Yuma County Court Records Search
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Yuma County sits at Arizona’s southwestern corner along the Colorado River, serving as a regional hub for agriculture and cross-border commerce. The county’s judicial system processes thousands of cases annually through its Superior Court, three Justice Court precincts, and four Municipal Courts. Accessing court records in Yuma County requires knowing which court handled the case and which office maintains the files. This guide covers the specific procedures, fees, contact information, and online tools available for locating and requesting records across each division of the Yuma County court system.
For those starting a records search in Arizona, several official resources can help narrow down the right court and case. The Arizona Judicial Branch oversees the statewide court system, and its online portals provide access to case information across counties. The ArizonaCourts.us website may also assist in locating publicly available court case details. Records can be searched through clerk of court offices, public access terminals at courthouses, the Arizona Judicial Branch’s digital tools, and county-specific online systems. The best approach depends on the type of record, the court that handled the case, and whether the record is available electronically.
How to Look Up a Court Case in Yuma County?
Yuma County’s court system operates under the structure established by Arizona’s constitution. The Superior Court is the county’s general jurisdiction trial court, hearing felonies, major civil lawsuits, family law matters, probate, juvenile cases, and appeals from lower courts. The three Justice Courts handle misdemeanor criminal cases, civil disputes involving smaller monetary claims, landlord-tenant matters, and protective orders. Municipal Courts address ordinance violations and certain misdemeanors within their city limits.
Online Search Options
- eAccess — Operated by the Arizona Judicial Branch, this portal provides 24/7 access to Superior Court civil and criminal case records filed on or after July 1, 2010. Searches can be run by case number, party name, or case event.
- Public Access to Court Information — A statewide case lookup tool offering basic case information for participating courts, including some Yuma County courts.
- Arizona Court Case Finder — A help tool that directs users to the right electronic court record system based on their county and case type.
- Superior Court Record Requests — Provides guidance on how to request Superior Court records, including links to eAccess and eFiling portals.
In-Person Requests
The Clerk of the Superior Court manages all Superior Court records. Walk-in requests can be made at the clerk’s office on the first floor of the Yuma County Justice Center:
Clerk of the Superior Court
The Honorable Lynn Fazz
250 West 2nd Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
Closed Saturday, Sunday, and holidays
Key phone contacts at the Clerk’s Office:
| Division | Phone |
|---|---|
| Case Information | (928) 817-4237 |
| Civil Cases | (928) 817-4226 |
| Criminal Cases | (928) 817-4236 |
| Domestic Relations | (928) 817-4231 |
| Child Support (DES/IV-D) | (928) 817-4231 |
| Child Support (non-DES) | (928) 817-4254 |
| Marriage Licenses, Passports, Copies | (928) 817-4234 |
| Jury Clerk | (928) 817-4258 |
| Financials | (928) 817-4255 |
| Fax | (928) 817-4211 |
Payment Methods
The Clerk’s office accepts cash, money orders, personal checks, Visa, and Mastercard. When paying by personal check or credit card, the account holder must be present. A $25.00 fee applies to returned checks. Copies of court documents cost $0.50 per page, certified copies are $35.00, and postage and handling fees are $8.00. Research fees for locating a document are $35.00 per year searched per source.
Are Court Records Public in Yuma County?
Arizona law establishes a strong presumption of public access to government records. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, public records in the custody of any officer are open to inspection by any person during office hours. The Arizona Public Records Laws extend this right to court records across the state, including those created and filed in Yuma County.
Court records are additionally governed by Rule 123 of the Arizona Rules of the Supreme Court, which mandates that all case records are open to the public except where closed by law or by specific court order. The Arizona Code of Judicial Administration Sections 3-402 and 1-604 provide further guidelines on public access and restrictions.
Records that are restricted from public access in Yuma County include:
- Juvenile court records — Managed separately through the Juvenile Justice Center and generally confidential
- Sealed and expunged records — Removed from public view by court order
- Adoption records — Confidential under Arizona statute
- Mental health commitment records (Title 36) — Restricted by law
- Victim information — Personal details of victims of sexual or physical abuse are protected
- Records under active investigation — May be temporarily restricted
- Confidential personal identifiers — Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, and similar data are subject to redaction
Arizona is also a “closed records” state for certain vital records. Birth certificates less than 75 years old and death certificates less than 50 years old can only be obtained by eligible parties such as the registrant or close family members.
Requesters seeking public records from law enforcement should note that A.R.S. § 39-121.03 prohibits the use of public records for commercial purposes. All public records requests must include an affirmation regarding the intended use.
Yuma County Criminal Court Records
Criminal cases in Yuma County are handled by the Superior Court (felonies and appeals), the Justice Courts (misdemeanors and preliminary felony hearings), and the Municipal Courts (city ordinance violations). The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains all felony case records, while each Justice Court and Municipal Court maintains its own misdemeanor and traffic records.
Searching Criminal Court Cases Online
Superior Court criminal case records can be accessed through eAccess for cases filed on or after July 1, 2010. The Public Access to Court Information portal also provides case lookup capability for some Yuma County courts. For in-person requests, contact the criminal division of the Clerk’s office at (928) 817-4236.
Arrest Records and Criminal History
The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office maintains arrest records and booking information. The Sheriff’s Records Department processes requests for incident reports, case reports, adult arrest records, booking photos, and traffic accident reports. Report fees are as follows:
| Record Type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Case report (basic) | $3.00 |
| Incident report | $1.00 |
| Traffic accident report | $3.00 |
| Report photos | $5.00 per CD |
| 911 and/or audio recordings | $5.00 per CD |
| Video recordings | $5.00 per CD |
| Adult arrest record | No charge |
| Booking photo | No charge |
| Letter of incarceration | No charge |
| Postage (if mailed) | $1.50 |
Requests must be submitted using the Public Records/Report Request Form with a copy of picture identification. Allow 15 to 20 business days for processing.
YCSO Records Department
160 S. 3rd Avenue, Suite B
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 329-2254
Fax: (928) 539-7891
Email: SORec@ycso.yumacountyaz.gov
Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Criminal History Record Checks
The Sheriff’s Office conducts criminal history record checks upon request, but only for individuals requesting their own records. These checks cover contacts with the Sheriff’s Office within the last 10 years. Requests must be submitted on a Local Record Check form. There is no fee for the local record check, a “Letter of No Record”, or a “Letter of Incarceration”. Allow three business days for processing.
Mail requests should include a notarized copy of picture identification and be sent to: Yuma County Sheriff’s Office, Attn: Records Department, 141 S. 3rd Avenue, Yuma, AZ 85364.
For statewide criminal history, contact the Arizona Department of Public Safety Criminal History Records Section at (602) 223-2222. For national criminal history, contact the FBI CJIS Division at (304) 625-3878.
Yuma County Civil Court Records
Civil litigation in Yuma County is divided between the Superior Court, which handles cases without a dollar-amount cap, and the Justice Courts, which hear civil disputes involving smaller monetary claims, evictions, and small claims matters. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains all civil filings for the Superior Court.
Superior Court Civil Filing Fees
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Complaint or petition | $342.00 |
| Answer or initial appearance | $238.00 |
| Additional plaintiffs | $342.00 |
| Foreign judgment | $342.00 |
| Change of venue transmittal | $35.00 |
| Petition for change of name | $342.00 |
| Notice of appeal | $118.00 |
| Process server application | $222.00 |
| Tax appeal | $327.00 |
Civil cases can be searched through eAccess for cases filed on or after July 1, 2010. The Clerk’s office civil division can be reached at (928) 817-4226 for case status inquiries and records requests.
Justice Court Civil Matters
The three Justice Court precincts handle civil disputes within their geographic areas. Small claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and eviction actions are among the most common filings. Justice Court filing fees are set by A.R.S. § 22-281 and follow a statewide schedule. Yuma County provides forms for all case types through the AZCourtHelp portal, including small claims complaints, civil complaints, and eviction packets.
Yuma Justice Court — Precinct 1
250 West 2nd Street, Suite A
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 817-4100
Fax: (928) 817-4101
South County Justice Court — Precinct 2
1358 East Liberty Street, P.O. Box 7650
San Luis, AZ 85349
Phone: (928) 314-5100
Wellton Justice Court — Precinct 3
10620 Dome Street, P.O. Box 384
Wellton, AZ 85356
Phone: (928) 785-3321
The Yuma County Self-Service Center provides information and forms for self-represented litigants in civil, family, probate, juvenile, and criminal cases. The self-service center links to the AZCourtHelp.org and AZLawHelp.org resources for additional assistance.
Property Records
Real property records are maintained separately from court records. The Yuma County Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, and liens, and offers an online search portal. The Yuma County Assessor maintains property assessment data through its EagleWeb online search tool. Both offices operate between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Yuma County Family Court Records
The Superior Court’s Domestic Relations division handles all family law matters in Yuma County, including divorce, legal separation, annulment, child custody, child support, paternity, orders of protection, injunctions against harassment, and grandparent visitation.
Family Law Filing Fees
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Petition for dissolution without children | $351.00 |
| Petition for dissolution with children | $391.00 |
| Response in dissolution without children | $262.00 |
| Response in dissolution with children | $302.00 |
| Petition for legal separation without children | $351.00 |
| Petition for legal separation with children | $391.00 |
| Petition for annulment | $351.00 |
| Petition for paternity | $346.00 |
| Petition for paternity with custody | $386.00 |
| Post-adjudication petition (domestic relations) | $102.00 |
| Order of protection | $0.00 |
| Injunction against harassment | $0.00 |
| Grandparent petition for custody | $321.00 |
| Grandparent petition for visitation | $281.00 |
The Domestic Relations division can be reached at (928) 817-4231. Yuma County family law forms are available through the AZCourtHelp portal and the county’s Self-Service Center Family Law page. Note that Yuma County does not accept ez-Courtforms. Additional resources linked through the self-service center include the Child Support Calculator, Family Law Statutes, and Arizona Courts Protective Orders information.
Persons unable to afford filing fees may apply for a deferral or waiver through the Deferral of Court Fees page on the county website.
Marriage and Divorce Records
The Clerk of the Superior Court issues marriage licenses at 250 West 2nd Street, Suite B, Yuma, AZ 85364. The cost is $98.00. Applicants must be at least 18 years old (or 16–17 with an emancipation order and parental consent) and must provide proof of age (certified birth certificate, passport, driver’s license, or military ID) and a Social Security number. Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $35.00, with an additional $35.00 per year searched beyond the initial year. Contact (928) 817-4234 for marriage license information.
Divorce records are maintained by the Clerk’s office as part of domestic relations case files. Copies can be obtained through the same procedures and at the same fees used for other Superior Court records.
Birth and Death Records
Birth and death certificates are maintained by the Yuma County Office of Vital Statistics, a division of the Yuma County Health District. The City of Yuma City Records page directs requesters to the Arizona Department of Health Services Office of Vital Records at (602) 364-1300 for certificate requests. Arizona restricts access to birth records less than 75 years old and death records less than 50 years old to eligible parties only.
Yuma County Probate Court Records
The Probate division of the Yuma County Superior Court handles estate administration, wills, guardianships of minors and adults, conservatorships, adult adoptions, and name changes. The Clerk of the Superior Court maintains all probate filings.
Probate Filing Fees
| Filing | Fee |
|---|---|
| Application for informal probate | $281.00 |
| Petition for formal testacy or appointment | $281.00 |
| Petition for supervised administration | $281.00 |
| Petition for appointment of guardian | $281.00 |
| Petition for appointment of guardian/conservator | $281.00 |
| Petition for temporary conservator | $281.00 |
| Petition for temporary guardianship | $281.00 |
| Opposing contested petition (no prior payment) | $192.00 |
| Petition to reopen probate | $102.00 |
| Post-judgment adjudication petition | $102.00 |
| Single estate application (A.R.S. § 14-3938) | $281.00 |
| Affidavit of succession real property (§ 14-3971.F) | $281.00 |
| Court-controlled trust account (per action) | $30.00 |
Searching Probate Records
Probate case information can be searched online through eAccess and the Public Access to Court Information portal. The Yuma County Probate page on the county website provides self-help forms and instructions for individuals handling probate matters without an attorney. Frequently used probate forms — including acceptance of service, affidavit for collection of personal property, affidavit of publication, and annual report forms — are available through AZCourtHelp.org.
In-person requests can be made at the Clerk’s office during normal business hours. The Juvenile Justice Center, located at 2440 West 28th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364, Phone: (928) 314-1900, handles certain guardianship matters involving minors under the juvenile division.
Yuma County Municipal Courts
While municipal courts primarily handle city-level violations, records from these courts may occasionally be relevant to broader searches. Contact information for each is listed below:
Yuma Municipal Court
1515 South 2nd Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 373-4800
Fax: (928) 329-2876
San Luis Municipal Court
767 North 1st Avenue, P.O. Box 1670
San Luis, AZ 85349
Phone: (928) 341-8595
Fax: (928) 627-2335
Somerton Municipal Court
350 West Main Street
Somerton, AZ 85350
Phone: (928) 627-2722
Wellton Municipal Court
10250 Dome Street
Wellton, AZ 85356
Phone: (928) 785-3321