In Pima County, public records are preserved by different county offices in physical and digital formats. The Pima County Superior Court, Justice Courts, Municipal Courts, Sheriff’s Office, Clerk of Superior Court, Recorder’s Office, and other legal entities all maintain various public records. They handle numerous documents, such as court records, property information, vital statistics, and law enforcement data.
Pima County Court Records
Court records in Pima County include key details about cases and court proceedings within Pima. These records include a large variety of information, such as court proceedings, case details, judgments, court orders, exhibits, and other types of records.
Public Accessibility of Court Records in Pima
According to Arizona’s Public Records Law, members of the public in Arizona have the right to access court records. Pima, like other counties, follows this public accessibility rule and grants citizens access to the majority of court records. For example, members of the public in Puma can easily request and access motions, filings, judgments, orders, and hearings if the latter are not sealed or restricted by the law.
Despite the general public accessibility principle, there are some court records that are exempt from public access. These include sealed or expunged court records, juvenile records, mental and physical medical records, ongoing/pending investigations, confidential, sensitive information, etc. Another important type of information to which members of the public do not have open access is personal information about victims of abuse (e.g. physical, sexual, etc.)
Courts in Pima
Pima County’s judicial system has a three-tiered structure. It consists of one Superior Court, three Justice Courts, and five Municipal Courts. Each level serves specific jurisdictional needs within the county, with courts strategically located to serve different areas.
Superior Court
The Pima County Superior Court, with its main location in downtown Tucson, has general jurisdiction over a wide range of cases. These include civil, criminal, probate, and family law matters. It also includes a dedicated Juvenile Division, situated in a separate facility on Tucson’s south side, which handles cases involving minors.
Justice Courts
Three Justice Courts operate within Pima County and serve different geographic precincts:
- Ajo Justice Court in the town of Ajo
- Green Valley Justice Court in Green Valley
- Pima County Consolidated Justice Court in Tucson
These lower-level courts have limited jurisdiction. They mainly handle misdemeanors, small civil disputes, landlord-tenant issues, and protective orders.
Municipal Courts
Five Municipal Courts are spread across Pima County. Each of them serves a specific municipality:
- Marana Municipal Court
- Oro Valley Magistrate Court
- Sahuarita Municipal Court
- South Tucson City Court
- Tucson City Court
These courts deal with local ordinance violations, traffic infractions, and minor criminal offenses that occur within their respective city limits.
Pima County Civil Court Records
The Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court is the main entity responsible for maintaining civil court records of the Superior Court. If you would like to obtain civil court records, you can conduct an online search by entering the case number or the name of the registrants. Alternatively, you can visit the clerk’s office during business hours (i.e. 8:00 am – 4:30 pm, from Monday to Friday) at the following address:
110 W. Congress, Ste. 241, Tucson, AZ 85701.
You can also send a mail request by completing the Request for Copies of Court Records form. After you have filled out the form, send it along with the payment and a stamped, self-addressed envelope to the following address:
Clerk of the Superior Court
Attn: Legal Records
110 W. Congress, Ste. 241, Tucson, AZ 85701
The cost of civil court records varies based on a number of factors. For example, the cost of regular copies is $0.50 per page. Certified copies, on the other hand, cost $30 and an additional $0.50 per page. If you need the record for official or legal uses, then it will most likely need to be certified. Additionally, there is a $7 fee for handling, fax services, and posting.
If you need to access civil court records of the Consolidated Justice Court of Pima County, then use the Case Search portal or try obtaining copies of these documents by completing the Online Request Form.
Probate Court Records in Pima
The Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court is responsible for preserving records of the Probate Division of the Superior Court. If you need to access probate court records, you can choose between several methods, including in-person visits, email, telephone, fax, or mail requests.
If you choose to make an in-person request, visit the clerk’s office at 110 W. Congress, Ste. 241, Tucson, AZ 85701 from Monday to Friday.
If you prefer the mail method, you should send a written request with the required details, mandatory payment, and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Clerk of the Superior Court. Below is the location information:
Attn: Legal Records
110 W. Congress, Ste. 241, Tucson, AZ 85701
To request legal records from the Pima County Superior Court, you can contact them via email at [email protected].
Criminal Records in Pima
The Arizona Department of Public Safety preserves criminal records and processes requests through its Criminal History Records Section.
Individuals seeking copies of their criminal history records can obtain fingerprint scan services from local and state law enforcement agencies. The Criminal History Record Section processes these records and handles inquiries about criminal history record checks. To contact this section, call (602) 223-2279. The processing time for such requests is around 15 business days.
If you would like to obtain your own criminal history records, you should contact the Criminal History Records Section at (602) 223-2222. Fill out the Contact Information Form and a Fingerprint Card at a local law enforcement agency (e.g. such as the Pima County Sheriff’s Department). You should then mail the completed form and a fingerprint card to the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
Arrest Records in Pima County
Arrest records usually contain important information about the arrested person and the crime. These records are maintained by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department and local police departments.
Arrested individuals in Pima County are held at facilities operated by the Sheriff’s Department, including:
- Pima County Adult Detention Center (Tucson)
- Pima County Jail (minimum security facility in Tucson)
- Pima County Juvenile Detention Center (Tucson)
- Ajo District Jail
Keep in mind that arrest records only reflect arrests made, not convictions or court case outcomes.
Per Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, arrest records in Pima County are generally public and open for inspection during office hours. However, exceptions exist for juvenile arrest cases and records that have been expunged or sealed by a court.
Public arrest records typically include:
- Personal information (name, physical description)
- Arrest details (arresting officer, date of arrest)
- Booking information (booking number, bail amount)
- Charges and case numbers
To access Pima County arrest records, individuals can use the Sheriff’s Department’s inmate lookup service or contact the Records Maintenance Unit for more detailed information.
Expungement in Pima County is possible for certain marijuana-related offenses under Proposition 207. Individuals can petition the court to seal these records if they meet specific eligibility requirements. For other offenses, a “set aside” process may be available, which doesn’t erase the record but marks it as set aside.
Arrest warrants in Pima County are legal documents authorizing law enforcement to arrest or detain individuals. These warrants do not expire and remain active indefinitely until resolved through arrest, surrender, court rescission, or appearance in court.
Vital Records
Vital records in Pima County include birth certificates, death certificates, marriage licenses, and divorce decrees. These documents are essential for various legal and personal purposes.
Birth and Death Records
The Vital Records Office of the Pima County Health Department issues copies of birth and death records. The cost for obtaining these records is $20 per copy for both birth and death certificates. The request methods include mail or Dropbox. Ensure to provide the required documents, such as:
- Completed application form (Birth Certificate Application Form or Death Certificate Application Form)
- Copy of valid ID or a notarized application
- Additional documents may be required based on eligibility
To submit a request, mail or dropbox:
Pima County Vital Records
3950 S. Country Club Rd.
Tucson, AZ 85714
Phone: (520) 724-7932 or (520) 724-7770
For Dropbox submissions, place the sealed envelope containing your request in the lobby of the Vital Record office.
Marriage Records
Marriage records are available through the Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court. Here is the information you need to obtain a marriage record:
Cost: $30 per certificate
Request methods: In-person, mail, email, phone, or fax
Required documents: Completed the Marriage License Records section of the “Request for Copies of Court Records” form
To submit a request, mail:
Clerk of the Superior Court
Attn: Legal Records
110 W. Congress, Ste. 241
Tucson, AZ 85701
If you prefer to submit a request in person, visit the clerk’s office at the above address during business hours (8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday).
Contact information for other methods:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (520) 724-3240
Fax: (520) 724-2134
Divorce Records
Divorce records, also known as dissolution of marriage records, are maintained by the Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court. Below is the information you need to know to obtain divorce records:
Costs:
- Regular copies: $0.50 per page
- Certified copies: $30 plus $0.50 per page
- Additional $7 fee for postage, handling, or fax services
Request methods: In-person, mail, email, phone, or fax
Required documents: Completed “Request for Copies of Court Records” form
To submit a request, use the same contact information and methods as listed for marriage records.
Property Records in Pima County
Pima County property records belong to the types of records that are accessible to the members of the public. Property records are maintained by the Pima County Recorder. You can look for property records in the online repository through a document, book, or map search.
You can also request Pima County property records by mail or in person. If you prefer the mail method, ensure to include all the necessary information (e.g. names found on the record, the recording’s date, docket and page number/sequence number, and phone number). Keep in mind that the Recorder will charge the following fees:
- $1 for every page for the requested copies
- $3 for every page for map copies
- $1 as a processing fee for every document
- Additional $3 if the requested copy is certified
In case you can’t provide the required Docket Number, you will be required to pay an additional $5 for the search.
If you opt for a walk-in request, you should visit the main Office at 240 N Stone Avenue or the Eastside Office at 6920 E Broadway Boulevard.
Mail orders should be submitted to Pima County Recorder with the accompanying payment.
You can also access property records online through the Pima County Treasurer’s Office.
Accessing Pima County Public Records Online
Court records can be accessed through the Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court online, in person, or by mail. For property records, the Pima County Recorder provides an online repository and accepts mail or in-person requests. Vital records such as birth and death certificates can be obtained from the Pima County Vital Records Office via mail or Dropbox, while marriage and divorce records are available through the Clerk of the Superior Court. Criminal history information can be requested from the Arizona Department of Public Safety’s Criminal History Records Section. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department offers an inmate lookup service for arrest records and maintains detailed information through its Records Maintenance Unit.
Address and Contact Information
| Legal Entity Name | Address | Phone Number | Website |
| Pima County Clerk of the Superior Court | 110 W. Congress, Ste. 241, Tucson, AZ 85701 | (520) 724-3200 | Website |
| Pima County Recorder | 240 N Stone Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85701 | (520) 724-4350 | Website |
| Pima County Vital Records | 3950 S. Country Club Rd., Tucson, AZ 85714 | (520) 724-7932 | Website |
| Pima County Sheriff’s Department | 1750 E Benson Hwy, Tucson, AZ 85714 | (520) 351-4600 | Website |
| Pima County Consolidated Justice Court | 240 N Stone Ave, Tucson, AZ 85701 | (520) 724-3171 | Website |