Find Background Check Records in Santa Cruz County

Santa Cruz County background check services are available through the county sheriff's office in Nogales. This Arizona border county sits along 50 miles of the US-Mexico line. The sheriff's office handles criminal records, fingerprinting, and jail data for residents and others who need screening services. You can get prints done with no appointment and request records in person or by mail. The county also works with state and federal agencies on border-related law enforcement matters.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Background Records

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is the main source for background check records in this region. The office is at 2170 N. Congress Drive in Nogales. Phone: 520-761-7869. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Staff can help with record requests, fingerprints, and questions about the screening process.

The sheriff handles law enforcement for all unincorporated parts of the county. Because Santa Cruz sits on the border, the office works closely with federal agencies. Customs and Border Protection has a strong presence here. The sheriff still manages local records for residents and businesses that need them.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff homepage provides contact details and links to services for background checks.

From this page you can find phone numbers, office hours, and links to forms. The site is a good starting point for anyone seeking records.

Records kept by the sheriff include arrest data, incident reports, and booking logs. The office also tracks warrants and sex offender info. For court cases, you will need to contact the Clerk of Superior Court. The sheriff does not keep court files.

Santa Cruz County Fingerprinting Services

Getting fingerprints in Santa Cruz County is simple. The sheriff's office offers walk-in service. No appointment is needed. Just show up during the hours listed below and staff will help you.

Fingerprint hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The fee is $7.00 per card. Payment must be by money order only. Cash, checks, and cards are not accepted for this service. Bring your own fingerprint cards if you received any from your agency. The office can provide standard cards if you do not have them.

The sheriff's office only does ink-rolled prints. If you need electronic prints for a state Fingerprint Clearance Card, you must use a third-party vendor. The Arizona Department of Public Safety uses Fieldprint for electronic scans. You can start an application at the DPS Public Services Portal and then schedule a scan at a Fieldprint site.

Note: Bring valid ID and your money order. Staff cannot make change.

Santa Cruz County Jail and Inmate Records

The Santa Cruz County Detention Center has a capacity of 372 inmates. The jail is run by the sheriff's office. You can reach the detention center at 520-761-7875. Staff can answer questions about people in custody, visitation, and bail.

The Santa Cruz jail information page has details on booking, visits, and inmate services.

This page explains the rules for visiting inmates, sending mail, and adding money to inmate accounts. It is a useful resource for families.

Booking records show who was arrested and when. They include charges, bond amounts, and release info. These records are often part of background checks. If you need a copy of someone's booking sheet, contact the records unit. Fees may apply.

The jail also holds people for other agencies. Federal detainees and transfers from neighboring counties may be housed here. This does not change how you get records. The sheriff still handles requests for anyone held in the local facility.

How to Get Santa Cruz County Background Records

You can request records in a few ways. In-person visits are the fastest for most needs. Go to 2170 N. Congress Drive in Nogales. Bring ID. Tell staff what you need and they will pull it for you.

Mail requests go to the same address. Write a letter with your name, contact info, and what records you want. Include a money order for any fees. The office will mail copies to you once payment clears. Allow a week or two for processing.

For email questions, use publicrecords@santacruzcountyaz.gov. This is good for general inquiries. Actual record copies may still require an in-person visit or mail request.

The Santa Cruz County government sheriff page lists the official address and contact details.

This county site confirms the sheriff's role in maintaining law enforcement records and provides links to related services.

Santa Cruz County Background Check Records

The sheriff's office keeps several types of records. Arrest records show when someone was taken into custody. They list charges, dates, and case numbers. Incident reports cover calls for service, crimes, and other events. Traffic reports document car crashes and citations.

Criminal history checks look at a person's past arrests and convictions. In Santa Cruz County, the sheriff can tell you about local records. Statewide checks require the Arizona DPS. National checks go through the FBI. For most purposes, agencies need the state or federal level check, not just the local one.

Clearance letters confirm a person has no local record. These are often used for licenses or travel. If you need a letter for another country, ask about their specific requirements. Some nations want a police certificate from every place you lived.

Court records are held by the Clerk of Superior Court. This includes case files, judgments, and court orders. Civil and criminal cases are there. The sheriff does not have court documents. Go to the clerk if you need those.

Arizona State Background Checks

Many licenses in Arizona require a Fingerprint Clearance Card from the state. This is different from a local check. The card comes from the Arizona Department of Public Safety. It shows you passed a state and FBI background check.

Teachers, healthcare workers, and childcare staff often need this card. Security guards and foster parents do too. The card lasts six years. You apply online and then get fingerprinted at an approved site. Costs run about $67 for the application plus $20 to $25 for the scan.

The DPS keeps all Arizona criminal history records in the Central State Repository. Under A.R.S. 41-1750, the department collects and stores this data. The A.R.S. 41-1758.03 covers the rules for issuing clearance cards.

If you live in Santa Cruz County but need a state card, the local sheriff cannot issue it. Use the state portal instead. The sheriff's fingerprints work for many purposes but not for the electronic submission DPS requires.

Border County Background Check Factors

Santa Cruz County has unique aspects due to its location. The 50-mile border with Mexico means federal agencies are active here. Customs and Border Protection, ICE, and DEA all operate in the region. Their records are separate from the county sheriff.

If you need federal records, contact those agencies directly. The sheriff cannot provide data from federal systems. The FBI handles national criminal checks. You can get those through approved channels or agencies that run them.

Cross-border activities may require checks from both countries. Some positions at ports of entry need special clearances. Ask the requesting agency what they need. They will tell you which offices to contact.

Local agencies still use county records for various purposes. The sheriff's background check covers the Santa Cruz area. It is sufficient for many local needs.

Nearby Arizona Counties

If you need records from neighboring counties, these offices can help. Each county keeps its own records. The Santa Cruz sheriff only has data for this county.

Pima County is to the north and includes Tucson. Cochise County is to the east. Both share borders with Mexico like Santa Cruz does. If someone lived or worked in those areas, you may need records from their sheriffs too.