Maricopa County Court Records

Maricopa County court records are documents generated during legal proceedings in the county's courts. These are typically created by or filed with the clerk of the court where a case was heard. The clerks are responsible for maintaining these records and ensuring they are accessible to requesters in keeping with Arizona's public record laws.

In Maricopa County, Arizona, these records ensure transparency in court proceedings, promoting fairness and justice within the judicial system. They are also reliable resources for educating the public about the law. Pleadings, orders, motions, transcripts, docket information, and exhibits are some examples of records considered court records.

Are Court Records Public in Maricopa County?

Yes. Arizona's Public Records Law allows for the dissemination of records generated by government agencies. However, the courts in Maricopa County are not entirely subject to this law (Chapter 6 of the Arizona Attorney General Handbook, § 6.2.1.2). Instead, public access to court records in the county is provided for under Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123.

According to this rule, court records are open to members of the public for inspection and copying during a record custodian's business hours. However, records deemed confidential or private are exempt from general access. Some examples of restricted court records include documents pertaining to mental health, adoption, and juvenile court records.

Maricopa County Court Records Search

Maricopa County offers various avenues for looking up court records, including:

• A physical visit to the clerk's office
• Online search platforms provided by a clerk's office
• The e-Access portal provided by the Arizona Supreme Court
• Private aggregator websites offering public record search services

Maricopa County Court Records Search by Name

Individuals can perform a name-based search for Maricopa court records by submitting the litigant's first and last name (or business name) to the record custodian at their physical location. However, they must note that providing further details about the case, such as the case number, can make the search easier. Inquirers can also conduct a name-based search of court records by remote access through the Judicial Branch of Arizona on Maricopa County's official website.

Generally, name-based searches are done at no charge for inspection of records only. Copying and certification of documents, however, attract reasonable charges. Furthermore, per A.R.S. 22-404, municipal courts charge a $17 research request fee to obtain case information in furtherance of a name search.

Maricopa County Courts

Maricopa County's court system has two levels. While level 1 courts (Justice of the Peace courts and municipal courts) have limited jurisdiction, level 2 courts (superior courts) maintain authority over various civil and criminal cases. The addresses and contact information of courts in the county are as follows:

Maricopa County Superior Court - Central Court Complex

Central Court Building
201 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Central Court Complex

West Court Building
111 South 3rd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Central Court Complex

East Court Building
101 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Customer Service Center

Clerk of Superior Court Customer Service Center
601 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Downtown

Downtown Justice Center
620 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Durango Juvenile

Juvenile Court Center Durango Facility
3131 West Durango Street
Phoenix, AZ 85009
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Northeast

Northeast Regional Court Center
18380 North 40th Street
Suite 120
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Northwest

Northwest Regional Court Center
14264 West Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Old Courthouse

125 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - South Court Tower

South Court Tower
175 West Madison Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Southeast

Southeast Public Service Facility
222 East Javelina Avenue
Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Maricopa County Superior Court - Southeast Juvenile

Juvenile Court Southeast Facility
1810 South Lewis Street
Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: (602) 372-5375

Agua Fria Justice Court

10420 West Van Buren Street
Avondale, AZ 85323
Phone: (602) 372-8001
Fax: (602) 372-8201

Arcadia Biltmore Justice Court

620 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-6300
Fax: (602) 372-6412

Arrowhead Justice Court

14264 West Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: (602) 372-2000
Fax: (602) 372-2620

Country Meadows Justice Court

10420 West Van Buren Street
Avondale, AZ 85323
Phone: (602) 372-8000
Fax: (602) 372-8024

Desert Ridge Justice Court

18380 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 372-7100
Fax: (602) 372-7912

Downtown Justice Court

620 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-6300
Fax: (602) 372-6406

Dreamy Draw Justice Court

18380 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 372-7000
Fax: (602) 372-7911

East Mesa Justice Court

4811 East Julep Street
Mesa, AZ 85205
Phone: (480) 985-0188

Encanto Justice Court

620 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-6300
Fax: (602) 372-6414

Hassayampa Justice Court

14264 West Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: (602) 372-2000
Fax: (602) 372-2620

Highland Justice Court

55 East Civic Center Drive
Suite 55
Gilbert, AZ 85296
Phone: (602) 372-8300
Fax: (602) 372-8301

Ironwood Justice Court

209 East Pima Street
Gila Bend, AZ 85337
Phone: (928) 683-2651
Fax: (928) 683-6412

Kyrene Justice Court

201 East Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (602) 372-3400
Fax: (602) 372-3494

Manistee Justice Court

14264 West Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: (602) 372-2000
Fax: (602) 372-2620

Maryvale Justice Court

10420 West Van Buren Street
Avondale, AZ 85323
Phone: (602) 372-8002
Fax: (602) 372-8203

McDowell Mountain Justice Court

18380 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 372-7000
Fax: (602) 372-7910

Moon Valley Justice Court

18380 North 40th Street
Phoenix, AZ 85032
Phone: (602) 372-7000
Fax: (602) 372-7910

North Mesa Justice Court

1837 South Mesa Drive
Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: (480) 926-9731

North Valley Justice Court

14264 West Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: (602) 372-2000
Fax: (602) 372-2620

San Marcos Justice Court

201 East Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (602) 372-3400
Fax: (602) 372-3468

San Tan Justice Court

201 East Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (602) 372-3400
Fax: (602) 372-3441

South Mountain Justice Court

620 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-6300
Fax: (602) 372-6410

University Lakes Justice Court

201 East Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (602) 372-3400
Fax: (602) 372-3414

West McDowell Justice Court

620 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 372-6300
Fax: (602) 372-6408

West Mesa Justice Court

2050 West University Drive
Mesa, AZ 85201
Phone: (480) 964-2958
Fax: (480) 969-1098

White Tank Justice Court
10420 West Van Buren Street
Avondale, AZ 85323
Phone: (602) 372-8003
Fax: (602) 372-8205

Avondale City Court
11325 West Civic Center Drive
Avondale, AZ 85323
Phone: (623) 333-5800
Fax: (623) 333-0580

Buckeye Municipal Court
21749 West Yuma Road, Suite 101, Buckeye, AZ 85326
Phone: (623) 349-6510
Fax: (623) 349-6151

Carefree-Cave Creek Consolidated Court
37622 North Cave Creek Road
Suite B
Cave Creek, AZ 85331
Phone: (480) 488-1689
Fax: (480) 595-9610

Chandler Municipal Court
200 East Chicago Street
Chandler, AZ 85225
Phone: (480) 782-4700
Fax: (480) 782-4752

El Mirage City Court
14010 North El Mirage Road
El Mirage, AZ 85335
Phone: (623) 815-2186
Fax: (623) 815-3466

Fountain Hills Municipal Court
16705 East Avenue of the Fountains
Fountain Hills, AZ 85268
Phone: (480) 816-5103
Fax: (480) 837-8256

Gila Bend Municipal Court
209 East Pima Street
P.O. Box 648
Gila Bend, AZ 85337
Phone: (928) 683-2781

Gilbert Municipal Court
55 East Civic Center Drive
Gilbert, AZ 85296
Phone: (480) 635-7800

Glendale City Court
5711 West Glendale Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85301
Phone: (623) 930-2400
Fax: (623) 937-8860

Goodyear Municipal Court
14455 West Van Buren Street
Suite B-101,

Goodyear, AZ 85338
Phone: (623) 882-7200
Fax: (623) 932-6936

Guadalupe Municipal Court
9241 South Avenida Del Yaqui
Guadalupe, AZ 85283
Phone: (480) 505-5378
Fax: (480) 505-5377

Litchfield Park Magistrate Court
214 West Wigwam Boulevard
Litchfield Park, AZ 85340
Phone: (623) 935-7091
Fax: (623) 535-1831

Mesa Municipal Court
250 East 1st Avenue
Mesa, AZ 85210
Phone: (480) 644-2255
Fax: (480) 644-2927

Paradise Valley Municipal Court
6517 East Lincoln Drive
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253
Phone: (480) 404-7000
Fax: (480) 404-7025

Peoria Municipal Court
10100 North 83rd Avenue, Peoria, AZ 85345
Phone: (623) 773-7400
Fax: (623) 773-7407

Phoenix Municipal Court
300 West Washington Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 262-6421
Fax: (602) 534-3628

Scottsdale City Court
3700 North 75th Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Phone: (480) 312-2442
Fax: (480) 312-2764
Surprise City Court

16081 North Civic Center Plaza
Suite 105
Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: (623) 222-4800
Fax: (623) 222-4801

Tempe Municipal Court
140 East 5th Street
Tempe, AZ 85281
Phone: (480) 350-8271

Tolleson City Court
8350 West Van Buren Street, Tolleson, AZ 85353
Phone: (623) 474-4975
Fax: (623) 936-3925

Wickenburg Municipal Court
155 North Tegner Street
Suite B
Wickenburg, AZ 85390
Phone: (928) 684-5451 ext. 1515
Fax: (928) 684-0749

Youngstown Municipal Court
12038 Clubhouse Square
Youngtown, AZ 85363
Phone: (623) 972-8226
Fax: (623) 933-4952

Maricopa County Superior Court Case Search

The superior court in Maricopa County is a trial court of general jurisdiction. Thus, the court exercises jurisdiction over matters not exclusively vested in other courts, including civil, criminal, probate, and family cases (Article VI § 14 of the Arizona Constitution). Under Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-283, the clerk of the superior court is the official recorder of files about these cases. The clerk's office is also required to keep dockets and provide requesters access to court records per extant laws. Furthermore, the clerk is mandated to compile and publish criminal case minute entries and make them searchable by:

• Case Number
• Case Name
• Name of the judge or commissioner

Consequently, the best option for individuals to search Supreme Court case records is to query the clerk of the Supreme Court in Maricopa County. They can conduct a comprehensive lookup of superior court case documents by visiting the clerk's office during official business hours at any of these locations:

Customer Service Center

601 West Jackson
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Northwest Regional Court Center

14264 West Tierra Buena Lane
Surprise, AZ 85374

Southeast Court Complex

222 East Javelina Avenue
Mesa, AZ 85210

Northeast Regional Court Center

18380 North 40th Street
Suite 120
Phoenix, AZ 85032

The above locations have public computer terminals that inquirers can use to view cases, parties, dockets, judgments, etc., stored in the Integrated Court Information System (NCIS). Users will be charged $0.50 per page to copy documents and $30 for certification. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 12-284 provides the comprehensive fee schedule for obtaining records from the superior county court clerk.

Inquirers may also visit the superior county court clerk's Public Access to Court Information page to search for case information for free. However, members of the public must note that they will only be able to look up cases and see docket entries with this method. This platform does not enable users to view or obtain copies of the documents outlined therein.

Meanwhile, the county clerk's office maintains a separate platform — E.C.R. (Electronic Court Record) Online — for parties to a case and their attorneys to search case documents. To use E.C.R., they must register an eFiling user account and log in using their username and password.

Upon attaining access to the E.C.R. website, they can view images of their court cases and print uncertified copies of court documents. However, certified copies may only be obtained in person or via mail from the office of the superior county court clerk.

For minute entries issued by the clerk not earlier than January 2001, individuals should visit the clerk of the superior court minute entries page, where they can search by:

• Case number or defendant ID
• First, middle, and last names
• Judicial officer's name and date

Another option for obtaining a superior county court record is to fill out and submit an Online Records Request Form. This alternative is recommended for individuals seeking complex records, requesting copies of certified records, or who cannot locate records by any other means.

Finally, they may leverage the eAccess web page the Arizona Supreme Court provided to obtain case documents for a fee.

Maricopa County District Court Records

Arizona's justice system comprises three levels of courts: courts of limited jurisdiction, general jurisdiction, and appellate jurisdiction (the Court of Appeals and Supreme Court). Consequently, Maricopa County does not have a district court. Instead, most court cases in the county are handled by the superior court of Arizona in Maricopa County, which also processes requests for records pertaining to cases they hear.

Maricopa County Criminal Records

Law enforcement agencies handling Maricopa County criminal records are public records per the state's Public Records Law. They can be accessed by contacting the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office or a local police department.

Inquirers may make the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office the first point of call for looking up criminal records in the county. The sheriff's office maintains an online database that can be leveraged to obtain information about persons in county jail, view mugshots, and access the list of the country's most wanted fugitives.

The inmate information lookup page allows users search for persons in the sheriff's custody by booking number, name, and date of birth. Mugshot Lookup and Maricopa County's Most Wanted are also accessible on the sheriff's official website.

Furthermore, inquirers can drop public records requests and pick the documents up physically during official work hours at:

MCSO Headquarters

550 West Jackson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003

The public records requests can also be sent via fax to (602) 876-0056 or by email to LLSAdmin@mcso.maricopa.gov. Comprehensive information on requesting these records can be found on the sheriff's "Requesting Other Public Records" page.

Members of the public can also search criminal records by contacting the agency responsible for the arrest. Many of them maintain searchable jail rosters or online databases of arrestees. For example, the Mesa police department's inmate search page allows individuals to view information about incarcerated individuals. The database is updated every hour. Inquirers may also send public records requests to the arresting police department.

Maricopa County Criminal Court Case Lookup

Members of the public may lookup criminal court case information in Maricopa county through any of these avenues:

• A physical visit to the presiding court clerk's office
• Visiting the online search portals provided by the record custodians, such as the superior county court clerk's Public Access to Criminal Court Information page and the Justice Court Case History search page provided by the Justice courts of Maricopa County (for misdemeanor crimes)

Maricopa County Civil Court Records

Civil court records refer to documents that contain information regarding a case filed by one individual (the plaintiff) against another (the defendant). Examples include tort claims, breach of contract, and tenancy issues.

Inquirers can access civil court case records in Maricopa county by querying the office of the clerk of the court where the case was heard. In most cases, this will be the superior court clerk's office. However, if the case involves an amount below $10,000 (including interest, costs, and awarded attorney fees), it'll likely be heard by one of the 26 Justice courts of Maricopa County.

To view the records remotely, inquirers may utilize the custodian's online court case lookup tool. For Superior court case searches, requesters can conduct their civil court case search through the Public Access to Civil Court Case Information page. In addition to case information, the tool allows them to search the court calendar and minute entries.

While there is no charge for inspecting records, parties will be subject to reasonable fees for obtaining copies of court documents.

Maricopa County Family Court Records

Maricopa County family courts handle disputes that affect families and children. This includes divorce, legal separation, child and spousal support, child custody, parenting time, protective orders, paternity/maternity actions, and many other domestic matters.

The county's superior courts hear Maricopa county family court cases. Consequently, records pertaining to these cases are kept by the Maricopa County Superior Court Clerk. Inquirers may find them by visiting the clerk's office or searching the Public Access to Family Court Case Information page on the clerk's official website. Using this online platform, they can search family law case information by name or case number.

Maricopa County Dissolution of Marriage Records

Dissolution of marriage is another term for divorce in Maricopa county. Since the superior courts hear these cases, they form part of the county's family court records, which are public information. Consequently, members of the public have general access to them through the Maricopa Superior Court Clerk's Office.

Maricopa County Marriage and Divorce Records

Publicly available marriage records are searchable through the superior court clerk's office during regular business hours. However, certified copies of these records are only available to specific authorized parties. These parties (who are typically related to any of the subjects of the record) may conduct a marriage record lookup by providing the following information to facilitate their search:

• Full names of the subjects of the record
• The date of marriage (day, month, and year)
• The purpose for conducting the search
• Contact information
• Valid means of identification

They will be required to pay the associated fees to obtain copies of these records.

Unlike many other court records, marriage information is unavailable to the public through online databases. However, inquirers may search for marriage licenses issued in Maricopa County by filling out and submitting a marriage license request form. The requesting party will be required to provide various information to facilitate the search, including:

• Their contact details
• Record Details (marriage license number, year of marriage)
• Names of both marriage parties at the time the license was purchased
• Type of request
• Number of copies requested

Inquirers unable to provide the required information may call (602) 372-5375 to have a court staff search the record information. Copies per license attract a $0.50 fee, while certified copies are obtainable at $30.50 per license. Parties may also pay $7 for postage and handling. Processing time is 10 business days.

Requesters may also find divorce court records in the same way as other family court records. That is, by visiting the superior court clerk's office or finding case information through the Public Access online platform.

Note: Divorce records, especially divorce decrees, are not readily accessible to the public. In most cases, the record subjects apply to have them sealed to protect their personal information and the identity of their children. Once a record is sealed or made confidential, it will not be searchable by anyone except the parties to the case and other authorized personnel. However, marriage certificates and divorce decrees filed before 1950 are available to the public through the State Archives.

Maricopa Birth and Death Records

Records of persons who are born or died in Maricopa County are classified as vital records. Where these records are concerned, Arizona is a closed records state. Consequently, Maricopa County birth and death records are not public information or accessible to anyone apart from specific eligible applicants, including:

• Funeral directors or their designees
• Spouses
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Adult child and grandchild
• Adult brother or sister
• Guardian
• Persons named in a power of attorney
• Persons named in a court order

Interested persons may confirm their eligibility by visiting the birth/death certificate eligibility page of Maricopa County's Department of Public Health website.

Eligible parties may order copies of these records in person at the Maricopa County Public Health's Office of Vital Registration locations at specified hours. They may also make orders by mail or online.

Birth and death records are essential for many reasons including:

• Verifying ancestry
• Accessing bank records
• Tax filings
• Estate administration
• Other legal matters

Maricopa County Probate Court Records

Maricopa County superior courts oversee probate cases (matters involving administration of a decedent's estate, conservatorships, guardianships, adult adoptions, and mental health matters) through their probate and mental health department.

Individuals can search records about these cases by visiting the superior court clerk's office during official hours. However, records involving juveniles or that are otherwise sealed or deemed confidential will not be accessible to members of the public.

For probate court case information, court calendar, and minute entries, they are advised to conduct their search through the Public Access to Probate Court Case Information page.

Maricopa County Property Records

Maricopa County property records include documents that provide information regarding the ownership, assessed value, taxation, plat maps, etc., of a piece of real estate in the county. As public documents, they are made accessible to any interested party through the Maricopa County recorders, assessors, and treasurer's offices, depending on the types of property records sought.

For example, the Office of the Maricopa County Recorder maintains the majority of property records in the county, including:

• Deeds
• Liens
• Mortgages
• Survey plats

Individuals can perform title searches in person at the county recorder's office located at:

111 South 3rd Avenue
Phoenix, AZ 85003

They can also access the Recorded Document Search page of the Maricopa County Recorder's Office to look up available property information.

On the other hand, the office of the Maricopa County Assessor identifies property ownership and assigns a value to a taxable property in the county. The office also allows individuals to search for various property information via its online search page or physically at:

301 West Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85003

The following property information is obtainable from the county assessor's office:

• Property information (address, legal description, lot size, etc.)
• Owner information (name, mailing address, etc.)
• Valuation information (full cash value, limited value, assessment ratio, etc.)
• Building sketches
• Map ferret maps
• Additional property data (construction year, living area, pool, roof type, etc.)

For information regarding property tax, individuals can query the Maricopa County Treasurer's Office at:

301 West Jefferson Street
Suite 100
Phoenix, AZ 85003

Or online via its parcel search page or Research Request page.

Maricopa County Court Records Online

Maricopa County court records can also be searched online through third-party resources like courtrecords.us. These record search service providers are not affiliated with any government agency. However, they maintain repositories of court case information from various jurisdictions across the country, including Maricopa County.

Members of the public can search these records for a fee by providing relevant details about the records, especially parties' names, and case numbers. These private search tools are particularly convenient for searchers seeking documents from varying jurisdictions. However, the results from third-party websites may be outdated, and inquirers are advised not to rely on them for sensitive legal operations.