Court records of Maricopa County, Arizona, are available through several channels. MaricopaCourt.us helps quickly find public information about court cases in the county. Additionally, records can be searched through the court's official online tools, directly at the Clerk of the Court's office, or through public terminals installed in court buildings. Below is a description of how each of these resources works.
Maricopa Court System & Jurisdictions
Two main levels of courts operate in Maricopa County: Superior Court (general jurisdiction court) and Justice Courts (limited jurisdiction courts). Each handles different categories of cases, so it's important to know where to go before searching the registry.
Superior Court
Maricopa County Superior Court is the general jurisdiction court of the state of Arizona. It handles:
- Criminal cases involving felonies — from the defendant's first appearance to sentencing and beyond. More details can be found on the Criminal Department page.
- Civil claims over $10,000
- Family cases: divorce, custody, alimony, paternity establishment. Forms are available on the Family Court Forms page.
- Probate and guardianship cases
- Juvenile cases
Justice Courts
Maricopa County has a network of Justice Courts serving individual precincts. These courts handle:
- Criminal misdemeanors
- Civil claims up to $10,000
- Traffic violations
- Eviction cases
- Search and arrest warrants
Search Justice Courts records through the Justice Courts case search portal. Note: these records are subject to a retention schedule approved by the Arizona Supreme Court, so older cases may not be available online.
Municipal courts (City/Municipal Courts) within the county — for example, in Phoenix, Tempe, Scottsdale — handle violations of city ordinances and minor offenses. Their records are stored separately from the county system.
Maricopa Court Calendar & Upcoming Hearings
To find out the schedule of hearings for today, tomorrow, or the current week, use the Public Access to Court Information system. This platform allows you to view judges' calendars, search cases by number or party name, and see scheduled hearings.
Step-by-step instructions:
- Go to the Public Access to Court Information page.
- Select the case type: Criminal Court Cases, Family Court Cases, or Civil.
- Enter the case number or participant's last name.
- The search results will display scheduled hearing dates, the judge's name, and the case status.
For criminal cases, hearing dates can also be found through the Criminal page on the county's website. Attorneys can use the Attorney Calendar feature on the same portal.
A statewide search is available through the Public Access Case Lookup by the Arizona Judicial Branch — it covers courts throughout the state, including the Maricopa County Superior Court.
How to Get a Copy of a Maricopa Court Document
The Clerk of the Superior Court issues both regular and certified copies of court documents. The difference is significant: a certified copy has an official stamp and the clerk's signature, confirming its authenticity, and is usually required for submission to other authorities or for legal procedures.
Ways to Obtain Copies
- Online: Through the eAccess portal on the Superior Court's website, you can view and download some civil and criminal documents. Not all documents are available electronically.
- In Person: Visit the clerk's office in the courthouse. Bring the case number or enough information for identification (party names, approximate filing date). Certified copies are usually issued on the spot.
- By Mail: Send a written request specifying the case number, document type, and contact information. Include a check or money order for the appropriate amount.
Mailing address of the clerk's office:
Some records have restricted access. Juvenile cases, sealed cases, and some family cases are not public. Before requesting, check with the clerk if the document you need is available.
To obtain records from Justice Courts, contact the respective precinct court directly. Contact details for each Justice Court can be found on the Maricopa County Justice Courts website.
If you need a criminal history record check, this is a separate process — such records are maintained by the Arizona Department of Public Safety, not the court.
Maricopa Court Records Fees & Payment
The fees for copies of Superior Court documents are set by an administrative order of the court and may change. Below are approximate fees current at the time of publication. Always verify current rates with the clerk's office.
| Service | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Case search (upon request) | Free online through Public Access |
| Regular document copy | $0.50 per page |
| Certified copy (certification) | $26.00 per document |
| Copy of court judgment | Depends on the number of pages + certification fee |
| Warrant check | Free — contact the Criminal Department |
Payment methods:
- In person — cash, credit/debit card, money order
- By mail — check or money order payable to "Clerk of the Superior Court"
- Online — through the eAccess portal (if the document is available electronically)
In Justice Courts, fees may vary depending on the precinct. Check fees directly with the court to which you are submitting a request. For bulk or commercial requests for county public records, use the Maricopa County Public Records portal.