The law that permits a minor to apply for emancipation, A.R.S. 12-2451, imposes numerous qualifications such as those listed below. Make sure you meet these qualifications before you file.

YOU MAY APPLY FOR EMANCIPATION IF:

• You are at least 16 years old BUT less than 18. Note that this court process will generally take about 3 months, so if you are 17 and nine months or older, you may turn 18 and emancipate automatically before this process is completed, AND
• You are not legally married, AND
• You are a resident of Arizona and of the county where you are filing this request, AND
• You are financially self-sufficient, that is, you can prove you are able to support yourself and provide your own food, housing, and medical care, etc., without parental assistance, and you want to be declared legally "an Adult", responsible for your own support, AND
• You understand emancipation will release your parents from any further legal obligation to provide you with food, housing, medical care (or insurance), AND
• You have read and understand the "Information on Emancipation in Arizona" packet, AND
• You understand the Court will give notice of this request to your parent(s) if their parental rights have not been terminated by Court Order and to any legal guardian(s).

YOU MAY NOT USE THESE FORMS IF:

• YOU ARE A WARD OF THE COURT, that is, you may not apply for emancipation if you are on probation or parole, or in the care or Legal Decision Making (Custody) of Department of Child Safety or other state agency if a "final" order of Dependency has been issued, OR
• YOU ARE LEGALLY MARRIED in which case you are already emancipated.