Arizona Criminal History Records Search: Checks & Access

Start by identifying the Arizona record you actually need

Arizona criminal information is spread across multiple agencies. Searching the wrong system is one of the main reasons people conclude that a record is missing.

Arizona DPS is the state’s Central State Repository for criminal history

Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 41-1750, the Arizona Department of Public Safety Central State Repository maintains Arizona criminal-history record information.

Arizona criminal-justice agencies are required to report qualifying arrest and disposition information to the repository. DPS’s Criminal Justice Services Bureau manages the repository together with other statewide criminal-justice information and biometric systems.

Can you search another person’s complete Arizona DPS criminal history?

Generally, not through an unrestricted public name-search system.

Arizona DPS states that Arizona law does not allow the Central State Repository to perform a criminal-history records check for an ordinary private citizen or private employer simply because they want a complete state criminal-history report.

Access to Arizona criminal-history record information depends on statutory authorization. Arizona also criminalizes unauthorized access, misuse or unauthorized release of protected criminal-history information.

What should a private researcher use instead?

When checking publicly available information about another person, use:

• Arizona Public Access to Court Information
• Arizona Superior Court eAccess
• the clerk of the court where the case was filed
• local justice or municipal court records
• ADCRR Inmate Data Search where correctional custody is relevant
• Arizona DPS public sex-offender information where applicable

How to review your own Arizona DPS criminal-history record

Arizona DPS allows a person to review and challenge their own Arizona criminal-history information. This is the correct process when you need to know what the Central State Repository has associated with your identity.

DPS currently allows the process to begin either through its Public Services Portal or through the Record Review Packet available from the Criminal History Records page.

What to do when your Arizona criminal history is inaccurate

A record review is useful because criminal-history databases can contain incomplete or outdated information when the underlying agency or court disposition was not properly matched or reported.

When challenging a record, gather as much supporting information as possible:

• court case number
• arrest date
• arresting agency
• charge information
• court disposition
• sentencing information where relevant
• certified court documents if available
• identifying information requested by DPS

DPS lists the Central State Repository as the point of contact for Arizona criminal-history record review, update and correction.

Why fingerprints matter for Arizona criminal-history checks

Fingerprints are substantially more reliable than a simple name match. Arizona DPS operates statewide biometric systems that can associate criminal-history events with fingerprints and other identifying information.

Follow the exact fingerprint instructions given for the particular DPS service you are using. A Fingerprint Clearance Card application, personal Record Review and an agency-authorized employment background check are different processes.

Use Arizona Public Access to Court Information for public case research

The Arizona Judicial Branch provides Public Access to Court Information for case information from most Arizona courts participating in the statewide service.

The Arizona Judicial Branch describes the service as covering case information from 177 of 184 Arizona courts, although individual court participation and the portion of cases displayed can vary.

Arizona’s statewide court search does not contain every court record

Arizona Judicial Branch publishes a list of courts that are unavailable or display only part of their case population through statewide Public Access.

Examples of limitations can include individual municipal courts, justice courts, or courts that provide only selected case populations through the statewide interface.

Official coverage information: Arizona Public Access — Unavailable Courts.

Use Arizona eAccess when you need Superior Court documents

Arizona eAccess provides 24/7 online access to qualifying open public Superior Court records for civil and criminal cases.

Current statewide coverage generally includes Superior Court civil and criminal cases filed on or after July 1, 2010. For Pima County criminal cases, eAccess coverage begins with cases filed on or after July 1, 2015.

Justice Court and Municipal Court records are not available as full document images through eAccess. Use Public Access or the local court for those case types.

Current Arizona eAccess document costs

Registration is required to use eAccess. Individual members of the general public can create an account with a valid email address.

Fees and subscription levels can change. Confirm the current amount on the official eAccess FAQ before purchasing.

Arizona also provides a Superior Court criminal minute-entry search

The Judicial Branch offers online access to criminal case minute entries from participating Superior Courts.

The statewide Minute Entry Search generally contains participating Superior Court criminal minute entries recorded in the court’s document-management system on or after January 1, 2010.

Justice Court and Municipal Court records often require a local search

Arizona’s court system includes Superior Courts, Justice Courts and Municipal Courts. A misdemeanor, traffic-related criminal matter or city-code case may be handled outside Superior Court.

eAccess does not provide document images from Justice or Municipal Courts. Public Access can provide docket information from many participating courts, but individual courts may have their own online case-search tools or clerk procedures.

Use the Arizona court locator when the correct court is uncertain: Arizona Courts Locator.

Older Arizona criminal records may not be available online

Online court systems have date limits. A criminal case can therefore exist even when eAccess contains no downloadable document.

When researching an older case:

1. Search Public Access for case-summary information.
2. Identify the exact court and county.
3. Check the court’s own online records system if one exists.
4. Contact the clerk for archived or older records.
5. Ask about certified copies if documentation is needed for official use.

How to check for an Arizona arrest or bench warrant

The Arizona Judicial Branch states that people can research a pending arrest warrant through Public Access to Court Information.

If you prefer to confirm directly with the court, use the Arizona Court Locator to identify the relevant Superior, Municipal or Justice Court clerk.

Arrest reports and DPS criminal history are not the same record

A police report or arrest report is normally maintained by the law-enforcement agency that created the report. DPS’s Central State Repository is a statewide criminal-history system, not the records desk for every Arizona police department and sheriff’s office.

Arizona DPS provides a Public Services Portal for records and report requests involving DPS-maintained records.

Search Arizona state-prison records through ADCRR

The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation & Reentry Inmate Data Search is the appropriate source for Arizona state-correctional inmate information.

ADCRR warns that release dates and release types shown by the system have not necessarily been independently verified or audited and can change.

Arizona DPS maintains the public sex-offender website

Arizona DPS is responsible for maintaining the state’s internet sex-offender information under A.R.S. § 13-3827.

The current public system uses OffenderWatch and provides information about qualifying registered offenders. Arizona DPS also publishes a downloadable list containing publicly releasable offenders who meet the state’s publication criteria.

DPS also advises users to contact the convicting court when more detailed conviction documents are needed.

Arizona criminal appeals use separate appellate records

A criminal case that moves beyond the trial court may appear in the Arizona Court of Appeals or Arizona Supreme Court.

Arizona’s appellate courts publish active case information and dockets through separate Judicial Branch systems.

Arizona now allows qualifying criminal case records to be sealed

Arizona’s criminal-record sealing law under A.R.S. § 13-911 became effective December 31, 2022. Eligible people may petition the appropriate court to seal qualifying criminal case records.

Depending on the situation, sealing may apply to records controlled by:

• the court
• Arizona DPS Central State Repository
• prosecutor’s offices
• law-enforcement agencies

Arizona Judicial Branch explains that records previously published or distributed before sealing may still exist outside the government systems covered by the order.

Where to file

Current waiting periods for qualifying convictions

Arizona Judicial Branch’s current guidance reflecting the law effective after September 14, 2024 explains that qualifying petitions may generally be filed:

• for qualifying Class 1 offenses: no sooner than 3 years after completing all sentence terms;
• for qualifying Class 2 or 3 offenses: no sooner than 2 years after completing all sentence terms;
• after applicable monetary obligations have been satisfied;
• with additional timing rules where prior historical felony convictions exist.

Arizona marijuana expungement is different from ordinary record sealing

Proposition 207 created an expungement process for certain qualifying marijuana-related arrests, charges, adjudications and convictions.

If a qualifying marijuana expungement is granted:

• the court case file is sealed
• qualifying law-enforcement records are sealed
• the conviction and sentence are vacated where applicable
• qualifying outstanding court debt connected to the expunged charge is vacated
• DPS seals the offense in its criminal-history database

Employment background checks follow different access rules

Arizona DPS does not simply provide a complete criminal-history record to every private employer. Noncriminal-justice access is governed by statutes, federal requirements and DPS compliance rules.

Arizona DPS serves as the State Identification Bureau through which qualified Arizona agencies can obtain state and, where authorized, FBI criminal-history information for noncriminal-justice purposes such as employment, licensing and volunteer screening.

Employment background reports supplied by consumer-reporting companies can also trigger federal Fair Credit Reporting Act obligations and additional state requirements.

Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Cards are a separate DPS service

Many Arizona occupations and regulated activities require a Fingerprint Clearance Card. This process should not be confused with a personal DPS Record Review.

For a clearance-card application, fingerprints are checked against Arizona and FBI criminal-history systems according to the statutory requirements applicable to the card.

Federal criminal records require a separate search

Arizona DPS and Arizona state courts do not replace the federal judiciary’s records system. A federal prosecution filed in Arizona is searched through PACER.

If you do not know which federal court handled the matter, PACER’s nationwide Case Locator can help identify the filing court.

Individuals seeking their own FBI Identity History Summary should use the FBI’s fingerprint-based Identity History Summary Check process rather than Arizona DPS Public Access court systems.

Arizona DPS criminal-history contact information

Arizona DPS headquarters map

This map shows the Arizona Department of Public Safety headquarters in Phoenix. Before traveling for a specific record or fingerprint service, verify whether that service is actually handled in person at headquarters or through the Public Services Portal / authorized fingerprint provider.

Arizona criminal-record search tips that prevent wasted searches

Official Arizona resources used for this guide

• Arizona Department of Public Safety — Criminal History Records
• Arizona DPS — Public Services Portal
• Arizona DPS — Request Records
• Arizona Judicial Branch — Public Access to Court Information
• Arizona Judicial Branch — eAccess
• Arizona eAccess — Frequently Asked Questions
• Arizona Courts — Criminal Minute Entry Search
• Arizona Courts Locator
• Arizona Department of Corrections — Inmate Data Search
• Arizona DPS — Sex Offender Information
• Arizona Judicial Branch — Sealing Criminal Case Records
• Arizona Judicial Branch — Proposition 207 Marijuana Expungement
• Arizona DPS — Fingerprint Clearance Card
• PACER — Federal Court Records