Find Tempe Background Check Records

Tempe background check services are handled through the Tempe Police Department in downtown Tempe. This city sits in the heart of the Phoenix metro area and is home to Arizona State University. With around 185,000 residents, Tempe processes many record requests each year from agencies, organizations, and individuals who need local criminal history information or clearance letters. The police department offers free fingerprinting for those applying for a Tempe business license. You can also submit public records requests online through the city portal. For statewide checks, you will work with Arizona DPS.

Tempe Police Background Check Services

The Tempe Police Department is your main stop for local background check needs. The records section is at 120 E. 5th Street in downtown Tempe. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can help with record requests and point you in the right direction for fingerprinting.

Tempe PD keeps incident reports, arrest records, and local criminal history data. If something happened in Tempe city limits, this is where those records live. The department does not maintain statewide records. For that, you need to go through Arizona DPS. But for local checks, clearance letters, or police reports, Tempe PD has what you need.

You can reach the records section by phone at 480-350-8588. For fingerprinting questions, call the dedicated line at 480-858-2024. Email works too. Send your questions to PD_RecordsRequests@tempe.gov and staff will get back to you.

Tempe Background Check Fingerprinting

One thing that sets Tempe apart is free fingerprinting. If you are applying for a Tempe business license, the police department will fingerprint you at no charge. This saves money for new business owners who need background clearance. Not many cities offer this perk.

There is still a fee to process your prints. The Arizona Department of Public Safety charges $22 to run your fingerprints through state and federal databases. Tempe PD just waives their local service fee. So you pay DPS, not the city. This applies only to business license applicants. Other fingerprint needs may have different rules.

Call ahead before you go. The fingerprint line is 480-858-2024. Ask about current hours and what documents you need to bring. Bring a valid ID. If you are getting prints for a business license, bring your license application or a letter from the city showing you applied. This proves you qualify for the free service.

Note: Processing times depend on DPS workload, not Tempe PD.

Tempe Police Records Online

Tempe uses an online portal for public records requests. You can visit the Tempe JustFOIA portal to submit your request from home. The system tracks your request and sends updates by email.

The Arizona DPS Public Services Portal is your gateway to state-level background check services and clearance cards.

Through psp.azdps.gov, you can apply for a Fingerprint Clearance Card, pay fees, and check the status of your application online.

The online system accepts most record requests. Some records may require in-person pickup. Complex requests might take longer. The portal shows estimated completion times. You can also check for updates without calling the office. It saves time for everyone.

For more about the Tempe Police Department, visit their main page. You will find contact info, department news, and links to other services they offer.

How to Request Tempe Background Records

You have a few ways to get background check records in Tempe. Pick the method that works best for your needs.

Online is quick and easy. Go to the Tempe police public records request page. Follow the links to the JustFOIA portal. Fill out the form. Describe what records you want. Be specific. The more detail you give, the faster staff can find your records. You will get email updates as your request moves forward.

In-person visits work well when you need something right away. Go to 120 E. 5th Street in Tempe. Bring your ID. Tell the clerk what you need. Some records can be pulled while you wait. Others take a day or two. Staff will let you know. If you need fingerprints, ask about walk-in hours or whether you need to make an appointment first.

Phone is good for questions. Call 480-350-8588 to talk to the records section. They can tell you if the records you want exist and what it takes to get them. They cannot release records over the phone, but they can guide you through the process. For fingerprint questions, use the dedicated line at 480-858-2024.

Tempe Background Check Fees

Costs vary based on what you need. Tempe keeps most fees low. The big savings come from free fingerprinting for business license applicants.

For fingerprint clearance cards through Arizona DPS, expect to pay around $22 for processing. This goes to DPS, not Tempe. If you need a Fingerprint Clearance Card for licensing or volunteer positions, the state fee is $67 for a standard application. Electronic fingerprinting through vendors like Fieldprint adds another $20 to $25. Tempe PD does not do Live Scan. They offer ink-rolled prints only.

Police report copies have standard fees. The exact amount depends on page count and format. Ask when you submit your request. Crime victims may qualify for free copies under Arizona law. Check with staff if this applies to your case.

Maricopa County Background Records

Tempe sits in Maricopa County. The county sheriff handles records for unincorporated areas. If something happened outside Tempe city limits but nearby, the sheriff's office may have those records. Court records are also handled at the county level.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office is at 550 West Jackson Street in Phoenix. Call (602) 876-1000 for general questions. They offer fingerprinting too, though only ink-rolled prints. For court records, contact the Maricopa County Clerk of Superior Court. They handle case files, judgments, and certified copies. You can search court cases online through ECR Online on their website.

For truly comprehensive background checks, you may need records from both Tempe PD and the county sheriff. Someone who has lived in different parts of the metro area could have records in multiple places.

Arizona State Background Checks from Tempe

Local checks only cover what happened in Tempe. For a full picture, you need state-level checks. Arizona DPS runs the Central State Repository. This holds criminal records from across the state.

The Fingerprint Clearance Card is Arizona's main credential for background screening. Teachers, healthcare workers, childcare staff, and many others need one. Cards are valid for six years. Apply through the DPS Public Services Portal. You create an account, fill out the application, and pay online. Then you get fingerprinted at a Fieldprint location or other approved vendor.

Arizona law spells out who needs a clearance card. Under A.R.S. 41-1758.03, certain offenses will block card issuance. Some people can apply for a good cause exception through the Arizona Board of Fingerprinting. That process takes extra time and has a separate fee.

DPS also offers basic background checks without the card. These cost around $22. They show Arizona criminal history but do not give you a credential to carry. For most licensing purposes, the clearance card is what agencies want to see.

Nearby Cities with Background Check Services

Tempe borders several other large cities in the Phoenix metro area. Each has its own police department and record services. If you need records from multiple cities, you will have to contact each one.

Phoenix is west of Tempe. It is the state capital and largest city. Mesa is to the east. Scottsdale is north. Chandler is south. All of these cities have large police departments with their own records sections. Some offer fingerprinting. Others do not. Check with each department for current services.

Tempe Background Check Contact Details

Here is all the contact info you need for Tempe background check services in one place.

Tempe Police Department Records Section is at 120 E. 5th Street, Tempe, AZ 85281. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Phone for records is 480-350-8588. Phone for fingerprinting is 480-858-2024. Email is PD_RecordsRequests@tempe.gov. The online portal is at tempe.justfoia.com/publicportal.

For state-level background checks, contact Arizona DPS at (602) 223-2279 for clearance card questions. The main DPS line is (602) 223-2000. The Public Services Portal is at psp.azdps.gov. DPS hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Keep these numbers handy. Staff at both offices can answer questions and help you get the records you need for licensing, various purposes, or personal reasons.