my name back in a divorce in Arizona?

Yes. If you ask before the judge signs the decree, the court must restore your former name.

Is mediation required in a divorce in Arizona?

Common. Many superior courts offer conciliation services and mediation for parenting disputes, and judges may order it. Check your county's conciliation court.

Do divorcing parents have to take a class in Arizona?

Yes. Each county's superior court runs a required parent education program for parents of minor children in a divorce (A.R.S. 25-351, 25-352): https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/Parent-Education-Program

How does alimony work in Arizona?

Called spousal maintenance. A spouse can qualify for reasons such as not having enough property or earning ability, or a long marriage. Judges must use the Arizona Supreme Court's Spousal Maintenance Guidelines for amount and length unless they explain in writing why that would be unjust, and maintenance lasts only as long as needed to become self-sufficient. A.R.S. 25-319. Guidelines: https://www.azcourts.gov/familylaw/Child-Support-Family-Law-Information/Spousal-Maintenance-Guidelines

Sources

Last checked: Oct 24, 2026.

Arizona divorce laws

Where and how to file in Arizona

Divorce in Arizona, step by step

Check that you can file in Arizona

Get the official forms

File the papers and pay the fee, or ask for a waiver

Serve your spouse

Your spouse responds

Wait out the waiting period

Agree, or go to mediation or a hearing

Get the final decree