Coconino County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Coconino County?

Public records in Coconino 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 under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121. These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally accessible to the public upon request.

Coconino County maintains a comprehensive array of public records including:

• Court records (civil, criminal, probate, family law cases)
• Property records (deeds, mortgages, liens, assessments)
• Vital records (birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates)
• Business records (licenses, permits, fictitious business names)
• Tax records (property tax information, assessment records)
• Voting and election records
• Meeting minutes and agendas (County Board of Supervisors, commissions)
• Budget and financial documents
• Law enforcement records (arrest logs, incident reports where permitted)
• Land use and zoning records

The Coconino County Recorder's Office serves as the primary custodian for many property-related documents, while the Coconino County Superior Court maintains judicial records. Vital records such as birth and death certificates are managed by the Arizona Department of Health Services, though some historical records may be available through the county.

Each record type is maintained by a specific county department:

• Property records: Coconino County Recorder's Office
• Court records: Coconino County Superior Court and Justice Courts
• Tax records: Coconino County Assessor and Treasurer
• Business licenses: Coconino County Community Development
• Meeting minutes: Coconino County Clerk of the Board
• Voting records: Coconino County Elections Department

Is Coconino County an Open Records County?

Coconino County adheres to Arizona's public records laws, which establish a presumption of openness for government records. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 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 Public Records Law further stipulates that "any person may request to examine or be furnished copies, printouts or photographs of any public record during regular office hours." This statutory framework creates a strong legal foundation for public access to government information in Coconino County.

Coconino County has implemented policies to comply with these state requirements. The county maintains a public records request process that allows citizens to submit requests to the appropriate departments. County officials are required to promptly respond to these requests and provide reasonable access to non-exempt records.

Additionally, Coconino County complies with Arizona's Open Meeting Law (A.R.S. § 38-431), which requires that meetings of public bodies be conducted openly and that notices and agendas be provided in advance. This ensures transparency not only in records but also in the decision-making processes of county government.

The county's commitment to transparency is further demonstrated through its online resources, which make many records available electronically without requiring a formal request.

How to Find Public Records in Coconino County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records in Coconino 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 electronic systems:

   • Court records can be searched through the Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access Case Lookup
   • Property records are accessible via the Coconino County Recorder's online search portal
   • Meeting agendas and minutes are posted on the Coconino County website

2. In-Person Requests: Individuals may visit the appropriate county office during regular business hours:

   • For property records: Coconino County Recorder's Office
   • For court records: Coconino County Superior Court Clerk
   • For tax information: Coconino County Assessor or Treasurer

3. Written Requests: The public may submit formal written requests:

   • Complete the county's Public Records Request Form
   • Submit the form to the specific department that maintains the desired records
   • Include sufficient detail to identify the requested records

4. Telephone Inquiries: For guidance on record availability, contact the relevant department:

   • Recorder's Office: (928) 679-7850
   • Superior Court: (928) 679-7600
   • County Assessor: (928) 679-7962

When requesting records, individuals should:

• Specify the records sought with reasonable particularity
• Provide contact information for follow-up
• Indicate preferred format (electronic or paper copies)
• Be prepared to pay applicable fees

County officials are required to respond to requests promptly, typically within a reasonable timeframe as established by state law. For complex requests, the county may provide an estimated completion date.

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

Coconino 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. The current fee structure includes:

• Standard paper copies: $0.25 per page
• Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus certification fee
• Large format documents (maps, plats): $3.00-$10.00 per sheet depending on size
• Electronic records: Variable fees based on storage media and staff time
• Research and retrieval fees: May apply for requests requiring extensive staff time (typically after the first hour)

Specific departments may have specialized fee schedules:

• Recorder's Office:

  • Recorded documents: $1.00 per page
  • Certified copies: $3.00 per document
  • Maps and plats: $5.00-$10.00 depending on size

• Superior Court:

  • Case documents: $0.50 per page
  • Certified court records: $30.00 per certification
  • Marriage licenses: $83.00

• Vital Records (through Arizona Department of Health Services):

  • Birth certificates: $20.00 for first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy
  • Death certificates: $20.00 for first copy, $5.00 for each additional copy

Accepted payment methods include:

• Cash (in-person requests only)
• Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover)
• Money orders
• Checks payable to "Coconino County" or the specific department

Fee waivers or reductions may be available in certain circumstances, particularly when the request is determined to be in the public interest or for non-commercial purposes. Requestors seeking a fee waiver should include justification with their request.

Does Coconino County Have Free Public Records?

Coconino County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Arizona law. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, all citizens have the right to inspect public records during regular office hours without charge, though fees may apply for copies or special services.

Records available for free inspection include:

• Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas
• County budgets and financial reports
• Property ownership information (viewing only)
• Voter registration status (personal information only)
• Building permits and zoning information
• Environmental health inspection reports

Additionally, Coconino County offers several free online resources:

• The Coconino County website provides access to meeting agendas, minutes, and various reports
• The Coconino County Assessor's property search allows free lookup of basic property information
• The Arizona Judicial Branch offers free case information lookup for court records

For in-person inspection, visitors may use public terminals at various county offices:

• Recorder's Office public terminals for property records
• Superior Court public access terminals for case information
• County Clerk's Office for Board of Supervisors records

While inspection is free, requestors should note that copying, certification, or extensive research services typically incur fees as outlined in the county's fee schedule. Government agencies may also waive fees when the request primarily benefits the general public rather than the commercial interests of the requestor.

Who Can Request Public Records in Coconino County?

Under Arizona's Public Records Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Coconino County. The statute does not restrict access based on citizenship, residency, or purpose in most cases. As specified in A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1), "Any person may request to examine or be furnished copies, printouts or photographs of any public record during regular office hours."

Key eligibility considerations include:

• Residency: Non-residents of Coconino County or Arizona have the same rights to access public records as residents
• Identification: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification, though certain sensitive records may require verification
• Purpose: Requestors generally do not need to state their purpose for standard public records, though commercial use requests may require disclosure of intended use
• Age: Minors may request public records, though certain sensitive records may have age restrictions

For specific record types, additional requirements may apply:

• Vital Records: Access to birth and death certificates is restricted to the person named on the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a qualifying legal interest as defined by A.R.S. § 36-324
• Criminal Justice Records: Some law enforcement records may have restricted access, particularly for ongoing investigations
• Juvenile Records: These are generally confidential under Arizona law with limited exceptions
• Medical Records: Protected by federal HIPAA regulations and state privacy laws

When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is typically required. When requesting records about another individual, authorization may be necessary depending on the record type and relationship to the subject.

What Records Are Confidential in Coconino County?

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

• Sealed court records and proceedings
• Juvenile court records and delinquency proceedings
• Records related to ongoing criminal investigations
• Personal identifying information including:
  • Social Security numbers
  • Credit card or financial account information
  • Driver's license numbers
  • Personal telephone numbers and email addresses of county employees
• Medical and health records protected under HIPAA
• Adoption records and proceedings
• Child welfare and protective services records
• Personnel records containing performance evaluations, disciplinary actions, or personal information
• Attorney-client privileged communications
• Trade secrets and proprietary business information submitted to the county
• Security-related information including:
  • Critical infrastructure details
  • Security plans for public buildings
  • Emergency response protocols
• Victim information in criminal cases
• Records specifically made confidential by other state or federal laws

When a record contains both public and confidential information, Coconino County will typically redact the confidential portions and release the remainder. This process follows the principle established in A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(2), which requires that "If the custodian of a public record does not promptly furnish the record, the custodian shall furnish a certified copy of the record on payment of the fee."

In cases where confidentiality status is unclear, county officials may apply a balancing test weighing the public's right to know against privacy interests or potential harm from disclosure, as established by Arizona court precedents.

Coconino County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Coconino County Recorder's Office
110 E Cherry Ave
Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 679-7850
Coconino County Recorder

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

Services Provided:

• Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
• Issuance of certified copies of recorded documents
• Maintenance of property records
• Voter registration
• Public records search assistance

Satellite Office - Page:
Coconino County Page Service Center
467 Vista Avenue
Page, AZ 86040
Phone: (928) 645-8872

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

For questions regarding specific documents or recording requirements, members of the public may contact the Recorder's Office directly during business hours. The office maintains public terminals for in-person searches of recorded documents, and many records are also available through the online portal.

Lookup Public Records in Coconino County

Arizona Judicial Branch case lookup

Coconino County property records search

Arizona Department of Public Safety records requests

Arizona court information and documents

Arizona vital records access