Pinal County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Pinal County?

Public records in Pinal County are defined according to Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, which states that "public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours." These records encompass a wide range of documents created, maintained, or received by government agencies in the course of their official business.

Pinal County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

• Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Pinal County Superior Court and Justice Courts
• Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property assessments
• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (limited access), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
• Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
• Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
• Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data (non-confidential portions) and election results
• Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records from the Board of Supervisors, planning commissions, and other county boards
• Budget and Financial Documents: County budgets, expenditure reports, and financial statements
• Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports (with legally required redactions)
• Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits

The Pinal County Recorder's Office maintains property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens. Court records are maintained by the Pinal County Superior Court and Justice Courts. Vital records are managed by the Pinal County Public Health Services District.

Is Pinal County an Open Records County?

Pinal County adheres to Arizona's public records laws, specifically the Arizona Public Records Law § 39-121, which establishes the presumption that all government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. This statute mandates that "public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours."

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121.01(D)(1), public bodies are required to "maintain all records reasonably necessary or appropriate to maintain an accurate knowledge of their official activities and of any of their activities which are supported by monies from this state or any political subdivision of this state."

Pinal County has established specific procedures for requesting and accessing public records in compliance with state law. The county maintains a dedicated public records request portal where citizens can submit requests for various types of county records.

Additionally, Pinal County complies with Arizona's Open Meeting Law (A.R.S. § 38-431 et seq.), which requires that meetings of public bodies be conducted openly and that notices and agendas be posted in advance. This commitment to transparency extends to the county's record-keeping practices.

How to Find Public Records in Pinal County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Pinal County may utilize several methods to access information. The county provides multiple pathways for obtaining public records:

1. Online Access: Many records are available through the county's online portals:

   • Property records can be searched through the Pinal County Recorded Document Search
   • Court records are accessible via the Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access Case Lookup
   • County meeting agendas and minutes are available on the Pinal County website

2. Submit a Public Records Request:

   • Complete the online form available on the Pinal County Public Records Request page
   • Specify the records being requested with as much detail as possible
   • Provide contact information for receiving the records

3. Visit in Person:

   • Records may be inspected in person at the appropriate county office during regular business hours
   • The Recorder's Office, Assessor's Office, and Clerk of the Superior Court maintain public terminals for searching records

4. Written Requests:

   • Submit a written request to the specific department that maintains the desired records
   • Include a clear description of the records sought, preferred format, and contact information

When requesting records, citizens should be specific about the information they seek, including relevant dates, names, and document types. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(3), the county must "promptly furnish such copies, printouts or photographs" upon payment of the applicable fees.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Pinal County?

Pinal County assesses fees for public records in accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121.03, which authorizes agencies to charge fees for copies, printouts, or photographs of public records. Current standard fees include:

• Paper Copies: $0.25 per page for standard black and white copies
• Certified Copies: $0.50 per page plus a certification fee (varies by department)
• Electronic Records: Fees may apply for records provided electronically, typically $10-$25 depending on file size and complexity
• Research Fees: $20 per hour may be charged for requests requiring extensive staff time (typically exceeding 1 hour)
• Specialized Records: Maps, large-format documents, and specialized records may have specific fees

Accepted payment methods include:

• Cash (in-person only)
• Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
• Money orders
• Checks made payable to "Pinal County"

Fee structures may vary by department:

• The Recorder's Office charges specific fees for recording documents and providing certified copies
• The Clerk of the Superior Court has a separate fee schedule for court documents
• The Sheriff's Office has established fees for incident reports and other law enforcement records

Under state law, agencies may provide a fee waiver or reduction if the release of the information is in the public interest. Requests for fee waivers must be submitted in writing with justification for the public interest served.

Does Pinal County Have Free Public Records?

Pinal County provides free inspection of public records in accordance with Arizona law. While fees may apply for copies or certified documents, the following free options are available:

• In-Person Inspection: Members of the public may inspect records at no cost during regular business hours at the appropriate county office
• Online Resources: Several free online databases are maintained by the county:
  • The Pinal County Assessor's Property Search provides free access to basic property information
  • The Board of Supervisors Meeting Portal offers free access to meeting agendas, minutes, and videos
  • The Pinal County Election Results page provides free access to current and historical election data

The Pinal County Recorder's Office offers free public terminals for searching recorded documents, though fees apply for printing or obtaining certified copies. Similarly, the Clerk of the Superior Court provides public access terminals for reviewing court cases at no charge.

Additionally, certain public notices, county budgets, and reports are freely available on the Pinal County website without requiring a formal records request.

Who Can Request Public Records in Pinal County?

Under Arizona's Public Records Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Pinal County. The statute does not restrict access based on citizenship or residency status. Key eligibility considerations include:

• No Residency Requirement: Requestors need not be Arizona residents or U.S. citizens to request public records
• Identification: While basic contact information is required for processing requests, formal identification is generally not required except for records with restricted access
• Purpose Statement: For most records, requestors are not required to state the purpose of their request or intended use of the records
• Age Restrictions: There are no age restrictions for requesting public records, though minors may face limitations accessing certain records

Certain record types have specific eligibility restrictions:

• Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a qualifying legal interest as defined in A.R.S. § 36-324
• Criminal History Information: Complete criminal history records are restricted to authorized agencies and the subject of the record
• Voter Registration Records: Commercial use of voter registration data is restricted and requires a specific statement of purpose

When requesting records about oneself, additional identification may be required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. Requests for others' records are subject to applicable privacy laws and exemptions.

What Records Are Confidential in Pinal County?

While Arizona law establishes the presumption that government records are public, certain records are exempt from disclosure under state and federal laws. Pinal County maintains the following types of confidential records:

• Sealed Court Records: Cases sealed by court order, including certain juvenile proceedings, adoption records, and mental health commitments
• Juvenile Records: Juvenile court records are generally confidential under A.R.S. § 8-208, with limited exceptions
• Law Enforcement Investigative Records: Active investigation materials that would hinder an ongoing investigation or prosecution
• Personal Identifying Information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal data protected under various privacy laws
• Medical Records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state medical privacy laws
• Adoption Records: Adoption proceedings and related documents are confidential under Arizona law
• Child Welfare Records: Child Protective Services records and reports of child abuse or neglect
• Personnel Records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and medical information (basic employment information remains public)
• Attorney-Client Communications: Legal advice and attorney work product prepared for the county
• Security Information: Building security plans, computer network security information, and critical infrastructure details
• Trade Secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county

Arizona courts apply a balancing test when determining whether to release records that may qualify for discretionary withholding. This test weighs the presumption of openness against privacy interests and the best interests of the state, as established in Carlson v. Pima County, 141 Ariz. 487 (1984).

When a record contains both public and confidential information, the county will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder, as required by A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(2).

Pinal County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Pinal County Recorder's Office
31 N. Pinal Street, Building E
Florence, AZ 85132
(520) 866-6830
Pinal County Recorder

Hours of Operation:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Apache Junction Branch Office
575 N. Idaho Road, Suite 800
Apache Junction, AZ 85119
(520) 509-3555

Casa Grande Branch Office
820 E. Cottonwood Lane, Suite A
Casa Grande, AZ 85122
(520) 836-5895

The Recorder's Office is responsible for recording, maintaining, and providing access to various documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, military discharges, and maps. The office also processes voter registrations and maintains voter registration records for the county.

Services available at the Recorder's Office include:

• Recording of real estate and other official documents
• Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
• Public computer terminals for searching recorded documents
• Voter registration services
• Recording of military discharge papers (DD-214)

Lookup Public Records in Pinal County

Public Records Request Portal

Arizona Judicial Branch Case Lookup

Pinal County Recorder's Office

Pinal County Recorded Document Search

Pinal County Official Website