In Graham County, public records are maintained by several county offices in both physical and digital formats. The Graham County Superior Court, Justice Courts, Municipal Courts, Sheriff’s Office, Clerk of Superior Court, Recorder’s Office, and Health Department all preserve different types of public records.
Graham County Court Records
Graham County court records refer to the documents that are collected by, provided to, or maintained by any court in Graham County. These include, but are not limited to:
- Minutes that document court proceedings
- Judgements
- Court orders
- Indexes
- Calendars specifying schedules for hearings and trials
- Dockets
- Registers of actions summarizing key events in each case
These and other types of records cover multiple types of legal matters, such as:
- Civil cases
- Criminal proceedings
- Probate matters
- Other court proceedings within Graham County
Are Court Records Public in Graham County?
The Arizona Public Records Law grants members of the public the right to access Graham County court records. However, there are some records to which the general public does not have access due to privacy and security concerns. This includes
- Juvenile Records: Confidential for dependency, parental rights termination, and adoption cases.
- Adult Criminal Records: Generally closed, including criminal history, evaluations, and medical reports.
- Protective Orders: Not public until proof of service is filed.
- Judicial Work Product: Closed to public inspection, including judges’ notes and draft decisions.
- Unofficial Verbatim Recordings: Not available for public viewing.
- Psychiatric Case Records: Only available specific individuals, including the subject and their representatives.
- Sexually Violent/Dangerous and Incompetent Person Records: Confidential, with limited access for authorized parties (e.g. court-approved individuals, lawyers, doctors, etc.)
County Courts
The judicial system in Graham County comprises a Superior Court, Justice Courts, and Municipal Courts. The Superior Courts in Graham County have jurisdiction over all civil and criminal issues, with the exception of cases where the authority has been delegated to another court. The Justice Courts in Graham County have limited authority in both civil and criminal matters. Graham County Municipal Courts have restricted jurisdiction and mainly handle minor infractions and misdemeanors, criminal traffic cases, and violations of city ordinances and regulations. They also have the right to issue search warrants, grant protective orders, and approve anti-harassment injunctions.
Civil Court Records
Civil court records in Graham County are maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court. These records cover a broad spectrum of cases, such as:
- general civil matters
- small claims
- civil equity
- foreclosures and liens
- real estate title and boundary disputes
- landlord/tenant issues
- ordinance violations
- protection orders
- no-contact orders
- restraining orders
- administrative agency appeals
The Arizona Superior Court eAccess portal provides online access to civil records filed since July 1, 2010, with a free viewing of the first page and a $10 charge for full document access. There is also a subscription option for civil records.
Civil records can also be obtained by contacting the custodian of the records in the county (contact details are provided below):
Graham County Superior Court
Graham County Courthouse
800 West Main Street
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone: (928) 428-3100
Fax: (928) 428-0061
Probate Court Records
There are no specialized probate courts in Graham County. This is why the Graham County Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all probate matters within Graham. It handles:
- Will probation
- Estate administration
- Legal name changes
- Trust-related proceedings
- Guardianship and conservatorship cases
- Adoption proceedings
- Other associated legal matters
If you need to access probate court records in Graham, the Superior Court Clerk’s office at 800 West Main Street will be your main point of contact.
Criminal Records in Graham County
The Graham County Clerk of the Superior Court is the primary custodian of criminal court records in Graham County. Criminal records in Graham include:
- Felonies
- Misdemeanors
- Ordinance violations
- Juvenile offenses
- Traffic infractions
If you need to access these records, you should contact the Graham County Superior Court located at 800 West Main Street, Safford, AZ 85546 (Phone: 928-428-3100, Fax: 928-428-0061).
The Arizona Superior Court eAccess portal also offers online access to criminal records filed in Graham County since July 1, 2010. You can view the first page of any record for free. However, if you need to access full documents, you need to pay a $10 fee or opt for a monthly subscription.
Arrest Records in Graham County
Graham County maintains comprehensive arrest records through its Adult Detention Facility and Sheriff’s Office. The primary function of the detention center is to safely and securely detain both pre-trial detainees and county-sentenced inmates. For those seeking information about arrests or inmates, the Graham County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted at 928-428-2746. The Graham County Detention facility in Safford handles approximately 3,000 offenders each year and maintains an average daily inmate population of 150. You can use the official jail inmate roster or contact the detention facility directly at 928-792-5214 for specific details.
Vital Records
Vital records cover important events in an individual’s life (e.g. birth, marriage, divorce, and death).
Birth Records
Eligible applicants can obtain birth certificates from the Graham County Health Department. To prove eligibility to obtain birth certificates, you should provide evidence of a direct relationship with the registrant. The evidence must include a government-issued photo ID, documentation that proves the connection, and a completed application form. The price for obtaining a birth certificate is $20.00. You can pay this either by money order, cash money or check. Alternatively, you can include your credit card information directly in the application.
Eligible parties can request birth records in person or by mail. Below is the primary point of contact:
Health Department Annex
826 West Main Street
Safford, AZ 85546
The Arizona Bureau of Vital Records also processes vital record requests throughout Arizona. Arizona is a closed record state, which means that only those who are eligible can obtain birth certificates. The eligibility criteria are detailed in the Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R9-19-314 and R9-19-315. To request your own birth certificate, you should be at least 18 years old. Additionally, you should provide a signed application and a government-issued ID (or notarized signature), and pay the required fees.
If you are looking to request a birth certificate through Arizona State, there are three main options: online, in person, or by mail. For online applications, a $20.00 certificate fee applies, plus a $12.95 processing fee that covers shipping when relevant. In case you prefer the mail or in-person request methods, you should submit a completed application form, a copy of a government-issued photo ID (both sides, signed), or a notarized application, a self-addressed return envelope (stamped), and payment. Send this package to:
Department of Health Services
Bureau of Vital Records
1818 West Adams
Phoenix, AZ 85007
Phone: (602) 364-1300
Death Records
Graham County death records can be obtained from Graham County Recorder and the Arizona Bureau of Vital Records. Arizona law limits public access to these records to maintain privacy. Eligible are those who have a direct and legal interest in the matter. This includes close family members, attorneys, other legal representatives, funeral directors, etc.
If you are looking to receive a death record from the Recorder’s Office, you should either complete the Death Certificate form provided by the office or reach out to the Recorder at:
921 Thatcher Boulevard
2nd Floor
Safford, AZ 85546
For mail:
P.O. Box 747
Safford, AZ 85548.
If you prefer applying for death records through the state (i.e. through the Arizona Bureau of Vital Records), then you should complete the Application for Certified Copy of Death Certificate and submit it by mail. Include a state-issued photo ID (ensure it is valid) or a notarized application form, along with the mandatory fee. Send the package to the below mailing address:
P.O. Box 6018
Phoenix, AZ 85005.
Marriage Records
Graham County Superior Court issues detachable marriage licenses for $83 to couples aged 16 or above who are looking to legally join in marriage. Marriage licenses are considered public records in Graham. The completed and signed portion of the license, returned by the officiant to the Clerk’s office for recording, can be obtained by contacting the Clerk. If you are interested in accessing marriage records, you can do so by contacting the Office of the Superior Court Clerk at 928-428-3100. You might be asked to provide the names and dates. The standard fee for obtaining a certified copy of a marriage license is $30.
Divorce Records
The Graham County Superior Court handles different types of cases, including divorce cases (legally called Dissolution of Marriage). The documents filed with the Court Clerk during these case proceedings constitute divorce records. These records are accessible to the public. If you need to access these records, you can use the Arizona Superior Court eAccess Service or contact the Clerk of the District Court at:
Graham County Superior Court
Graham County Courthouse
800 West Main Street
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone: (928) 428-3100
Fax: (928) 428-0061
Property Records in Graham County
The Graham County Assessor is the entity that keeps property records in Graham County. These elected officials are responsible for keeping records that include property valuation details, tax assessment information, title searches, and transactions related to real estate.
If you need to access property records, you can do so online. Alternatively, you can contact the County Assessor at:
1st Floor
Graham County General Services Building
921 Thatcher Boulevard
Safford, AZ 85546
Phone: (928) 428-2828
Fax: (928) 428-5849
Accessing Graham County Public Records Online
The Arizona Superior Court eAccess portal provides online access to civil and criminal records filed in Graham County since July 1, 2010. For property records, the Graham County Assessor’s office offers online access to property valuation details, tax assessment information, and real estate transactions. The Graham County Superior Court Clerk maintains marriage records, which can be requested by contacting their office at 928-428-31001. Vital records such as birth and death certificates can be obtained from the Graham County Health Department or the Arizona Bureau of Vital Records. For criminal history information and arrest records, individuals can contact the Graham County Sheriff’s Office at 928-428-2746. The Graham County Recorder’s Office provides access to death records, which can be requested by completing a Death Certificate form or contacting their office directly.
Address and Contact Information
| Legal Entity | Address | Phone Number | Fax Number |
| Graham County Superior Court | 800 West Main Street, Safford, AZ 85546 | (928) 428-3100 | (928) 428-0061 |
| Pima Justice Court – Precinct 2 | 136 West Center Street, P.O. Box 1159, Pima, AZ 85543 | (928) 485-2771 | (928) 485-9961 |
| Graham County Courthouse | 800 West Main Street, Safford, AZ 85546 | (928) 428-1210 | (928) 428-3523 |
| Gila Valley Consolidated (GVC) Municipal Court | 702 South 8th Avenue, Safford, AZ 85546 | (928) 432-4090 | (928) 348-3180 |
| Graham County Health Department | 826 West Main Street, Safford, AZ 85546 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Graham County Recorder | 921 Thatcher Boulevard, 2nd Floor, Safford, AZ 85546 | Not provided | Not provided |
| Graham County Assessor | 921 Thatcher Boulevard, 1st Floor, Safford, AZ 85546 | (928) 428-2828 | (928) 428-5849 |