What are Yuma Public Records?
Pursuant to the Arizona Public Records Law, Yuma public records include records generated or obtained by a governmental agency in connection with official public business or activity. They could be books, documents, papers, maps, photographs, or documentary materials, irrespective of their physical form or characteristics, including copies or prints of the item produced or reproduced on film or electronic media. Documents are considered to fall under the umbrella of public records as long as they are made or received by any governmental agency in pursuance of law or in connection with the transaction of public business. Yuma public records are open for public inspection except in the following circumstances:
- Where they are confidential by law (statute, rule, or privilege);
- When privacy interests outweigh the public’s right to know; or
- If disclosure is not in the best interest of the state.
Yuma Crime Statistics
The Arizona Department of Public Safety provides annual reports on crime rates in all the cities and counties within the state. In 2019, it recorded that Yuma had a total number of 2,649 crimes, including 367 violent crimes and 2,282 property crimes. The violent crimes include 12 murders, 29 rapes, 21 robberies, and 305 aggravated assaults. The property crimes include 472 burglaries, 1,631 larcenies, 165 auto thefts, and 14 cases of arson. There was a 33% decrease in crime from 2018 to 2019. Between these years, all of the eight major crimes experienced a decrease in numbers. Murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault reduced by 20%, 53%, 69%, and 46% respectively. In the same vein, burglary, larceny, auto theft, and arson rates also decreased by 28%, 29%, 52%, and 50% respectively.
Are Yuma Criminal Records Public?
Yuma criminal records are considered public in line with Arizona Public Records Law. The office of the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office provides residents with access to Yuma criminal records and background checks upon mail or in-person requests. The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office also provides countywide local criminal history record checks which can be requested either in person or by mail. Persons can only request background checks on themselves. To obtain Yuma arrest records and criminal history report, complete and submit the Local Record Check form (also available in Spanish), along with a valid photo ID, to the Sheriff’s Office at:
Yuma County Sheriff's Office
Attn: Records Department
141 South 3rd Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 329-2254
Email: sorec@ycso.yumacountyaz.gov
Mail requests are to be accompanied by a notarized copy of a valid government-issued photo ID and the requester’s original signature. Yuma criminal background checks are free of charge.
Interested persons can also access statewide criminal records by contacting the Criminal History Records Section of the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Individuals may only request criminal background checks on themselves.
How to Obtain Yuma Police Reports and Arrest Records?
Yuma arrest records and police reports can be obtained from the Records Unit of the Yuma City Police Department. Interested persons can request these records by contacting the Police Department at:
Yuma Police Department
Main Office/Administration
1500 South 1st Avenue Yuma
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 373-4700 (Records Unit)
Fax: (928) 343-8864 (Records Unit)
7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Daily
Police reports can also be requested at the county level from the Records Department of the Sheriff’s Office located at:
Yuma County Sheriff’s Office
Attn: Records Department
141 South 3rd Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 329-2254
Email: sorec@ycso.yumacountyaz.gov
Requesters are to submit a completed Public Records/Report Request Form (also available in Spanish) together with copies of their valid photo IDs and relevant payment. This can be done in person, by mail, and by email. The Yuma County Sheriff’s Office requires a $3 fee for each case report, while an incident report costs $1. Photos and audio recordings included in reports attract a $5 charge per CD. Payments can be made in cash, through cashier’s check, personal check, and money order. Checks are to be made payable to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.
How to Find Sex Offender Information in Yuma?
The Arizona Department of Public Safety maintains a centralized, publicly available database of registered sex offenders that reside within Yuma and other parts of the state. Using this platform, residents can find sex offender information by name, email address, compliance, internet names, and city. Individuals may also register to receive email alerts whenever a registered offender is within their selected scope of address or location.
How to Find Yuma Inmate Records?
Yuma inmate's records are obtainable at the county level. Interested persons can find inmate records by visiting the online Inmates Inquiry Tool provided by the Detention Bureau of the Sheriff’s Office. Requesters are required to provide information like the name of the inmate, booking number, and booking date in order to gain access to their record of interest.
How Do I Visit an Inmate in Yuma Jail?
Inmates in Yuma are housed in the Yuma County Detention Center. Visitation of inmates is available during the second week of every month. Inmates in disciplinary segregation cannot be visited. Visitors will be required to present a valid government-issued photo ID. Schedules for visitation are not stable and is subject to change, hence, to visit an inmate in the jail, contact the Detention Center Visitation Office at:
Yuma County Detention Center
200 West Court Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 539-7841 (Visitation Appointment)
Office Hours: 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m.
Court Records
Typically, Yuma City court cases are adjudicated under the Yuma County court system. The county’s court system consists of a Superior Court, a Juvenile Justice Center, three Justice Courts, and four Municipal Courts. These courts handle the class of cases that fall within their respective jurisdictions. For example, the Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over divorce cases while municipal courts have jurisdiction over city and town ordinance violations. These courts through a clerk, maintain records of the cases they handle. Records kept by the court include legal documents, judgments, and evidence.
Location of Courts in Yuma
Below are the locations and contact details of Yuma courts:
Yuma County Superior Courts
Yuma County Superior Court
Yuma County Justice Center
250 West 2nd Street
Suite B
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 817-4210
Fax: (928) 817-4211
Yuma County Superior Court - Juvenile
Juvenile Justice Center
2440 West 28th Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 314-1900
Fax: (928) 314-1996
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
Yuma Justice Court - Precinct 1
250 West 2nd Street
Suite A
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 817-4100
Fax: (928) 817-4101
Yuma County Municipal Courts
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
Yuma Municipal Court
1515 South 2nd Avenue
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 373-4800
Fax: (928) 329-2876
Are Yuma Court Records Public?
Pursuant to Arizona Public Record Laws, Yuma court records are considered public except for records pertaining to adoptions or juveniles. Like other cities in Yuma County, Yuma court records are maintained and issued at the county level by the office of the Clerk of the Yuma County Superior Court. However, to access and request the court records of the Yumas Municipal Court and other municipal courts in the county, interested persons are to contact the courthouse directly using the aforementioned contact information.
Can you look up a Yuma Court Case Online?
Yuma court cases and many other court cases under the Arizona Judicial Branch are available online. The Arizona Judicial Branch provides public access to Yuma court cases through the Public Access Case Lookup on its website. Through this search feature, residents can search court cases by name and by case number. Interested persons can also access criminal and civil court documents of the Superior Court by visiting the eAccess Portal.
How to Obtain Yuma Civil Court Case Records?
Residents can obtain Yuma civil court case records by requesting them from the Office of the Clerk of the Yuma County Superior Court. Interested persons can make their request in person, by phone, or by fax using the contact information below:
Clerk of the Superior Court
Yuma County Superior Court
250 West 2nd Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 817-4210
Fax: (928) 817-4211
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday
Requesters can also access Yuma civil court case records by utilizing the Public Access Case Lookup and eAccess Portal provided on the Arizona Judicial Branch’s website. This service however requires applicants to provide a case name or case number.
How to Obtain Yuma Criminal Court Records?
To obtain Yuma criminal court records, residents can request them from the Office of the Clerk of the Yuma County Superior Court. Interested individuals may make their requests either in person, by telephone, or by fax, using the following contact information:
Clerk of the Superior Court
Yuma County Superior Court
250 West 2nd Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 817-4210
Fax: (928) 817-4211
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday
To obtain Yuma criminal court records online, visit the Public Access Case Lookup and eAccess Portal that are made available on the Arizona Judicial Branch’s website. Requesters will however need to input a case name or case number of the court record of interest in order to make their requests.
What are Yuma Vital Records?
Yuma vital records are official documents that contain details about certain life occurrences that take place within Yuma City. These records are maintained by government agencies and they include information about births, deaths, marriages, and divorces within Yuma City. These records are not available at the city level. Yuma marriage and divorce records are maintained by the Clerk of the Yuma County Superior Court. Birth and death records are maintained simultaneously by the Yuma County Public Health Services District and the Arizona Department of Health Services at the county and state level respectively. Nevertheless, not all Yuma vital records are publicly available. Typically, Arizona law restricts public access to vital records like birth and death records in order to protect the confidentiality rights of her citizens.
Where and How to Obtain Yuma Divorce Records?
Yuma divorce records are in the form of divorce decrees made by the Yumas County Superior Court. Therefore, divorce records are one of the court records maintained by the Court’s Clerk. To obtain Yuma divorce records, interested residents can make requests in person, by phone, or by fax by contacting the Superior Court Clerk at:
Clerk of the Superior Court
Yuma County Superior Court
250 West 2nd Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 817-4210
Fax: (928) 817-4211
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday
Like it is for other Yuma court records, residents can request Yumas divorce records online by using the Arizona Judicial Branch’s Public Access Case Lookup and eAccess Portal. Requesters will have to search their record of interest either by name or by case number.
Where and How to Get Public Yuma Marriage Records?
Interested persons can get Yuma marriage records by requesting them from the Office of the Clerk of the Superior Court either in person or by phone at:
Clerk of the Superior Court
Yuma County Superior Court
250 West 2nd Street
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 817-4210
Fax: (928) 817-4211
8:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m, Monday through Friday
A marriage record cannot be received if it is not on file. Therefore, residents can only obtain copies of Yuma marriage licenses that have been returned to the Clerk’s office by the officiant for recording after the marriage. A certified copy of Yuma marriage certificate costs $30 while an additional $30 will be charged per year searched other than the first year.
Where and How to Get Confidential Marriage Records in Yuma?
All marriage records in Yuma City are considered public, hence, they are available to members of the public.
Where and How to Find Yuma Birth Records?
Yuma birth records are available both at the county and the state level. The Office of Vital Records of the Yuma County Public Health Services District provides certified copies of Yuma birth records at the county level while the Arizona Department of Health Services does the same at the state level. Pursuant to Arizona state laws, birth records are closed records and may only be requested by the following persons:
- A registrant on the record who is at least 18 years old. Registrants below the age of 18 are required to provide proof of emancipation
- A registrant’s parent, grandparent, spouse, adult child, adult grandchild, or adult sibling
- A registrant’s legal guardian
- An attorney representing any of the aforementioned parties
- A party with appropriate legal authority empowering them to obtain the record. This includes, but is not limited, to parties with a power of attorney, conservators, and adoption agencies
Interested persons can make in-person or mail requests for Yuma birth records from the Vital Records Department of the Yuma County Public Health Services District. Citizens can request these vital records in person and by mail. To do so, download and complete the Arizona Vital Records Request for Copy of Birth Certificate form (also available in Spanish). Then submit the completed form, together with a signed valid government-issued ID, and required payment, to:
Yuma County Public Health Services District
Vital Statistics
2200 W. 28th Street
Suite 256
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 317-4530
Fax: (928) 317-4678
8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday
Typically, in-person requests require three business days for processing while mail requests may take up to ten business days. However, there is the option of expedited processing for those who wish to obtain their copies on the same day they request them. This attracts an extra $10 processing fee. Each copy of a Yuma birth record costs $20. In-person requesters can pay in cash or by cashier’s check, while money orders are the only acceptable forms of payment for mail requests.
Alternatively, interested parties may also request Yuma birth certificates from the Arizona Department of Health Services by completing the Bureau of Vital Records Request for Copy of Birth Certificate (also available in Spanish) and submitting it via mail to:
Bureau of Vital Records
P.O. Box 6018
Phoenix, AZ 85005
Requesters will be required to notarize their signature or provide a copy of the front and back of a valid government-issued picture ID that bears their signature. Applicants other than the registrant or the parent named on the certificate, are to also submit proof of eligibility. Requests should also include a self-addressed stamped envelope. Copies of birth records typically cost $20 and the acceptable forms of payment include cashier's checks, money orders, Visa, and MasterCard. Persons paying by credit or debit cards are to include the card’s full number and expiry date on their application.
Where and How to Find Yuma Death Records?
The Office of Vital Records of the Yuma County Public Health Services District issues certified copies of Yuma death records. In compliance with Arizona state laws, Yuma death records are designated as confidential. Therefore, only the following persons may request the record:
- A member of the decedent’s immediate family who is at least 18 years old (this includes grandparents and grandchildren)
- An attorney or any legal representative of any of the aforementioned parties
- Any party with appropriate legal authority empowering them to obtain the record.
Residents can request Yuma death records either in person or via mail by downloading and completing the Arizona Vital Records Request for Copy of Death Certificate form (also available in Spanish). Submit the form, alongside a signed valid government-issued ID, and the required fee, to:
Yuma County Public Health Services District
Vital Statistics
2200 West 28th Street
Suite 256
Yuma, AZ 85364
Phone: (928) 317-4530
Fax: (928) 317-4678
8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday
Generally, in-person requests take up to three business days to process while mail requests typically take ten business days. However, expedited processing is available for persons that wish to obtain their copies on the same day they request them. This attracts an extra $10 processing fee in addition to the standard $20 fee for each record copy. Cash and check payments are accepted for in-person requesters while mail requesters can only pay through money orders.
Interested persons can also request Yuma death records from the Arizona Department of Health Services by sending a completed Bureau of Vital Records Request for Copy of Death Certificate (also available in Spanish) by mail to:
Bureau of Vital Records
P.O. Box 6018
Phoenix, AZ 85005
Requesters are to provide either their notarized signature or provide a copy of the front and back of a valid government-issued picture ID that bears their signature. Additionally, an application is to include proof of eligibility and a self-addressed stamped envelope. Typically, certified copies of Yuma birth records obtained at the state level cost $20 and payment can be made through cashier's checks, money orders, Visa, and MasterCard. Requesters making payments through credit or debit cards must include the card’s full number and expiry date in their application.
