Search Background Check Records in Surprise

Surprise background check services are available through the city police department and Maricopa County offices. This fast-growing West Valley city has about 150,000 residents and sits in Maricopa County, Arizona. The Surprise Police Department offers fingerprinting and local record services at their main office. For county-level criminal history checks, you will need to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office. State background checks go through the Arizona DPS. Whether you need prints for a license, a clearance letter, or court records, several options exist in and around Surprise.

Surprise Police Department Background Services

The Surprise Police Department is the main local source for background check help in the city. Their office is at 14250 W Statler Plaza, Suite 103, Surprise, AZ 85374. The main phone line is (623) 222-4000. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The department serves the entire city and handles local records requests.

You can learn more about what the Surprise Police Department offers on their official homepage.

The site gives you contact info, news, and links to the services you may need. It is a good place to start if you are not sure where to go.

For local police reports, you can contact the records division at the same address. The staff can help you request copies of incident reports, accident reports, or other documents from the Surprise PD. Keep in mind that records held by the city police only cover events in Surprise. If the incident took place elsewhere in Maricopa County, contact the sheriff's office or the police department where it happened.

Fingerprinting in Surprise Arizona

Surprise Police Department does provide fingerprinting. This is one of few cities in the West Valley still doing so. To schedule prints, call Community Relations at (623) 222-4422. They can tell you when to come in and what to bring. Most people need prints for licenses, certifications, or state clearance cards.

The Surprise fingerprinting page has the details you need to know before your visit.

Check here for hours, fees, and any forms you might need. Calling ahead is smart since hours can change.

If Surprise Police cannot fit you in or if you need electronic Live Scan prints, you have other options. Third-party fingerprinting vendors operate throughout the Phoenix metro area. Fieldprint is the main vendor for Arizona DPS clearance card applications. UPS stores and other private companies also offer ink or electronic prints for a fee. Some people find it easier to use these services due to work schedules.

Note: Call (623) 222-4422 to confirm fingerprinting hours before your visit since times may vary.

Surprise Police Background Check Services

Beyond fingerprinting, Surprise Police offer several services that can help with background checks. The department provides local record checks, clearance letters, and copies of reports.

The department services page lists what the police offer to residents and visitors.

You can find info on records, crime prevention programs, and community services here. It is worth a look if you need more than just prints.

Local background check letters from Surprise PD only cover crimes in the city. They do not include county, state, or federal records. If you need a full background check, you must also contact Maricopa County and Arizona DPS. Many agencies want prints sent to DPS for a statewide and FBI check. The Fingerprint Clearance Card from DPS is valid for six years.

Maricopa County Records for Surprise Residents

Surprise is part of Maricopa County. For criminal records outside city limits, you need the county sheriff. The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office maintains records for unincorporated areas. They also handle fingerprinting, arrest records, and warrant info for the whole county.

The sheriff's main office is at 550 West Jackson Street in Phoenix. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Phone: (602) 876-1000. For fingerprinting, call (602) 876-3960. The sheriff provides ink-rolled prints on a walk-in basis. No Live Scan is available to the public at the sheriff's office.

Court records are separate from police records. The Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court handles civil and criminal case files. Their office is at 601 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix. Phone: (602) 372-5375. You can search cases online through ECR Online. Copies cost $0.50 per page. Certified copies are $35.00.

For county-level background checks, you might need both sheriff and court records. The sheriff has arrest data. The court has case outcomes. Together, these sources give a fuller picture of someone's record in Maricopa County.

Arizona State Background Check Options

For a statewide check, go through the Arizona Department of Public Safety. DPS runs the Central State Repository. This holds criminal history for the whole state. You can apply for a Fingerprint Clearance Card through the DPS Public Services Portal. The card costs $67 for most applicants. It is good for six years.

Many positions in Arizona require this card. Teachers, healthcare workers, childcare staff, and others who work with kids or vulnerable adults must have one. The card shows you passed a state and FBI background check. Agencies can verify it online.

To get the card, create an account on the DPS portal. Fill out the application and pay the fee. Then get your prints done. You can use Fieldprint for electronic submission or mail in a fingerprint card. Processing takes about 3 to 4 weeks in most cases. Some applications take longer if there are questions about the results.

If DPS denies your card, you can appeal to the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting. The board reviews cases and may grant a "good cause exception" for some offenses. The fee for this appeal is $40. More info is at fingerprint.az.gov.

Arizona Background Check Laws

Arizona law sets rules for who can see criminal records and how checks work. The main statutes are in Title 41 of the Arizona Revised Statutes. A.R.S. 41-1750 covers the Central State Repository and how DPS handles criminal history data.

A.R.S. 41-1758.03 sets out the rules for regular Fingerprint Clearance Cards. It lists which crimes can stop you from getting a card. Some offenses are "precluding," meaning you cannot get the card at all. Others may be waived through the Board of Fingerprinting. Level I cards have more restrictions under A.R.S. 41-1758.07.

Public records in Arizona are open under the state's public records law. Most police reports, arrest records, and court files can be obtained by anyone. There are exceptions for juvenile cases, sealed records, and active investigations. Fees can be charged for copies, but the first copy is free for crime victims under A.R.S. 39-127.

Background Check Services in Nearby Cities

If Surprise cannot help with what you need, try these other West Valley cities. Each has its own police department and may offer different services.

Peoria is just east of Surprise. The Peoria Police Department offers fingerprinting on Wednesdays. The fee is about $13 per card. Their office is at 8351 W. Cinnabar Ave. Phone: (623) 773-7098.

Glendale sits to the east as well. Glendale Police at 6835 N. 57th Drive handles records requests. Lobby fingerprinting is currently on hold, so call ahead. They charge $5 for clearance letters.

Goodyear is south of Surprise. They offer fingerprinting on Tuesdays only from 9 AM to 3 PM. The fee is $17, cash or money order. You must show Goodyear residency or a local connection. Their office is at 11 N. 145th Ave.

Buckeye is further west. Buckeye Police no longer does public fingerprinting, except for court-ordered prints. They refer people to private vendors like UPS Store or PostNet. Check their website for record request info.

Surprise Background Check Contact Info

Here is a quick summary of who to call for background check help in Surprise:

Surprise Police Department
Address: 14250 W Statler Plaza, Suite 103, Surprise, AZ 85374
Phone: (623) 222-4000
Community Relations (fingerprints): (623) 222-4422
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Maricopa County Sheriff
Address: 550 West Jackson Street, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phone: (602) 876-1000
Fingerprinting: (602) 876-3960
Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Arizona DPS
Clearance Card Section: (602) 223-2279
Online Portal: psp.azdps.gov

Start with Surprise Police for local needs. Go to the county sheriff for broader records. Use DPS for statewide and federal checks.