Cochise County Court Records Search
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Cochise County occupies the southeastern corner of Arizona and is home to the communities of Bisbee (the county seat), Sierra Vista, Douglas, Benson, and Willcox. The Cochise County Superior Court, operating under the state’s general jurisdiction trial court structure, adjudicates civil, criminal, family, juvenile, and probate matters. Six justice courts spread across the county handle misdemeanors, civil disputes under $10,000, small claims, traffic offenses, and orders of protection. The Clerk of the Superior Court serves as the official custodian of all superior court records and also functions as Probate Registrar, Jury Commissioner, and the issuing authority for marriage licenses and passport applications.
For those seeking court case information in Arizona, records may be located through clerk offices, courthouse public access terminals, and several online tools maintained by the state judiciary. The Arizona Judicial Branch operates a statewide case lookup system, and additional resources are available through ArizonaCourts.us. These tools, combined with direct contact with the Clerk’s office, provide multiple pathways for searching publicly available case data from Cochise County and other Arizona jurisdictions.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Cochise County?
Several search methods are available depending on whether you need basic case information or copies of filed documents.
Online Case Searches
The Public Access Case Lookup Tool provided by the Arizona Judicial Branch allows free searches of case records across all participating courts in the state. To find a Cochise County case, select “Cochise Superior Court” from the court dropdown, then search by last name, first name, case number, or attorney name. Results display docket entries and basic case information.
For access to actual court documents, the eAccess portal provides 24/7 online access to Arizona Superior Court civil and criminal case records filed on or after July 1, 2010. Users must register for an account and purchase documents on a per-document basis or through a recurring monthly subscription. Electronically certified copies are available for an additional fee. Certain sealed or confidential records are excluded from the system.
In-Person Searches
Walk-in requests are accepted at either Clerk of the Superior Court location during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.:
Bisbee Office
Address: 100 Quality Hill Road, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Mailing Address: P.O. Box CK, Bisbee, AZ 85603
Phone: (520) 432-8600
Fax: (520) 432-4850
Sierra Vista Office
Address: 100 Colonia De Salud, Suite 200, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635
Phone: (520) 803-3060
By Mail or Online Form
Record requests can also be submitted by mail to the Bisbee office or through the Online Records Request Form on the Cochise County website. Requesters should include as much identifying information as possible—case number, party names, and case type. Processing time may be longer for older records, particularly those predating February 1881.
Payment Methods
The Clerk’s office does not accept personal checks. Accepted payment methods include cash (in person only), cashier’s check, money order, and credit or debit card. The Clerk has partnered with Point & Pay for electronic payments, which carries a convenience fee of 2.5% or $2.00, whichever is greater.
Common Copy and Certification Fees
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Copies (per page) | $0.50 |
| Certified copy of any document (including marriage license) | $35.00 |
| Certificate of correctness of copy | $35.00 |
| Authentication per certification (3 seals) | $105.00 |
| Exemplification per certification (2 seals) | $70.00 |
| Comparison fee per page (document furnished by party) | $0.50 |
| Alpha index per page | $0.50 |
| Research in locating document (per year or source) | $35.00 |
| Postage and handling | $8.00 |
| Reopening a sealed court file | $35.00 |
| Sealing a court file | $35.00 |
| Payment history report | $35.00 |
The complete Cochise County Superior Court fee schedule reflects fees authorized under A.R.S. § 12-284 and applicable Supreme Court Administrative Orders.
Are Court Records Public in Cochise County?
Court records in Cochise County are presumed open to public inspection. Two principal authorities govern access: Arizona’s public records framework and Arizona Supreme Court Rule 123, which establishes the rules for access to judicial records across the state. Under Rule 123, all case records are open to the public unless closed by law, court rule, or court order. When a record is closed, the court must state its reason for doing so.
The following categories of records are generally restricted from public access:
- Juvenile case records
- Medical and mental health records submitted in proceedings
- Identifying information of victims and witnesses where disclosure could compromise safety
- Records related to ongoing investigations
- Sealed or expunged records
- Records associated with orders of protection (certain components)
Confidential information that must be redacted or excluded from public filings includes Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and the names of minor children in certain case types. Parties filing documents are responsible for redacting protected information before submission.
Anyone denied access to a court record under Rule 123 may file a written objection with the court, which must rule on the request promptly. The rule also requires courts to balance the public’s right of access against privacy, safety, and law enforcement concerns on a case-by-case basis.
Cochise County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Cochise County are heard in the Superior Court (felonies and some appeals) and the six justice courts (misdemeanors, criminal traffic, and DUIs). The Superior Court’s criminal division handles felony prosecutions, while justice courts conduct initial appearances and preliminary hearings for felony charges before transferring them to the Superior Court.
Searching Criminal Court Cases
Criminal case records can be searched online using the Public Access Case Lookup Tool. Select the appropriate court—Cochise Superior Court or one of the justice courts—and enter the case number, party name, or attorney name. Court documents for Superior Court criminal cases filed on or after July 1, 2010, are available for purchase through eAccess.
In-person requests can be directed to the Clerk of the Superior Court at either the Bisbee or Sierra Vista office. For justice court criminal records, contact the justice court in the precinct where the case was heard.
Arrest Records and Criminal History
County-level arrest records, booking information, and offense reports are maintained by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office. Record requests can be submitted through the county’s public records request portal or in person. Incident and accident report requests may also be made by calling (520) 432-9500 or by email to the Sheriff’s records division.
For statewide criminal history checks, the Arizona Department of Public Safety provides criminal records to authorized individuals and agencies. Fingerprinting services are available locally through the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office at two locations:
- Bisbee: 203 N Judd Drive — Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — $5.00 cash only
- Sierra Vista: 100 Colonia de Salud, Suite 106-107 — Mondays and Tuesdays, 12:00–2:00 p.m. — $5.00 cash only
Justice Court Criminal Jurisdiction
Each of the six justice courts handles misdemeanor offenses including assault, DUI (including extreme DUI), shoplifting, disorderly conduct, and violations of protective orders. Contact information for all justice courts:
| Court | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bisbee Justice Court | 207 N Judd Drive, Bisbee, AZ 85603 | (520) 432-9540 |
| Sierra Vista Justice Court | 100 Colonia de Salud, Sierra Vista, AZ 85635 | (520) 803-3800 |
| Douglas Justice Court | 1012 N G Avenue, Suite 237, Douglas, AZ 85607 | (520) 805-5640 |
| Benson Justice Court | 126 W 5th Street, Benson, AZ 85602 | (520) 586-8100 |
| Willcox Justice Court | 450 S Haskell Avenue, Willcox, AZ 85643 | (520) 384-7000 |
| Bowie Justice Court | 201 N Central Ave, Bowie, AZ 85605 | (520) 847-2303 |
Cochise County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in the Superior Court encompasses claims exceeding the justice court jurisdictional limit, including personal injury, contract disputes, property damage, fraud, foreclosures, and evictions. The justice courts hear civil lawsuits where the amount in controversy is $10,000 or less, landlord-tenant disputes, eviction actions, and small claims matters (disputes of $3,500 or less). Small claims proceedings are informal, do not involve attorneys, and are not subject to appeal.
How to Obtain Civil Court Records
Civil case records from the Superior Court can be accessed through the following channels:
- Online: Search by party name or case number on the Public Access Case Lookup Tool. For document copies from cases filed on or after July 1, 2010, use eAccess.
- Online request form: Submit the Online Records Request Form on the Cochise County website with the case number, party names, and a description of the documents needed.
- In person: Visit the Clerk of the Superior Court at the Bisbee or Sierra Vista office during regular business hours.
- By mail: Send a written request with identifying case details and the applicable fees (cashier’s check or money order) to the Clerk’s Bisbee mailing address: P.O. Box CK, Bisbee, AZ 85603.
For justice court civil records, contact the clerk at the appropriate precinct court directly.
Selected Civil Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Complaint, petition, or special action | $302.00 |
| Answer or initial appearance | $198.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $302.00 |
| Injunction against harassment | No fee |
| Change of name | $302.00 |
| Tax court case | $302.00 |
| Small claims (justice court) | $43.00 |
| Filing transcript and docketing judgment | $35.00 |
| Issuance of subpoena (civil) | $35.00 |
Self-represented parties can access forms and filing instructions through the Arizona Courts Self-Service Center and the Cochise County Superior Court Self-Help Center, reachable at (520) 432-8513 or selfhelp@cochise.az.gov.
Cochise County Family Court Records
The Cochise County Superior Court adjudicates all family law matters, including dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, annulment, child custody and support, paternity and maternity, adoption, and domestic violence protection orders. Family cases are filed with and maintained by the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Requesting Family Court Records
Requests for family case records can be made in person at either courthouse location, by mail, or through the Online Records Request Form. Payment should be made by cashier’s check, money order, or credit/debit card through Point & Pay. Standard copy fees apply ($0.50 per page for uncertified; $35.00 for certified copies).
Not all family court records are publicly accessible. Juvenile records, certain domestic violence case details, and other sensitive filings may be sealed or restricted by law or court order. Identifying information about minors is routinely excluded from public access.
Family Law Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Summary consent petition and decree (A.R.S. § 25-314.01) | $266.50 |
| Petition for dissolution, legal separation, or annulment | $311.00 |
| Answer/response in dissolution, separation, or annulment | $222.00 |
| Petition – miscellaneous domestic relations (paternity) | $306.00 |
| Response – miscellaneous domestic relations (paternity) | $217.00 |
| Post-adjudication petition in domestic relations | $152.00 |
| Post-adjudication conciliation/mediation petition | $187.00 |
| Order of protection / injunction against harassment | No fee |
The Self-Help Center offers guidance and family law forms for self-represented litigants navigating dissolution, custody, and support cases.
Marriage Licenses
The Clerk of the Superior Court issues marriage licenses in Cochise County. A marriage license costs $98.00. Certified copies of a marriage license or application are $35.00 each. Applications are processed at the Bisbee and Sierra Vista clerk offices during regular hours.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Cochise County Vital Records Office within the Department of Health and Social Services. Arizona is not an open-record state for vital records—birth and death certificates are confidential. Only the person named on the certificate, parents, legal guardians, legal representatives, or immediate family members may obtain copies.
Certified copies cost $20.00 each. Applications are available for both birth certificates and death certificates. Requests can be made in person with valid identification at any of the five Cochise County clinic locations (Bisbee, Sierra Vista, Douglas, Benson, and Willcox), which offer same-day service. Mail-in requests should be directed to the Sierra Vista or Bisbee locations. Payment is accepted in cash (in person), credit or debit card (with convenience fee), or money order. Personal checks are not accepted.
| Vital Records Office | Address | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Bisbee Clinic | 1415 Melody Lane, Building A, Bisbee, AZ 85603 | (520) 432-9400 |
| Benson Clinic | 126 W 5th Street, Benson, AZ 85602 | (520) 586-8200 |
| Douglas Clinic | 1012 North G Avenue, Suite 101, Douglas, AZ 85607 | (520) 805-5600 |
| Willcox Clinic | 450 S Haskell Avenue, Willcox, AZ 85643 | (520) 384-7100 |
Cochise County Probate Court Records
The Superior Court’s probate division handles estate administration, will validation, trust disputes, guardianships, conservatorships, adult adoptions, emancipation of minors, small estate transfers, and termination of guardianship or conservatorship. The Clerk of the Superior Court serves as the Probate Registrar for the county.
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information is available online through the Public Access Case Lookup Tool and eAccess. In-person inquiries and document requests can be directed to the Clerk’s office at either the Bisbee or Sierra Vista location. Requests may also be submitted by mail or through the Online Records Request Form. The same copy and certification fees that apply to other case types apply to probate records.
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition in formal testacy or appointment proceeding | $241.00 |
| Application for informal probate or appointment | $241.00 |
| Petition for supervised administration | $241.00 |
| Petition to appoint guardian | $241.00 |
| Petition to appoint conservator or make protective order | $241.00 |
| Single estate application (A.R.S. § 14-3938) | $241.00 |
| Opposing petition in testacy or appointment | $152.00 |
| Petition for transfer of real property by affidavit (A.R.S. § 14-3971 F) | $276.00 |
| Proof of authority (A.R.S. § 14-4204) | $241.00 |
| Post-judgment activities in probate | $137.00 |
| Demand for notice | $35.00 |
| Petition for emancipation of a minor | $111.00 |
Arizona law requires proposed guardians and conservators to undergo background screening before appointment. The Superior Court Self-Help Center at (520) 432-8513 can provide guidance on probate filing procedures, required forms, and documentation standards for estate and guardianship matters.