Maricopa Cnty. Clerk Super. Ct. Instructions for eFiling Consent Decrees

Maricopa County Clerk of the Superior Court

eFiling Family Court Consent Decrees,

Consent Judgments and Consent Orders

Pursuant to Rule 45, Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure

Legal Authority

These instructions are for eFiling a Consent Decree, Consent Judgment, or Consent Order that

fully resolves all issues raised in a Petition for Dissolution, Petition for Legal Separation, Petition

to Establish Maternity/Paternity, or Petition to Establish Legal Decision-Making, Parenting Time,

and/or Child Support. See Rule 45(a), ARFLP (“If the petitioner and the respondent agree to the

terms of a dissolution, annulment, or legal separation, or to the terms of a paternity or

maternity action [which may include establishment of legal decision-making, parenting time,

and/or child support], they may obtain a consent decree, judgment, or order without a court

hearing.”) Do not use these instructions if you are eFiling a stipulation or proposed order that

only partially resolves the issues raised in the petition

Rule 45 was recently amended to require that the parties jointly file a Notice of Lodging and

lodge a copy of the Consent Decree, Consent Judgment, or Consent Order. Through eFile, this is

done by uploading a Notice of Lodging as a “Lead Document,” with the Consent Decree,

Consent Judgment, or Consent Order and all accompanying documentation uploaded as a

“Connected Document.”

Getting Started

Filer must have a registered account with eFileAZ, if not please visit

https://efile.azcourts.gov/Default.aspx

How to eFile a Consent Decree, Consent Judgment or Consent Order and accompanying

documentation:

Step 1.

Prepare and save TWO documents, which will be uploaded separately within the same

transaction:

1 – Lead Document: The Notice of Lodging (see Steps 3 & 4 below).

2 – Connected Document: The Consent Decree, Consent Judgment, or Consent Order

and ALL accompanying documentation (for example: Parenting Plan, Child Support

Worksheet, Child Support Order, Property Settlement Agreement, etc.) saved as a

single consolidated PDF (see Steps 5 & 6 below).

Step 2.

Log into eFileAZ.

Step 3.

Under “Document” section click on “Add Lead Document.”

NOTE: Steps 3 & 4 explain how to upload the Notice of Lodging. Steps 5 & 6 below explain how

to upload the separate PDF of the Consent Decree, Consent Judgment, or Consent Order. DO

NOT upload the Consent Decree, Judgment, or Order as the “Lead Document.”

Step 4.

Search for and select the “Notice of Lodging” checkbox. In the “Document Title” text box enter

the document title used in the caption of the Notice of Lodging. For example: “Notice of

Lodging Consent Decree” or “Notice of Lodging Consent Order re Legal Decision-Making /

Parenting Time / Child Support.”

Step 5.

You will be directed to the “Document” screen to add the “Connected Document.” Click on

“Add Connected Document.”

Step 6.

Search for and select "Proposed Consent Decree.” [NOTE: “Proposed Consent Decree” should

be selected for any filing under Rule 45, ARFLP, which includes all Consent Decrees, Consent

Judgments or Consent Orders]. Upload the PDF of the Proposed Consent Decree, Consent

Judgment or Consent Order and ALL accompanying documentation Enter the document title

and select the document for upload with “Choose File.”

Step 7. The Notice of Lodging Consent Decree and the Proposed Consent Decree documents

have been uploaded for review. Click “Submit” and await your official confirmation email

advising of a successful transmission to the Clerk's office for review.

Need assistance? Please call Customer Support!

To connect with the AOC:

Hours: M-F 7a.m.-6p.m.

602-452-3519

email: pasupport@courts.az.gov

Frequently Asked Question for PDF Uploading

Q: How will this visually appear for the Clerk of Court submission?

A: The Lead Document is the Notice of Lodging, and the Connected Document is a single

consolidated PDF of the Consent Decree / Consent Judgment / Consent Order and all

accompanying documentation. These two separate documents are uploaded and submitted to

the Clerk of Court for review and acceptance.

Q: Do I deliver a paper copy to the division after eFiling the Notice of Lodging and Proposed

Consent Decree / Consent Judgment / Consent Order?

A: No. The electronically filed documents will be routed to the correct judicial officer for review

and signature. If you submit a separate paper copy you may delay the processing of the order

and/or there may be multiple orders signed.

Q: Will the Clerk of the Court review clerks reject my submission if a single Notice of Lodging

contains multiple proposed orders (for example, an Order for Child Support, Order for Name

Change, QDRO, etc.)?

A: No, for your convenience and ease of filing you are making one selection for uploading a

Notice of Lodging and an additional selection for uploading the Consent Decree – the consent

decree is to be a single consolidated PDF document; the Court will receive all items submitted

for ruling. (NOTE: The judicial officer may deny the submission if multiple proposed orders

related to a Consent Decree are not combined/submitted as ONE document.)

Q: How can I make sure to have a successful submission?

A: Ensure the accuracy of the following: filing party information in the upper left corner of the

document, court caption, case captions and case document title. The Consent Decree/Consent

Judgment/Consent Order must have a signature line where the judicial officer’s signature can

be inserted.

Q: Why is the submission of my Proposed Consent Decree/Consent Judgment/ Consent Order

not successful?

A: The submission's total size may be no larger than 100 MB. Documents must be 8.5 x 11; the

size can be verified by right-clicking on Properties.

Q: What documents might be included in a Proposed Consent Decree for a Dissolution of

Marriage / Legal Separation?

A: Each will require a Consent Decree of Dissolution of Marriage/Legal Separation. When

applicable, other documentation might include a Property Settlement Agreement, a Child

Support Order, a Child Support Worksheet, a Spousal Maintenance Worksheet, Income

Withholding Order and/or a Parenting Plan.

Q: What documents might be included in a Proposed Consent Order for Legal Decision-Making,

Parenting Time, and/or Child Support (commonly referred to as a Stipulated Order for Legal

Decision-Making / Parenting Time / Child Support)?

A: In addition to the Proposed Consent Order, there may also be a separate Parenting Plan,

Child Support Order, Child Support Worksheet, and/or Income Withholding Order.

Q: What documents might be included in a QDRO?

A: The appropriate QDRO form is required. The plan may require the parties to include other

attachments.