Maricopa County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Maricopa County?

Public records in Maricopa County are defined under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, which states that "public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours." These records document the business of government and are maintained by various county departments and agencies.

Maricopa County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, family court cases, and traffic violations maintained by the Maricopa County Superior Court
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, property assessments, and title transfers maintained by the Maricopa County Recorder's Office
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (maintained by the Maricopa County Office of Vital Registration), marriage licenses and divorce decrees
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, fictitious business names, and professional licenses
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data, election results, and campaign finance reports
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of County Board of Supervisors meetings, planning commissions, and other public bodies
Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and jail records (with certain restrictions)
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and property development plans

The Maricopa County Public Records Portal serves as the central access point for requesting many types of county records. Different departments maintain specific record types, with the Recorder's Office handling property records, the Superior Court managing court records, and the Assessor's Office maintaining property assessment information.

Is Maricopa County an Open Records County?

Maricopa County adheres to Arizona's public records laws, which establish a presumption of openness for government records. Under the Arizona Public Records Law § 39-121, public records are defined broadly and must be made available for inspection during regular office hours.

The law states: "Public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours." This provision creates a strong legal foundation for public access to government information in Maricopa County.

Maricopa County has implemented specific policies to comply with state transparency requirements. The county maintains a dedicated public records request portal to facilitate access to various types of records. Additionally, the county follows the provisions of Arizona's Open Meeting Law § 38-431, which requires public bodies to conduct business in open, noticed meetings.

The Arizona Supreme Court has consistently interpreted the Public Records Law broadly, ruling in Griffis v. Pinal County, 215 Ariz. 1, 156 P.3d 418 (2007) that the presumption favors disclosure of public records. However, the court also recognized that this presumption may be overcome when confidentiality, privacy, or the best interests of the state outweigh the policy of disclosure.

How to Find Public Records in Maricopa County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Maricopa County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need:

Online Access: Many records are available through the Maricopa County Public Records Portal, which allows users to submit requests electronically. Court records can be accessed through the Superior Court Public Access system.
In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours to inspect records:
- For property records: Visit the Recorder's Office
- For court records: Visit the Clerk of the Superior Court
- For tax information: Visit the Assessor's Office or Treasurer's Office
Written Requests: Submit a written public records request to the specific department that maintains the desired records. Requests should include:
- Requestor's name and contact information
- Clear description of records sought
- Preferred format for receiving records (paper copies, electronic files)
- Date range of records (if applicable)
Department-Specific Portals: Some departments maintain specialized systems:
- Property records can be searched through the Recorder's Office online search
- Court cases can be located via the Public Access to Court Case Information system
- Property tax information is available through the Treasurer's Office property search
Records Request Form: Complete the county's standard public records request form, available on the county website or in person at county offices.

For specialized records such as birth and death certificates, individuals must contact the Office of Vital Registration directly, as these records have specific requirements for access.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Maricopa County?

Maricopa County charges fees for certain public records in accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121.03, which authorizes agencies to charge fees for copies, certification, and staff time required for records production. Current fee structures include:

Standard Document Copies:
- Paper copies: $0.50 per page for standard 8.5" x 11" documents
- Certified copies: Additional $0.50-$3.00 per document depending on department
- Large format documents (maps, plans): $3.00-$5.00 per page
Electronic Records:
- Records provided via email or download: Often free if already in electronic format
- Records requiring scanning: $0.25-$0.50 per page
- Records on CD/DVD: $5.00-$10.00 per disc
Specialized Records Fees:
- Birth certificates: $20.00 for first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
- Death certificates: $20.00 for first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
- Marriage licenses: $76.00 for issuance
- Recorded documents (Recorder's Office): $30.00 for first five pages, $1.00 each additional page
Research and Production Fees:
- Commercial record requests may incur additional charges for staff time
- Extensive research or redaction may result in hourly charges ($20.00-$40.00 per hour)

Payment methods accepted by most county offices include:

Cash (in-person only)
Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
Money orders
Checks (made payable to the specific department or "Maricopa County")

Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the request serves the public interest or for individuals demonstrating financial hardship. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the custodian of records.

Does Maricopa County Have Free Public Records?

Maricopa County provides free access to certain public records, particularly for in-person inspection. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, all public records must be available for inspection during regular office hours at no charge. The following free options are available:

In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may examine non-confidential records at the appropriate county office during business hours without charge. This includes:
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas
- Budget documents
- Property records
- Court dockets (viewing only)
Online Resources: Several free online databases provide access to public information:
- Maricopa County Assessor's Property Search: Property ownership and valuation information
- Maricopa County Elections Department: Election results and voter information
- Board of Supervisors Meeting Portal: Meeting agendas, minutes, and video recordings
- County Budget Documents: Annual budgets and financial reports
Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals at county facilities provide free access to certain electronic records:
- Law libraries and public libraries offer access to legal records
- The Recorder's Office provides terminals for searching property records
- The Superior Court has public terminals for accessing court case information

While inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. Additionally, commercial use requests typically incur fees regardless of the format or delivery method.

Who Can Request Public Records in Maricopa County?

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, public records in Maricopa County are available to "any person" regardless of citizenship or residency status. The law establishes broad eligibility for records access with minimal restrictions on who may submit requests.

Key eligibility factors include:

Residency Requirements: No Arizona residency is required to request most public records
Identification: For general records, requestors are not required to show identification or state the purpose of their request
Commercial vs. Non-Commercial Use: Requestors must indicate whether records will be used for commercial purposes, as this affects fees and processing
Special Categories: Certain records have specific eligibility requirements:
- Vital records (birth/death certificates): Only qualified individuals may obtain these records, including immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a tangible interest
- Voter registration records: Available with restrictions on commercial use
- Juvenile court records: Generally confidential with limited access

For requests involving personal records, additional verification may be required:

Proof of identity when requesting one's own records
Legal documentation (power of attorney, court order) when requesting records on behalf of another person
Business authorization when requesting records on behalf of an organization

The Arizona Court of Appeals has ruled that government agencies cannot require requestors to identify themselves or state the purpose of their request except in limited circumstances, such as for commercial use determinations or when specific statutory exemptions apply.

What Records Are Confidential in Maricopa County?

Certain records in Maricopa County are exempt from public disclosure under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121.01(D) and other specific statutes. These confidential records include:

Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Credit card and financial account information
- Driver's license numbers
- Personal phone numbers and home addresses of certain public officials and employees
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
Court and Legal Records:
- Sealed court records and proceedings
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions)
- Grand jury proceedings
- Adoption records
- Mental health commitment proceedings
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation materials
- Confidential informant information
- Undercover officer identities
- Victim information in certain cases (domestic violence, sexual assault)
- Records that would interfere with prosecution
Government Operations:
- Attorney-client privileged communications
- Executive session minutes of public bodies
- Security measures and emergency response plans
- Critical infrastructure information
- Certain procurement information during bidding process
Other Protected Records:
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Certain educational records protected by FERPA
- Trade secrets and proprietary business information
- Library patron records

Arizona courts apply a balancing test when determining if records should be withheld, weighing the presumption of openness against privacy interests, confidentiality concerns, and the best interests of the state. In Carlson v. Pima County, 141 Ariz. 487, 687 P.2d 1242 (1984), the Arizona Supreme Court established that public officials must demonstrate why public records should be withheld, with the burden of proof resting on the government.

Maricopa County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Maricopa County Recorder's Office
111 S. 3rd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 506-3535
Maricopa County Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county holidays

Additional Locations:

Mesa Office
222 E. Javelina Avenue
Mesa, AZ 85210
(602) 506-3535

Northwest Office
20 W. 1st Street, Suite 130
Phoenix, AZ 85003
(602) 506-3535

Southeast Office
4635 S. Lakeshore Drive
Tempe, AZ 85282
(602) 506-3535

Services provided by the Recorder's Office include:

Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
Maintaining property records
Processing voter registration
Issuing marriage licenses
Providing copies of recorded documents
Passport application processing (at select locations)

For specific questions about property records or document recording, members of the public may contact the office directly during business hours or visit the Recorder's Office website for online services and additional information.

Lookup Public Records in Maricopa County

Docket: Public Access to Court Information

Arizona Judicial Branch Case Lookup

Maricopa County Public Records Request Portal