Find Pima County Background Check Records

Pima County background check services are available through the sheriff's department in Tucson. With about one million residents, this is the second-most populated county in Arizona. The sheriff's Records Maintenance Unit uses a state-of-the-art system to process requests for criminal history, incident reports, and clearance letters. You can also search court cases through the Pima County Consolidated Justice Court and the Clerk of Superior Court online portals. Whether you need records for work, travel, or personal reasons, several offices in the county can help you get what you need.

Pima County Sheriff Background Records

The Pima County Sheriff's Department handles all law enforcement records for the unincorporated parts of the county. The Records Maintenance Unit is the main office for requesting background check documents. They keep files going back ten years. You can get incident reports, arrest records, and clearance letters from this unit. The staff also provides VISA clearance letters for people who need them for international travel or immigration purposes.

The main sheriff's office is at 1750 E. Benson Highway in Tucson. The Records Unit has a separate location at 1650 E. Benson Hwy, Suite C. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM. You will need a government-issued photo ID for in-person requests.

You can request a Pima County incident report through the sheriff's online form at their website.

The online form asks for basic details about the report you need. You can pay by credit card through their Clover system once your request is processed.

The sheriff's department maintains several record types. Criminal history files show arrests and case outcomes. Incident reports document calls and investigations. Traffic accident reports cover crashes in the county. The office does not keep court records or city police reports. For those, you need to contact other agencies.

How to Request Pima County Background Records

You have four main ways to request background check records in Pima County. Each method works for different needs and situations.

Online requests are the most convenient option. Visit the Pima County Sheriff request incident report page to submit your request. Fill out the form with your name, contact info, and details about the record. Staff will process your request and contact you about payment. This method works well if you do not need records right away.

In-person visits get you records faster. Go to 1650 E. Benson Hwy, Suite C in Tucson. Bring a valid ID. Tell the clerk what records you need. They can search the system and print copies while you wait. Cash and cards are both accepted.

Mail requests go to: PCSD, Attn: Records Maintenance, 1650 E. Benson Hwy, Suite C, Tucson, AZ 85714-1758. Include your contact info and a clear description of what records you want. The office will mail an invoice. Pay it and they send your copies.

Email works too. Send your request to PublicRecordsRequest@sheriff.pima.gov. This is good for simple requests. Staff usually respond within a few business days.

Pima County Background Check Fees

Fees for Pima County records depend on what you need. The sheriff accepts cash, Visa, and MasterCard. Online payments go through Clover.

The sheriff's FAQ page explains fees and common questions about records requests.

Check this page before you visit to learn what documents you will need and how much to bring.

Reports up to 20 pages cost $5.00 minimum. Pages beyond that add $0.25 each. Flash drives with data cost $15.00. Body worn camera video runs $46.00 per video-hour. Clearance letters are $5.00 each. VISA and immigration letters also cost $5.00. If your request is for commercial use, add $50.00 to the total.

Court records have separate fees. The Clerk of Superior Court charges $0.50 per page for copies. Certified copies cost $30.00. The Justice Court may have its own fee schedule for case documents.

Note: Crime victims may qualify for free copies of their incident reports under Arizona law.

Pima County Fingerprinting Services

Fingerprinting in Pima County is handled by sheriff's volunteers at several locations. The Sheriff's Auxiliary Volunteers program offers this service to the public. You can get fingerprints for applications, licensing, or other background check needs.

The Green Valley Office provides free fingerprinting. This is one of the few places in Arizona where you can get prints at no cost. Other locations may charge a small fee. Contact the sheriff's office to find the nearest fingerprinting site and confirm hours.

For state clearance cards, remember that the sheriff's fingerprints work for your application. But you must still apply through the Arizona DPS Public Services Portal. The sheriff does not issue Fingerprint Clearance Cards directly. They just take the prints you need for your DPS application.

If you need electronic fingerprints, use Fieldprint or another approved vendor. The sheriff's volunteers do ink-rolled prints only. Many agencies accept either type.

Pima County Court Case Search

Court records in Pima County come from two main courts. The Justice Court handles misdemeanors and small claims. The Superior Court covers felonies, civil cases, and family law matters. Both have online search tools.

The Pima County Consolidated Justice Court case search lets you look up cases online.

Search by name, case number, or date range to find the records you need.

Use the Justice Court case search for traffic tickets, misdemeanor charges, and small claims cases. The system shows case status, hearing dates, and outcomes. Some documents may require a visit to the courthouse to view or copy.

The Clerk of Superior Court runs a separate system called Agave. Visit Pima County Superior Court Public Documents to search for case filings, judgments, and court orders. This covers felony cases, civil lawsuits, probate matters, and family law cases. You can view many documents online for free. Printing or certified copies have fees.

The Clerk of Superior Court office is at 110 West Congress St in Tucson. Phone: (520) 724-3200. Go there for certified copies or to view sealed records if you have proper authorization.

Pima County VISA Clearance Letters

A unique service in Pima County is the VISA clearance letter program. The sheriff's office issues these letters for people who need them for international travel or immigration. The letter shows you have no criminal record on file with the Pima County Sheriff's Department for the past ten years.

These letters cost $5.00 each. Processing usually takes a few days. You can request them by mail, in person, or through email. The letter is based only on Pima County records. It does not cover other jurisdictions or state records. For a full background check, you would also need clearance from Arizona DPS and possibly the FBI.

Call the VISA Clearance line at (520) 351-8550 for questions about this service. Staff can explain what the letter covers and whether it meets your needs for travel or immigration purposes.

Other Pima County Record Sources

Several other agencies in Pima County keep records that might help with background checks. Depending on what you need, you may want to contact them too.

The Pima County Clerk of Superior Court handles all civil and criminal court records. Address: 110 West Congress St, Tucson, AZ 85701-1317. Phone: (520) 724-3200. They keep case files, judgments, divorce decrees, and probate records. The Agave online system gives public access to many documents.

The Pima County Consolidated Justice Court is at 240 N. Stone Ave., Tucson, AZ 85701. Phone: (520) 724-3171. They handle misdemeanors, traffic cases, and small claims. Use their case search portal to find records online.

For statewide background checks, contact Arizona DPS. Apply through the Public Services Portal for a Fingerprint Clearance Card. This covers both state and federal criminal history through fingerprint matching. Cards are valid for six years and include ongoing monitoring.

Cities in Pima County

Pima County includes Tucson and several smaller communities. Each city police department keeps its own records for incidents within city limits. The sheriff handles unincorporated areas outside city boundaries.

For background check records from city police, contact that department directly. The Tucson Police Department is the largest in the county with its own records section and fingerprinting services.

Smaller towns like Marana, Oro Valley, and Sahuarita have their own police or rely on the sheriff. Check with local offices to find where records are kept for any specific address.

Nearby Arizona Counties

If you need records from neighboring counties, these offices may have what you are looking for. Each county sheriff has its own records unit with separate fees and procedures.