Arizona Divorce Guide
Everything you need to know about filing for divorce in Arizona — residency requirements, costs, forms, timelines, and how to file without a lawyer. Updated for 2026.
Arizona Divorce at a Glance
| Residency Requirement | 3 months in state |
| Waiting Period | 60 days — Under A.R.S. § 25-329, the court cannot hold a hearing or enter a decree of dissolution until at least 60 days after the date of service of process or the date of acceptance of service. This is a mandatory cooling-off/conciliation period with no exceptions, even if the parties have agreed on all terms. |
| Filing Fee | $349(fee waiver available) |
| No-Fault Grounds | Irretrievable Breakdown |
| Fault Grounds | None |
| Property Division | Community Property |
| E-Filing | Available — Arizona offers e-filing through AZTurboCourt (turbocourt.com) for family law cases including divorce petitions and responses. Available in most Superior Court jurisdictions. AZTurboCourt guides self-represented litigants through personalized questions to generate accurate court forms. |
| Response Window | 20 days — The respondent has 20 calendar days to file a written response if served within Arizona, or 30 calendar days if served outside Arizona (exclusive of the date of service). Failure to respond may result in a default judgment. The petitioner may file an Application and Affidavit for Entry of Default after 24 days (in-state) or 34 days (out-of-state) from service. |
Grounds for Divorce in Arizona
The marriage is irretrievably broken
No-Fault Grounds
- Irretrievable Breakdown — The marriage is irretrievably broken with no reasonable prospect of reconciliation, per A.R.S. § 25-312(1). Arizona is a no-fault state and does not require proof of wrongdoing by either spouse.
Start your Arizona divorce online
Divorce.ai prepares your Arizona forms in under an hour. No lawyer required.
How to File for Divorce in Arizona
Meet Residency Requirements
You must have lived in Arizona for at least 3 months before filing. Under A.R.S. § 25-312, at least one spouse must be domiciled in Arizona or stationed in Arizona as a member of the armed services for at least 90 days before filing the petition for dissolution of marriage. For child custody jurisdiction under the UCCJEA, the child must have lived in Arizona for at least six consecutive months before filing.
Complete Your Forms
Arizona requires 7 mandatory forms to initiate a divorce. See the full forms list.
File with the Court
File your petition and pay the $349 filing fee. E-filing is available in some counties.
Serve Your Spouse
Accepted service methods: personal, registered process server, sheriff, acceptance of service, certified mail, publication. Arizona requires personal service or acceptance of service for the initial petition. The preliminary injunction under A.R.S. § 25-315(A) must be served along with the petition and summons. Service by publication is a last resort requiring court approval.
Wait for Response & Finalize
Your spouse has 20 days to respond. After the 60-day waiting period, the court can issue your final decree.
Special Rules in Arizona
Community Property State
Arizona is a community property state. All property acquired during the marriage is presumed to be community property and is subject to equitable division, per A.R.S. § 25-211.
Covenant Marriage
Arizona recognizes covenant marriages under A.R.S. § 25-901, which have stricter dissolution requirements under A.R.S. § 25-903, including specific fault-based grounds such as adultery, abandonment for one year, physical or sexual abuse, or two years of separation.
Preliminary Injunction
Upon filing, an automatic preliminary injunction under A.R.S. § 25-315(A) prevents both parties from transferring, encumbering, or disposing of property, relocating children out of state, or canceling insurance coverage.
Conciliation Services
Either party may request free conciliation counseling through the Superior Court during the 60-day waiting period to explore reconciliation options.
No-Fault Only for Standard Marriage
For standard (non-covenant) marriages, Arizona is strictly no-fault. The court does not consider marital misconduct when dividing property or awarding maintenance, except for cases involving domestic violence, excessive spending, or fraudulent disposition of community property.
Legal Decision-Making Terminology
Arizona uses the term 'legal decision-making' instead of 'custody' and 'parenting time' instead of 'visitation' in all family law proceedings.
Mandatory Requirements
Parenting Course Required
Per A.R.S. § 25-351, parents with minor children under 18 must attend the Parent Information Program (PIP) within 45 days of filing the petition. The course covers the impact of divorce on children and strategies for cooperative co-parenting. Failure to attend may result in contempt of court or denial of requested relief.
Financial Disclosure
Both parties must exchange financial disclosures within 40 days of filing.
Skip the paperwork headache
Divorce.ai guides you through every Arizona form and filing step. AI-powered, lawyer-reviewed.