The Arizona Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is the court form one spouse files with the Superior Court to legally end a non-covenant marriage, and either spouse may file it once the 90-day domicile rule is met. You start your divorce by filling out this Petition, signing it under oath, and filing it with the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where you, your spouse, or your children live. Maricopa County alone publishes a 14-page version, Form DRDC15F, for divorces that involve minor children.
A small mistake on this form can cost you weeks. The Arizona courts handle tens of thousands of dissolution cases each year, and self-filed petitions get rejected at the clerk’s window for simple errors like a missing notary signature, an unchecked box, or filing in the wrong county. This guide walks you through every line so your case moves forward the first time.
Here is what you will learn:
- 📝 How to complete each numbered paragraph of the Petition, line by line
- 📂 Which documents and ID numbers to gather before you open the form
- 🏛️ Where to download the form and how to file it online, by mail, or in person
- 👨👩👧 Three full walkthroughs for real-life divorce situations
- ⚠️ The most common errors that get petitions rejected and how to avoid them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The Petition for Dissolution of Marriage is the legal document that opens a divorce case in Arizona. It tells the Superior Court who you are, who your spouse is, that your marriage is irretrievably broken, and exactly what you want the judge to order about property, debts, children, and support. Arizona is a “no-fault” state, so you do not have to prove your spouse did anything wrong, as set by A.R.S. § 25-312.
There are two main versions of the petition. You use the Petition for Dissolution of a Non-Covenant Marriage (Divorce) with Minor Children if you and your spouse share children under 18, and you use the without Minor Children version if you do not. Both are non-covenant forms. If your marriage license says “Covenant Marriage,” these forms will not work and you must use the covenant marriage packet under A.R.S. § 25-901.
The spouse who files is called the Petitioner (also “Party A”), and the other spouse is the Respondent (“Party B”). You keep these labels for the entire case. To file, at least one spouse must have lived in Arizona for at least 90 days, and for cases with children, the children generally must have lived in Arizona for at least the past 6 months. The form goes to the Clerk of the Superior Court in your county, such as the Maricopa County Clerk or the Clerk in Pima, Pinal, or Mohave County.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Filling out the Petition goes faster when you collect everything first. Missing one item, like your marriage date or your spouse’s birthdate, forces you to stop and hunt for it, and guessing on the form can create errors that the court catches later. Use this checklist before you open the form.
- Your full legal name and current address. The court uses these to identify you and mail you notices, and a wrong address means you miss deadlines.
- Your spouse’s full legal name, address, and date of birth. The court needs these to serve your spouse, and a wrong name can delay service for weeks.
- The exact date and place of your marriage. Paragraph 3 asks for this, and if you cannot find it, you can request a copy of your marriage license from the Clerk where you married.
- Your children’s full names, birthdates, and addresses for the last 5 years. Arizona must confirm it has power over child issues, and missing dates can stall custody orders.
- A list of community property and debts. You list homes, cars, retirement accounts, and bills acquired during the marriage, and leaving items off can mean they are never divided.
- Vehicle VINs, deeds, and account numbers. Specific descriptions let the judge actually award the item, and vague descriptions create disputes later.
- Your income and your spouse’s income. You need monthly gross income to complete the Child Support Worksheet and any spousal maintenance worksheet.
- The filing fee or a fee waiver application. You cannot file without paying or asking the court to waive the fee, and showing up without it wastes a trip.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You get the Arizona Petition for free from the courts; never pay a third-party website for the blank form. The statewide version lives on the Arizona Judicial Branch Self-Service Center, and most counties post their own packets that include the petition plus the summons, preliminary injunction, and child forms you will need.
For Maricopa County, the full Divorce with Minor Children packet is at the Law Library Resource Center, and the petition inside it is Form DRDC15F. Other counties have their own pages, such as Pinal County, Cochise County, and Mohave County. A neutral statewide help site, AZCourtHelp, also links the current packets.
Check the revision date printed in the corner of each page; the Maricopa instructions carry the date DRDC10i 063025 (revised June 30, 2025). The forms change often, so confirm you have the newest version before you write anything. You can fill the form on your computer, then print it, or print it blank and write in black ink only. Type or print clearly, because a clerk who cannot read your entry may reject the page.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the Petition for Dissolution Line by Line
This is the heart of your filing. Work through the form in order, top to bottom, and check every box that is true. If a required statement is true but you forget to check its box, the court may not be able to enter the order you want.
Top Caption: Your Name, Address, and Party Labels
The top-left corner of page 1 asks who is filing and how to reach you. You write your name, street address, city, state, zip, and telephone number, then check the box that says you represent yourself or that an attorney represents you. Type or print this in black ink.
For example, Janet Ramirez writes her name, 4412 N. 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013, and her phone number, then checks “Representing Self.” If you are a domestic violence victim with a Request for Protected Address, you write “protected” instead of your address. A common mistake here is leaving the phone number blank, which means the court cannot reach you about hearings. Many filers wrongly believe they can list a friend’s address for privacy; instead, you must use the formal protected-address process.
Petitioner/Party A and Respondent/Party B
This section sets the names that follow you through the whole case. You write your full legal name as Petitioner/Party A and your spouse’s full legal name as Respondent/Party B, and you leave the Case No. blank because the clerk assigns it when you file.
For example, Janet Ramirez is Petitioner/Party A and David Ramirez is Respondent/Party B. If there is already a child support order between you, use the names exactly as written on that order and file under the same case number. A common mistake is swapping the labels later in the case, which confuses the court record. People often think the “Petitioner” gets an advantage in the divorce; in truth, being Party A is just an order of filing, not a legal edge.
Paragraph 1 and 2: Information About Me and My Spouse
These two paragraphs collect the basic facts about each spouse. In Paragraph 1, you fill in your name, address (unless protected), date of birth, occupation, and how long you have lived in Arizona, and in Paragraph 2 you do the same for your spouse if you know it.
For example, Janet enters her birthdate as 07/22/1985 and writes “6 years” for time in Arizona. If you do not know your spouse’s exact birthdate, write what you know and note it is approximate rather than guessing a false date. A common mistake is writing fewer than 90 days for your own time in Arizona, which signals the court has no power to hear the case. Many people think they must both currently live in Arizona; only one spouse needs to meet the 90-day rule.
Paragraph 3: Information About Your Marriage
This paragraph asks when and where you married. You write the date of marriage and the city and state where the ceremony happened, using the MM/DD/YYYY format for the date.
For example, Janet writes 09/15/2010 and Las Vegas, Nevada. If you cannot remember the date, you can pull your marriage license from the Clerk of Superior Court in the county where you married. A common mistake is entering the wrong year, which can later clash with your property claims about what was acquired “during the marriage.” Some filers think the marriage must have happened in Arizona; the place of marriage does not matter for an Arizona divorce.
Paragraph 4 through 6: Covenant, Irretrievably Broken, and Conciliation Boxes
These checkboxes establish the legal grounds for your divorce. You check the first box to confirm you do not have a covenant marriage, the second box to state the marriage is irretrievably broken, and the third box to confirm you tried conciliation or that it would not help.
For example, Janet checks all three because her marriage cannot be saved and counseling would not change that. If you genuinely are unsure whether reconciliation is possible, Arizona lets either party request Conciliation Services for a cooling-off conference. A common mistake is leaving the “irretrievably broken” box unchecked, which removes the legal basis for the divorce and stalls the case. People often think they must prove a reason like cheating; Arizona is no-fault, so “irretrievably broken” is enough.
Paragraph 4 (Venue) and Paragraph 5 (90-Day Requirement)
These two statements prove the court can hear your case. The venue box confirms you, your spouse, or your children live in the county where you file, and the 90-day box confirms a spouse has lived in Arizona at least 90 days before filing, as required by A.R.S. § 25-312.
For example, Janet checks venue because she lives in Maricopa County and checks the 90-day box because she has lived in Arizona 6 years. If you just moved to Arizona, you must wait until day 91 to file, or the court will dismiss the case. A common mistake is filing in the wrong county, which forces you to refile and pay again. Some people think weekends or short trips out of state reset the 90 days; ordinary travel does not break your domicile.
Paragraph 7: Children Common to the Parties Under 18
This is where you list the children you share. You write each child’s full name, birthdate, current address, and how long they have lived at that address, including children born before the marriage or adopted during it.
For example, Janet lists Mia Ramirez, 03/04/2014, 4412 N. 7th Ave, Phoenix, 6 years. If a child has lived in Arizona less than 6 months, talk to a lawyer, because the court may not have power over custody yet under the UCCJEA. A common mistake is leaving out a child born before the marriage, which means no support or custody order for that child. Many parents think stepchildren go here; only children common to both spouses belong in Paragraph 7.
Paragraph 8: Pregnancy
This paragraph tells the court whether a baby is on the way. You check the box stating that neither party is pregnant, or you check that a party is pregnant and fill in the due date and parent information.
For example, Janet checks “not pregnant” and moves on. If a spouse is pregnant, the court may delay finalizing the divorce until the child is born so it can address paternity and support. A common mistake is skipping this box entirely, which leaves an open question the court must resolve before it can rule. Some people think they can hide a pregnancy to speed the divorce; the omission usually surfaces and delays the case further.
Paragraph 9a and 9b: Community and Separate Property
These paragraphs divide what you own. In 9a you list community property (anything acquired during the marriage) and mark whether each item should go to Party A or Party B, and in 9b you list separate property that either spouse owned before the marriage. Describe each item with brand, model, address, or VIN, and estimate its value.
For example, Janet lists the 2018 Honda CR-V, VIN 2HKRW… to herself and the Phoenix home at 4412 N. 7th Ave to be sold and split. Retirement plans like a 401(k) go under item 9a(e), and dividing one requires a separate Qualified Domestic Relations Order that a lawyer prepares. A common mistake is describing property vaguely as “the truck,” which the judge cannot award cleanly. Many people think a house titled in one name is separate; if it was bought during the marriage, it is usually community property.
Paragraph 9c and 9d: Community and Separate Debts
These paragraphs handle your bills the same way 9a and 9b handle property. In 9c you list community debts from the marriage and say who should pay each, and in 9d you list separate debts that a spouse brought into the marriage.
For example, Janet assigns the Chase credit card balance of $4,200 to herself and the car loan to David with the CR-V. If you separated before filing and ran up new debt, you can ask the court to make each spouse pay their own post-separation debt by listing the separation date under Letter I. A common mistake is forgetting a joint debt, which leaves you exposed when the creditor still comes after you. Many people think the decree protects them from creditors; the Notice Regarding Creditors warns that lenders can still pursue you for joint accounts.
Paragraph 10: Tax Returns
This short item handles any income tax refund. You check the box describing what you want done with a refund, such as splitting it equally or each keeping their own.
For example, Janet checks that any joint refund is split 50/50. If your taxes are complex or you owe back taxes, talk to an accountant or the IRS before choosing. A common mistake is ignoring a large expected refund, which then becomes a fight after the divorce. Some people think the court automatically splits refunds; you must state your request on the form.
Paragraph 11: Spousal Maintenance (Alimony)
This paragraph raises the question of alimony, called spousal maintenance in Arizona. You read the qualifying factors and check whether maintenance applies to you or your spouse, and if so, you complete the spousal maintenance worksheet.
For example, Janet, who left work to raise Mia, checks that she requests maintenance and completes the worksheet. Maintenance is separate from child support and is based on need and the other spouse’s ability to pay. A common mistake is claiming maintenance in the requests section (Letter G) without checking it here in Paragraph 11; the two must match or the court ignores the request. Many people think alimony is automatic in long marriages; it is granted only when the statutory factors are met.
Paragraph 12 through 17: Agreements, Parent Class, Violence, Drugs, and Child Support
These paragraphs cover the remaining child and conduct issues. You check Paragraph 12 only if you have a signed written agreement, acknowledge the Parent Information Program in 13, disclose domestic violence in 14, report drug or alcohol convictions in 15, address child support in 16, and request proportional sharing of uninsured medical costs in 17.
For example, Janet leaves 12 blank because there is no signed agreement, and checks that no domestic violence or drug convictions apply. Both parents must complete the Parent Information Program within 45 days of service under A.R.S. § 25-352. A common mistake is failing to disclose a recent drug conviction, which creates a rebuttable presumption against custody once the court learns of it anyway. Some parents think skipping the parenting class is optional; the court can refuse to finalize your divorce until both attend.
Requests to the Court (Letters A through L)
This final section lists everything you want the judge to order. You check Letter A to request the divorce and to restore a former name, then use B through L to request paternity findings, primary residence, parenting time, legal decision-making, child support, tax exemptions, spousal maintenance, and the division of property and debts.
For example, Janet checks Letter A, asks for primary residence and joint legal decision-making in Letter C, and requests child support in Letter D. To restore a maiden name, write it in the Names line under Letter A; the court will not change it without your written request. A common mistake is requesting something in Letters A–L that you never set up earlier in the form, such as maintenance not checked in Paragraph 11. People often think they can add requests after filing for free; changing your petition later usually means filing an amended petition.
Oath, Verification, and Signature
The last step makes the petition official. You sign the Oath or Affirmation and Verification of Party A in front of a Clerk of Superior Court or a notary public, swearing that everything in the petition is true under penalty of perjury.
For example, Janet signs only after the notary watches her, then the notary stamps and dates the page. Do not sign at home, because a signature without a notary present is invalid and the clerk will reject the filing. A common mistake is signing the form early, which voids the notarization. Many people think they can mail an unsigned petition and sign later; the court needs the sworn signature when you file.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Each scenario below follows one person through the petition so you can see what real entries look like.
Scenario 1: Short marriage, no children, no property (Carlos)
| Form Section | What Carlos Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption / Party labels | Carlos Mendez as Petitioner/Party A, Lina Mendez as Respondent/Party B |
| Paragraph 1 (about me) | DOB 05/02/1994, Tucson, AZ, 4 years in Arizona |
| Paragraph 3 (marriage) | Married 06/10/2023, Tucson, Arizona |
| Paragraph 5 (90-day rule) | Box checked, lived in Arizona 4 years |
| Paragraph 7 (children) | None |
| Paragraph 9a (property) | First box checked: no community property |
| Paragraph 11 (maintenance) | First box: neither party requests maintenance |
| Letter A (dissolution) | Checked, requests divorce, no name change |
Scenario 2: Long marriage with home, retirement, and maintenance (Janet)
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption / Party labels | Janet Ramirez as Petitioner/Party A, David Ramirez as Respondent/Party B |
| Paragraph 3 (marriage) | Married 09/15/2010, Las Vegas, Nevada |
| Paragraph 7 (children) | Mia Ramirez, 03/04/2014, Phoenix, 6 years |
| Paragraph 9a (property) | Honda CR-V to Janet; Phoenix home sold and split; David’s 401(k) divided (QDRO) |
| Paragraph 9c (debts) | Chase card $4,200 to Janet; car loan to David |
| Paragraph 11 (maintenance) | Requests maintenance, worksheet attached |
| Letter C (parenting) | Janet’s home primary, joint legal decision-making |
| Letter A (names) | Restore former name Janet Cole |
Scenario 3: Military spouse with minor children (Marcus)
| Form Section | What Marcus Enters |
|---|---|
| Caption / Party labels | Marcus Hill as Petitioner/Party A, Dana Hill as Respondent/Party B |
| Paragraph 1 (about me) | Stationed at Luke AFB, member of the armed forces, 90+ days in Arizona |
| Paragraph 5 (90-day rule) | Box checked under military stationing provision |
| Paragraph 7 (children) | Two children, ages 7 and 9, in Arizona 6+ months |
| Paragraph 14 (domestic violence) | None reported |
| Letter C (parenting time) | Requests reasonable parenting time, joint decision-making |
| Letter D (child support) | Requests support per guidelines worksheet |
| Oath / Signature | Signed before a notary on base |
How to File the Completed Form
Once your petition is signed and notarized, you file it along with the Summons, Preliminary Injunction, Sensitive Data Coversheet, and the children’s forms if you have kids. Arizona gives you three ways to file.
- Online (eFile): Use AZTurboCourt or the county eFiling portal. Some forms, like the Summons, are auto-generated. You pay by credit card, and you usually get a stamped copy back within 1–3 business days.
- In person: Bring your originals plus copies to the Clerk of the Superior Court in your county. The clerk stamps your copies on the spot, so you walk out with proof of filing the same day.
- By mail: Mail the signed originals and copies with a check to the Clerk’s filing address; for Maricopa that is 201 W. Jefferson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the clerk can return your stamped copies, which takes about 1–2 weeks.
The statewide base filing fee is $176 for the petition, but counties add surcharges, so the real cost runs higher; Mohave County, for example, charges $361 without children and $411 with children. If you cannot afford the fee, file an Application for Deferral or Waiver at the same time. Always keep your stamped copy and your case number as proof of filing.
What Happens After You File
After filing, you must legally serve your spouse with the petition, summons, and preliminary injunction, usually by process server, sheriff, or certified mail. Service starts the clock, and your spouse has 20 days to respond if served in Arizona, or 30 days if served outside the state.
Arizona then requires a 60-day waiting period from the date of service before the court can finalize anything, under A.R.S. § 25-329. This cooling-off period applies even if both spouses agree on everything. If you share children, both parents must also complete the Parent Information Program within 45 days of service.
If your spouse does not respond in time, you can file for a default, and if they do respond, the case moves toward settlement, mediation, or trial. The judge signs a Decree of Dissolution to end the marriage. Until that decree is signed, you remain legally married, even after the 60 days pass.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Signing before the notary. A signature without a notary present is void, so the clerk rejects the whole petition.
- Filing in the wrong county. You must refile in the correct county and pay the fee again, losing weeks.
- Filing before the 90-day rule is met. The court has no jurisdiction yet and dismisses the case.
- Using the wrong petition version. A childless couple using the with-children form must redo and refile the paperwork.
- Leaving a required box unchecked. An unchecked “irretrievably broken” box removes the grounds for divorce.
- Listing stepchildren in Paragraph 7. Only children common to both spouses belong there, or the court flags the entry.
- Describing property vaguely. “The truck” cannot be awarded cleanly, which creates disputes at trial.
- Forgetting a community debt. The creditor can still pursue you because the decree did not address the account.
- Mismatching Paragraph 11 and Letter G. The court ignores a maintenance request that is not checked in both places.
- Skipping the Sensitive Data Coversheet. The clerk will not accept the filing without it.
- Guessing your spouse’s birthdate. A wrong date can delay service and create record errors.
- Forgetting the filing fee or waiver. Without payment, the clerk refuses the petition and you lose the trip.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do read the entire packet first, because each form depends on the others.
- Do print or type in black ink only, so the clerk can read and scan your entries.
- Do check every box that is true, since a missed box can block the order you want.
- Do keep a full copy of everything you file, because you need proof and a reference later.
- Do complete the child support and maintenance worksheets when they apply, as the court needs the numbers.
- Do confirm you have the current revision date, because outdated forms can be rejected.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign the oath until you are in front of a notary, or the filing is void.
- Don’t guess on facts like dates or income, since errors come back to haunt the case.
- Don’t hide property, debts, or a pregnancy, because concealment can reopen the case.
- Don’t use these forms for a covenant marriage, which needs a different packet.
- Don’t file in a county where no party lives, as venue is improper.
- Don’t assume the divorce is final at 60 days; you are married until the judge signs the decree.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing Pro Se (On Your Own) | Filing With an Attorney |
|---|---|
| Pro: Saves thousands in legal fees, since you only pay the filing fee | Pro: A lawyer catches errors that get pro se petitions rejected |
| Pro: You control the pace and decisions in your case | Pro: Essential for complex assets like a QDRO or a business |
| Pro: Free court forms and self-help centers are available statewide | Pro: A lawyer handles contested custody and high-conflict disputes |
| Con: Easy to make filing errors that cause delays | Con: Attorney fees often run several thousand dollars |
| Con: No legal advice on property or custody strategy | Con: You give up some day-to-day control of the case |
| Con: Time-consuming to learn the rules and forms | Con: Scheduling around an attorney can slow simple cases |
| Con: Mistakes on children’s issues can have lasting effects | Con: May be overkill for a short, no-asset marriage |
FAQs
Do I file the with-children or without-children petition if my kids are adults?
No. Use the without-children petition if every child you share is 18 or older, because the children’s sections apply only to minors under 18.
Can I file for divorce if I just moved to Arizona?
No. You must wait until you or your spouse has lived in Arizona at least 90 days before filing, as required by A.R.S. § 25-312.
Do I write my maiden name or married name as Petitioner/Party A?
No. Use the legal name you currently go by as Party A, and request your maiden name back separately under Letter A in the requests section.
Can I leave the Case No. box blank?
Yes. Leave it blank unless you already have a case number from a prior child support order, since the clerk assigns the number when you file.
Do I check the “irretrievably broken” box even though it feels harsh?
Yes. You must check it, because it is the legal grounds for a no-fault divorce and the case cannot proceed without it.
Can I list my stepchild in Paragraph 7?
No. Only list children common to you and your spouse, because the court has no authority over stepchildren in your divorce.
Do both spouses have to live in Arizona to file?
No. Only one spouse needs to meet the 90-day domicile rule, so you can file even if your spouse lives in another state.
Can I sign the petition at home and notarize it later?
No. You must sign in front of the notary or clerk, because the notarization is only valid if they witness your signature.
Do I have to pay the filing fee if I cannot afford it?
No. You can file an Application for Deferral or Waiver asking the court to defer or waive the fee based on your income.
Is my divorce final after the 60-day waiting period?
No. You stay married until a judge signs the Decree of Dissolution, even though A.R.S. § 25-329 sets the 60-day minimum.
Can I use these forms for a covenant marriage?
No. Covenant marriages require a separate packet under A.R.S. § 25-901, and the non-covenant petition will not work for them.
Do I have to take the parenting class if my divorce is uncontested?
Yes. Both parents must complete the Parent Information Program within 45 days of service under A.R.S. § 25-352, even when you agree on everything.
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