Santa County records cover numerous court case documents, such as criminal records, exhibits, petitions, arrest records, etc. In Santa Cruz, county offices maintain public records in physical and digital formats. The Santa Cruz County Superior Court, the Justice Court, the Municipal Court, the Sheriff’s Office, the Assessor’s Office, and some other entities are responsible for preserving various types of public records. You can access these through in-person visits, online databases, mail requests, and third-party websites.
Court Records
Santa Cruz County court records encompass important details on motions, case files, trial transcripts, judgments, and other types of records that can be used in legal processes, genealogy research, and other purposes.
How to Access Santa Cruz County Court Records Online
If you are willing to search for Santa Cruz County court records, then you can use the online public access tool by the Arizona Judicial Branch. This tool is mainly for general search of court records, and you can use it by inputting the party name(s), case number, or case type. You can also visit the relevant court in person. But keep in mind that, to find detailed files, you might be required to visit the appropriate legal entity in person or submit a formal application.
Public Access to County Records
According to Arizona’s Open Records law requirements and the Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123, court records in Arizona, including Santa Cruz, are accessible to the members of the public. This means individuals have the right to research, inspect, and copy these records for various purposes.
However, some information is not openly accessible to the public, such as details about the victims and witnesses, medical and mental health records, juvenile case records, information currently under investigation, expunged records, and protection orders.
County Courts
Santa Cruz County’s court system follows the structure of the Arizona court system. The Superior Court takes care of major criminal cases, large civil cases, cases related to probate matters, and family law. Here is the address of the Santa Cruz County Superior Court: 2160 N Congress Drive, Nogales, AZ 8562.
The county justice court handles rather minor criminal cases (misdemeanors), as well as small civil cases, violations of traffic rules, small civil cases, criminal cases’ preliminary hearings, etc.
The Santa Cruz County Justice Court (Precinct 1) is situated at 2160 N. Congress Drive
Suite 2100, Nogales, AZ 85621.
The municipal court, on the other hand, takes care of city ordinance violations, minor criminal events, specific civil cases, and traffic offenses within the Nogales city limits, including city ordinance violations, traffic offenses, and minor criminal cases. The municipal court is located at 777 N. Grand Avenue, Nogales, AZ 85621.
Civil Court Records
Civil records in Santa Cruz County cover cases from non-criminal disputes (e.g. conflicts related to property, personal injury, contract breaches, and other small claims). You can access civil records at the Santa Cruz court clerk’s office by providing basic details such as names of the relevant parties or case numbers. While civil case records are generally openly accessible to the members of the public, details including personal identifiers might be restricted due to privacy concerns.
Probate Court Records
The Santa Cruz County Superior Court is the main entity responsible for handling probate court records (e.g. records related to estate administration, distribution of property, will validation, guardianships, etc). While these records are generally openly accessible, details about minors and specific estate-related disputes may be sealed.
You can access Probate Court Records in Santa Cruz County by requesting the Superior Court Clerk’s office. You simply need to mention the name of the decedent, the number of the probate case, and other required details that are specific to your case.
Criminal Records in Santa Cruz County
If you are looking to request a criminal record in Santa Cruz County, Arizona, you have several options available. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for maintaining local criminal records. You can request these records in person or by mail at their office located at 2170 N. Congress Drive, Nogales, AZ 85621. You can also use the Public Records Inspection & Copy Request Form available on the Santa Cruz County website.
For a more detailed criminal history check, you can contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS), which serves as the central repository for criminal records in the state. The DPS offers a fingerprint-based criminal record review process. You can obtain fingerprint cards from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office or local police departments. Alternatively, you can access some court records online through the Arizona Judicial Branch’s Public Access Case Lookup system. This platform provides information on criminal cases from most courts in Arizona, including Santa Cruz County.
While many records are publicly accessible, some may be restricted or require specific authorization to obtain. Always ensure you follow the proper procedures and provide necessary identification when requesting criminal records.
Santa Cruz County Arrest Records
According to the 2023 arrest report from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office made 239 arrests for various crimes, including arson, burglary, and robbery.
Most Santa Cruz County arrest records are considered public documents under Arizona Public Records Law. This means that the public can access and inspect these records from record custodians (e.g. government agencies). However, some arrest information is exempt from public disclosure. These include:
- Crime victims’ information (unless approved for disclosure)
- Personal information of law enforcement officers
- Arrest records sealed or expunged under court order or state laws
To access arrest records in Santa Cruz County, you can use any of the options below:
- Federal Records: For federal inmates, the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate locator provides arrest information and allows searches by name or prison number.
- Sheriff’s Office: You can submit an in-person request during open hours at the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office. The office is located at the following address:
2170 North Congress Drive
Nogales, Arizona 85621
Phone: (520) 761-7869
Fax: (520) 375-8117
- Online Resources: The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation, and Reentry maintains an online repository for inmate records. You can search using the inmate’s name or ADC number.
Arrest records in Santa Cruz County usually remain on file permanently. However, you may be eligible to expunge some arrest records under certain conditions:
- The charges were dismissed
- You were convicted but completed the sentence and other required conditions
- You were charged, but the court dismissed the case or gave a favorable judgment
Arrest warrants in Santa Cruz County are legal documents that authorize law enforcement to apprehend individuals suspected of criminal activity. These warrants are issued by court judges for reasons such as failure to appear in court or to prevent potential harm. Judges only issue warrants after receiving a formal complaint from an arresting officer.
Typical information included in a Santa Cruz County arrest warrant:
- The defendant’s full name and any known aliases
- Identifying characteristics (e.g., tattoos, eye color, gender)
- Specific criminal charges
- Warrant number
- Date and location of issuance
- Issuing judge’s name and signature
Santa Cruz County arrest warrants do not expire. They remain active until one of two things occurs:
- The defendant is arrested
- The court formally nullifies the warrant
Keep in mind that statutes of limitation do not affect the validity of arrest warrants.
To determine if a warrant is still active, individuals can take any of the following actions:
- Visit the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office
- Contact the local court with jurisdiction over the case
- Use the Arizona Judicial Branch’s online case search portal
The online option typically requires basic information such as the individual’s name to perform a search.
Santa Cruz County Vital Records
In Santa Cruz, the options for obtaining birth and death certificates differ from those for requesting marriage and divorce records.
Marriage Records
You can obtain marriage records in Santa Cruz from the County Clerk’s Office. Even though marriage records in Santa Cruz are public, only involved and authorized parties can obtain certified marriage record copies.
When requesting certified copies of marriage certificates in Santa Cruz County, ensure to provide identification, the completed application form, and the required fee. You can find more information on marriage records in The Arizona Revised Statutes Title 25 (Domestic Relations).
Divorce Records
The Superior Court of Santa Cruz is the main party responsible for preserving divorce records. Keep in mind that divorce case files might often contain sensitive details (e.g. financial information, custodial arrangements, etc.). In case of the presence of such details, only the involved individuals, their authorized representatives, or the parties with a proven legitimate interest (ARS § 25-124) will have access to these records. If you need to obtain certified copies of divorce decrees in Santa Cruz, you can get them from the court clerk. Ensure to provide identification information and pay the required fee.
Birth Records
Per the Arizona Public Health Law, only eligible parties (e.g. the registrants, close family members, and authorized representatives) can access birth records in Santa Cruz. This is done for confidentiality purposes.
Interested and eligible parties can access certified copies of Santa Cruz County birth certificates through the Arizona Department of Health Services. If you need to obtain certified birth certificate copies, ensure to submit proof of identity and show the relationship with the registrant.
Death Records
Death Records in Santa Cruz are public only after 50 years. Before this, only eligible parties (e.g. close family members or authorized representatives) have the right to obtain death records. You will need to contact the Arizona Department of Health Services or the local registrar in Santa Cruz County to access and get a certified copy of Death Records. Make sure to provide eligibility proof and pay the required fee.
County Property Records in Santa Cruz
In Santa Cruz, property records contain crucial information related to transfers, property ownership, mortgages, tax liens, and other property details in the county. These records are maintained and managed by the County Assessor’s Office. They are open to members of the public and can be used for legal verification, historical research, and property value assessment.
You can choose to access these records either online or in person directly at the Assessor’s Office. Ensure to submit the property details and pay the mandatory fees.
Accessing Santa Cruz County Public Records Online
The Arizona Judicial Branch’s Public Access Case Lookup tool provides court case information for Santa Cruz County Superior Court and other courts in the state. The Santa Cruz County Assessor’s website offers a property records search tool to find parcel information and assessment details. Vital records, including birth and death certificates, can be requested online through the Arizona Department of Health Services. Death records in Santa Cruz are public only after 50 years, with access restricted to eligible individuals before that time. For those who seek criminal records, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office maintains local criminal records.
Address and Contact Information
| Legal Entity Name | Address | Phone Number | Website Link |
| Santa Cruz County Superior Court | 2160 N Congress Drive, Nogales, AZ 85621 | 520-761-7800 | Website |
| Santa Cruz County Justice Court (Precinct 1) | 2160 N. Congress Drive, Suite 2100, Nogales, AZ 85621 | 520-375-7760
|
Website |
| Nogales Municipal Court | 777 N. Grand Avenue, Nogales, AZ 85621 | 520-287-6571 | Website |
| Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office | 2170 N. Congress Drive, Nogales, AZ 85621 | (520) 761-7869 | Website |
| Arizona Department of Health Services | 150 N 18th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85007 | Â 602-542-1025 | Website |
| Santa Cruz County Assessor’s Office | 2150 N. Congress Drive, Suite 102,
Nogales, AZ 85621 |
520-375-8030 | Website |