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Yuma County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Yuma County?

Public records in Yuma County are defined as all books, papers, maps, photographs, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any governmental agency in pursuance of law or in connection with the transaction of public business, as specified in the Arizona Public Records Law § 39-121. These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally accessible to the public upon request.

Yuma County maintains numerous types of public records, including:

  • Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases processed through the Yuma County Superior Court
  • Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments maintained by the County Recorder
  • Vital Records: Birth and death certificates (limited to those occurring in Yuma County)
  • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and certificates issued within the county
  • Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name filings
  • Tax Records: Property tax information and assessment records
  • Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results
  • Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Documentation of County Board of Supervisors and other public bodies
  • Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, budgets, and financial reports
  • Law Enforcement Records: Certain arrest logs and incident reports (with statutory limitations)
  • Land Use and Zoning Records: Planning documents, permits, and zoning information

The Yuma County Clerk of Superior Court maintains court records, while the Yuma County Recorder's Office is responsible for property records, marriage licenses, and other official documents. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are maintained by the Yuma County Health District.

Is Yuma County an Open Records County?

Yuma County adheres to Arizona's public records laws, which establish a presumption of openness for government records. Under the Arizona Public Records Law § 39-121, "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."

The Arizona Supreme Court has consistently interpreted this statute broadly, affirming in Carlson v. Pima County that "the law creates a presumption in favor of disclosure." This legal framework establishes Yuma County as an open records jurisdiction.

Yuma County's records management policies comply with both state law and the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records retention schedules. The county has implemented procedures to facilitate public access while protecting confidential information as required by state and federal laws.

Additionally, Yuma County operations are subject to Arizona's Open Meeting Law § 38-431, which requires that meetings of public bodies be conducted openly and that notices and agendas be provided in advance. This "sunshine law" works in conjunction with public records laws to ensure transparency in county government.

How to Find Public Records in Yuma County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Yuma County may follow these procedures to access information:

  1. Identify the appropriate department: Determine which county office maintains the records you seek. The Yuma County website provides a directory of departments and their responsibilities.

  2. Submit a formal request: While some records are available online, others require a formal public records request. Requests may be submitted:

    • In person at the appropriate county office
    • By mail to the relevant department
    • Through the county's online public records request portal
    • Via email to the records custodian

  3. Complete required forms: Some record types require specific forms. For example, court records requests must be submitted on the Court Records Request Form.

  4. Provide necessary information: Include specific details about the records sought, including:

    • Document type
    • Date range
    • Names of involved parties
    • Case numbers (for court records)
    • Property addresses or parcel numbers (for property records)

  5. Pay applicable fees: Be prepared to pay any required fees for search, retrieval, or copying services.

  6. Present identification: For certain records, such as vital records, requestors must present valid identification.

For court records, the public may utilize the Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access Case Lookup system to search for case information online. Property records can be searched through the Yuma County Recorder's Office online portal.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1), Yuma County offices must promptly respond to public records requests and provide reasonable access to records during regular business hours.

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

Yuma County assesses fees for public records in accordance with A.R.S. § 39-121.03, which permits charging for the cost of reproduction. Current standard fees include:

  • Photocopies: $0.50 per page for standard documents
  • Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $30.00 certification fee
  • Large format documents: $5.00 per page for maps, plats, and other oversized materials
  • Digital records: $10.00 per CD/DVD for electronic copies
  • Research fees: $20.00 per hour for records requiring extensive research (first 30 minutes free)

Specific departments may have different fee structures:

  • Recorder's Office:

    • $30.00 for first page of recorded documents
    • $5.00 for each additional page
    • $5.00 for non-certified copies of recorded documents

  • Clerk of Superior Court:

    • $0.50 per page for non-certified copies
    • $0.50 per page plus $30.00 certification fee for certified copies
    • $30.00 for marriage license

  • Health District (Vital Records):

    • $20.00 for first copy of birth certificate
    • $20.00 for first copy of death certificate
    • $5.00 for each additional copy ordered at the same time

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and credit/debit cards (with processing fee) at most county offices. Some departments may not accept all payment types.

Fee waivers may be available in cases of demonstrated financial hardship or when the request serves the public interest, as determined by the records custodian pursuant to county policy.

Does Yuma County Have Free Public Records?

Yuma County provides free inspection of public records during normal business hours in accordance with A.R.S. § 39-121, which states that public records "shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours." While copying fees may apply, viewing records in person is typically free of charge.

The following free public record resources are available:

Members of the public may visit county offices during regular business hours to inspect records without charge, though appointments are recommended for extensive research to ensure staff availability.

Who Can Request Public Records in Yuma County?

Under Arizona law, any person may request public records from Yuma County regardless of citizenship or residency status. The Arizona Public Records Law § 39-121 establishes that public records "shall be open to inspection by any person," with no qualification as to the requestor's identity or purpose.

Key points regarding eligibility to request records include:

  • No residency requirement: Non-residents of Yuma County or Arizona may request records
  • No purpose statement required: Requestors generally do not need to state their reason for seeking records
  • Identification requirements: While basic requests may not require ID, certain records (such as vital records) require verification of identity
  • Commercial use: Requests for commercial purposes must be declared as such, per A.R.S. § 39-121.03(A)
  • Requesting personal records: Individuals seeking their own records may need to provide identification to verify their identity

Special considerations apply to certain record types:

  • Vital Records: Birth and death certificates are restricted to qualified individuals with direct interest (self, immediate family, legal representative)
  • Adoption Records: Access is highly restricted by A.R.S. § 8-120
  • Juvenile Court Records: Generally confidential with limited exceptions under A.R.S. § 8-208
  • Medical Records: Protected by HIPAA and state privacy laws

Government agencies, law enforcement, and authorized researchers may have broader access rights to certain restricted records when acting in their official capacity.

What Records Are Confidential in Yuma County?

Yuma County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with state and federal laws. A.R.S. § 39-121.04 and other statutes establish specific exemptions from public disclosure. Records that are generally not available for public inspection include:

  • Sealed court records: Cases sealed by judicial order
  • Juvenile records: Delinquency and dependency proceedings, with limited exceptions under A.R.S. § 8-208
  • Ongoing investigations: Active law enforcement investigative reports
  • Personal identifying information: Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and other sensitive personal data
  • Medical records: Health information protected under HIPAA and state law
  • Adoption records: Sealed under A.R.S. § 8-120
  • Child welfare records: Reports and investigations by child protective services
  • Personnel records: Employee evaluations, disciplinary actions, and medical information (basic employment information remains public)
  • Attorney-client communications: Legal advice and work product
  • Trade secrets: Proprietary business information submitted to the county
  • Security information: Building security plans, computer network security, and critical infrastructure details
  • Victim information: Personal data of crime victims protected under victims' rights laws
  • Library patron records: Individual borrowing records protected by A.R.S. § 41-1354

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

Arizona courts apply a balancing test when determining whether certain records should be withheld, weighing the presumption of openness against privacy interests and the best interests of the state. This test was established in Mathews v. Pyle and continues to guide public records decisions.

Yuma County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Yuma County Recorder's Office
197 S. Main Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
(928) 373-6020
Yuma County Recorder

Regular Office Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Services Provided:

  • Recording of deeds, mortgages, and other property documents
  • Marriage licenses
  • Military discharge records (DD-214)
  • Voter registration
  • Elections administration
  • Fictitious business name filings
  • Mining claims
  • Document certification

Public Research Area Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Self-service computer terminals are available for public research

Satellite Office:
Wellton Branch
10425 Williams Street
Wellton, AZ 85356
(928) 785-3344
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

The Recorder's Office maintains records dating back to 1864 when Yuma County was established. Many recent records (1980-present) are available through the online portal on the Recorder's website. Older records may require in-person research or staff assistance.

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