Last updated 2026-08-17
TL;DR
Arizona has no single statewide guardian ad litem license. You enter through a court-specific program, an attorney appointment, or the CASA volunteer path. Each of Arizona's 15 Superior Courts runs its own training, screening, and appointment rules. Background checks apply to everyone. CASA pre-service training runs 30 to 40 hours. No state board issues a GAL credential.
Do you need a license for guardian ad litem in Arizona?
No. Arizona has no standalone guardian ad litem license from any state agency. There is no application you mail to Phoenix with a fee and a waiting period. The role is court-controlled, and each of Arizona's 15 Superior Courts runs its own gate.
What you actually need depends on your track. Attorneys appointed as GALs under Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 10 already hold an Arizona State Bar license, and the court treats that as the qualifying credential [1]. Non-attorney advocates, most of whom come through CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) programs, complete a CASA curriculum and get sworn in by the local presiding judge. Lay persons appointed in probate or guardianship matters fall under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 14, and the court decides case by case whether they need more screening [2].
Here is the honest framing: you are never "licensed" in Arizona. You are approved by a specific court for a specific type of case. Move counties and you usually restart the local vetting.
What are the main pathways into guardian ad litem work in Arizona?
There are three real entry points, and most readers will use only one of them.
CASA volunteer. The Arizona CASA Network, which operates under the Arizona Supreme Court's Administrative Office of the Courts, coordinates volunteer GALs in dependency (child welfare) cases. You apply through your county's CASA program, pass a background check, finish the training, and get sworn in by a judge. CASA volunteers serve in cases filed under Arizona Revised Statutes Title 8, the child safety and dependency statutes [3].
Court-appointed attorney GAL. In family court, especially contested custody fights and cases involving children with special needs, judges appoint licensed attorneys as the child's legal representative under Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 10. The Arizona State Bar's referral service and individual court rosters keep lists of attorneys who take these appointments [1].
Probate or adult guardianship GAL. A.R.S. Section 14-5303 lets the court appoint a GAL for an adult alleged to be incapacitated. These appointments usually go to attorneys or to licensed fiduciaries registered with the Arizona Supreme Court's Fiduciary Board, though the statute does not flatly bar lay appointments in narrow situations [2].
For most people reading this, the choice is the CASA volunteer track or an attorney appointment. The probate path almost always needs a law license or a fiduciary registration, so it is a longer road.
What does the Arizona CASA training requirement look like?
The National CASA/GAL Association sets a floor of 30 hours of pre-service training, and most Arizona county programs meet or beat it. Maricopa County CASA, the largest in the state, requires roughly 36 hours of pre-service training plus observation hours before a volunteer is sworn in [4]. Pima County and most others land in the 30 to 40 hour range. Confirm the current number with your local program.
Topics usually cover child development, trauma-informed practice, the Arizona dependency court process, how to read a case file, report writing, and mandatory reporter duties under A.R.S. Section 13-3620 [5]. You will write a court report and present findings to a judge, so report writing gets real weight.
After swearing-in, ongoing training keeps you active. National CASA standards set a floor of 12 hours of continuing training per year [4]. County programs may ask for more. A training lapse can pull you off the active roster, so this is not optional.
If you want a structured walk through the paperwork stack before orientation, the GALPath certification kit organizes the documents and checklists you will see in any county program.
What background check does Arizona require for a guardian ad litem?
Every path into GAL work in Arizona runs through a criminal history check. CASA volunteers go through both a state DPS fingerprint clearance card and an FBI national background check. The Arizona Department of Public Safety issues fingerprint clearance cards under A.R.S. Section 41-1758 [6]. The standard card costs $67 as of the 2024 DPS fee schedule, but confirm the current fee with DPS directly, because it has moved before.
The clearance card process runs two to six weeks on average, though DPS times swing. Apply early. Most county CASA programs will not schedule your training until the card is in hand.
Attorneys seeking GAL appointments already cleared the State Bar's character and fitness review, so they do not repeat the fingerprint card for each appointment.
Any felony conviction, plus a defined list of misdemeanors involving children or domestic violence, triggers automatic disqualification from the fingerprint clearance card under the statute [10]. Have a criminal record? Check A.R.S. Section 41-1758.03 before you invest time in an application. The exclusions are listed there in plain language.
How much does guardian ad litem cost in Arizona?
The answer splits cleanly by track.
CASA volunteers pay almost nothing out of pocket. Training is free. The fingerprint clearance card runs about $67 (confirm the current DPS fee). You might cover mileage to court or printing your program does not reimburse, but total out-of-pocket for most volunteers stays under $100. CASA volunteers never charge the families they serve.
Court-appointed attorney GALs bill at market rates. In Maricopa County family court, the presiding judge's standing order has historically put hourly rate guidance in the $150 to $250 range for attorney GALs, and the court can set a per-case cap. Parties usually split the cost unless one is indigent, in which case the court may appoint counsel at reduced or no cost [1]. These figures shift with individual court orders, so confirm with the family court administrator.
Licensed fiduciaries in probate GAL roles answer to the Arizona Supreme Court Fiduciary Board. The Board sets no fee cap, but fiduciaries report typical hourly rates between $75 and $150 depending on complexity, filed on an annual fee disclosure form [7].
The table below sums up the cost picture by track.
| Track | Your out-of-pocket | Who pays fees to families |
|---|---|---|
| CASA volunteer | ~$67 (fingerprint card) | No charge to families |
| Attorney GAL (family court) | State Bar licensure costs | Parties split, court may cap |
| Probate/fiduciary GAL | Fiduciary Board registration | Charged to estate or parties |
How long does guardian ad litem take in Arizona?
Two different clocks run here: how long to get approved, and how long each case lasts.
Getting approved. For CASA volunteers, count on eight to twelve weeks from application to sworn-in. The fingerprint card alone takes two to six weeks. Training runs several weekends, filling another three to five weeks. Some counties use cohort-based training with set start dates, so you may wait for the next group to open. Apply to your county CASA program and ask when the next cohort starts.
For attorney GAL appointments, there is no separate approval pipeline. A judge signs the appointment order in a specific case, and the attorney is the GAL from that moment.
Case length. Dependency cases under Title 8 carry statutory timelines that push toward permanency within 12 months of a child entering care, with an 18-month outer limit before the court must make a final permanency call under A.R.S. Section 8-862 [8]. In practice, many run past that because of appeals, sibling groups, or placement snags. Expect to carry a case 12 to 24 months on average, sometimes longer.
Family court GAL appointments in contested custody usually run the length of the litigation, which varies wildly. Six months is a short case. Two years is not unusual.
Probate GAL roles are often appointment-specific: the GAL files a report, appears at a hearing, and the appointment ends. That commonly takes 60 to 90 days.
How do you apply to a specific Arizona county CASA program?
The Arizona CASA Network publishes a county-by-county directory of local programs through the Administrative Office of the Courts [3]. Start there to find your county's contact.
The application asks for basic personal information, work and volunteer history, and references. You sign a release for the background check. Some programs add a brief interview with the CASA coordinator before they request the fingerprint clearance card.
Maricopa County CASA (the Phoenix-area program) is the largest single program in the state and runs the most frequent training cohorts, which helps if you are in the valley and want to move fast. Pima County (Tucson) and Yavapai County also run active programs with published intake steps.
Comparing Arizona's entry process to neighboring states? The how to start guardian ad litem in California and how to start guardian ad litem in Colorado guides cover those pipelines in the same detail.
What statutes govern guardian ad litem appointments in Arizona?
Knowing the statutes saves you confusion when court staff or attorneys start reciting numbers.
A.R.S. Section 8-221 governs CASA appointments in dependency cases and gives the court authority to name a trained volunteer as the child's best-interest advocate [3]. This is the foundation of CASA work in Arizona.
Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 10 governs attorney appointments as children's legal representatives and best interests attorneys in family court. The distinction between a "children's attorney" and a "best interests attorney" matters: the first takes direction from the child, the second acts on the child's best interests regardless of the child's stated wishes. Courts specify which role they are appointing.
A.R.S. Section 14-5303 covers guardian ad litem appointments in adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings under the probate code [2].
A.R.S. Section 13-3620 defines the mandatory reporter duties that reach anyone working with children in an official capacity, including CASA volunteers [5]. You report reasonable suspicion of abuse or neglect straight to the DCS hotline, not through your supervising attorney or CASA coordinator. That part is not discretionary.
For a closer look at the credential questions specifically, the guardian ad litem license in Arizona article goes deeper.
How does pay work for guardian ad litem work in Arizona?
CASA volunteers are unpaid. That is a feature of the program, not a flaw. What you get is structured access to the court system, formal training, supervisor support, and a direct hand in a child's case outcome.
Attorney GALs in family court are paid professionals. Maricopa County family court has published guidance on hourly rates and cost allocation orders, and the parties to the litigation pay. If a party cannot afford their share, the court may adjust the split or appoint at public expense for indigent parties. Attorneys should pull the current standing order from the Maricopa County Superior Court family court administrator rather than trust any published figure here, because those orders update periodically [1].
Licensed fiduciaries who serve as GALs in probate matters charge against the estate or the parties, and their fees need court approval. The Arizona Supreme Court Fiduciary Board makes fiduciaries file annual fee disclosures, which creates some market transparency [7].
Making an income-replacement decision? The attorney GAL or fiduciary path generates revenue. The CASA path does not. Both carry real legal accountability.
What is the first concrete step to take this week?
Pick your track first.
If you are a licensed Arizona attorney who wants GAL appointments in family court, contact the Maricopa County Superior Court family court division (or your local Superior Court elsewhere) and ask how to get on the court's GAL appointment list. Some courts keep a formal roster. Others appoint informally. The State Bar of Arizona's Family Law Section can also connect you with attorneys already doing this work.
If you are a non-attorney who wants to serve children in dependency cases, go to the Arizona CASA Network's program directory, find your county's program, and submit an inquiry this week. Ask when the next training cohort starts and how long the fingerprint card currently takes. Those two answers set your realistic start date.
To organize the paperwork stack before your first orientation, GALPath's $149 certification kit at galpath.com/start pulls together the document checklists, form guidance, and process maps that take most first-year GALs several weeks to assemble alone.
For comparison, how to start guardian ad litem in Alaska and how to start guardian ad litem in Arkansas follow similar court-controlled models if you are weighing multiple states.
Common mistakes people make entering guardian ad litem in Arizona
Waiting on the fingerprint card before applying to training. The two run in parallel at most programs. Submit the fingerprint card application the same week you submit your CASA application.
Assuming one county's approval carries to another. It does not. Move from Maricopa to Pima County and you contact the new county CASA program and go through their intake. Your training hours from another accredited program may transfer, but that is a program-level call.
Confusing "best interests attorney" with "children's attorney" in family court. These are distinct roles under Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 10. A best interests attorney uses independent judgment about what serves the child. A children's attorney advocates for the child's expressed position. Courts specify which they are appointing, and taking the wrong posture in court is malpractice exposure for attorneys.
Thinking the GAL has decision-making power. A GAL investigates and recommends. The judge decides. Getting so invested in one outcome that you overreach in your court report is both ineffective and outside your role.
Skipping the mandatory reporter details. Arizona's reporting statute, A.R.S. Section 13-3620, requires a direct report to DCS. New GALs sometimes assume they report up through a supervisor. You do not [5]. Know the DCS hotline number (1-888-SOS-CHILD) before your first case.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need a license for guardian ad litem in Arizona?
No. Arizona does not issue a GAL license through any state agency. The role is granted by individual Superior Courts. CASA volunteers are approved by local CASA programs and sworn in by a judge. Attorneys are appointed by court order using their existing State Bar license. There is no state licensing board and no application fee paid to a licensing agency.
How much does guardian ad litem cost in Arizona?
CASA volunteers pay roughly $67 for the required DPS fingerprint clearance card; training is free. Attorney GALs in family court bill at rates guided by court standing orders, historically $150 to $250 per hour in Maricopa County, split between the parties. Probate GALs who are licensed fiduciaries charge at their filed rates, subject to court approval. Confirm current figures with the relevant court or the DPS fee schedule.
How long does guardian ad litem take in Arizona?
Getting approved as a CASA volunteer takes roughly eight to twelve weeks: two to six weeks for the fingerprint card plus cohort-based training of three to five more weeks. Individual case length in dependency matters averages 12 to 24 months under Title 8 statutory timelines. Family court attorney GAL appointments last the duration of the litigation, often six months to two years. Probate GAL appointments are typically 60 to 90 days.
Can a non-attorney be a guardian ad litem in Arizona?
Yes, specifically in dependency cases through the CASA program. A.R.S. Section 8-221 explicitly authorizes trained volunteers to serve as a child's advocate in dependency court. In family court custody proceedings, Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 10 contemplates attorney appointments, so lay persons are not typically appointed in those cases. In probate, the court has discretion but usually appoints attorneys or licensed fiduciaries.
What is the difference between a CASA volunteer and a guardian ad litem in Arizona?
In Arizona dependency cases, CASA volunteers are the guardian ad litem, appointed under A.R.S. Section 8-221. The terms are used interchangeably in that context. In family court and probate, the GAL is typically an attorney or licensed fiduciary. So CASA and GAL overlap completely in child welfare dependency work but describe different roles in other case types.
How do I find my county's CASA program in Arizona?
The Arizona CASA Network, administered through the Arizona Supreme Court's Administrative Office of the Courts, maintains a county-by-county program directory on its website. Search for the Arizona CASA Network program locator to find the coordinator contact for your county. Maricopa County CASA (Phoenix metro) and Pima County CASA (Tucson) run the most frequent training cohorts statewide.
What disqualifies someone from becoming a guardian ad litem in Arizona?
The DPS fingerprint clearance card process under A.R.S. Section 41-1758.03 automatically excludes people with certain felony convictions and specific misdemeanor offenses involving children, domestic violence, or sexual misconduct. The exclusion list is published in the statute. If you have any criminal history, review that statute before applying; some offenses allow an application for a good-cause exception, others do not.
Does Arizona require continuing education for guardian ad litem volunteers?
Yes. National CASA/GAL Association standards, which Arizona programs follow, require at least 12 hours of continuing training per year for active volunteers. Some county programs require more. Failure to meet the annual training requirement can result in removal from the active case roster. The county CASA coordinator tracks compliance and typically notifies volunteers of training opportunities throughout the year.
Are guardian ad litem reports public in Arizona?
Generally no. GAL reports filed in dependency and family court cases are part of the court record, which is confidential under A.R.S. Section 8-807 for dependency cases. Family court records are also restricted. Probate guardianship filings have limited public access. Parties and their attorneys receive the GAL report; the general public does not. This confidentiality is part of why GALs can write candidly about a child's situation.
Can a guardian ad litem be removed from a case in Arizona?
Yes. Any party can file a motion to remove or replace a GAL, and the court decides. Common grounds include conflict of interest, failure to meet with the child or review the record, inappropriate communication with parties, or conduct outside the GAL's role. Courts take these motions seriously. A GAL can also withdraw with court permission if a genuine conflict arises during the case.
How many cases will I carry as a CASA volunteer in Arizona?
National CASA standards recommend no more than one to two cases per volunteer at a time, particularly for newer advocates. Some county programs in Arizona follow this guidance closely; others allow experienced volunteers to carry more. Ask your local program coordinator what the current caseload expectation is before you commit, because carrying multiple complex dependency cases simultaneously is demanding work.
Is there mileage reimbursement for guardian ad litem work in Arizona?
For CASA volunteers, reimbursement policies vary by county program. Some programs reimburse mileage at the IRS rate or a fraction of it; others do not. Volunteers who are not reimbursed may be able to deduct unreimbursed volunteer mileage as a charitable contribution on federal taxes, which was 14 cents per mile for 2024 under IRS guidance. Attorney GALs and fiduciary GALs typically bill travel time and mileage to the case.
Do I need a social work degree to become a CASA guardian ad litem in Arizona?
No. CASA programs explicitly recruit volunteers from all professional backgrounds. Teachers, retired law enforcement, accountants, and people with no professional background in human services all serve effectively as CASA GALs. What matters is completing the training, passing the background check, and being able to communicate clearly in a written report and in court. No degree is required.
How is an Arizona guardian ad litem different from a parenting coordinator?
A guardian ad litem investigates and reports to the court on a child's best interests, with no binding authority over the parties. A parenting coordinator is appointed under Arizona Rule of Family Law Procedure 74 to help high-conflict parents implement a parenting plan and can make minor interim decisions. They are separate roles: a GAL informs the judge, a parenting coordinator manages ongoing parental conflict after a plan is in place.
Sources
- Arizona Supreme Court, Arizona Rules of Family Law Procedure, Rule 10: Rule 10 governs appointment of children's attorneys and best interests attorneys in Arizona family court proceedings; attorney license is the qualifying credential
- Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. Section 14-5303: A.R.S. 14-5303 authorizes court appointment of a guardian ad litem in adult guardianship and conservatorship proceedings under the probate code
- Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. Section 8-221: A.R.S. 8-221 authorizes the court to appoint a trained CASA volunteer as guardian ad litem in dependency cases; foundation of the Arizona CASA program
- National CASA/GAL Association: National CASA/GAL Association standards require a minimum of 30 hours of pre-service training and 12 hours of continuing training per year for CASA volunteers
- Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. Section 13-3620: A.R.S. 13-3620 defines mandatory reporter obligations for persons working with children in an official capacity including CASA volunteers; requires direct report to DCS
- Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. Section 41-1758: A.R.S. 41-1758 establishes the DPS fingerprint clearance card program; CASA volunteers are required to obtain a card before serving
- Arizona Supreme Court, Certification and Licensing Division, Fiduciary Program: Arizona Supreme Court Fiduciary Board requires licensed fiduciaries to file annual fee disclosures; fiduciaries serving as GALs in probate matters charge against estate or parties subject to court approval
- Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. Section 8-862: A.R.S. 8-862 sets the 12-month and 18-month statutory permanency hearing timelines for children in dependency cases
- Arizona State Legislature, A.R.S. Section 41-1758.03: A.R.S. 41-1758.03 lists specific felony and misdemeanor offenses that result in automatic disqualification from receiving a DPS fingerprint clearance card