Find Apache County Background Check Records

Apache County background check services are based in St. Johns at the county sheriff's office. This vast county spans over 11,000 square miles in northeastern Arizona, making it the third-largest by land area in the state. The sheriff's office handles criminal records requests, fingerprinting services, and jail management for this rural region. If you need to search for records, look up criminal history, or get fingerprints taken, the Apache County Sheriff's Office is your main point of contact. Court records and case files go through the Clerk of Superior Court in a separate building downtown.

Apache County Sheriff Background Records

The Apache County Sheriff's Office serves as the main law enforcement agency for this large rural county. Deputies patrol an area that stretches from the Navajo Nation lands in the north down to the White Mountains. The office keeps records of arrests, criminal reports, and sex offender data. It also runs the county jail in St. Johns.

A key thing to know is the work schedule. Apache County runs on a four-day work week. The sheriff's office is open Monday through Thursday only. Hours run from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM on those days. The office is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Plan your visit or call during these times. If you show up on a Friday, no one will be there to help you.

Visit the Apache County Sheriff's website to learn about services and find contact details.

The website has basic contact info and describes sheriff services. You can find the main office address and phone numbers here.

The jail in Apache County holds more than just local inmates. It houses Federal Bureau of Prisons inmates under contract. This means the facility handles a mix of county detainees and federal prisoners. If you are trying to locate someone in custody, you may need to check both local and federal inmate databases.

Reach the sheriff's office by phone at (928) 337-4321. A toll-free line is also available at 1-800-352-1850. The fax number is (928) 337-2709. You can send email to lchavez@apachecounty.net for general questions.

How to Get Apache County Background Records

Getting background check records in Apache County takes some planning due to the four-day schedule and remote location. Most people will need to contact the office by phone or mail unless they can make the trip to St. Johns in person.

In-person visits work best if you live nearby. Go to the sheriff's office at 370 South Washington in St. Johns. Bring a valid ID. Staff can help you request records or get fingerprints done. Remember the hours are 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM, Monday through Thursday. Do not come on Friday.

Mail requests go to PO Box 518, St. Johns, AZ 85936. Write down what records you need. Include your name, contact info, and any case numbers you have. Add a check or money order for fees. The staff will process your request and mail copies back to you. This takes longer but works well for people far away.

Phone calls are good for simple questions. Dial (928) 337-4321 or the toll-free number 1-800-352-1850. Staff can tell you what records exist and how much they cost. They can explain what you need to submit for a formal request. Call early in the day since lines can get busy.

Apache County and Navajo Nation Land

A large part of Apache County falls within the Navajo Nation. This affects how law enforcement and records work. The sheriff's office has limited jurisdiction on tribal land. Most crimes involving tribal members on the reservation go through Navajo Nation police and courts instead.

If you need records from an incident on tribal land, the county sheriff may not have them. You might need to contact Navajo Nation law enforcement or the tribal court system. The federal government also has jurisdiction over certain crimes on reservation land. Some records may be held by federal agencies rather than county offices.

For incidents in non-tribal areas of Apache County, the sheriff has full authority. Records for these areas are kept at the county level. This includes the towns of St. Johns, Eagar, Springerville, and other communities outside reservation boundaries.

Apache County Court Background Records

The Clerk of Superior Court handles all court records in Apache County. This includes criminal case files, civil matters, family court, and probate. If your background check involves court cases, this is where to look.

Find details about court records at the Apache County Clerk of Court website.

This page lists office hours and explains how to request copies of court documents.

Court record copies in Apache County cost $17.00 minimum per case. Each page after that runs $0.50. This is one of the higher minimum fees among Arizona counties. The clerk's office is at 70 W. 3rd South St. in St. Johns. Phone: (928) 337-7550. Like the sheriff, the clerk follows a four-day work week.

Most court searches must be done in person or by mail. Apache County does not have a robust online court lookup system like the larger counties do. Staff can search case records for you if you provide a name or case number. Complex searches may take time since records are not fully digitized.

Note: Call ahead to confirm the current minimum fee before sending payment for court documents.

Apache County Online Record Search

While Apache County is rural, some online tools do exist to help with background searches. These resources let you check certain records from home without driving to St. Johns.

The county crime mapping portal at CrimeGraphics shows recent criminal activity in the area.

You can view reported crimes by type and location on an interactive map. This helps you see trends but does not replace official record requests.

The crime mapping tool shows data for the sheriff's patrol areas. It includes theft, assault, vandalism, and other reports. Click on markers to see basic details about each incident. The data updates regularly but may lag a few days behind actual reports.

For statewide criminal history checks, use the Arizona DPS system. The Public Services Portal lets you apply for a Fingerprint Clearance Card. This covers state and FBI background checks. The fee is $67.00 for most applications plus a vendor fee for electronic fingerprinting.

Apache County Background Check Fees

Background check fees in Apache County vary by the type of record you need. The sheriff's office and clerk's office each have their own fee schedules. Payment methods may be limited in this rural county.

The sheriff's office charges standard fees for fingerprinting and report copies. Cash, money orders, and business checks are typically accepted. Call (928) 337-4321 to confirm current fees before visiting. Some services may require exact payment since making change is not always possible.

Court records through the Clerk of Superior Court cost more. The minimum charge is $17.00 per case just to start the search. Additional pages cost $0.50 each. If you need records from multiple cases, costs add up fast. Certified copies cost extra on top of the base fee.

For state-level background checks through Arizona DPS, the standard application fee is $67.00. Volunteers pay $65.00. Electronic fingerprinting through Fieldprint runs about $20 to $25 at most locations. These fees apply statewide and are not specific to Apache County.

Apache County Sheriff Contact Details

Reaching the right office saves time. Here is the full contact information for Apache County background check services.

The Apache County Sheriff's Office is located at 370 South Washington in St. Johns, AZ 85936. Mail goes to PO Box 518, St. Johns, AZ 85936. The main phone number is (928) 337-4321. Call toll-free at 1-800-352-1850. Fax number is (928) 337-2709. Email questions to lchavez@apachecounty.net.

Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM. The office is closed Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. This four-day schedule applies year-round. Plan accordingly if you need to visit in person or call during business hours.

The Clerk of Superior Court is at 70 W. 3rd South St., St. Johns, AZ 85936. Their phone number is (928) 337-7550. Court record fees start at $17.00 minimum per case with $0.50 per additional page.

Nearby Arizona Counties

If you need records from neighboring counties, these offices may have what you are looking for. Apache County borders several other rural Arizona counties.

Navajo County lies to the west. Greenlee County is south. Graham County sits to the southwest. Each county has its own sheriff's office and court system for background checks.