Santa Cruz County Arrest, Court, and Public Records
In fulfillment of the Arizona Public Records Law, Santa Cruz County public records refer to “books, photographs or other documentary materials preserved by government agencies”. Santa Cruz County public records may be calendars, reports, legal memoranda, policies and procedures, accident reports, training videos and materials, tape recordings of meetings where there are no written minutes, personnel records, case files, and databases. Any person who is wrongfully denied access to public records has a cause of action against the officer or public body for any damages resulting from the denial.
Not all Santa Cruz County records are publicly available. Exempted records include:
- Student records;
- Research records;
- If the release of a record would constitute an invasion of personal privacy and that invasion outweighs the public’s right to know;
- If the disclosure of a record is detrimental to the best interests of the state;
- Adoption records;
- Disciplinary records of some professional groups;
- Some medical records;
- Some corrections department records;
- Bank records; and trade secrets.
In addition to government agencies, some public records may also be accessible from third-party websites. These non-government platforms come with intuitive tools that allow for expansive searches. Record seekers may either opt to use these tools to search for a specific record or multiple records. However, users will need to provide enough information to assist with the search, such as:
- The name of the subject involved in the record (subject must be older than 18 or not juvenile)
- The address of the requestor
- A case number or file number (if known)
- The location of the document or person involved
- The last known or current address of the registrant
Third-party sites are not sponsored by government agencies. Because of this, record availability and results may vary.
Santa Cruz County Crime Statistics
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's office keeps a record of local crime statistics. Between 1999 and 2008, crime rates in Santa Cruz County increased by almost forty percent, while violent crimes decreased by three percent. During this period, there were approximately 7,600 crimes reported within the county, with only eight percent being deemed violent, including only two murders. Over half of the total crimes committed in Santa Cruz County were related to burglary or theft.
Are Santa Cruz County Criminal Records Public?
Criminal Records refer to documentation detailing an individual's criminal history. A criminal record may contain an individual's arrests, warrants, criminal charges filed, trial information as well as prior and current convictions for criminal acts. Under Arizona State law, all documents related to criminal history are in the public domain with a few exceptions, such as information on pending cases or evidence used in a criminal trial that has not been approved by the Judge. The Arizona Department of Public Safety is the central repository for criminal records and provides statewide criminal history records to anyone that performs a criminal record search.
Although any member of the public can request to inspect or access Santa Cruz County criminal records, the Department of Public Safety retains the right to restrict access if they deem it fit to do so. The Noncriminal Justice (NCJ) Compliance Program conducts fingerprint-based state and federal criminal history background checks for agencies authorized under State law to receive official criminal history records information from the Arizona Central State Repository. Agencies submitting applicant fingerprints must have an FBI-approved city, town, or county ordinance, tribal resolution, executive order, or state statute mandating the criminal history records check. Further inquiries on accessing criminal records in Santa Cruz County should be made to:
Santa Cruz County Sheriff
Santa Cruz, AZ
2170 N. Congress
Dr, Nogales, AZ 85621
Main Phone: (520) 761-7869
How to Obtain Santa Cruz County Police Reports and Arrest Records?
The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department is responsible for providing interested public members with Santa Cruz County arrest records. Persons interested in obtaining Santa Cruz County arrest records may submit a query to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department’s office, providing a government-issued picture ID for such queries to be approved. Santa Cruz County arrest records may be received via mail or in-person at the office of the Sheriff's Department in Santa Cruz County located at:
Santa Cruz County Sheriff
Santa Cruz, AZ
2170 N. Congress
Dr, Nogales, AZ 85621
Main Phone: (520) 761-7869
Typically, a Santa Cruz County arrest record contains the name, sex, date of birth, and other identifying information of the arrested individual, where and when the arrest took place, the offense responsible for the arrest, name of the arresting officer, state or local detention facility where the arrestee was booked.
In Arizona, police records, or police reports, are not the same as arrest records. Although police records include arrest records, they also include logs of law enforcement actions and incident reports. It is essential to note that Santa Cruz county arrest records are not criminal records and do not prove the guilt or conviction of an arrested person.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Santa Cruz County
In accordance with the Arizona Public Records Law, the Arizona Department of Public Safety manages the central record for all violent sexual offender information in the State. The DPS provides access to this information for free on the Arizona Sex Offender’s Registry. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Department also provides citizens with a management and community notification tool to manage and monitor the whereabouts, conduct, and compliance status of the registered offenders in Santa Cruz County.
Due to the frequent movement and relocation of sex offenders, the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department also provides a free email alert system that gives accurate and timely notifications to members of the public about sex offender information. To request information on Santa Cruz county sex offenders not listed in the county registry, citizens can query the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s department at:
Santa Cruz County Sheriff
Santa Cruz, AZ
2170 N. Congress
Dr, Nogales, AZ 85621
Main Phone: (520) 761-7869
How to Find Santa Cruz County Inmate Records
The Santa Cruz County Adult Detention Center provides a record of all inmates through the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) which oversees the operations of all prisons in the state. The ADC provides an inmate data search tool for finding inmate information online. The information provided by this directory includes the full names of inmates, in addition to the offenses they are charged with. Interested persons looking to find inmate records can do so by searching the directory with the inmate’s last name and first initial or their inmate number. Further inquiries on Santa Cruz county inmate records should be made to:
Santa Cruz County Detention Center,
2170 N Congress
Dr, Nogales, AZ 85621,
Phone: (520) 761-7875
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Santa Cruz County Detention Center?
There are two types of visitations available for visitors to the Santa Cruz County Detention center: Online/Virtual Visitations and In-Person Visitation. Anybody above the age of 18 with a legitimate government photo ID can be authorized to visit an inmate in jail. No weapons of any kind are allowed and personal items, drugs, alcohol, food, drink, or tobacco products are prohibited.
Visitors are advised to strictly obey the detention center dress code, or risk refusal to enter the jail premises. Clothing that may be considered obscene, offensive, or disruptive will not be allowed. Conduct that is disruptive or disrespectful in any manner (children or adults) will not be tolerated. All electronic devices, including cell phones, will be turned off. The visit will be canceled at any time deemed necessary. The Santa Cruz County Detention center is located at:
2170 N Congress
Dr, Nogales, AZ 85621, United States
Phone: (520) 761-7875
Court Records
Santa Cruz County court records are certified documents giving information on the judicial proceedings that happened in Santa Cruz County. Court records in Santa Cruz County are public records under state law, and the Santa Cruz County Clerk of Superior Court is responsible for keeping and distributing these records. The Santa Cruz County Clerk of Superior Court can be contacted at:
Santa Cruz County Superior Court
2160 N. Congress Drive
Suite 2200
Nogales, AZ 85621
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1265
Nogales, AZ 85628
Phone: (520) 375-7700
Court records can also be accessed from the other courts in Santa Cruz County, as long as the requested records are cases held in the particular court. The contact information and addresses of the courthouses in Santa Cruz County are:
Nogales Justice Court - Precinct 1,
County of Santa Cruz
2160 N. Congress Drive
Suite 2100
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-7760
Santa Cruz County Juvenile Court
2160 N. Congress Drive
Suite 2200
Nogales, AZ 85621
Phone: (520) 375-7700
Patagonia Municipal Court
310 McKeown Avenue, P.O. Box 767
Patagonia, AZ 85624
Phone: (520) 394-2958
Nogales Municipal Court
777 N Grand Avenue
Nogales, AZ 85621
Phone: (520) 285-5669
Are Santa Cruz County Court Records Public?
Santa Cruz Court Records are considered public records under state law, so interested members of the public are entitled to inspect docket information, the parties' pleadings and motions, court judgments and orders, evidence produced in court, trial transcripts, and official recordings of the judge's remarks made in open court. Most juvenile procedures are closed to the public, and judges have considerable latitude in making records of juvenile proceedings secret. Some juvenile court processes, such as child support hearings and proceedings involving a minor charged with a felony, are accessible to the public.
How to Obtain Santa Cruz County Civil Court Case Records
The Justice of the Peace of Santa Cruz County maintains Santa Cruz County civil court records and makes them accessible to interested public members. Requesters may complete a court records request form and submit it in person or by mail to the Justice of the Peace at
Nogales Justice Court - Precinct 1,
County of Santa Cruz
2160 N. Congress Drive
Suite 2100
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-7760
Requesters will receive an official response from the court with information on the availability of the requested records, processing costs, anticipated arrival date, and additional clarification, including an explanation for non-disclosable records.
How to Obtain Santa Cruz County Criminal Court Records
The Justice of the Peace, Precinct of Santa Cruz County maintains Santa Cruz County criminal court records and makes them accessible to interested public members. Requesters may complete a court records request form and submit it in person or by mail to the Justice of the Peace at
Nogales Justice Court - Precinct 1,
County of Santa Cruz
2160 N. Congress Drive
Suite 2100
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-7760
Requesters will receive an official response from the court with information on the availability of the requested records, processing costs, anticipated arrival date, and additional clarification, including an explanation for non-disclosable records.
What are Santa Cruz County Vital Records?
Santa Cruz County vital records refer to official recordings of major life events, mainly birth, death, marriage, and divorce. The State of Arizona Vital Records office is maintained by the Arizona Department Of Health Services. Arizona is a "closed record" state. That means that vital records are not public records. Arizona law restricts the public's access to vital records to just select individuals to protect the confidentiality rights of our citizens. Qualified public members can request vital records via mail or in person at:
Bureau of Vital Records
1818 W. Adams
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 364-13009
The Vital Records office also provides online ordering options for interested members of the public.
Where and How to Obtain Santa Cruz Divorce Records
All Santa Cruz County divorce records are under the purview of the Santa Cruz Superior Court. Interested eligible parties may contact the Santa Cruz County Superior Court Clerk’s Office to acquire copies of Santa Cruz County divorce records. However, in some cases, a judge may deem it fit to grant a petition to seal a divorce record. This usually occurs when the record contains information that is considered confidential by state law such as information identifying a minor and/or a victim of domestic abuse. When this happens, such records may only be accessed by authorized parties
Interested parties may request a Santa Cruz County divorce record through mail or in person from the county Superior Court located at:
2160 N. Congress Drive
Suite 2200
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-7700
Where and How to Get Public Santa Cruz County Marriage Records
Interested parties who wish to obtain copies of marriage records in the state of Arizona may do so by contacting the clerk of the superior court for the county where the marriage occurred.
2160 N. Congress Drive
Suite 2200
Nogales, AZ 85621
(520) 375-7700
To aid members of the public with this task, the Arizona judicial branch maintains an online directory that contains contact information on all the courts located in the state. Requestors may be required to pay a fee before obtaining copies of these records.
Where and How to Find Santa Cruz County Birth Records
The Santa Cruz Health Department’s Office of Vital Records does not issue birth certificates. This is done by the state office. Interested public members may request Santa Cruz County birth records from the Arizona Department Of Health Services in person or via mail. Each birth certificate costs between $32.95 - $32.95.
For a request to be valid, the requester must provide certain information depending on their status. Only those specified by the Arizona Administrative Code may receive a certified copy of a birth certificate. If it is the registrant obtaining it for themself, they must be over 18 years of age, submits a signed application, provide valid government-issued identification or notarized signature on the application, and submits the appropriate fee(s).
The request may be made online for a certificate Fee of $20.00 per certificate and a processing charge of $12.95 per order, including shipping fees where available. Requests may also be in person or by mail. If the request is by mail, the requirements needed are; a completed Bureau of Vital Records Request for Copy of Birth Certificate, a copy of the front and back of a valid government-issued picture identification that bears signature or has signature notarized, proof of eligibility where it is neither registrant nor parent applying, a self-addressed stamped envelope with your request and the appropriate fee, according to the fee schedule.
Interested individuals may request a birth certificate from the State Health Department’s office with a completed application at:
Department Of Health Services,
Bureau of Vital Records
1818 W. Adams
Phoenix, AZ 85007
(602) 364-1300
Where and How to Find Santa Cruz County Death Records
Interested public members may request Santa Cruz County death records from the Santa Cruz County Department of Health Services in person or via mail. Death certificates cost $20. Only those specified by the Arizona Administrative Code may receive a certified copy of a death certificate. Application may either be in person or by mail. Applying in person, the applicant must provide a valid ID, check proof of eligibility according to the Arizona Administrative Code and bring the appropriate fee of $20 each. Applying by mail, the applicant must pick up an application form at the office of the county health services or print a form out from the health service website, provide a valid notary signature and seal on the application form or a copy of the applicant's valid ID, check proof of eligibility and mail the appropriate fee.
