In Gila County, public records are maintained by various county offices in both physical and digital formats. The Gila County Superior Court, Justice Courts, Municipal Courts, Sheriff’s Office, Clerk of Superior Court, Recorder’s Office, and Office of Vital Records all preserve different types of public records. These offices handle a wide range of documents, including court records, property information, vital statistics, and law enforcement data.
Court Records in Gila County
Following the Arizona Public Records Statutes, court records and other types of public documents are generally available to the public in Gila. That being said, there are some exceptions where it is decided that the disclosure of such records might potentially lead to private or public harm. Such confidential records examples in Gila include sealed court records, juvenile and adoption records, medical (including mental health) details, and birth and death records.
Courts in Gila County
The court system in Gila County has the following structure (a complete list with addresses and contact information of each is presented at the end of this article):
- Superior Court with two locations
- 2 Justice Courts
- 6 Municipal Courts
The Gila County Superior Court is the general jurisdiction court of Gila. It has the authority to make rulings related to all the cases, with only one exception — the type of cases that are exclusive to other courts.
Unlike the Superior Court, Municipal and Justice Courts have limited jurisdiction. For example, Justice Courts only have jurisdiction over civil lawsuits up to $10,000 and misdemeanors. Municipal Courts, on the other hand, take care of traffic cases within their municipalities.
Gila County Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Gila County are generated during civil case proceedings, including:
- Disputes between landlords and tenants
- Cases involving debt recovery
- Consumer Complaints
- Claims of Negligence
- Actions related to real property equity
- Contract Breach Disputes
- Small Claims
- Matters of probate and estate administration
- Marriage dissolution or annulment cases
- Eviction proceedings
If you need to access Gila civil court records, fill out the Request for Court Records Form. Then, send it to the Clerk of Court’s Office (you can do so either at the Globe Courthouse or at the Payson Courthouse). Both offices operate on weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
You can also send the court record request form via email.
Also, the Arizona Judicial Branch has a dedicated Case Lookup database where you can access civil court records from Gila County. Remember that you need to input the name or case number in the search field.
Alternatively, you use the eAccess portal where you will have access to public documents that are maintained in the custody of the Superior Court of Gila. Please note that registration is required to use this service.
Probate Courts
Probate court records in Gila County encompass different types of probate proceedings such as guardianships, wills, conservatorships, etc. To obtain such records, you will need to submit a Request for Court Records Form to the Gila Superior Court Clerk. Ensure you include all the necessary information when completing the form to avoid delays or rejections. After completing the form, choose any of the following methods for submission: person, mail, or email.
Interested individuals can also access Gila County probate court records through the Arizona Judicial Branch Case Lookup database. Just mention the case number or party name to start the search process.
Criminal Records
To obtain information about a person’s criminal history, you should mail a completed Records Information Request Form to the Custodian of Records Department situated in the Gila County Sheriff’s Office.
You can also submit the form via email or visit the department in person, every weekday, from 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Arrest Records in Gila County
In 2022, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office reported 1,068 arrests, with 504 for felonies and 564 for misdemeanors.
Gila County arrest records are official documents created by law enforcement during arrests. Many entities, such as the Sheriff’s Office, local police departments in Gila County, Arizona Department of Public Safety, and federal law enforcement agencies, have the right to make arrests in the county. First, the arrestees are held at the arresting agency’s detention facility. Then, after court charges, they are transferred to other correctional facilities.
While arrest records in Gila County are generally available to the public, there are some exceptions, such as juvenile arrest records, records that could interfere with fair trials or ongoing investigations, and information that reveals the identities of protected individuals.
The types of records that are public generally include the arrestee’s name, age, gender, race, mugshot, information about the arresting officer/agency, reason, time, and location of the arrest.
If you need to find Gila County arrest records, choose one of the below methods:
- For county arrests: Contact Globe Jail Facility (928-402-8666) or Payson Jail Facility (928-468-2835)
- For state arrests: Use the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry’s Inmate Data Search tool
- For federal arrests: Use the Bureau of Prisons’ inmate locator tool
Arrest records in Arizona remain until the individual turns 99. Expungement is limited to certain low-level marijuana offenses that have been committed before November 30, 2020. Eligible individuals can petition a Gila County court for expungement.
Gila County arrest warrants are court-approved documents that authorize an individual’s apprehension. They include the subject’s name, probable cause, issuing judge’s signature, and relevant court information. These warrants do not expire until executed or quashed by a judge.
Vital Records
Vital records encompass crucial events in an individual’s life (e.g. birth, marriage, divorce, and death).
Birth and Death Records
In Arizona, public access to Gila County birth and death certificates is restricted, and only eligible persons have access to them:
- Only adult registrants can access birth certificates
- Legal guardians or conservators
- Persons who have a power of attorney
- Funeral directors or their designees who have the necessary authorization
- Immediate family members (e.g. spouses, siblings, parents, grandparents, and adult children)
- Individuals who are authorized by the court order
- Attorneys who represent eligible persons
The local registrar of vital records in Gila County, the Office of Vital Records provides certified copies to the individuals who have the right to access such records.
If you choose to apply for Gila County copies by mail, ensure you provide the below items:
- A birth certificate or death certificate application form that you have carefully filled out and signed
- A photocopy of both sides of a current, government-issued photo identification card with the relevant signature
- Self-addressed envelope (it has to be stamped)
- Payment for the appropriate fees (acceptable forms of payment include cashier’s checks or money orders):
- $20 for certified copies
- $5 for non-certified copies
If you have all these necessary items, mail them to the Gila County Office of Vital Records – Globe Office.
Another method to obtain a birth certificate or death certificate in Gila County is to submit the completed application forms in person. You can do so at the Gila County Office of Vital Records Globe Office location or the Payton Office located at 110 W. Main Street, Suite A.
Note that you should show a valid photo ID in addition to paying the required fees to successfully receive the birth certificate and/or death record copy
If you prefer to apply for birth or death records by Fax, make sure you have the necessary application forms (completed), a photocopy of both sides of a current, government-issued identification card, and the required credit or debit card details for payment. Then, fax this package to (928) 425-8817.
Marriage Records
Marriage records in Gila County belong to the open records type. You can obtain marriage records Clerk of the Superior Court of Gila.
If you would like to request it in person, then you can visit the Clerk’s Office. It has two locations, one at the Globe Courthouse, and the other at the Payson Courthouse. You will need to pay $30 fee per each certified marriage certificate copy. You can choose to complete the payment either in cash, money order, or credit/debit card. A
You can also submit a written request via mail. This should include a money order/check of $30 and a self-addressed envelope that needs to be stamped. Mail this to Gila County Clerk of the Superior Court at 1400 E. Ash Street, Globe.
Divorce Records
Divorce records in Gila County are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court and are available to the public. To access these records, you can visit the Clerk of the Superior Court Office in person or simply contact them. Alternatively, you can use the eAccess portal to search for divorce records.
If you need divorce records that have been filed before 1950, then you should contact the Arizona State Archives or schedule appointments to obtain them in person. You can do so on weekdays, from 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at Polly Rosenbaum State Archives and History Building at 1901 W Madison Street, Phoenix.
Gila County Property Records
Gila County property records encompass official documentation on real estate within the county’s jurisdiction. These records typically include:
- Ownership deeds
- Unique parcel identifiers (e.g. parcel number)
- Physical property location details
- Current and past ownership details
- Zoning classifications
- Property plats and cartographic representations
- Land surveys
- Assessed property values and tax information
The entity responsible for maintaining property records is the Gila County Recorder’s Office. To obtain these records, contact or visit the Recorder’s Office at Globe Main Office at 1400 E Ash Street in Globe. Alternatively, you can use the Recorder’s Office online repository to access the necessary information.
Accessing Gila County Public Records Online
The Arizona Judicial Branch’s Case Lookup database allows access to civil court records from Gila County Superior Court and other courts in the state. For property records, the Gila County Recorder’s Office provides an online repository where users can search for property-related documents. The eAccess portal offers public access to documents maintained by the Superior Court of Gila. Vital records such as birth and death certificates can be requested via fax or mail from the Gila County Office of Vital Records. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains marriage records, which can be requested through mail or in person. For criminal history information, individuals can submit a Records Information Request Form to the Gila County Sheriff’s Office via email or mail.
Address and Contact Information
| Legal Entity | Address | Phone Number |
| Gila County Superior Court – Globe Courthouse | 1400 East Ash Street, Globe, AZ 85501 | (928) 402-8866 |
| Gila County Superior Court – Payson Courthouse | 714 South Beeline Highway, Suite 104, Payson, AZ 85541 | (928) 474-3978 |
| Globe Regional Justice Court | 1400 East Ash Street, Globe, AZ 85501 | (866) 846-8296 |
| Payson Regional Justice Court | 714 South Beeline Highway, Suite 103, Payson, AZ 85541 | (928) 474-5267 |
| Globe Municipal Court | 150 North Pine Street, Globe, AZ 85501 | (928) 425-0471 |
| Hayden Municipal Court | P.O. Box B, Hayden, AZ 85235 | (520) 356-7801 |
| Miami Magistrate Court | 1400 East Ash Street, Globe, AZ 85501 | (866) 846-8296 |
| Payson Magistrate Court | 714 South Beeline Highway, Suite 103, Payson, AZ 85541 | (928) 474-5267 |
| Star Valley Magistrate Court | 714 South Beeline Highway, Suite 103, Payson, AZ 85541 | (928) 474-5267 |
| Winkelman Municipal Court | 206 Giffin Avenue, P.O. Box 386, Winkelman, AZ 85292 | (520) 356-7854 |
| Gila County Sheriff’s Office | 1425 E. South Street, P.O. Box 311, Globe, AZ 85502 | (928) 402-4373 |
| Gila County Office of Vital Records – Globe Office | 5515 S. Apache Avenue, Suite 100, Globe, AZ 85501 | Not provided |
| Gila County Office of Vital Records – Payson Office | 110 W. Main Street, Suite A, Payson, AZ 85541 | (928) 474-7180 |
| Gila County Recorder’s Office – Globe Main Office | 1400 E Ash Street, Globe, AZ 85501 | (928) 402-8740 |