Search Yavapai County Background Check Records
Yavapai County background check services are handled by the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office in Prescott. This is one of Arizona's oldest sheriff's offices, dating back to 1864. The YCSO runs seven substations across the county and maintains criminal history records, arrest reports, and booking data. You can get fingerprinting done at two locations, search for warrants online, and request public records through their portal. Whether you need a clearance letter for work or want to check on an inmate, the sheriff's office has tools to help.
Yavapai County Quick Facts
Yavapai County Sheriff Background Records
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office maintains all criminal records for the county. The main office sits at 255 E. Gurley Street in Prescott. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For records questions, email SheriffRecordsRequests@yavapaiaz.gov or call (928) 771-3260. The staff can help you find incident reports, arrest records, and other public documents.
You can submit a public records request through the YCSO website to get background check reports from Yavapai County.
The public records portal lets you make requests from home. You will get an invoice by mail or email. Pay it and your records ship out.
Reports cost $5.00 for the first 10 pages. Each extra page adds $0.50. The sheriff keeps incident reports, case files, and arrest data. Court records are held at the Clerk of Superior Court. If you need case documents or court filings, go there instead.
Yavapai County Fingerprinting Services
The sheriff's office offers fingerprinting at two spots in the county. The fee is $5.00 for two cards. Bring your own fingerprint cards. YCSO does not provide them. You can buy cards at office supply stores or get them from the requesting agency.
The YCSO website explains how to get fingerprinted at their Prescott or Verde Valley locations.
Check the fingerprinting page for current hours and any changes to the schedule.
The Prescott location does prints on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. This is at the main office on Gurley Street. Walk-ins are welcome. No appointment needed. Get there early if you can. Lines can form, and they stop taking people at 4:00 PM sharp.
The Verde Valley Detention Center offers fingerprinting on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. This works well for folks in Cottonwood, Sedona, or Camp Verde. Same rules apply. Bring your own cards. Pay the $5.00 fee. Cash is best.
Note: YCSO fingerprinting is for general purposes like licensing. For a state Fingerprint Clearance Card, apply through Arizona DPS at psp.azdps.gov.
Yavapai County Online Background Check Tools
Yavapai County provides free online tools for searching records. These work around the clock from any device.
The warrant search tool lets you look up active warrants by name. Type in a name and see if any warrants exist in Yavapai County. This is good for checking on yourself or family members. The data comes from county records. It does not include warrants from other places.
The inmate search shows who is in county jail. You can search by name or booking number. Results show booking date, charges, and bond info. This helps if you want to know if someone is in custody or when they might get out.
For traffic accident reports, use BuyCrash at buycrash.lexisnexisrisk.com. This third-party site sells copies of accident reports for a small fee. It often works faster than going to the office.
Yavapai County Court Records
Court records in Yavapai County are separate from sheriff records. The Clerk of Superior Court keeps all case files, judgments, and court orders. Their office is in Prescott.
The Yavapai County Courts website has details on how to request copies of court records.
Visit Superior Court Records to learn about fees and request forms.
Criminal case files show charges, plea deals, and sentencing. Civil cases cover lawsuits, evictions, and family court matters. Probate records deal with estates and guardianships. Each type has its own section at the clerk's office. Ask staff to point you in the right direction.
Copies cost around $0.50 per page. Certified copies cost more. Call the clerk's office for exact prices. You can also search some case info online through the court's public access system. This shows basic data like case numbers, parties, and hearing dates.
Getting Yavapai County Background Check Reports
You have a few ways to get background reports from Yavapai County. Pick the method that works best for you.
Online requests are the easiest. Go to the YCSO public records page. Fill out the form with your info. Tell them what records you want. They will send a cost estimate. Pay it and wait for your copies. Most requests take a few business days.
In-person works if you are in Prescott. Head to 255 E. Gurley Street. Bring ID. Tell staff what you need. They can make copies while you wait for simple requests. Bigger requests may take more time. Cash works best for payment. Check if they take cards.
Mail requests go to the same Gurley Street address. Include your full name, contact info, and details about what records you want. The office will mail back an invoice. Send payment and they ship your copies. This takes longer but works if you live far away.
Email works for questions. Send messages to SheriffRecordsRequests@yavapaiaz.gov. Staff can tell you what records exist and how much they cost. They might ask you to fill out a form before they start the search.
Arizona State Background Check Options
Sometimes you need more than county records. Arizona offers statewide options too.
The Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the state criminal history database. Their Central State Repository holds arrest and conviction data from all 15 Arizona counties. For a full state check, contact DPS. You can reach them at (602) 223-2222.
Fingerprint Clearance Cards are issued by DPS. These cards show you passed a state and FBI background check. Many licenses require them. Teachers, healthcare workers, and childcare staff all need cards. Apply through the Public Services Portal at psp.azdps.gov. The fee is $67.00 for most people. Cards are good for six years.
Under A.R.S. 41-1750, DPS maintains the state repository. County sheriffs send arrest data to DPS. This creates a central database. A search there shows records from across Arizona, not just Yavapai County.
Contact Yavapai County Sheriff Records
Here is how to reach the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office for background check needs:
The main office address is 255 E. Gurley Street, Prescott, AZ 86301. Call the records unit at (928) 771-3260. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Email goes to SheriffRecordsRequests@yavapaiaz.gov. The main website is ycsoaz.gov.
For fingerprinting in Prescott, show up on Tuesdays or Thursdays between 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM. The Verde Valley Detention Center does prints on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7:30 AM to 11:30 AM. Both spots charge $5.00 for two cards. Bring your own cards. They do not sell them.
Staff are helpful. Call ahead with questions. They can tell you exactly what you need to bring and how long things take.
Nearby Arizona Counties
Looking for records from a neighboring county? These offices may have what you need: