Quick Answer
Maricopa County Superior Court is the trial court for all felony criminal cases, civil disputes over $10,000, divorce and family law matters, and probate proceedings in Maricopa County. The main campus is at 201 W Jefferson St, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Court records can be searched at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov. Most civil and family filings can be e-filed at eFile.maricopa.gov.
About Maricopa County Superior Court
Maricopa County Superior Court is the general jurisdiction trial court for Arizona's most populous county — and the 4th largest trial court in the United States by case volume. It handles the full range of legal matters: felony criminal cases, civil disputes, divorces, child custody, probate, and juvenile proceedings for a county with over 4.5 million residents.
The court operates under the Arizona Constitution and A.R.S. Title 12. It has over 80 judges and 30+ commissioners, spread across multiple locations in the Phoenix metro area to serve the sprawling county.
Court Locations
Hours: M–F 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Family Court & Civil divisions
Criminal courtrooms
Serves east valley communities
Serves northwest valley communities
Dependency & delinquency matters
Court Divisions and What They Handle
| Division | Case Types | Where Filed |
|---|---|---|
| Criminal (Felony) | Felony charges including DUI Extreme/Aggravated, violent crimes, drug trafficking, fraud | Central Court Building |
| Civil | Contract disputes, personal injury, commercial litigation over $10,000 | Central / South Court Tower |
| Family | Divorce, legal separation, child custody, child support, paternity, domestic violence orders | South Court Tower |
| Juvenile — Delinquency | Felony charges against minors under 18 | Durango Juvenile Court |
| Juvenile — Dependency | DCS (child protective services) cases, termination of parental rights | Durango Juvenile Court |
| Probate / Mental Health | Wills, trusts, guardianship, conservatorship, mental health commitment hearings | South Court Tower |
| Drug Court | Diversion program for eligible felony drug offenders | Central Court Building |
| DV Court | Domestic violence-related criminal cases, protective orders | Central Court Building |
| Tax Court | Property tax appeals, state tax disputes | Central Court Building |
How to File Documents in Maricopa County Superior Court
Maricopa County Superior Court has significantly expanded its electronic filing (eFiling) system in recent years. Here is how filing works as of 2026:
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1Determine your case type Civil and family cases are typically e-filed. Criminal matters, juvenile filings, and some emergency matters still require in-person filing at the clerk's counter at the appropriate courthouse location.
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2Create an account at eFile.maricopa.gov For civil and family e-filings, register at the court's eFiling portal. Self-represented parties (pro se litigants) can also file through this system.
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3Calculate and pay filing fees Filing fees vary by case type. A new civil complaint runs approximately $237–$264 depending on the amount in controversy. Family law petitions run $300+. Fee waivers (deferral or waiver) are available for qualifying low-income litigants under Rule 4, ARFLP.
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4Serve the other party After filing, the defendant/respondent must be properly served under the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure. Personal service by a process server or certified mail are common methods. Maricopa County Sheriff's Office civil process division also handles service for a fee.
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5Attend all scheduled hearings Check your case schedule through the eAccess portal. Missing a hearing results in a default judgment (civil cases) or a bench warrant (criminal cases). Maricopa County Superior Court strictly enforces appearance requirements.
How to Search Court Records in Maricopa County
Maricopa County maintains several online portals for court record access:
- superiorcourt.maricopa.gov/eAccess — Civil, family, and probate case search. Most records are publicly available except sealed cases and juvenile files.
- Arizona eCourt / Odyssey Portal — Statewide case search including Superior Court records across all Arizona counties.
- MCSO Inmate Information — Search for individuals currently in Maricopa County jail custody (does not show case details, only custody status).
- AZ DPS Criminal History — Fingerprint-based criminal history records for employment and licensing. Not a court record system.
Note: Some records are not available online, including sealed cases, mental health proceedings, and most juvenile dependency files. In-person requests at the clerk's office are required for these records, with some requiring a court order for access.
Justice Courts vs. Superior Court
Not all court matters in Maricopa County are handled by Superior Court. Arizona has a multi-tier court system, and understanding which court handles your matter matters for filing deadlines and procedures:
- Justice of the Peace Courts — Handle civil claims up to $10,000 (small claims up to $3,500), misdemeanor and petty offense criminal cases, evictions, and civil traffic matters. Maricopa County has 26 JP Court precincts.
- Municipal Courts — City-level courts handling city ordinance violations, misdemeanor criminal cases, and traffic violations within city limits (Phoenix Municipal Court, Scottsdale City Court, Mesa Municipal Court, etc.).
- Superior Court — All felony cases, civil disputes over $10,000, divorce and family law, probate, and appeals from Justice and Municipal Courts.
- Arizona Court of Appeals (Division One) — Located in Phoenix; hears appeals from Maricopa County Superior Court.
Self-Represented Litigants — Resources
Maricopa County Superior Court maintains a Self-Service Center in the downtown Phoenix courthouse that provides forms, procedural guidance, and limited assistance to pro se litigants. The Arizona Supreme Court's AZTurboCourt system helps non-attorneys prepare legal forms for common matters including divorce, protective orders, and evictions.
However, court staff and the Self-Service Center cannot provide legal advice. For anything beyond basic procedural guidance — particularly in criminal cases, complex custody disputes, or matters with significant financial stakes — consulting a licensed Arizona attorney is strongly recommended.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main downtown Phoenix campus includes the Central Court Building at 201 W Jefferson St, the South Court Tower at 175 W Madison St, and the East Court Building at 101 W Jefferson St. There are also regional campuses in Mesa (Northeast) and Surprise (Northwest), plus the Durango Juvenile Court.
Use the Maricopa County Superior Court's eAccess portal at superiorcourt.maricopa.gov to search civil, family, and probate cases. Criminal case records are available through the Arizona eCourt/Odyssey statewide portal. Some sealed and juvenile records require in-person requests.
Most civil and family filings can be submitted electronically through eFile.maricopa.gov. Criminal filings must generally be made in person at the clerk's office. Filing fees vary by case type; fee waivers are available for qualifying low-income litigants.
Maricopa County Superior Court has specialized divisions for: Criminal (felony), Civil (general civil, commercial), Family (divorce, custody, child support), Juvenile (dependency, delinquency), Probate/Mental Health, Drug Court, Tax Court, and Domestic Violence Court.