Arizona divorce explained: the 90-day residency rule, no-fault dissolution, the 60-day waiting period, covenant marriage, and community property.
Disclaimer: This article provides general educational information about Arizona divorce procedure and is not legal advice. Court rules, forms, and fees change, and individual situations vary. Verify current requirements with your county Superior Court or consult a licensed Arizona attorney.
Arizona — where divorce is a dissolution of marriage — is a no-fault, community property state with a short 90-day residency rule and a 60-day waiting period after service. The one wrinkle to check first is whether you have a covenant marriage, which follows different, stricter rules. Cases are filed in Superior Court.
At least one spouse must have been a resident of Arizona for 90 days before filing (or stationed in Arizona in the armed forces for 90 days).
For a standard marriage, the ground is simply that the marriage is irretrievably broken — no fault to prove.
Covenant marriage is the exception. Arizona is one of a few states offering covenant marriage, which couples opt into at the wedding. Dissolving a covenant marriage requires proving one of a limited list of grounds (such as adultery, abuse, abandonment, or a lengthy separation). If you are unsure whether you have a covenant marriage, check your marriage certificate.
A standard Arizona dissolution cannot be finalized until at least 60 days after the respondent is served (or accepts service). You can file right away; the 60-day clock starts at service.
You open the case by filing a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage with the Superior Court clerk. Arizona's larger counties (Maricopa, Pima) provide self-service forms and e-filing. The filing fee is commonly around $330–$350, with a fee waiver or deferral available.
The respondent must be served and generally has 20 days to respond (30 days if served out of state). A cooperative spouse can sign an Acceptance of Service.
When you file in Arizona, a Preliminary Injunction is issued automatically and binds both spouses once served. It typically prohibits hiding or disposing of property, removing children from the state, and cancelling insurance. Read it — violations are enforceable.
With minor children, Arizona requires a Parenting Plan, child support under the state guidelines, and completion of the mandatory Parent Information Program class.
The signed Decree of Dissolution legally ends the marriage.
Arizona treats most property and debt acquired during the marriage as community property, divided equitably (typically equal). Separate property (owned before marriage or received by gift or inheritance) generally stays with that spouse.
❌ Overlooking that you have a covenant marriage (different rules apply) ❌ Trying to finalize before the 60-day period ❌ Violating the automatic Preliminary Injunction after filing ❌ Forgetting the Parent Information Program class with children ❌ Missing the 90-day residency requirement
Q: How long does a divorce take in Arizona? A: At least 60 days from service for a standard dissolution. Contested cases take longer.
Q: Is Arizona a no-fault divorce state? A: Yes for standard marriages — the ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Covenant marriages require proving specific grounds.
Q: What is a covenant marriage? A: An optional, stricter form of marriage Arizona offers. Dissolving one requires proving a limited list of grounds, unlike a standard no-fault dissolution.
Q: Is Arizona a community property state? A: Yes. Most property and debt acquired during the marriage is community property, divided equitably.
Q: How much does it cost to file? A: The filing fee is commonly around $330–$350, with a fee waiver or deferral available for those who qualify.
Our platform builds the Arizona dissolution package — petition, consent decree framework, parenting plan, and child support documents — formatted for the Superior Court. We do not provide legal advice or file for you.
Save time and money with our AI-powered platform. Professional documents in minutes.
Get Started Now