Search Cochise County Background Check Records

Cochise County background check services are run by the sheriff's office in Bisbee. This southeastern Arizona county shares a long border with Mexico and covers over 6,200 square miles of desert and mountain terrain. The sheriff's office handles criminal records, arrest reports, and fingerprinting for residents and those who need records. You can request records in person, by mail, or through their online NextRequest portal. Fingerprinting is offered at two locations with set hours each week.

Cochise County Sheriff Background Check Services

The Cochise County Sheriff's Office is the main source for background check records in the county. They keep arrest records, booking sheets, offense reports, and warrant data. The records unit is at 205 N. Judd Drive in Bisbee. You can reach them by phone at 520-803-3550, 520-432-9500, or toll-free at 800-362-0812. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The Cochise County Sheriff's Office website provides general information about services and contacts.

The main site lists office locations, phone numbers, and links to request forms for various sheriff services.

Staff can pull reports for local incidents. They can also tell you if records exist for a certain person or case. Keep in mind that the sheriff only has county records. State and federal records come from Arizona DPS. For a full background check that covers all of Arizona and the FBI database, you need to apply through the DPS Public Services Portal for a Fingerprint Clearance Card.

Email requests can go to ccapas@cochise.az.gov. Make sure you include your name, what records you want, and a phone number or email where staff can reach you.

How to Request Cochise County Records

You have three ways to get background check records in Cochise County. Pick the one that works best for your situation.

The sheriff's office uses a public records request form for written requests.

This form collects your contact details and the specific records you need. Fill it out and submit it online, by mail, or in person at the records office.

In-person visits work well if you need records fast. Bring a valid ID. Go to 205 N. Judd Drive in Bisbee during business hours. Staff can look up records while you wait. Pay the fee and get your copies the same day in most cases.

Mail requests take more time. Send a written request to Cochise County Sheriff's Office, 205 N. Judd Drive, Bisbee, AZ 85603. State what records you want. Include your full name and address. Staff will send an invoice or the records with payment details.

Note: The sheriff's office may need a few business days to process your request depending on how many records you ask for.

Cochise County NextRequest Portal

Cochise County uses NextRequest for online public records requests. This is an easy way to ask for sheriff records from your computer or phone.

The Cochise County NextRequest portal lets you submit and track requests online.

Create a free account to submit requests. You can log in anytime to check status and see when your records are ready.

The NextRequest system sends email updates as your request moves through the process. You will know when staff receive it, when they start working on it, and when your records are done. This saves you from calling to check on things. Some records can be sent to you digitally right through the portal, which is faster than waiting for mail.

Not all records can go through NextRequest. Fingerprinting must be done in person. Some confidential records may need extra steps or may not be available to the public at all. If your request gets denied, the portal will explain why.

Cochise County Fingerprinting Services

Fingerprinting is offered at two sheriff locations in Cochise County. No appointment is needed. Just show up during the set hours with cash in hand.

The Bisbee location is at 203 N. Judd Drive. Hours are Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This is the main office near the records unit. Parking is free. The Sierra Vista location is at 100 Colonia de Salud, Suite 106-107. Hours there are Monday and Tuesday from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. This works better for people on the west side of the county.

Fingerprinting costs $5.00 per card. Cash only. Bring exact change. The sheriff does not accept cards or checks for this service. You can get fingerprints for licensing, volunteer work, or personal records.

The sheriff provides ink-rolled prints, not electronic Live Scan. If you need a state Fingerprint Clearance Card from DPS, you must use an approved electronic vendor like Fieldprint. The sheriff prints can work for some local purposes, but check with whoever needs them first to make sure ink prints are okay.

Cochise County Background Check Fees

Fees in Cochise County are low compared to many other Arizona counties. Here is what you can expect to pay for common services.

Offense reports and booking sheets cost $3.00 each. This covers the copy and processing. If you need several reports, the costs add up. Fingerprinting costs $5.00 per card. Cash only and you must have exact change. The office does not make change for fingerprint fees.

Crime victims may get their first report free under Arizona law. Ask about this when you make your request. You may need to show that you were the victim in the case.

For court records, contact the Cochise County Clerk of Superior Court. They have separate fees for copies and certified documents. Court records show case filings, judgments, and court orders that may not be in sheriff files.

Note: Always call ahead to confirm fees before visiting. Prices can change without notice.

Arizona State Background Checks

Cochise County sheriff records only cover incidents within the county. For a complete background check, you often need state and federal records too.

The Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the statewide system. The Central State Repository at DPS holds criminal history records from all Arizona counties. To search this database, you can apply for a Fingerprint Clearance Card through the DPS Public Services Portal. The card costs $67 and is valid for six years.

Those who need thorough checks usually want both local and state records. Some situations require FBI checks too. A Fingerprint Clearance Card includes both Arizona and FBI searches. It is the gold standard for background screening in the state.

The state background check law is spelled out in A.R.S. 41-1750, which governs the Central State Repository. This statute explains what records DPS keeps and who can access them. Many agencies reference this law when setting up their screening policies.

Cochise County Background Check Laws

Arizona public records laws apply to Cochise County background checks. The main law is in A.R.S. 39-121, which gives people the right to inspect public records. Some records are exempt from disclosure for privacy or safety reasons.

Criminal history records have their own rules. Arrest records are generally public once a booking happens. Court records become public when filed. Some juvenile records are sealed. Expunged or set-aside records may not show up in searches, though the rules on this are complex in Arizona.

Those who request background checks must follow federal and state fair use laws. The Fair Credit Reporting Act applies to most background screens. Arizona has its own rules too. Before denying someone based on criminal history, the requesting party usually must give the person a chance to respond.

Nearby Arizona Counties

If you need records from other parts of Arizona, these neighboring counties may have what you are looking for:

Each county sheriff handles records for their own area. Contact them directly for records about incidents that happened there.