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Arizona divorce and record clearing, in plain English

What Arizona law and the courts say about a divorce when both spouses agree, and about setting aside or sealing an old conviction. Every rule links to the official page it comes from.

Cost
Free
Covers
Arizona only
Sources checked
22 September 2026
Who we are
Not lawyers or certified preparers

We can't prepare your papers or give legal advice. We are not lawyers or certified legal document preparers, and we take no cases. This page is general information only.

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Free and official help first

Arizona's courts and legal aid groups offer free information, court forms and, for people who qualify, free or low-cost lawyers. Everything on this page is general information drawn from those official sources. It is not legal advice.

The courts' own self-help centers

  • Arizona Self-Service Center. The state courts run a Self-Service Center with legal information and court forms for people who go to court without a lawyer. Court staff can explain legal information but cannot give legal advice. Arizona Self-Service Center
  • Staff or a lawyer? The Self-Service Center says its site can also help sort out whether a question suits court staff or needs a lawyer. Arizona Self-Service Center
  • Maricopa County law library. The Law Library Resource Center offers court forms, webinars, workshops, video tutorials and staff. It also offers short reviews of filled-in forms to spot missing information, with no legal advice. Maricopa Law Library Resource Center
  • Safety help. The Maricopa law library says a domestic violence advocate is available at each of its locations. Maricopa Law Library Resource Center
  • Pima County. The Superior Court in Pima County lists a law library among its court services. Pima County Superior Court

Free legal aid and lawyer referral

  • AZLawHelp.org. The State Bar calls AZLawHelp.org the place to start to apply for legal aid, get answers and download court forms. It also lists a phone line for applying: (866) 637-5341. Free or reduced-fee help may be available for people who qualify. State Bar legal aid resources · AZLawHelp.org
  • Provider list. The Maricopa law library keeps a list of free and low-cost legal service providers. Maricopa Law Library Resource Center
  • Family law help in Maricopa County. The courts' family law page lists the Family Lawyers Assistance Project run by Community Legal Services, for Maricopa County only. Arizona courts family law page
  • Low-cost lawyers. The State Bar's Modest Means Project is for people who earn too much for free legal aid but cannot afford standard lawyer rates. State Bar legal aid resources
  • Finding a lawyer. The State Bar does not make referrals, but its member directory lists every State Bar member and shows whether a lawyer has ever been disciplined. The Maricopa County Bar and Pima County Bar associations run lawyer referral services. State Bar public questions

AZCourtHelp.org puts it plainly: general information is not legal advice, legal advice depends on each person's situation, and general information cannot replace a lawyer licensed where the reader lives. AZCourtHelp.org

Divorce when both spouses agree

In Arizona, a divorce is officially called a "dissolution of marriage." Maricopa County family court

Who can file, and how long it takes

  • Living in Arizona. Arizona law says that for the 90 days before the divorce is filed, one spouse must have had Arizona as their legal home (the law's word is "domiciled") or been stationed here in the military. A.R.S. § 25-312
  • Which court. The case is filed in the superior court of the county where one spouse lives. Arizona courts family law page
  • Children. For custody orders, the first test Arizona law lists is whether Arizona is the child's "home state": where the child lived with a parent for at least six months in a row just before the case began, or since birth for a baby under six months old. The law lists other situations too. A.R.S. § 25-1031, § 25-1002
  • No blame needed. A legal aid site explains that the court only needs to hear the marriage is "irretrievably broken," meaning it cannot be fixed. Nobody has to prove fault, unless it is a covenant marriage. AZLawHelp: ending a marriage
  • Waiting period. Arizona law says the court cannot finish a divorce until 60 days after the other spouse is served with the papers or accepts them. A.R.S. § 25-329

What agreeing on everything allows

  • Consent decree. Maricopa County's family court describes a consent decree as the written terms both spouses agreed on, such as property, custody and support. Maricopa County family court
  • Summary consent decree. The same page describes a process for spouses who fully agree on every issue before anything is filed. Maricopa County family court
  • When it becomes final. A legal aid site says either spouse can file the consent decree for a judge to sign. Arizona law says the divorce is final when the court enters the decree (makes it part of the official court record), though it can still be appealed. AZLawHelp: ending a marriage, A.R.S. § 25-325
  • Maricopa timing. In an August 2023 notice, Maricopa County's family court said its new process would rule on consent decrees within 21 days after they are handed in. The 60-day waiting period above still applies. Maricopa consent decree notice
  • What gets decided. The courts' family law page says people filing should be ready with details on custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, and splitting property and debt. Arizona courts family law page

Property and debts

  • Community property. Arizona law says property either spouse gets during the marriage belongs to both, with some exceptions, such as gifts and inheritances. A.R.S. § 25-211
  • Fair split. The court gives each spouse their own separate property and divides shared property fairly, without looking at who was at fault in the marriage. A.R.S. § 25-318
  • Debts. When dividing property, the court may consider debts tied to it, including taxes that would come due. A.R.S. § 25-318

Children

  • Parenting plan. Arizona law says a parenting plan must state whether major decisions are shared ("joint") or made by one parent ("sole"), and must include a practical schedule of time with each parent, including holidays and school breaks. Arizona parenting plan law
  • Parts not agreed. If parents cannot agree on any part of the plan, the court decides that part. Arizona parenting plan law
  • Child support. The Arizona Supreme Court sets guidelines for child support, and the amount they produce is the amount ordered unless the court finds in writing that using them would not be appropriate or fair in that case. A.R.S. § 25-320
  • Parenting class. When a divorce involves the couple's minor child, Arizona law says the court orders the parents to complete an education program, with a few exceptions. A.R.S. § 25-352
  • Safety at the class. If there is a history of domestic violence, the court may set how each parent takes part and must make reasonable efforts to keep them safe. A.R.S. § 25-352

Covenant marriages are different

  • Limited reasons. A covenant marriage can only end in divorce for one of the reasons listed in the law. A.R.S. § 25-903
  • Two of those reasons. One reason is that both spouses agree to the divorce. Another is living apart without getting back together for at least two years before filing. A.R.S. § 25-903

If the court fees are too much

  • Waiver or deferral. The courts say people who cannot pay filing fees may apply to have them waived or deferred. A deferral means a payment plan or paying later. Arizona courts fee waivers and deferrals
  • Permanent inability to pay. Arizona law says the court must waive fees when someone proves they are permanently unable to pay. A.R.S. § 12-302
  • Two steps. The courts describe a second application filed when the case ends. The court may then waive the fees if the person's finances have not changed. Arizona courts fee waivers and deferrals

Clearing an old criminal record

Arizona has several different tools. Each does something different, and each has its own rules. The free help listed above covers these options too.

Setting aside a conviction

  • Who can ask. Arizona law says a person who has finished probation or their sentence, and been discharged by the court, may ask the court to set aside the conviction. A.R.S. § 13-905
  • No filing fee. The court clerk may not charge a filing fee for this application. A.R.S. § 13-905
  • What the judge weighs. The law lists factors the court must consider, such as the offense, how probation went, other convictions, the victim's input and time passed. A.R.S. § 13-905
  • What it does, and does not, do. The courts explain that records then show the conviction was set aside. The law says the state notes this on the criminal history but does not remove anything from the record. Arizona courts criminal law page · A.R.S. § 13-905
  • Not available for. Dangerous offenses, offenses that require sex-offender registration, offenses with a finding of sexual motivation, and felonies where the victim was under 15. A.R.S. § 13-905

Certificate of second chance

  • When it comes with a set-aside. When a set-aside is granted, the order must include this certificate for a misdemeanor, for a class 4, 5 or 6 felony after at least two years, or for a class 2 or 3 felony after at least five years, counted from finishing probation or the sentence. A.R.S. § 13-905
  • What it does. It removes barriers, caused by the conviction, to getting the job licenses issued under Title 32 of Arizona law, for people who otherwise qualify. A.R.S. § 13-905
  • Only once for a felony. Someone who already received one for a felony set-aside cannot get another. A.R.S. § 13-905

Sealing records

  • When it started. The courts say that as of December 31, 2022, people arrested, convicted or sentenced before, on or after that date may ask the court to seal their case records. Arizona courts: sealing records
  • Who can ask. Arizona law allows a petition after finishing a sentence, including every payment and restitution; after a charge was dismissed or ended in a not-guilty verdict; or after an arrest with no charges. All court-ordered fines, fees and restitution must be paid when the petition is filed. A.R.S. § 13-911
  • Not eligible. Dangerous offenses, dangerous crimes against children, serious offenses, and violent or aggravated felonies cannot be sealed, along with other offenses the law lists. A.R.S. § 13-911
  • Each court. A petition is needed in each court where the person was convicted. Arizona courts: sealing records

For a conviction, the law sets a wait that starts once the person finishes the non-money terms of the sentence and is discharged: A.R.S. § 13-911

OffenseWait before asking
Class 2 or 3 felony10 years
Class 4, 5 or 6 felony5 years
Class 1 misdemeanor3 years
Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor2 years
Offense vacated (cancelled) under A.R.S. § 13-909No wait
Petty offenseNo wait
  • A new felony after sealing. If someone whose records were sealed later commits another felony, the wait to seal the new one is the usual wait for that felony plus five more years. A.R.S. § 13-911
  • Court's waiting time. The court waits 60 days before deciding, unless the prosecutor and the victims who asked for notice say they do not object. A.R.S. § 13-911
  • What sealing does. After sealing, a person may generally say they were never arrested, charged or convicted of that crime, including on job, housing and loan applications. The law lists exceptions, such as applying to work for police, prosecutors, courts, probation, child welfare or prisons. A.R.S. § 13-911
  • Where sealed records still count. The law says sealed records can still be used in some later criminal cases, for example to make the sentence for a new felony longer. A.R.S. § 13-911
  • What it cannot undo. The courts note that records published or shared before sealing may still be found. Arizona courts: sealing records
  • If denied. A new petition cannot be filed until three years after the denial. A.R.S. § 13-911

Marijuana expungement

  • Who can ask. Since July 12, 2021, people with certain past marijuana arrests, charges or convictions may ask the court to expunge them, if the conduct happened before November 30, 2020. The law lists three kinds: having two and a half ounces or less (with no more than twelve and a half grams of it as concentrate), growing up to six plants at home for personal use, and marijuana paraphernalia. A.R.S. § 36-2862, Arizona courts: Proposition 207
  • The court's decision. The court must grant the request unless the prosecutor proves, by clear and convincing evidence, that the person is not eligible. A.R.S. § 36-2862
  • What it does. Afterward, the person may say they were never arrested, charged or convicted for that crime. A.R.S. § 36-2862

Certified legal document preparers

Arizona certifies people who prepare legal papers for people without a lawyer. Their rule sets clear limits.

  • Certification required. No person or business may claim to be a certified legal document preparer, or authorized to prepare legal documents, without valid certification. Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 7-208
  • What they may do. A certified preparer may prepare legal documents for people without a lawyer and give general legal information, but no specific advice, opinion or recommendation about a person's rights or options. § 7-208
  • How to spot one. Their documents must show their name, the title "Arizona Certified Legal Document Preparer" or "AZCLDP," and their certificate number. § 7-208
  • How to check. The Arizona courts publish a directory of active certified legal document preparers. Directory of certified preparers

What we are, and what we aren't

  • Not a law firm. US Tech Automations is a software company. We are not lawyers.
  • Not certified. Arizona's court rule for legal document preparers says a person or business "shall not represent they are a certified legal document preparer, or are authorized to prepare legal documents, without holding valid certification." We hold no certification, so we make neither claim, and we don't prepare, choose or review anyone's papers. ACJA § 7-208
  • Why this page exists. We're deciding whether to open a service in Arizona run by court-certified legal document preparers. We have not applied for certification, and nothing is open.
  • No cases, no fees. We don't charge anything, and emailing us doesn't make us your lawyer or your document preparer.

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Sources

Every rule above links to one of these official pages. We checked them on 22 September 2026. Laws and court pages change; the linked page is the final word.