Cochise County, Arizona State Court Records
Official county court records from Cochise County include all documents made or filed during proceedings in the superior court within Cochise County, including civil, criminal, probate, and family. All of these documents would be kept by theClerk of the Superior Court and the Arizona Judicial Branch, which are responsible for their creation, storage, and accessibility. The arrest record that is produced by a law enforcement agency will most likely relate to a court record. Also, if there was a family matter, such as marriage, divorce, or a birth certificate, it could be linked to a vital record. They create an official, documented legal history of events and are used for background checks, legal research, or to allow public transparency of the official documentation under the state's public records law.
Are Cochise County Court Records Public?
Cochise County Court Documents are typically considered Public Record documents in accordance with the Arizona Public Records Law (A.R.S. § 39-121 et seq.). The filings and case data are available to all members of the general public via the Cochise County Superior Court'sonline case search portal or the Arizona Judicial Branch Case Search Portal. There are some exceptions to this rule, including Juvenile Cases, Sealed Court Documents, Ongoing Investigations, and Protected Family Law Matters. In addition, Public Access to these types of records may be limited by privacy rules, court orders, or Exemptions established by statute in the State of Arizona.
What Information is Available in Cochise County Court Records?
Information in Cochise County court records can vary depending on the type of case and on which parties may be subject to confidentiality. However, common information that is contained in Coschie County records includes:
- Adoption Appeals and appellate filings
- Fines, fees, restitution, and information
- Disposition of case details and minutes of the court
- Transcripts and notice of appeal
- Settlement Agreements
- Enforcement actions and post-judgment filings
- Satisfaction of judgment records
- Confidential or sealed file indicators, if applicable
Cochise County Court Records Search
Online Access
Online, individuals are able to search Cochise County court records using the Arizona Judicial Branch Public Case Search andArizona State's eAccess Portal. These two systems allow users to look up case information and, in many cases, view or obtain copies of court documents. However, the availability of records will vary by case type, and certain types, such as juvenile and criminal cases, are not open to the general public.
The Clerk of the Superior Court allows users to complete an online form to request copies of court documents from their office.
In-Person Access
Users who wish to inquire regarding specific records should contact the Clerk of the Superior Court located in one of the two offices, which include:
Bisbee Office:
100 Quality Hill Road
Bisbee, AZ 85603
Sierra Vista Office
100 Colonia de Salud, Ste. 200
Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Staff members can help interested parties to locate their records and copy them. They can also assist them in determining whether their record is part of the public case file. During regular business hours, staff are happy to assist with this process.
Mail and Phone Requests:
To send mail and phone requests, please contact:
The Clerk of the Superior Court at:
P.O. Box CK
456 Main St.,
Bisbee, Arizona 85603.
The completed Records Request Form can be sent via e-mail. Processing usually takes 5 business days, but this may vary depending on the complexity of the inquiry. There are fees for copying, certification, search fees, and postage. The method of payment of these fees will depend upon what the requester needs in addition to the service. For telephone inquiries, call (520) 432-8600.
Fees for Court Records in Cochise County
Court records in Cochise County are considered public records. Therefore, the clerk of the superior court generally does not charge a fee to inspect them. The Clerk of the Superior Court, however, can charge fees related to searching for, copying, certifying, and mailing records. Charges imposed by the Clerk of the Superior Court for these services are permitted by state statute. The purpose of these charges is to reimburse the Clerk for the costs incurred in responding to such requests, rather than charging individuals for access to the records.
Fees associated with common types of searches include:
- Copies of court documents at 50 cents per page
- Certification of documents at $35.00 per document, plus applicable copy fees
- Search and research fee at $35.00 per year when a case number has been furnished, but an additional search must be made
- Additional research at $35.00 per year or source searched beyond what was originally requested
- Electronic media copies at $6.00 per electronic media device
- Audio recordings at $35.00 plus $6.00 electronic media fee
- Postage and handling at $8.00 if actual postage or handling exceeds $8.00
Cochise County Courthouse Locations
Superior Courts in Cochise County
Cochise County Superior Court
Cochise County Courthouse
100 Quality Hill Road, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: 520-432-8600
Fax: 520-432-4850
Cochise County Superior Court - Bisbee Administration Building
Cochise County Administration Building
4 Ledge Avenue, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: 520-432-8600
Cochise County Superior Court - Sierra Vista
Cochise County Regional Services Complex
100 Colonia de Salud, Suite 200, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Phone: 520-803-3060
Fax: 520-458-4148
Justice Courts in Cochise County
Benson Justice Court - Precinct 3
126 West 5th Street, Suite 1, Benson, AZ 85602
Phone: 520-586-8100
Fax: 520-586-8117
Bisbee Justice Court - Precinct 1
207 North Judd Drive, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: 520-432-9540
Fax: 520-432-5271
Bowie Justice Court - Precinct 6
201 North Central Avenue, PO Box 317, Bowie, AZ 85605
Phone: 520-847-2303
Fax: 520-847-2242
Douglas Justice Court - Precinct 2
1012 North G Avenue, Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: 520-805-5640
Fax: 520-364-3684
Sierra Vista Justice Court - Precinct 5
Cochise County Regional Services Complex
100 Colonia de Salud, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Phone: 520-803-3800
Fax: 520-439-9106
Willcox Justice Court - Precinct 4
450 South Haskell Avenue, Willcox, AZ 85643
Phone: 520-384-7000
Fax: 520-384-7019
Municipal Courts in Cochise County
Benson Municipal Court
126 West 5th Street, Suite 1, Benson, AZ 85602
Phone: 520-586-8100
Fax: 520-586-8117
Bisbee Municipal Court
207 North Judd Drive, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: 520-432-9540
Fax: 520-432-5271
Douglas Municipal Court
1012 North G Avenue, Douglas, AZ 85607
Phone: 520-805-5640
Huachuca City Magistrate Court
500 North Gonzales Blvd, Huachuca City, AZ 85616
Phone: 520-456-1080
Fax: 520-456-2230
Sierra Vista Municipal Court
100 Colonia de Salud, Suite 108, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Phone: 520-803-3800
Fax: 520-439-9106
Tombstone Magistrate Court
402 East Fremont Street, PO Box 339, Tombstone, AZ 85638
Phone: 520-457-3781
Willcox Municipal Court
450 South Haskell Avenue, Willcox, AZ 85643
Phone: 520-384-7000
Fax: 520-384-7019
Criminal Records Access in Cochise County
Although there are many ways to obtain criminal records in Cochise County, interested persons need to differentiate between Local Court Records and Statewide Criminal History Records. The Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) maintains the official Arizona central repository for all criminal history background checks. There may also be an arrest, charge, and conviction.
The Cochise County Superior Court allows the public to gain access to Criminal Case Records within its jurisdiction. Interested persons can search for criminal case information through an online court portal or by visiting the clerk of the superior court in person. Search results may include case numbers, charges, dates and times of court proceedings, filings, judgments, and sentencing.
There may be restrictions on criminal records that prevent them from being publicly accessible. Examples include sealing orders, expungements of a juvenile status offense, ongoing investigation, or confidentiality requirements created by Arizona law.
Cochise County Probate Records
Cochise County probate records relate to a number of administrative issues concerning the management of a deceased individual's property and the protection of the rights of persons who may need assistance managing their own affairs. The county superior court maintains these records, which may include wills, estate inventories, probate petitions, trusts, guardianship and conservatorship proceedings, and associated court orders. Probate is used to validate wills, confirm heirs, select a personal representative for the estate, and distribute assets of the estate.
Cochise County Family Court Records
Family court cases in Cochise County document legal actions involving family members and their families. Examples of common cases recorded, documented, and processed by the clerk for the superior court include divorces, legal separations, child custody, parenting, child support, spousal support, paternity, adoptions, and guardianships. Access to these records is made possible by the Clerk of the Superior Court. Public access is provided unless prohibited by a law or an Order of the Court.
Many of the family court cases in Cochise County have been posted online through Arizona's court case portal. The online systems allow users to learn the basics of their cases, including docket entry history and current case status. Many of the documents in a family court case may be exempt from online access due to privacy concerns. In those instances, individuals can go down to the courthouse and speak with staff at the Clerk's office regarding obtaining the requested records.
Requesters who need certified copies of their family court records, such as a divorce decree or a prior custody order, can obtain them from the Clerk of the Superior Court. To obtain these certified copies, requesters will need to provide information about their case, pay any applicable costs, and present a valid form of identification if required.
Federal Court Records in Cochise County
In Cochise County, federal cases are legal actions filed in the U.S. federal court system rather than in a local or state courtroom. As such, federal records pertain to violations of federal law, constitutional disputes, bankruptcies, immigration cases, prosecutions of federal offenses, and civil actions involving residents of other states. Federal cases within Cochise County are adjudicated by theUnited States District Court for the District of Arizona.
As these federal records are not maintained at the county level, they can be searched using federal court systems. A person seeking to search federal records will primarily need to use Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER), which provides online access to court documents. This includes the docket entries associated with a case, all documents filed in the case, and the opinions written by the judge assigned to hear it. There may also be limited free access to some general information about the case.
Registration is required to access most federal record systems. Fees apply to obtaining copies of certain documents. However, many judicial opinions and brief summaries are free of charge.