Arizona Arrest Records Search | Criminal Records 2026

Arizona · County bookings, court cases, DPS records, warrants and state-prison custody

Search the Correct Arizona Arrest Record Without Confusing Jail, Court and DPS Data

Arizona does not provide one public database containing every county arrest, city police report, criminal case, warrant and state-prison record.

This guide explains which system controls each record, what information is publicly searchable, how to obtain your own DPS criminal history, how much DPS records cost and how Arizona set-aside, sealing and marijuana-expungement remedies differ.

An arrest is not a conviction. A jail booking records allegations and custody information. The prosecutor may file different charges, decline prosecution or dismiss a count. Confirm identity with multiple identifiers and review the court disposition before relying on a result.
Recent arrest

Search the county sheriff or detention center.

Case outcome

Search Arizona courts, then verify with the clerk.

Own state history

Request a DPS Record Review Packet.

State prisoner

Use ADCRR Inmate Data Search.

Facts reviewed

July 16, 2026.

Four-record router

Choose the Arizona system that answers your question

COUNTY JAIL Was the person arrested recently?

Search the sheriff or detention center in the county where the person was booked. This is the best source for present custody, booking identifiers, listed charges, bond and release status.

It is not a complete statewide criminal history or final court disposition.
ARIZONA COURT What happened after the arrest?

Search the criminal case for filed charges, hearings, warrants, orders, pleas, judgment and disposition. Obtain certified copies from the filing court when formal proof is required.

Arizona Public Access is an index, not a substitute for the official clerk file.
ARIZONA DPS Do you need your own statewide history?

Use the DPS Record Review process to obtain and challenge your own Arizona criminal history. Use the separate DPS warrant search for possible warrants reported by Arizona courts.

DPS does not offer the public a complete name search for another person’s Arizona history.
ADCRR Is the person in state prison?

Use Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry for current state-correctional custody. A person awaiting local court may remain in a county jail instead.

Verify offense and disposition details with the court where the case was adjudicated.
Most reliable sequence: Find the county booking, save the booking and case identifiers, identify the arresting agency, check every related court case and use DPS or ADCRR only when the question requires a statewide record.

Go directly to the problem you need to solve

Important official procedures are included inside the article rather than left behind a directory of resource links.

Arizona county finder

Where to begin in each Arizona county

Arizona has 15 counties. The sheriff or county detention department usually controls the booking record, while felony court records are maintained through the county’s Superior Court clerk.

County jail and criminal court starting points
County Booking or custody starting point Felony court starting point Useful search terms
Apache Apache County Sheriff or detention services Apache County Superior Court clerk Apache County inmate search, detention, Superior Court criminal case
Cochise Cochise County Sheriff and jail Cochise County Superior Court clerk Cochise County inmate search, jail roster, criminal case
Coconino Coconino County Sheriff and detention facility Coconino County Superior Court clerk Coconino inmate search, detention, court records
Gila Gila County Sheriff and jail Gila County Superior Court clerk Gila County inmates, bookings, Superior Court
Graham Graham County Sheriff and adult detention Graham County Superior Court clerk Graham County jail roster, bookings, criminal records
Greenlee Greenlee County Sheriff and detention Greenlee County Superior Court clerk Greenlee inmate search, detention, court case
La Paz La Paz County Sheriff and adult detention facility La Paz County Superior Court clerk La Paz jail roster, inmate search, court records
Maricopa Maricopa County Sheriff custody system Maricopa County Superior Court clerk Maricopa inmate search, booking, criminal court case
Mohave Mohave County Sheriff and adult detention Mohave County Superior Court clerk Mohave inmate search, jail roster, Superior Court
Navajo Navajo County Sheriff and detention center Navajo County Superior Court clerk Navajo County jail, bookings, criminal case
Pima Pima County Sheriff and adult detention complex Pima County Superior Court clerk Pima inmate search, jail roster, court records
Pinal Pinal County Sheriff and adult detention center Pinal County Superior Court clerk Pinal inmate search, bookings, criminal court
Santa Cruz Santa Cruz County Sheriff and adult detention Santa Cruz County Superior Court clerk Santa Cruz Arizona inmate search, jail, court case
Yavapai Yavapai County Sheriff detention services Yavapai County Superior Court clerk Yavapai inmate search, detention, court records
Yuma Yuma County Sheriff and adult detention center Yuma County Superior Court clerk Yuma inmate search, jail roster, criminal case
City arrest warning: A municipal police department may maintain the incident report even when the county sheriff maintains the jail booking.
Booking decoder

What common Arizona jail fields mean

Booking fields, limitations and practical next actions
Field What it identifies What it does not prove Best next action
Booking number The identifier assigned to one jail-intake event. It does not establish the final court charge. Use it when calling the jail or using approved inmate services.
Inmate ID The person’s identifier in the county detention system. It may differ from an ADCRR number or court case number. Save it for mail, money, visits and custody questions.
Arrest date The date associated with the law-enforcement arrest. It may differ from the booking or court-filing date. Use it to distinguish multiple records for the same name.
Booking date When the person entered the jail-processing system. It may not be the incident date. Compare it with the known timeline.
Arresting agency The agency responsible for the arrest. It may not maintain the jail or court case. Request the incident report from this agency.
Charge description The alleged offense entered at arrest or booking. It does not prove guilt and may later change. Check the formal charging document in court.
Bond amount A release amount associated with a charge or case. Paying one bond may not clear other charges or holds. Confirm every case, warrant and detainer before payment.
Hold or detainer Another agency or court may control release. A short label may not explain the full reason. Ask which agency and case number created the hold.
Release date The end of that custody episode. Release is not dismissal or acquittal. Search the court case for the legal result.
Booking photograph A photograph associated with custody processing. It is not evidence of conviction. Use it only with stronger identifiers.
Same-name warning: Never send money, publish an accusation or contact an employer based only on a matching name or image.
Identity safeguard

Verify the person before relying on an Arizona result

Full first and last name are consistent
Middle name, suffix or alias is consistent
Date of birth or age is consistent
Arrest date matches the known event
Arresting agency matches the location
Booking, warrant or case number matches another source
Two-identifier minimum: Confirm at least two independent identifiers, then verify the case outcome with the court clerk.
Same name, different birth date Treat the records as different people unless the maintaining agency confirms an error.
Similar image, different identifier Visual resemblance is not a legal identity match. Use official numbers and biographical data.
Same birth date, different middle name Check aliases, former names, fingerprints and the court case number.
Old or unfamiliar address Addresses can be outdated, incomplete or protected and should not be the only match.
Troubleshooting

No Arizona arrest record found? Check these causes

The arrest was very recent Intake, identification, medical screening, property inventory and data entry may still be underway.
The name was entered differently Search the surname alone and test former surnames, aliases, suffixes and spelling variations.
You searched the county of residence Repeat the search in the county where the person was arrested or booked.
The person was released quickly The current-inmate list may no longer show the booking. Search the court case or request the booking record.
The person was transferred Custody may have moved to another county, ADCRR, tribal custody or federal detention.
No court case appears yet The prosecutor may still be reviewing the arrest, or the case may use a different number.
The case is sealed or confidential Sealed, juvenile, medical and legally confidential information may not appear publicly.
The arrest was tribal or federal County and Arizona state systems may not contain the controlling record.
Missing-record call script “I am trying to locate the arrest or booking record for [full legal name], date of birth [date]. The event may have occurred on [date] near [location] through [agency]. I have [report, booking, warrant or case number]. Can you confirm the holding facility, release or transfer status and the office that maintains the record?”
Record lifecycle

How an Arizona arrest becomes several separate records

Incident and arrest The arresting agency creates an incident report, arrest report, probable-cause statement, warrant return or related investigative records.
County booking The jail creates the custody record, booking number, inmate identifier, property record and charge entries received during intake.
Initial appearance A judicial officer may address probable cause, counsel, release conditions and future court scheduling.
Prosecutor review The county or city prosecutor may file charges, modify them or decline prosecution.
Court case The clerk maintains filings, hearings, warrants, motions, orders, pleas, judgments and disposition.
DPS criminal-history reporting Arizona criminal-justice agencies submit qualifying arrest and disposition information to the central state repository.
Custody or supervision A sentenced person may serve county time, enter probation or move into ADCRR custody.
Correction or record relief Inaccurate data, missing dispositions, eligible convictions or qualifying marijuana records may require separate court or DPS procedures.
Court finder

Which Arizona court may control the criminal record?

Arizona criminal courts and their common roles
Court Common criminal role Records to check
Superior Court General-jurisdiction court handling felony criminal cases and other specified matters. Indictments, informations, felony hearings, pleas, trials, judgments and sentences.
Justice Court Handles many misdemeanors, criminal traffic matters, warrants, preliminary hearings and initial appearances. Complaints, citations, warrants, bond decisions and preliminary proceedings.
Municipal or City Court Handles city-code offenses, petty offenses, criminal traffic and qualifying misdemeanors. City complaints, citations, warrants, hearings and municipal dispositions.
Juvenile Court Handles qualifying juvenile matters under confidentiality and access restrictions. Not generally available through ordinary adult public-record searches.
Tribal Court Handles matters arising under the jurisdiction of a sovereign tribal nation. Access and procedures depend on the specific tribal court.
U.S. District Court Handles federal criminal prosecutions. Federal complaints, indictments, hearings, judgments and sentences.
One arrest may involve several courts. An initial appearance or misdemeanor matter may begin in Justice or Municipal Court, while a felony prosecution proceeds in Superior Court.
Outcome decoder

What common Arizona criminal case terms mean

Do not confuse a booking allegation with the final court result
Term Plain-language meaning What to verify
Pending The case has not reached final disposition. Review the newest entry and next hearing.
Complaint filed A charging document has been filed in the court. Read every count and later amendment.
Indicted A grand jury returned formal felony allegations. Use the indictment rather than the original booking label.
Dismissed A charge or case was dismissed. Determine whether every count was dismissed.
Not guilty or acquitted The defendant was not found guilty of the resolved charge. Check whether another count remained.
Plea agreement The defendant and prosecutor resolved the case through an agreed plea subject to court approval. Read the final conviction count and sentence.
Guilty A judgment of guilt was entered by plea or verdict. Review the judgment, sentence and count numbers.
Set aside The court granted statutory relief after completion of the sentence. A set-aside does not erase the historical record.
Sealed The court granted relief limiting public access to eligible case records. Disclosure exceptions and criminal-justice access may remain.
Expunged marijuana record An eligible marijuana arrest, charge or conviction was vacated and expunged under the specific statute. Confirm that the court entered the expungement order.
Police and arrest reports

Request the report from the agency that created it

Arizona DPS investigated the incident

Use the DPS Public Services Portal or submit a written request for the DPS offense, incident, arrest, citation, dispatch, photograph, video or related record.

A county or city agency investigated

Request the record from the sheriff, police department or other local agency. DPS does not maintain reports created by local jurisdictions.

Records Arizona DPS may maintain

Offense, incident or arrest report

The report created when DPS personnel investigated the event.

Collision report

A DPS traffic-collision record when DPS investigated the crash.

Citation or warning

Traffic-enforcement documentation issued by DPS personnel.

Dispatch or 911 record

Relevant communications retained by DPS. Dispatch and 911 recordings are retained for one calendar year.

Photographs or video

Body-camera, dash-camera, surveillance or other visual records when maintained and releasable.

Certified record

A formally certified copy when certification is available and requested.

Information that helps locate the report

Full legal name
Date of birth when known
Incident or arrest date
Exact or approximate location
Investigating agency
Report, incident or citation number
Court case number
Specific report, audio, photo or video requested
Copy-ready Arizona public-records request
Under Arizona public-records law, I request an electronic copy of the releasable incident report, arrest report, probable-cause statement, citation and releasable supplemental reports relating to [full legal name], date of birth [date if known], for the incident occurring on or about [date] at [location]. Known identifiers include report number [number], booking number [number], citation number [number] and court case number [number]. Please provide a written cost estimate before processing if the total will exceed $[amount].
No telephone requests: DPS states that public-record requests cannot be accepted by telephone. Submit through the Public Services Portal or in writing.
Processing time varies. Archived records, active investigations, broad requests and audio or video requiring review may take longer than a simple report request.
DPS public-record fees

Arizona DPS report, media and video charges

Published DPS public-record delivery charges
Delivery or service Published charge Important limit or note
Email or portal electronic delivery $9 Electronic delivery is limited to 5 MB.
Paper record $9 for first 9 pages Additional pages cost $0.10 each.
DVD $15 Published capacity is 4.7 GB.
Flash drive $20 Published capacity is 16 GB.
Video review and production $21.33 per half-hour Applies to the first half-hour and each additional half-hour, plus the selected delivery medium.

Accepted payment information

Online payment for portal requests
Credit or debit card for eligible in-person payment
Cashier’s check
Money order
Business check
Personal checks are not accepted
Crime-victim copy: An eligible crime victim, victim’s attorney or qualifying immediate family member may receive one copy of specified police reports, audio or video without charge. Domestic-violence and sexual-offense victims also have statutory free-copy rights.
Ask for the victim-copy process. Identify the victim relationship and the report, recording or court minute entry reasonably needed to exercise victim rights.
Your Arizona criminal history

How to obtain and challenge your DPS Record Review

Arizona DPS maintains the Central State Repository for criminal-history information submitted by Arizona criminal-justice agencies. Access to another person’s complete statewide history is restricted, but an individual may review and challenge their own record.

Request method

DPS Record Review Packet.

Identity method

Law-enforcement fingerprints.

Typical response

Within 15 days or about two weeks.

Packet questions

602-223-2229

State records menu

602-223-2000, option 2, then 3.

Download or request the Record Review Packet The packet contains instructions, a blank applicant fingerprint card, contact-information sheet and return envelope information.
Complete the applicant fingerprint card Enter your name, residence, date of birth, Social Security number, physical description, signature and the reason “RECORD REVIEW.”
Have fingerprints taken by law enforcement The fingerprinting official must provide the agency name, ORI, badge or serial number and required certification information.
Provide all required impressions The card requires ten individually rolled fingerprints and the required plain impressions, including both thumbs.
Do not fold or damage the fingerprint card Smudged, incomplete, folded or illegible prints can delay or prevent processing.
Complete the contact-information sheet Provide the address where the response should be sent and an email address when electronic delivery is requested or available.
Mail the complete packet Use the Central State Repository address shown below.
Review every arrest cycle Compare names, arrest dates, agencies, charges and dispositions. Identify missing outcomes or information belonging to another person.
Record Review mailing address
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Central State Repository Section
P.O. Box 18450
Mail Drop 3110
Phoenix, AZ 85005-8450
Fingerprint-card checklist

Name, residence, signature, Social Security number, descriptive data, date and place of birth, all required rolled and plain impressions, agency identification and fingerprinting-official information.

No identifying information appears on the returned criminal-history pages. Keep the DPS response together with the accompanying correspondence so you can show that the record belongs to you.
Attorney request: An attorney representing the subject must include the original authorization on law-firm letterhead, signed by the subject and notarized as directed by the packet.
Choose the right check

Arizona criminal-history and clearance options compared

Use the process required for the specific purpose
Need Correct starting point What it provides Important limitation
Review your own Arizona history DPS Record Review Packet Your Arizona criminal-history record for review and challenge. Not a public search for another person.
Local police clearance Local police or sheriff A local clearance or local-record response under that agency’s policy. Does not automatically cover all Arizona counties.
National identity-history summary FBI The FBI Identity History Summary process. Different from a local Arizona jail or court search.
Arizona fingerprint clearance card DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card Unit A statutory eligibility determination for qualifying employment or licensing roles. Not the same as receiving a copy of a criminal-history report.
Another person’s public cases County jail, court, warrant and prison searches Separate public records available in each system. Does not create one complete statewide criminal history.
Employment screening Process required by the employer or authorized agency The legally authorized check for that position. A jail or court search may not satisfy employment-screening laws.
Fingerprint Clearance Card Unit

602-223-2279

Public Services Portal technical support

602-223-2999, option 8

Statewide warrant search

How to use the Arizona DPS warrant search safely

Required field

First name.

Required field

Last name.

Required field

Date of birth.

Result limit

Maximum of five matches.

Status

Not real-time; court verification required.

Enter the complete required information The public search requires first name, last name and date of birth.
Review every possible match Similar names and dates of birth may produce results belonging to another person.
Save the warrant number and listed court The warrant number is the strongest reference for confirmation.
Understand duplicate-name displays The same warrant number may appear under name variations. This does not necessarily mean multiple warrants exist.
Contact the court shown in the result Courts report warrant information to DPS, and the public system is not real-time.
Use a safe resolution path A person checking their own status should contact an Arizona attorney, the issuing court or law enforcement for instructions.
Do not detain or confront anyone. DPS states that the search is for general information and should not be used to make an arrest or take legal action.
Not for employment or housing: The warrant page specifically warns against using its results for employment, housing or another consequential decision.
State correctional custody

How to search Arizona Department of Corrections inmates

Correct use

Search for a person currently associated with an ADCRR state correctional facility.

Not a county jail search

A recently arrested person awaiting local court may still be in a sheriff-operated county jail.

Court verification

Check the clerk’s case file for the official offense, judgment and sentence.

Search the ADCRR Inmate Data Search Use the legal name and any available corrections identification information.
Compare the person carefully Verify the name, identifying description, ADCRR number, facility and conviction information.
Treat release dates as changeable ADCRR states that release dates and release types are not audited or verified and may change.
Verify offense details with the court The court clerk where the person was adjudicated maintains the controlling criminal case record.
Confirm important custody information Contact ADCRR when the facility, release or sentence information will be used for an important decision.
Do not mail downloaded inmate-search information to an inmate. ADCRR warns that website inmate-record information sent to a prisoner may be treated as contraband under Arizona law.
Arizona Department of Corrections
701 East Jefferson Street
Phoenix, AZ 85034
ADCRR main line

602-542-5497

Bond and release

What to confirm before paying an Arizona county bond

Full legal name and booking number
Every charge and court case number
Bond amount for each charge
No-bond or court-only matters
Probation, parole or outside holds
Approved payment method and location
Required identification
Physical-release confirmation process
One charge has a payable bond Confirm that another charge, probation matter or outside warrant does not prevent release.
The result says no bond Release may require judicial action or resolution of another legal matter.
Payment was accepted Paperwork, property return and hold clearance may still delay physical release.
Someone demands gift cards or cryptocurrency Stop and independently verify the payment method with the jail, court or licensed bondsman.
County procedures differ. Payment types, card limits, cashier’s-check rules, release times and bondsman procedures must be confirmed with the jail holding the person.
Record correction

How to correct inaccurate Arizona criminal-history information

Correct the information through the agency responsible for it
Problem Agency to contact Useful documentation
Wrong arrest identity or charge information The law-enforcement agency that submitted the arrest Government ID, fingerprints, report number and proof of the error.
Missing or incorrect court disposition The responsible court clerk or prosecutor Certified dismissal, acquittal, judgment, sentence or other disposition.
Wrong jail booking field The county sheriff or detention center Booking number, identification, court order and exact disputed field.
Incorrect ADCRR information ADCRR and the sentencing court when appropriate ADCRR number, judgment, sentencing order and release documentation.
Another person’s arrest appears on your DPS history DPS Central State Repository challenge process Record Review Packet, fingerprints and identity documentation.
Private website shows outdated information Correct the official source first, then contact the publisher Certified correction, dismissal, sealing order or expungement order.
Obtain your DPS Record Review Use fingerprints to ensure the returned statewide record belongs to you.
Mark the exact incorrect entry Identify the arresting agency, date, charge, disposition and record identifier.
Collect official proof Obtain certified court orders, identity records or agency correspondence supporting the correction.
Contact the submitting agency The agency that created or controls the information generally must authorize the correction.
Follow the DPS challenge instructions Return the required challenge documents through the method provided with the Record Review response.
Request a new review after correction Confirm that the corrected arrest cycle and disposition now appear accurately.
DPS cannot invent a missing disposition. The court or prosecutor responsible for the outcome must supply or confirm the correct information.
Record-relief comparison

Arizona set-aside, sealing and marijuana expungement are different

A.R.S. § 13-905 Set aside

Available after eligible sentence and probation obligations are completed. The court dismisses the charging document and releases many penalties, but the record is not erased.

A.R.S. § 13-911 Seal criminal records

Limits public access to eligible arrest, charge and conviction records after the statutory process and waiting period. Criminal-justice and specified legal access remains.

A.R.S. § 36-2862 Marijuana expungement

Vacates and expunges qualifying pre-legalization marijuana arrests, charges, convictions and sentences. This is narrower in subject matter but stronger in effect.

Key differences between Arizona record-relief options
Question Set aside Seal Marijuana expungement
Does it erase the historical record? No Public access is restricted, but records remain available for specified purposes. Eligible arrest, charge, conviction and sentence records are expunged and sealed.
Can it apply without a conviction? No, it addresses an eligible conviction. Yes, it may cover dismissal, acquittal or arrest without charges. Yes, if the marijuana conduct qualifies.
Is there a conviction waiting period? Apply after sentence and probation requirements are fulfilled. Two to ten years depending on classification. Uses the marijuana-specific statutory eligibility rules.
Can the conviction still affect a future case? Yes, for specified statutory purposes. Yes, sealed records remain available for future prosecution and sentencing. The qualifying marijuana matter is vacated and may be denied as ever having occurred, subject to statutory rules.
Who decides? The sentencing court. The court with jurisdiction under the sealing statute. The court receiving the marijuana petition.
Do not choose a remedy based only on the label. Eligibility, waiting periods, disclosure rights and legal effect differ substantially.
Arizona set-aside

How an Arizona conviction set-aside works

After fulfilling the conditions of probation or sentence and being discharged, an eligible person may apply to the sentencing court to set aside the judgment.

No court filing fee: Arizona law states that the clerk may not charge a filing fee for a set-aside application.

Who may apply?

The convicted person
The person’s attorney
The person’s probation officer
An eligible applicant who completed probation or sentence

Factors the court may consider

Nature and circumstances of the offense
Compliance with probation or sentence
Prior and subsequent convictions
Victim input and restitution status
Time elapsed since conviction
Applicant’s age at conviction
Reason for requesting relief
Any other relevant factor

What a granted set-aside does

Sets aside the judgment

The court sets aside the judgment of guilt and dismisses the complaint, information or indictment.

Releases many penalties

The person is released from penalties and disabilities resulting from the conviction, subject to statutory exceptions.

Updates the criminal history

DPS annotates the criminal-history record to reflect the set-aside order.

A set-aside does not delete the arrest or conviction. Law-enforcement agencies are not required to remove their records, and the conviction may still be used as a prior conviction, an element of an offense or in a future prosecution.

Common statutory exclusions

Dangerous offenses
Offenses requiring sex-offender registration
Offenses with a sexual-motivation finding
Certain felony offenses involving a victim under age 15

Certificate of Second Chance

Misdemeanor

The certificate may be included when the eligible misdemeanor conviction is set aside.

Class 4, 5 or 6 felony

Generally requires two years after completion of probation or sentence.

Class 2 or 3 felony

Generally requires five years after completion of probation or sentence.

Purpose of the certificate: It can assist with occupational licensing and provides specified liability protections for employers and housing providers. It is not a government recommendation of the applicant.
State and victim response: The prosecutor and victim may object within the statutory period, and the court may hold a hearing before ruling.
Arizona record sealing

Eligibility, filing location and waiting periods under A.R.S. § 13-911

Records that may qualify

Eligible conviction

The person completed all sentence conditions and paid all fines, fees and restitution.

Dismissal or acquittal

The charge was dismissed or the person was found not guilty.

Arrest without charges

The person was arrested, but no criminal charge was filed.

Where the petition is filed

Correct court for an Arizona sealing petition
Record situation Where to file
Conviction The court where the person was convicted.
Charge filed but dismissed or acquitted The court where the complaint, indictment, information or citation was filed.
Justice Court complaint followed by Superior Court information File in Superior Court.
Arrest without charges after an initial appearance The court that conducted the initial appearance.
Arrest without charges and no initial appearance Superior Court in the county where the arrest occurred.

Waiting periods for eligible convictions

General waiting periods after completion of nonmonetary sentence requirements
Conviction class Waiting period Additional requirement
Class 2 or 3 felony 10 years All fines, fees and restitution must be paid before filing.
Class 4, 5 or 6 felony 5 years All fines, fees and restitution must be paid before filing.
Class 1 misdemeanor 3 years All fines, fees and restitution must be paid before filing.
Class 2 or 3 misdemeanor 2 years All fines, fees and restitution must be paid before filing.
Later felony after a prior sealing: The applicable waiting period generally increases by an additional five years.

Court-review process

File the petition in the correct court Identify the arrest, charge, conviction and agencies connected with the record.
DPS prepares a record report DPS provides the court with state and federal arrest, prosecution and conviction information and may charge an investigation fee unless an exception applies.
Prosecutor and victim receive an opportunity to respond The court considers objections and may hold a hearing.
The court generally waits 60 calendar days The court ordinarily may not grant or deny the petition before the statutory response period expires unless the prosecutor and victims waive or do not object as permitted.
The court applies the legal standard The court grants relief when sealing is in the best interests of the petitioner and public safety.
Agencies mark the record sealed The clerk, DPS, arresting agency and prosecutor process the order as required.

Effect of a sealing order

The court file is sealed from ordinary public access
DPS marks the criminal-history information sealed
Arresting and prosecuting agencies mark qualifying records sealed
The person may generally state the event never occurred
Specified disclosure exceptions remain
Criminal-justice access remains for authorized purposes
The record may be used in future prosecution or sentencing
The person and attorney may access the sealed record
Disclosure exceptions remain. Sealed records may still need to be disclosed for fingerprint-clearance cards, specified jobs, law enforcement, courts, corrections, child-safety placements and other situations required by law.

Common statutory exclusions

Dangerous offense
Dangerous crime against children
Serious, violent or aggravated felony
Offense involving use or threatened use of a deadly weapon
Offense involving knowing infliction of serious physical injury
Sex trafficking
Specified class 2–5 felony sex offenses
Denied petition: A person whose petition is denied generally must wait three years before filing another petition for the same record.
Marijuana expungement

Which Arizona marijuana records may qualify for expungement?

Arizona’s marijuana-expungement statute applies to specified conduct occurring before the legalization law took effect.

Possession or use

Possessing, consuming or transporting no more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana, including no more than 12.5 grams of concentrate.

Home cultivation

Possessing, transporting, cultivating or processing no more than six marijuana plants at the person’s primary residence for personal use.

Paraphernalia

Possessing, using or transporting paraphernalia related to the qualifying marijuana conduct.

File the petition Identify the arrest, charge, conviction, sentence and qualifying marijuana conduct.
The prosecutor receives 30 days to respond The prosecutor may oppose the petition and must show ineligibility under the statutory standard.
The court may hold a hearing A hearing may occur when requested or when a genuine factual dispute exists.
The court applies the burden of proof The court grants relief unless the prosecutor proves by clear and convincing evidence that the petitioner is not eligible.
The conviction and sentence are vacated The qualifying arrest, charge, adjudication, conviction and sentence are expunged.
The clerk notifies agencies DPS, the prosecutor and the arresting agency process the expungement order.

Effect of an Arizona marijuana-expungement order

Qualifying conviction and sentence are vacated
Arrest and charge records are expunged
Court records are sealed
DPS separates and restricts the criminal-history record
Civil rights are restored unless another disqualification exists
Firearm rights are restored unless another legal prohibition exists
The person may generally state the event never occurred
The person or attorney may obtain access as allowed by law
Stronger than a set-aside: A qualifying marijuana expungement vacates and expunges the specified arrest, charge, conviction and sentence rather than merely annotating the conviction as set aside.
Special jurisdictions

Tribal and federal Arizona arrests may not appear in county systems

Tribal arrest or prosecution

A tribal police department, Bureau of Indian Affairs or tribal court may control the record. Access rules depend on the sovereign tribal nation and the agency involved.

Federal arrest or prosecution

The FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals Service, Border Patrol or another federal agency may maintain the arrest record, while the criminal case proceeds in federal court.

Arrest occurred on tribal land Identify the arresting agency and tribal nation before searching a county jail.
Person was temporarily booked locally A county record may show temporary custody even though another sovereign controls the prosecution.
Federal detainer appears The county jail may not be able to explain the full federal case. Contact the identified federal agency or court.
No Arizona court case appears Search the relevant tribal or federal court rather than assuming no case exists.
Contact directory

Arizona arrest, criminal-history and prison-record contacts

Use the office matched to the record you need
Office Contact Best reason to contact
Arizona DPS main line 602-223-2000 General DPS routing and Public Services information.
DPS Records and Reports 602-223-2000, option 2 DPS public-record and report questions, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
DPS Statewide Criminal Records 602-223-2000, option 2, then option 3 Record Review Packet and statewide criminal-history routing.
Record Review questions 602-223-2229 Fingerprint-card, packet and personal-review assistance.
Fingerprint Clearance Card Unit 602-223-2279 Arizona fingerprint-clearance card applications and status.
Portal technical support 602-223-2999, option 8 Technical assistance with the DPS Public Services Portal.
ADCRR 602-542-5497 State-prison custody and correctional information.
DPS Public Services Center
2222 West Encanto Boulevard
Phoenix, AZ 85009

Regular public hours: Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.

DPS Public Records mailing address
Arizona Department of Public Safety
Attn: Public Records
P.O. Box 6638
Mail Drop 3240
Phoenix, AZ 85005-6638
State records location

Arizona DPS Public Services Center in Phoenix

The DPS Public Services Center handles in-person public-record services at 2222 West Encanto Boulevard. A Record Review fingerprint packet is mailed to the separate Central State Repository address.

Use the correct address. Public-record visits, written public-record requests and fingerprint Record Review packets use different DPS locations or mail drops.
Official information extracted

What users no longer need to research on separate Arizona pages

15D
DPS Record Review timing

Fingerprint packet, required card fields, mailing address and approximately two-week response process.

$9
Public-record costs

Electronic, paper, DVD, flash-drive and video-review charges.

W5
Warrant limits

Required name and birth-date fields, five-result maximum and mandatory court verification.

10Y
Sealing waits

Two-, three-, five- and ten-year waiting periods based on conviction classification.

SA
Set-aside effect

No filing fee, court factors, exclusions and why the conviction is not erased.

MJ
Marijuana expungement

Qualifying amounts, cultivation limit, prosecutor response period and effect of an order.

Frequently asked questions

Arizona arrest and criminal-record questions answered

How do I find someone arrested today in Arizona?

Search the sheriff or detention center in the county where the arrest occurred. A new booking may not appear until intake and identification are complete.

Does Arizona have one statewide inmate search?

No single system combines county jails and state prisons. County sheriffs maintain local jail records, while ADCRR maintains the state-prison inmate search.

Can I obtain another person’s complete DPS criminal history?

Not through a public name search. Complete statewide Arizona criminal-history access is restricted to authorized persons and agencies.

How do I obtain my own Arizona criminal history?

Submit the DPS Record Review Packet with the completed contact form and fingerprint card containing law-enforcement-taken rolled and plain impressions.

How long does the DPS Record Review take?

DPS states that the response is generally provided within 15 days after receiving a properly completed packet, or approximately two weeks.

How much does a DPS electronic report cost?

The published electronic delivery charge is $9, with a 5 MB limit. Larger files may require another delivery medium and related charge.

Can I request a DPS report by phone?

No. DPS states that public-record requests cannot be accepted by telephone. Submit online through the portal or send a written request.

Can a crime victim receive a free report?

An eligible crime victim, victim’s attorney or qualifying immediate family member may receive one copy of specified reports, audio or video without charge under Arizona law.

Why does the Arizona warrant result need court confirmation?

Courts report warrant information to DPS, and the public system is not real-time. A warrant may have been recalled, served or changed after the displayed information was reported.

How many results does the DPS warrant search show?

The public search displays a maximum of five possible results and requires first name, last name and date of birth.

Does the ADCRR search include county jail inmates?

No. It is for Arizona state correctional custody. A person awaiting trial or serving a local sentence may remain in a county jail.

Can I mail an ADCRR inmate a printout of the inmate-search result?

ADCRR warns against sending downloaded inmate-data search information to a prisoner because it may be treated as contraband.

Does an Arizona set-aside remove the conviction?

No. DPS annotates the record, but the historical arrest and conviction are not erased. The conviction may still be used for specified legal purposes.

How long must I wait to seal a class 4 felony?

The general waiting period for an eligible class 4, 5 or 6 felony is five years after completing the nonmonetary sentence requirements. All fines, fees and restitution must also be paid.

Can a dismissed Arizona case be sealed?

An eligible dismissed charge or not-guilty case may be sealed through the court where the charge was filed.

Can an arrest with no charges be sealed?

Yes, if eligible. File in the initial-appearance court or, when no initial appearance occurred, in Superior Court in the county of arrest.

How long after a sealing denial must I wait?

A person whose petition is denied generally must wait three years before filing another petition for the same record.

What marijuana possession amount may qualify for expungement?

Qualifying conduct includes possession, use or transportation of no more than 2.5 ounces of marijuana, including no more than 12.5 grams of concentrate, subject to the full statutory requirements.

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