Pima County Court Records

Pima County court records, termed "Case Records" under Arizona Revised Statutes Supreme Court Rules, Rule 123 (b)(17)(B), include documents collected, received, or maintained by the court or clerk in connection with judicial proceedings, such as orders, judgments, minute entries, and related indexes, calendars, dockets, or registers of actions. The Arizona Superior Court in Pima County maintains court records as the official documentation of cases under its jurisdiction. These records form the foundation for appeals or historical references, document case histories, and ensure transparency in the judicial process. As the main custodian, the Pima County Clerk of Court is responsible for maintaining, classifying, and sharing these documents in compliance with Arizona's public records laws and court regulations, such as Rule 123 of the Arizona Supreme Court Rules. To maintain public trust and accountability, officials create these records during court proceedings, such as filings, hearings, and judgments, and store them in physical or electronic form. Pima County court records share similarities with other public records in the type of information they provide. The Pima County Health and Community Services manages vital records such as birth and death certificates. At the same time, the Pima County Sheriff's Department and other local law enforcement agencies maintain arrest records, all of which may be filed during a court case.

Are Pima County Court Records Public?

Yes. Arizona Revised Statutes Supreme Court Rules, Rule 123(d) states that Pima County court records remain accessible to the public unless a specific statute, court rule, or judicial order restricts access. This legal framework shows the state's firm commitment to promoting transparent governance and ensuring openness in judicial proceedings, building public trust and accountability in the court system.

Some case records are not available to the public because they contain private or sensitive information that needs to be protected. For example, statutes such as Arizona Revised Statutes Section 8-208 , alongside Arizona Revised Statutes Supreme Court Rules, Rule 123(d), and specific court orders, mandate confidentiality for juvenile delinquency records, adoption proceedings, and cases involving mental health commitments. Also, records that are sealed by a court order, closed by a court order, or contain private information like Social Security numbers or financial account information have restricted access to protect the individuals involved.

What Information is Available in Pima County Court Records?

Pima County court records typically include extensive information about court cases. This information consists of the following:

• Court orders
• Judgments
• Minute entries summarizing hearings
• Transcripts or audio recordings of proceedings
• Exhibits or evidence presented during trials
• Case filings such as complaints, petitions, and motions
• Charges
• Pleas
• Sentences
• Terms of probation
• Contracts
• Settlement agreements
• Divorce decrees

This information helps researchers, lawyers, and the general public to keep track of an ongoing or closed case, though redacted versions may be used to keep private information safe.

Pima County Court Records Search

Requesters may find and access Pima County court records online, in person, and via telephone or email, each of which is designed for a specific type of case or need.

Online Access

The Arizona Judicial Branch operates the eAccess portal , which offers 24/7 online viewing of Superior Court civil and criminal case records filed after July 1, 2010, with Pima County criminal records available only from July 1, 2015 onward. Users purchase documents for a per-page fee or via subscription, but probate, juvenile, and family/domestic relations cases remain unavailable online due to confidentiality rules.

The Pima County Consolidated Justice Court also provides its own case search tool , allowing queries by name, case number, or complaint number for civil, criminal, and traffic matters, though felony, juvenile, and protective order cases are excluded. Access depends on the type of case. For example, unrestricted civil documents are fully available, but sensitive family records need to be accessed in other ways.

In-Person Access

The Clerk of the Superior Court helps requesters search for records in person at public terminals in the courthouse, where they can look at electronic or paper files. The Staff of the Clerk's office helps requesters look up cases, and self-service kiosks make it easy to get to non-confidential records quickly. Interested persons may go to the main Justice Court office at:

110 West Congress St

Tucson, Arizona 85701-1317

Tel: (520) 724-3200

Fax: (520) 724-3531

Mail and Phone Requests

Requesters may also send mail to the Clerk's office with case details, a stamped envelope with their address, and payment for copies. When people call with requests, they are asked to give identifying information. After that, the staff will send the records by mail once payment has been received. Requesters can pay with checks, money orders, or credit cards.

Fees for Court Records in Pima County

There are different fees for getting court records in Pima County to cover the costs of running the court. Standard copies cost 50 cents per page. Certified copies, on the other hand, cost $30 plus the per-page charge and come with an embossed seal for official use. The eAccess portal charges $10 per document or offers monthly subscriptions ranging from $80 to $10,000, depending on the download frequency. Requesters who can show that they are having financial trouble can get their fees waived. The Pima County Health Department charges $20 for each certified copy of a birth or death certificate, and $30 for each correction or change.

Pima County Courthouse Locations

Pima County operates several courthouse locations, each handling specific divisions or case types such as civil, criminal, probate, family, juvenile, traffic, and others. The Superior Court oversees general jurisdiction for civil and criminal cases unless otherwise limited, while the Juvenile Division focuses on juvenile matters. Justice Courts manage limited civil and criminal cases. Municipal Courts address misdemeanor crimes, petty offenses, criminal traffic cases, and violations of city ordinances and codes. These courts observe case hearings in the following locations:

Criminal Records Access in Pima County

According to Arizona Revised Statutes Section 41-1750 , the Arizona Department of Public Safety handles official statewide criminal history checks. Subjects of record may access their information by mailing a completed fingerprint card, a Record Review Contact Information Sheet , and, if applicable, a notarized authorization letter to:"

Arizona Department of Public Safety

Central State Repository Section

P.O. Box 18450

Phoenix, AZ 85005-8450.

The department usually responds to this within 15 days. County courts do not provide access to these thorough backgrounds, but rather provide access to local case records via the Clerk's office in person or the eAccess portal for Superior Court criminal filings after July 1, 2015. The Justice Court online search tool shows records for traffic and misdemeanors, but not felonies. Requesters can get these by paying the necessary fees and providing case numbers or names.

Pima County Probate Records

Pima County probate records cover the administration of estates. This includes important documents like wills, trusts, guardianships, and conservatorships. These documents help to ensure that a deceased person's estate is distributed in an orderly way and that the financial interests of minors or people who are unable to care for themselves are protected. The Probate Division of the Arizona Superior Court in Pima County is responsible for maintaining these records. Interested persons may access recent filings by visiting the Clerk's office in person or by submitting a request through the mail. Due to privacy concerns, these records are not available online through the eAccess system. Some confidential cases, such as those involving sealed wills or protected health information, have restrictions that limit public viewing to safeguard the privacy of the beneficiaries and other parties.

Pima County Family Court Records

The Family Division of the Arizona Superior Court in Pima County maintains records for a variety of domestic matters, including divorce, child custody disputes, adoptions, and child support. These records contain official documents of agreements and court decisions that help resolve domestic issues. Individuals seeking these records can primarily access them by visiting the courthouse or submitting a request via mail to the Clerk's office. The eAccess system excludes family cases to protect the privacy of the families and children involved. While online tools like the Justice Court's search tool may contain some related, limited information, a person must contact the court directly to obtain full records. Obtaining a certified copy of a record requires an additional fee of $30 plus 50 cents per page. It is important to note that adoption records are legally sealed and can only be accessed with a specific court order.

Federal Court Records in Pima County

At its Tucson division in the Evo Anton DeConcini U.S. Courthouse, the U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona exercises federal jurisdiction over Pima County and handles cases involving federal crimes, bankruptcy, and civil rights violations. While records can be viewed in person at the Clerk's office, they can also be viewed online through the Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) system for a fee of 10 cents per page, up to a maximum of $3 per document. To ensure federal case transparency across the country, users must register for PACER in order to search dockets and download filings.