Phoenix Background Check Records

Phoenix background check services are offered through the Phoenix Police Department Public Records and Services Unit. As Arizona's capital and largest city with over 1.6 million people, Phoenix handles a high volume of record requests each year. You can obtain a Letter of Clearance, local criminal history review, and police incident reports. The process is simple and can be done online or in person at the records office on Grant Street. For county-level records or statewide searches, you will need to contact Maricopa County or Arizona DPS.

Phoenix Police Background Check Services

The Phoenix Police Department operates a Public Records and Services Unit that handles background check requests. This unit issues Letters of Clearance based on local Phoenix police records only. The check covers arrests and criminal activity within Phoenix city limits. It does not include statewide or federal data.

A Letter of Clearance shows whether you have any arrest history in Phoenix. If no arrest is found, you get a simple clearance letter. If an arrest is found, the letter includes details about the arrest and any disposition. Many licensing boards and agencies ask for this type of local check. It can be used along with a statewide check from Arizona DPS for a more complete picture.

Phoenix Police provides access to public records through their online portal at phoenix.gov public records page.

The portal lists services available and explains the process for requesting records online or in person.

The records unit is at 1717 E Grant St, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85034. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can call (602) 534-1127 for general questions. For appointments, dial (602) 262-1885. Email requests go to policepublicrecords@phoenix.gov.

How to Get a Phoenix Background Check

Getting a background check in Phoenix is straightforward. You have two main options: online or in person. Each method has pros and cons depending on your needs.

Online requests are the easiest way to start. Go to the Phoenix Public Safety portal to submit your request. The site lets you apply for a Letter of Clearance without leaving home. You will pay a $5 online convenience fee on top of the base cost. Processing times vary but most requests are completed within a few business days.

The Phoenix Public Safety FAQ page has helpful info about the process and common questions.

Check the FAQ section if you have questions about what is included or how long it takes.

In-person visits work well if you want same-day service. Bring a valid photo ID to the office at 1717 E Grant St, Suite 100. Staff can run the check while you wait in most cases. You will pay the fee at the window and receive your letter before you leave. This option skips the online convenience fee.

Mail requests are not widely used for Phoenix background checks. Most people find online or in-person faster and more convenient. If you must mail a request, call the records unit first to get the right forms and instructions.

Phoenix Background Check Fees

Phoenix Police charges based on what type of result you get. A clean record costs less than one with an arrest on file.

Letter of Clearance with no arrest on file costs $8.50. This is for people with no Phoenix arrest history. The check only covers Phoenix Police records. It does not include county, state, or federal data.

Letter of Clearance with arrest on file costs $28.00. The higher fee covers the extra work to pull arrest details and case info. Your letter will show the date, charge, and outcome of each arrest found in Phoenix records.

Online convenience fee is $5.00. This applies to all requests made through the Phoenix Public Safety portal. You pay this on top of the base fee. So an online request with no arrest would be $13.50 total. One with an arrest would be $33.00 total.

Payment methods include credit cards for online requests. In-person visits may have different payment options. Call ahead to confirm what forms of payment are accepted at the window.

Note: Fees may change over time. Always check the current rates on the Phoenix Police website before submitting a request.

Phoenix Fingerprinting Services

Phoenix Police no longer provides fingerprint services. This is a big change that affects many residents. If you need fingerprints for a license or state clearance card, you must use a private provider.

Private fingerprinting companies are all over the Phoenix area. UPS Stores, PostNet locations, and dedicated fingerprint services offer this. Prices vary from $10 to $40 depending on the provider and type of service. Some use ink-rolled prints while others offer electronic Live Scan.

For a state Fingerprint Clearance Card, you must apply through Arizona DPS. The DPS Public Services Portal handles all clearance card applications. You will get a reference number and then schedule fingerprinting through Fieldprint or another approved vendor. The state fee is $67 for a standard card plus around $20 to $25 for the fingerprint vendor.

Many organizations in Phoenix ask for both a local Letter of Clearance and a state Fingerprint Clearance Card. The local letter is fast and cheap. The state card takes longer but covers all Arizona and FBI records. Plan ahead if you need both for licensing or other purposes.

Phoenix and Maricopa County Records

Phoenix sits in Maricopa County. The city police handle records within city limits. The county sheriff handles unincorporated areas and countywide services. You may need to contact both depending on what records you want.

For a Maricopa County background check, contact the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. They offer fingerprinting on a walk-in basis. The sheriff also maintains warrant lookups, mugshot searches, and sex offender registry data. Their main office is at 550 West Jackson Street in Phoenix.

Court records for Phoenix cases go through the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. Their address is 601 W. Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Phone: (602) 372-5375. You can search case filings online through ECR Online. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost $35.

If you lived in multiple places across Maricopa County, you may need checks from both Phoenix PD and the sheriff. City police only track incidents within their jurisdiction. The sheriff tracks the rest of the county.

Statewide Background Check Options

A Phoenix background check only covers one city. For a complete picture, you may need state and federal level checks too.

Arizona DPS maintains the Central State Repository. This database holds all fingerprint-based criminal history for Arizona. You can request your own record or apply for a Fingerprint Clearance Card. The card is valid for six years and includes ongoing monitoring.

The Arizona Board of Fingerprinting handles appeals and exceptions. If your clearance card is denied due to a past offense, you can apply for a Good Cause Exception. The board reviews each case and may grant clearance despite precluding offenses. Their fee is $40 for the review. More info is at fingerprint.az.gov.

Under A.R.S. 41-1750, the DPS Central State Repository keeps all criminal history records for Arizona. This includes arrests, charges, dispositions, and sentences. A state-level check pulls from this database plus FBI national records.

Nearby Cities in Arizona

If you lived in other parts of the metro area, you may want to check those cities too. Each police department keeps its own local records. Here are nearby cities with background check services:

Each city has its own fees and procedures. Some offer online requests. Others require in-person visits. Check each city's police department website for details on their background check services.

Additional Phoenix Record Resources

Beyond background checks, Phoenix has other record types you may need. Crime statistics, incident reports, and arrest data are all available through different channels.

Phoenix Police publishes crime stats and data on their website. You can view trends, maps, and reports for different parts of the city. This data helps with research or understanding crime patterns in your neighborhood. It is separate from personal background checks but useful for other purposes.

Public records requests cover a wide range of documents. Body camera footage, 911 calls, and police reports can all be requested. Fees vary based on what you ask for. Video costs more due to the time needed to process it. Simple reports are cheaper.

For screening purposes, most organizations use a mix of local, county, state, and sometimes federal checks. A local Letter of Clearance is just one piece. Many professions also need a state Fingerprint Clearance Card. Some need FBI national checks too. Ask the requesting party which levels they require so you can gather the right documents.