Maricopa County Civil Court Records
Understanding Maricopa County Civil Court Records
Every county in Arizona has a multitiered court system, and Maricopa County is no different. The civil courts, handle a wide array of non criminal cases from lawsuits to domestic family matters. Depending on the nature of the case, and how much money is involved will determine what courts hear the respective civil case. While most of these civil court records fall under the state's public domain, not all records are accessible by the general public. Civil cases that are sealed from public view include juvenile cases, adoption cases, or those of a sensitive nature.
Courts That Hear Civil Cases in Maricopa County
In Maricopa County, the Superior Court is the primary venue for the majority of the civil cases. This court handles a broad spectrum of civil disputes, lawsuits and family law cases. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains these records, which is also tasked to make the records are accessible to the public. There are also variety of online tools provided by county to help facilitate the search for civil public records. This makes the process more efficient and user-friendly.
How to Search for Maricopa County Civil Court Records
Searching for civil court records is fairly simple in this county. It can be done online or in-person. It is recommended to start with the online records request as this is often faster than going in person, or attempting to contact the Clerk of the Court directly for help. If you cannot find the records you want online then you should contact the clerk for assistance but you may need to make an appointment as their office is usually very inundated with requests.
To start an online search, visit the Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court's website. Navigate to the 'Search Records' section. You will need specific information about the parties involved, or a case number to conduct a search. Here are the basic steps to follow:
1). Enter the case number or party names.
2). Select the type of case from the drop-down menu.
3). Click on 'Search'.
4). Review the search results and click on the relevant case for more details.
In some circumstances all cases may be available online, such as older cases that were not digitally transcribed for online access. For such cases, an in-person request at the courthouse may be necessary. If you need certified copies of any official civil court case proceedings, you will need to either be direct involved in the case or have permission to do so.