Start Your Records Search:

Arizona Public Records

Freedom of Information Act allows the public access to documents that are maintained by governmental agencies.

The Arizona public records law includes any public organization or agency that is state-funded.

Even though there are no exemptions to Arizona public records law, other factors such as office hours make obtaining information harder than it should be.

Requests for public documents are different depending on the agency. If your public records request is rejected, you will need to resubmit it in writing.

Arizona public records include criminal records, inmate records, court records, and vital records.

What does the Arizona public records law say?

Arizona public records law states that anyone that lives within or outside the state can request public information.

However, there isn’t a specific time frame that agencies must respond to a request. The courts define the word “promptly” as quickly as possible. Failure to respond promptly is considered a denial by Arizona.

Arizona doesn’t require an appointment of a records custodian for the state or each agency. However, the law states that a government agency will maintain proper records and assist with documents for any and all requests.

Agencies can charge fees for all records, and there aren’t any fee waivers.

However, those seeking records on behalf of a government are a government division. Insurance or other types of benefits are exempted from fees.

Arizona has no formal appeals process should a request be denied. Requesters can take the agency issuing a denial to court.

For information on public access to records in the state of Arizona, visit Arizona.gov or the Arizona State Library, 

How can a person access public records in Arizona?

Some Arizona public records are available online, while others require a formal request.

If a request is necessary, it can be delivered by mail, email, or phone to the record-holding government agency.

Every department is different, so expect some variation in processes, procedures, and prices between agencies. A public records request can be done by email, mail, or phone, depending on the government agency where you need to submit the request.

In general, a public records request should include:

  • Your contact information, including an email, phone number, and mailing address
  • The name of the document and details of the document you are requesting
  • A date that you’d like to receive the documents
  • Method of delivery, email, or mail

Office hours differ from department to department. You should always call the office of the agency before arriving.

Arizona Criminal Records

The Arizona Department of Public Safety public criminal records include the basics of a person’s interactions with law enforcement and the courts.

It can include arrests, charges, and court action. Depending on the state, it typically doesn’t have traffic offenses and sometimes won’t include misdemeanors.

  • Date of arrest
  • Charge
  • Prosecution date
  • Guilty Pleas
  • Convictions
  • Felony or misdemeanor charge

Criminal records are often accessed by employers who want to conduct a background check on a possible hire.

Arizona criminal background checks could also be used in certain business dealings if there is a merger or partnership.

What’s on a criminal record in Arizona?

An Arizona public criminal record reflects a persona’s interactions with local police departments, courts, and the state prison system.

The information listed on a criminal record may vary between jurisdictions, but most public criminal records contain:

  • First middle and last name of the offender
  • Offense(s) committed and law violated
  • Case number
  • Physical descriptions such as race, height, eye color, hair color, tattoos, etc.
  • Date of birth
  • Pending charges
  • Acquitted or dismissed charges

Where can a person find Arizona criminal records?

The Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains criminal records and background checks.

The Criminal History Records Section is the Central State Repository for Arizona’s criminal records. All law enforcement agencies in Arizona are required by law to report all arrest and disposition information into the repository.

You can access criminal records by using the Arizona Department of Public Safety records search.

However, copies of criminal records are restricted to only authorized people and agencies.

Employee background checks can be done for authorized agencies, including agencies submitting fingerprints with proof of authorized entity requiring it.

However, Arizona does not allow the release of criminal history to private companies for employment.

Arizona inmate records

The Arizona Department of Corrections maintains state prison records.

Every state maintains records on its prison population. For people interested in an inmate’s location, prison term, and pending transfers, inmate records are the best source of information.

What’s on an Arizona inmate record?

An Arizona inmate record contains the following information:

  • Inmate’s name
  • Date of birth
  • Charges, including domestic violence
  • Sentence
  • Location of the inmate, including police department or state government prison
  • The term of imprisonment
  • Physical descriptions
  • A photograph of the inmate

Where can a person find Arizona inmate records?

You will search the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, Reentry website for Arizona inmate records.

You will need the following information about the offender:

  • Last name and first initial
  • Gender
  • Type of incarceration – active, inactive, on supervised parole, or an absconder

Arizona has one exemption to an inmate search. An inmate cannot use the prison database to conduct a search on another inmate.

Inmates get an automatic status update on their information once a year.

Arizona Department of Corrections:
1601 W Jefferson St
Phoenix, AZ 85007

Phone number: 602-542-5497

Arizona Court Records

Court records can be vitally important in some instances.

  • Vetting a public or private position
  • Using the information in another legal case
  • Adoption or custody cases
  • Gaining a government clearance

You must contact the specific court that has the public record. The Arizona judicial branch includes:

  • Justice of the Peace Courts
  • County Superior Courts
  • Tax Courts
  • Municipal Courts
  • Tribal courts
  • Federal District Courts
  • The State Supreme court
  • The State Court of Appeals

What’s on an Arizona court record?

Arizona public court records include all aspects of a court case beginning with the initial arrest or civil court filing.

Arizona criminal records also include:

  • Court transcripts
  • Depositions
  • Dockets
  • Case files
  • Case information
  • Court minutes
  • Court orders
  • Jury records
  • Sentencing
  • Judgment information
  • Witness documentation

You will have printing fees, and court records are long and detailed. Ask the clerk’s office for the price before submitting a request form and other pertinent court information.

Where can a person find Arizona court records?

You will conduct a case search in Arizona using the Clerk of Superior Court Maricopa County

You will need to know which court the case occurred and the case number in to properly make a public records request.

  • Family Court
  • Probate
  • Civil
  • Criminal
  • Tax Court

You can search the Arizona Supreme Court database to access the Supreme Court public records. You can also contact the Clerk of Court’s office by phone or in person.

Arizona Supreme Court
1501 W. Washington
Suite 402
Phoenix, AZ  85007

Phone number: 602-452-3396

Arizona Vital Records

The Arizona Department of Health Services maintains vital records that include:

  • Birth Certificates
  • Marriage Licenses
  • Divorce Decrees
  • Death Records

What information is needed to request an Arizona birth certificate?

The Bureau of Vital Records Request for Copy of Birth Certificate will ask for the following information for a birth certificate request:

  • The date of birth
  • Gender
  • First, middle, and last name
  • Place of birth
  • Mother’s full name before marriage
  • Father’s full name

Where can a person find an Arizona birth certificate?

You can order an Arizona birth certificate online using the Arizona Vital Records website or by completing the Bureau of Vital Records Request for Copy of Birth Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.

You can find a complete list of Arizona Health Departments.

Mailing Address:
PO Box 6018
Phoenix, AZ 85005

A copy of an Arizona birth certificate is $20.

What information do I need for a death certificate in Arizona?

The Bureau of Vital Records Request for Copy of Death Certificate will ask you the following information to access a public death record:

  • Date of death
  • Gender
  • First, middle, and last name on the death certificate
  • Place of death
  • Date of birth

Where can a person find an Arizona death record?

You can access a death record online using the Arizona Vital Records website or by completing the Bureau of Vital Records Request for Copy of Death Certificate and submitting it by mail or in person.

You can find a complete list of Arizona Health Departments.

Mailing Address:
PO Box 6018
Phoenix, AZ 85005

A copy of an Arizona death certificate is $20.

What information is needed to request a marriage certificate in Arizona?

The Clerk of the Superior Court handles all public requests for marriage certificates in Arizona.

You will need to know the following information when requesting marriage records in Arizona:

  • The full legal name of both spouses before the marriage
  • The year of the marriage
  • The Arizona marriage license number

Where can a person find an existing Arizona marriage record?

You can access an Arizona marriage record at the County Clerk’s office in the jurisdiction the marriage took place.

Example – Maricopa County
Maricopa County Superior Court
201 W Jefferson St
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Phone number: 602-372-5375

You can find a complete list of Superior County Courts.

What information is needed to request a divorce certificate in Arizona?

The Clerk of the Superior Court handles all public requests for divorce records in Arizona.

You will need to know the following information when requesting a divorce certificate in Arizona:

  • The full legal name of both spouses before the marriage
  • The year of the marriage
  • The year of the divorce
  • The Arizona marriage license number

Where can a person find an Arizona divorce record?

You will request an Arizona divorce record at the County Clerk’s office in the jurisdiction the divorce took place.

Example – Maricopa County
Maricopa County Superior Court
201 W Jefferson St
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Phone number: 602-372-5375

You can find a complete list of Superior County Courts.

Arizona Property Records

County Assessors maintain Arizona property records. Public property records can contain a wide variety of information.

  • Residential or commercial purpose
  • Liens
  • Titles
  • Property deeds
  • Mortgages
  • Property tax assessment records
  • Zoning information
  • and Other related documents

What information is needed to request property records in Arizona?

Each County Assessor may require different information for a property records request.

Where can I find an Arizona property record?

You will submit a property record request to the County Assessor in the jurisdiction where the property resides.

Example – Maricopa County
Maricopa County Assessor Office
301 W Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Phone number: 602-506-3406

FAQs

Can a request be submitted by non-residents in Arizona?

Whether you live in Phoenix or San Diego, any United States citizen can request public documents in Arizona.

Is there a records custodian in Arizona?

Arizona does not have a formal custodian of public records.

Agencies must maintain their own records and handle public records requests in a timely manner.

How long does Arizona have to respond?

The Arizona Revised Statutes, or ARS, do not designate a time limit on a public records response. However, they do state it must be done ‘promptly’.

Is there an appeals process in place in Arizona?

Arizona does not have an administrative appeals process.

In many states, requesters can file a complaint with the attorney general, but that’s not so in Arizona.

Instead, a request can take court action if a state agency denies a request or is unresponsive.

What fees are associated with requesting public records in Arizona?

Every agency charges its own processing fees.

Call the office of the department you are making the request with for the proper instructions and pricing.

Who maintains public voter records in Arizona?

Your local County Recorder maintains public voter records in Arizona.

Start Your Records Search:

Click Here to Leave a Comment Below 0 comments