How do I get a copy of the adoption order in Arizona?

To get a copy of your adoption order in Arizona, ask the clerk of the Superior Court in the county where your adoption was finalized. You will need the case number and the approximate date the adoption was finalized. Arizona has 15 counties, and each one has its own Superior Court clerk's office, so always go to the county that handled your case.

Getting copies right after finalization:

• Ask the clerk's office about certified copies before you leave the courthouse or as soon as the order is signed.
• Ask how many certified copies you are likely to need. Agencies often want a certified copy rather than a photocopy, and some keep the one you hand over.
• Ask what the clerk charges per copy and how long it takes. Fees and turnaround can differ by county, so the clerk can confirm both.
• The $200-$350 filing fee range covers filing your case. Certified copies are a separate request, so confirm that charge with the clerk.

Getting copies later:

• Contact the Superior Court clerk in the county where the case was decided.
• Have the case number, the names on the case, and the finalization date ready.
• Ask the clerk how to request certified copies, what payment is accepted, and whether you can ask by mail or only in person.

Adult adoptions: If an adult adoption was finalized, the decree comes from the court in the county where either the adopter or the adoptee lives (A.R.S. § 14-8101). Start with the clerk in that county.

Where you will likely use the order:

• Arizona Office of Vital Records: Ask them what they require to update a birth certificate after an adoption, and whether they want a certified copy.
• Health insurance: Ask your insurer what proof they need to add your child.
• School: Ask the school office whether it needs a copy for its records.
• Passport or other agencies: Check each agency's rules for acceptable documents.
• Your own records: Keep a certified copy somewhere safe, such as with birth certificates and other important papers.

If you can't find your case: The clerk can search by name and date, but you may need to try the right county first. If the adoption was handled in a county you no longer live in, you will still need to contact that county's clerk. If something looks wrong on the order, such as a misspelled name, ask the clerk or an attorney how to have it corrected. The fix depends on the facts of your case.

Timing: Stepparent adoptions in Arizona typically take 4-8 months from filing to completion. After the order is signed, the clerk can tell you how soon copies will be ready.

How we help: StepParent Adoption 360 is a document preparation service, not a law firm. You answer questions online, and we prepare the complete court document package for your county. You then file it yourself without an attorney. The price is $349 for the first child (or one adult adoptee) and $99 for each additional child. Court-ready documents are delivered within 24-48 hours after you finish the questions, backed by our 100% court acceptance guarantee. We have helped 551 Arizona families, and 34,000+ families nationwide since 2001.