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Divorce Waiting Period in Arizona

In Arizona, the court cannot hold a hearing or trial on a divorce until 60 days after service, no separation is needed for a standard divorce, and couples can choose a covenant marriage.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Arizona at a glance

Waiting period
60 days after service
Counted from the date of service of process or acceptance of process.
Separation required
No (standard marriage)
A standard divorce requires a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Covenant marriages have stricter grounds, including separation periods.
Covenant marriage
Yes
Covenant marriage is declared on the marriage license application and requires premarital counseling.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Arizona

How long is the waiting period before a divorce can be finalized in Arizona?

Waiting period in Arizona: 60 days after service. Counted from the date of service of process or acceptance of process.

Do spouses have to live apart before a no-fault divorce in Arizona?

Separation required in Arizona: No (standard marriage). A standard divorce requires a finding that the marriage is irretrievably broken. Covenant marriages have stricter grounds, including separation periods.

Does Arizona offer covenant marriage?

Yes. Covenant marriage in Arizona: yes. Covenant marriage is declared on the marriage license application and requires premarital counseling.

Where do the Arizona divorce waiting periods come from?

The rules above come from Ariz. Rev. Stat. 25-329, Ariz. Rev. Stat. 25-312, Ariz. Rev. Stat. 25-901 and Ariz. Rev. Stat. 25-903. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

Good to know

For a covenant marriage, divorce is limited to listed grounds, which include living separate and apart continuously for at least 2 years before filing.

What this means in practice

A waiting period is a minimum, not an estimate. Contested issues such as property division, support or custody, court schedules and missing paperwork can make a divorce take much longer than the statutory minimum.

Separation rules can depend on how the state defines living apart. Some states count time spent separated under the same roof, while others require separate homes. Keeping a record of the date the separation began, such as a written separation agreement or a lease, can help show when the period started.

Spouses can often use the waiting period to negotiate a written settlement covering property, debts, support and parenting time. A settlement agreement that is ready when the waiting period ends can help the court finalize the divorce sooner, and a local attorney can confirm the filing requirements.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.