Mesa Background Check Services

Mesa background check records help residents and organizations verify criminal history in Arizona's third largest city. With a population of about 500,000 people, Mesa handles many record requests each year through its police department. The city sits in Maricopa County and offers clearance letters and local criminal history searches. You can get these records from Mesa Police or use state and county resources for broader searches. This guide walks you through the options, fees, and steps to get the background check records you need in Mesa.

Mesa Police Background Check Records

The Mesa Police Department handles local background check requests. Their Records Division is at 130 North Robson in Mesa. You can reach them by phone at 480-644-2310. Mail goes to P.O. Box 1466, Mesa, AZ 85211-1466. The department provides clearance letters and local criminal history reports for Mesa residents.

Mesa Police keeps records of arrests, incidents, and reports that occur within city limits. These are local records only. They do not include state or federal records. For a full background check that covers all of Arizona and the FBI database, you need to go through the Arizona DPS. Mesa Police records work well for those who just want to check if someone has local history.

A background check or letter of clearance from Mesa Police costs $10.00. This fee covers the search of local records and the letter that states what was found or not found. You can use this letter for licensing, housing, or other purposes that need a local criminal history check.

Visit the Mesa Police Department Services page for full details on how to request records.

Mesa Fingerprinting Services

Mesa Police does not provide fingerprinting to the public. This is a key point to know before you plan a trip to their office. If you need fingerprints for a license or clearance card, you must use other options. Many people assume they can walk into any police station for prints. That is not the case in Mesa.

For fingerprinting in the Mesa area, you have several choices. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office offers walk-in fingerprinting at their Criminal Records Section. No appointment is needed. They provide ink-rolled prints on cards you supply. Contact them at (602) 876-3960 for details and hours.

Private fingerprinting services are another option. Many UPS Store locations offer this service. Other vendors like Fieldprint provide electronic Live Scan fingerprinting. Electronic prints are required for the Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card. Check the DPS Public Services Portal for a list of approved Fieldprint locations near Mesa.

Note: Always call ahead to confirm hours and fees before visiting any fingerprinting location.

Arizona DPS Background Check for Mesa

The Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the state's main background check system. This is separate from Mesa Police records. The DPS checks both Arizona and FBI databases. Most organizations that need thorough background checks require the DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card.

You can start your application through the DPS Public Services Portal.

The portal lets you apply online, pay fees, and track your application status. After you apply, you schedule fingerprinting at a Fieldprint location.

A standard Fingerprint Clearance Card costs $67.00. This covers the DPS and FBI background check. The card is valid for six years. Volunteers pay $65.00. Replacement cards are $5.00. There is also a Fieldprint vendor fee of about $20 to $25 for the electronic fingerprinting.

The clearance card is needed for many professions in Arizona. Teachers, childcare workers, healthcare staff, and security guards all need one. Foster parents and those who work with vulnerable adults also require this card. Organizations in these fields will ask to see your valid card.

Processing takes about four to six weeks in most cases. Some applications take longer if there is a record that needs review. You can check your status online at any time through the portal.

Maricopa County Background Records

Mesa is in Maricopa County. The county sheriff handles records for unincorporated areas and provides services that Mesa Police does not. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is the fourth largest in the nation. They process many record requests each day.

For public fingerprinting, MCSO is a good option for Mesa residents. They offer ink-rolled prints on a walk-in basis. No appointment needed. The Criminal Records Section is at 111 S. 3rd Avenue, 3rd Floor, in Phoenix. Hours are 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Monday through Friday. Bring a valid ID.

The sheriff also maintains warrant information, mugshots, and sex offender registry data. You can search these online for free. The county Clerk of Superior Court handles court case records separately. Use their ECR Online system to search civil and criminal case filings.

For more on county services, see our full Maricopa County background check guide.

How to Get Mesa Background Check Records

You have a few ways to get background check records in Mesa. The right method depends on what type of record you need and how fast you need it.

For Mesa Police records, contact their Records Division at 130 North Robson. Call 480-644-2310 with questions. You can request a letter of clearance in person or by mail. The fee is $10.00. These are local Mesa records only. They do not include county, state, or federal history.

For statewide and federal records, use the Arizona DPS. Apply through the Public Services Portal. You will need to get fingerprinted at a Fieldprint location after you apply. This is the most complete background check option. It covers Arizona and FBI databases.

For county-level records or fingerprinting, contact the Maricopa County Sheriff. Their main office is at 550 West Jackson Street in Phoenix. Phone: (602) 876-1000. Fingerprinting: (602) 876-3960. They offer walk-in fingerprinting and can provide sheriff's reports for the county.

Court records come from the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. Their office is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. Phone: (602) 372-5375. You can search cases online or request copies in person. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $35.00.

Mesa Background Check Fees

Costs vary based on what you need and where you get it. Here is a breakdown of fees for Mesa area background check services.

Mesa Police charges $10.00 for a background check or letter of clearance. This covers a search of local Mesa records only. Payment methods vary, so call ahead to ask what they accept.

Arizona DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card costs $67.00 for the standard card. Volunteers pay $65.00. Add about $20 to $25 for the Fieldprint vendor fee. Total cost is around $90 for most people. The card lasts six years.

Maricopa County Sheriff charges $5.00 for accident reports through BuyCrash. Video recordings cost $25.00 per video-hour. Crime victims get their first incident report free under A.R.S. 39-127.

Court record copies from the Clerk of Superior Court are $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $35.00. You can search cases online for free before ordering copies.

Arizona Background Check Laws

Arizona law governs how background checks work in Mesa and across the state. The main statutes come from Title 41 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. These laws set up the DPS fingerprint system and define who needs clearance cards.

A.R.S. 41-1750 creates the Central State Repository at DPS. This is the main database for Arizona criminal records. All arrests and court dispositions go into this system. The law also sets fees and rules for record access.

A.R.S. 41-1758.03 covers regular Fingerprint Clearance Cards. It lists which offenses will block someone from getting a card. The law protects children and vulnerable adults by screening those who work with them.

Public records access in Arizona falls under A.R.S. 39-121. This law says government records are open to the public with some exceptions. You can request police reports, court records, and other public documents under this statute.

Who Needs Mesa Background Checks

Many people need background checks in Mesa. The reason shapes what type of check you should get.

Licensing boards are common requesters. Arizona law requires background checks for positions with children, elderly, or disabled people. Schools, daycares, nursing homes, and group homes must screen staff. These organizations usually need the DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Property managers sometimes ask for background checks on rental applicants. A local Mesa Police clearance letter may work for this. Some property managers use third-party screening services instead. They want to see if an applicant has local criminal history.

Licensing boards require background checks for many professions. Nurses, teachers, real estate agents, and security guards all need clearance. The Arizona Board of Fingerprinting handles appeals if your card is denied. Their website is fingerprint.az.gov.

Volunteers who work with kids or vulnerable adults also need clearance cards. The fee is slightly lower at $65.00. Churches, youth sports leagues, and nonprofits often require this for coaches and mentors.

Nearby Cities in the Phoenix Metro

Mesa is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area. Several other large cities border Mesa or sit nearby. Each has its own police department and records services.

For incidents that happened in another city, contact that city's police department. Mesa Police only has records for events within Mesa city limits.

Mesa County Resources

Mesa is located in Maricopa County. The county handles fingerprinting, court records, and sheriff reports for the greater Phoenix area. Many Mesa residents use county services for background checks.