Arizona Criminal History Records Search: Checks & Access

Choose the right records system

Where Can You Search Arizona Criminal History Records?

Arizona criminal information is maintained through multiple government systems. The most appropriate search depends on whether the record is a court proceeding, a consolidated criminal-history report, an arrest report or a correctional record.

Official free statewide court lookup

How to Search Arizona Criminal Court Records by Name or Case Number

The Arizona Judicial Branch provides Public Access to Court Information, an online search system with case information from participating Arizona courts.

The Judiciary’s public portal identifies coverage from 177 of Arizona’s 184 courts. However, participation does not mean every case or document held by those courts is available online.

Step-by-step: Arizona criminal case lookup

1. Open the official Arizona court portal

   Use the Public Access to Court Information search provided by the Arizona Judicial Branch.

2. Complete the verification step

   The website may require entry of randomly generated verification characters before performing the search.

3. Choose name search or case-number search

   Search by a defendant’s last name and optional first name, or use the case number if you know it.

4. Enter the required identifying details

   For a name search, the last name is required. Date-of-birth fields and court selection can help narrow matching results.

5. Select the appropriate court

   Choose the Superior Court, Justice Court or Municipal Court where the proceeding originated when that option is available.

6. Submit the query

   Review the listed public court cases and compare case numbers, courts, parties and available filing information.

7. Open the matching criminal case

   Look for available charges, docket events, case status, hearing history and reported disposition.

8. Confirm the official court record

   If a judgment, dismissal or sentence is important, request the actual document from the relevant court or Clerk.

How frequently does Arizona update public case information?

The public access portal states that case information is updated weekly on Fridays, generally reflecting information through Wednesday of the same week.

This means the statewide lookup is not guaranteed to show a filing or hearing change immediately.

Which cases may be missing?

The public portal excludes certain record categories, including:

• Sealed cases
• Juvenile delinquency and incorrigibility proceedings
• Certain protective-order matters
• Protected victim and witness information
• Mental-health and probate matters
• Local ordinance violations excluded by the public portal
• Records from courts not participating in the system

Other public cases may be unavailable because of reporting delays or the limitations of the specific court’s case-management system.

Find the correct trial court

Arizona Superior Court vs. Justice Court vs. Municipal Court

Arizona criminal cases are handled at different court levels. Knowing the offense and original filing court helps you find the correct docket and request its documents.

Why a case may appear in more than one court

A felony arrest may involve an initial appearance or preliminary proceedings in a lower court, followed by a Superior Court prosecution.

If the initial docket does not show the later trial, plea or sentence, search the Superior Court separately before drawing conclusions about the case’s final outcome.

Download actual Superior Court criminal documents

Arizona eAccess Criminal Records: Documents, Fees and Coverage

The Arizona Judicial Branch operates eAccess, a document-access service for qualifying Superior Court civil and criminal records.

Unlike the basic statewide public docket search, eAccess allows registered users to preview, purchase and download available court filings.

Which criminal case years are covered?

How to purchase an Arizona criminal court document

1. Open eAccess

   Visit the official Arizona Judicial Branch eAccess website.

2. Create an account

   Choose an individual account if you are a member of the public. A valid email address is required.

3. Find the Superior Court case

   Search using the court case information and applicable search options.

4. Open the available document list

   Locate the judgment, sentencing order, motion, dismissal or other public filing you need.

5. Preview the first page

   The first page of an available document can be previewed without a purchase charge.

6. Select the required purchase option

   The standard pay-as-you-go charge is $10 to view and download the complete document. Subscriptions are available for recurring users.

7. Download the document promptly

   The purchased document is available in the account for 24 hours. Save the file within that period.

8. Request certification if needed

   If an agency requires an official certified court document, check the electronic certification option or ask the filing Clerk about a raised-seal copy.

2026 eAccess fees

eAccess technical support

Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts Support Center
Phone: 602-452-3519
Toll-free: 800-720-7743
Published support hours: Monday–Friday, 7 a.m.–6 p.m., excluding state holidays.

Official statewide criminal-history repository

Arizona DPS Criminal History Records: What the Public Can Access

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-1750, the Department of Public Safety operates the state’s Central State Repository for criminal-history information.

The repository receives required identification, arrest, charge and disposition information from Arizona criminal justice agencies.

It differs from the Arizona Judiciary’s public docket databases because access to the consolidated criminal-history information is restricted by law.

Can a private individual search another person’s complete DPS criminal history?

Generally, no. Arizona DPS states that the Central State Repository does not perform criminal-history record checks for private citizens or ordinary private employers for employment, immigration, visa applications or foreign adoptions.

Criminal-history information may be released to authorized agencies and individuals under specific statutory exceptions.

Who can use the restricted repository?

Access may be available to:

• Criminal justice agencies carrying out authorized duties
• Approved noncriminal justice agencies with statutory authorization
• Eligible licensing or regulatory programs
• Certain organizations authorized to receive fingerprint-based criminal-history checks
• Individuals requesting a review of their own record for accuracy and completeness

A requester cannot gain ordinary public access merely by paying a fee or completing an online registration form.

Can Arizona DPS issue a criminal-history clearance letter for a visa?

DPS states that Arizona law does not permit the Central State Repository to issue an ordinary criminal-history clearance letter for immigration, obtaining a visa or foreign adoption.

However, DPS provides a document explaining this restriction. Applicants should ask the receiving immigration authority, consulate or other organization whether it accepts that explanation, an FBI Identity History Summary or another specified document.

Review and correct your own criminal history

How to Request Your Own Arizona Criminal History Record

Arizona DPS allows individuals to review their own criminal-history record for the limited purpose of verifying its accuracy and completeness.

This process is called Criminal History Record Review.

It requires fingerprint-based identity verification and is not intended as an unrestricted background report that can be freely distributed to others.

How to complete Arizona criminal-history record review

1. Open the DPS criminal-history page

   Choose the Record Review process rather than the ordinary public incident-report request.

2. Choose online review or the packet procedure

   DPS provides a Public Services Portal option and a downloadable packet for fingerprint-based requests.

3. Download the required instructions and forms

   The packet includes instructions, an applicant fingerprint card, a contact information sheet and a return envelope.

4. Complete the fingerprint card

   Have fingerprints taken through an appropriate law-enforcement or fingerprinting provider. The instructions specify the acceptable fingerprint-card format and required agency information.

5. Complete the contact information sheet

   Supply the required contact and identifying information accurately.

6. Review the packet checklist

   Make sure the required fingerprint information and paperwork are complete before submission.

7. Submit the application

   Follow DPS’s current online or mailed-packet instructions. Retain copies of your submission information for personal reference.

8. Review the mailed response

   DPS states that it mails a response, including any existing criminal-history information, within 15 days after receiving a complete Record Review Packet.

9. Challenge inaccurate information if necessary

   If an arrest, charge, disposition or identifying detail is inaccurate or incomplete, follow the DPS review-and-challenge procedure and obtain supporting documents from the relevant court or agency.

What if your criminal-history report has the wrong disposition?

A common problem is an arrest entry that does not reflect the final court disposition.

For example, the court may have dismissed the charge, but the criminal-history repository might not yet show the associated dismissal information correctly.

If that occurs:

• Identify the arrest and case number.
• Contact the court that entered the final disposition.
• Request a certified disposition if needed.
• Follow DPS’s challenge instructions.
• Provide the relevant supporting records through the approved process.
• Retain the agency’s written response.

Arizona DPS contact information

Employment screening and fingerprint clearance

Arizona Criminal Background Checks and Fingerprint Clearance Cards

Arizona has two important authorized background-screening paths: the Noncriminal Justice (NCJ) Compliance Program and the DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card program.

The correct process depends on the law governing the job, volunteer activity, license or regulated position.

Arizona Noncriminal Justice Compliance Program

Arizona DPS operates fingerprint-based criminal-history checks for qualifying agencies authorized by state law and applicable federal requirements.

An organization generally needs the appropriate statutory authority before it can receive criminal-history results through this program.

Private employers should not assume they can apply directly for unrestricted DPS criminal-history reports simply because they want to screen a job applicant.

Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card

Certain jobs, volunteer positions and regulated activities require an Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card.

The responsible employer, licensing board or sponsoring organization should specify whether the applicant needs an IVP or Non-IVP card and identify the legal reason for the requirement.

How to apply for a clearance card

1. Confirm the statutory clearance requirement with the employer or licensing agency.
2. Identify the correct IVP or Non-IVP card type.
3. Open the Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card page.
4. Begin an application through the Public Services Portal.
5. Follow the current fingerprint submission instructions.
6. Pay the applicable DPS and provider fees.
7. Review application status through the approved portal.

Find the local criminal court record

Arizona Criminal Records by County: Phoenix, Tucson, Florence and More

Arizona has 15 counties. Superior Court criminal cases are maintained by the appropriate county Clerk, while Justice and Municipal Courts have their own records procedures.

Other Arizona counties

For Mohave, Apache, Cochise, Gila, Graham, Greenlee, La Paz, Navajo and Santa Cruz counties, use the official statewide Superior Court Clerks directory.

The directory provides contact details for every county Clerk and can help locate original criminal records that are outside online document coverage.

Compare criminal record search charges

How Much Does an Arizona Criminal History Records Search Cost?

Arizona’s public court search, eAccess document service, personal criminal-history review and Fingerprint Clearance Card program have different pricing rules.

Agency charges may change. Use the current government fee pages rather than treating the amounts above as permanent statutory prices.

Arrest records, incident reports and police records

How to Request Arizona Arrest Records and Police Reports

An arrest report is not necessarily part of the public Superior Court case file.

For a particular police report, contact the agency that investigated the incident or made the arrest. This may be a municipal police department, county sheriff or the Arizona Department of Public Safety.

When Arizona DPS investigated the incident

DPS maintains records involving state troopers and other DPS investigations. Its Public Records Unit handles eligible offense, incident and arrest-report requests.

Steps to request an Arizona arrest report

1. Identify the investigating agency

   Check whether the incident was handled by DPS, a city police department or a county sheriff.

2. Find the official records request page

   Use the agency’s Public Records or Records Unit service.

3. Provide the incident identifiers

   Include the incident date, report number, location and type of report requested.

4. Describe your purpose where required

   Arizona public-record laws can impose additional requirements for records requested for commercial purposes.

5. Submit the request

   Follow the agency’s online, mail or in-person process. DPS does not accept report requests by telephone.

6. Review the fee and disclosure response

   The agency may charge for copies, redact protected information or withhold records subject to applicable legal restrictions.

Important Arizona DPS report fees

DPS lists a $9 fee for eligible records delivered electronically within the specified file-size limit, and $9 for the first nine paper pages plus $0.10 for each additional page.

Video-record requests have additional charges.

Free report rights for qualifying crime victims

Arizona DPS explains that under A.R.S. § 39-127, qualifying crime victims or authorized representatives may be entitled to one copy of certain offense, collision or video records at no charge.

Specific protections also apply to qualifying domestic violence and sexual offense victims.

Check the agency’s current eligibility requirements before paying for a report that may be available without charge.

Arizona corrections and custody records

Arizona Inmate Data Search and State Prison Records

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry (ADCRR) operates a public Inmate Data Search service.

This service provides public information about qualifying people in the state correctional system. It does not replace a criminal court docket or a full DPS criminal-history report.

How to search Arizona inmate information

1. Open the Arizona Department of Corrections Inmate Data Search.
2. Choose the available name or identification-number search option.
3. Enter the requested information.
4. Review matching offender details carefully.
5. Use the original court case to verify the conviction and sentence.

What about county jail bookings?

A person recently arrested and held in a local detention facility may not appear in the ADCRR database.

County jail bookings are generally maintained by the relevant sheriff’s office, such as:

• Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office
• Pima County Sheriff’s Department
• Pinal County Sheriff’s Office
• Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office
• Mohave County Sheriff’s Office

An inmate or jail booking record does not by itself establish that the person was convicted.

Arizona Sex Offender Information

Arizona DPS also provides a separate public sex offender information service under applicable state registration laws.

The registry is a specialized public-safety resource, not a comprehensive list of every person with an Arizona criminal conviction.

Arizona criminal record sealing and expungement

Can Arizona Criminal History Records Be Sealed or Expunged?

Arizona provides multiple forms of criminal record relief. The most important distinction is between sealing a case record, setting aside a conviction and expunging qualifying marijuana-related records.

Arizona record-sealing waiting periods

The Arizona Judicial Branch lists the following general conviction-sealing waiting periods, subject to statutory conditions and exceptions.

For qualifying convictions, the waiting period is generally measured from completion of the nonmonetary sentence requirements and discharge, with required financial obligations also satisfied.

A prior historical felony may extend the applicable waiting period by an additional five years.

Official sealing forms

Arizona Courts provides the following forms:

• AOCCRSL1F: Petition to Seal Criminal Case Records
• AOCCRSL2F: Order to Seal Criminal Case Records
• AOCCRSL1I: Instructions to Complete the Petition

Where must a sealing petition be filed?

The proper court depends on what happened in the case.

• Conviction: File in the court where the conviction occurred.
• Dismissed charges or acquittal: Generally file in the court where the criminal charge was filed, subject to transfer rules.
• Arrest with no charges but an initial appearance: File in the court where that appearance occurred.
• Arrest without charges or an initial appearance: Generally file in the Superior Court of the county where the arrest occurred.

Arizona Courts states that a decision on sealing commonly takes at least 60 calendar days, subject to statutory notice and review procedures and limited exceptions.

Arizona marijuana expungement

Proposition 207 created a separate expungement process for qualifying marijuana-related conduct occurring before November 30, 2020.

The Arizona Judiciary’s Proposition 207 page explains eligibility, approved forms and the applicable statutory process.

Resolve missing cases and incorrect records

Why Can’t I Find Arizona Criminal History Records Online?

What does an Arizona criminal-history entry actually mean?

A person’s criminal record may contain multiple events that should not be confused with one another.

For a reliable account of a prosecution, verify the final disposition of each charge and any later order that changes the outcome or access to the record.

Federal criminal records are separate

Federal Criminal History Records in Arizona

Federal prosecutions in Arizona are generally filed in the United States District Court for the District of Arizona.

Federal criminal case dockets and documents are accessed through the federal judiciary, not through Arizona’s ordinary statewide public case-search system.

An FBI Identity History Summary is also distinct from a federal court docket. The FBI service is a personal fingerprint-based criminal-history review process, not a public name-search website for other people’s records.