Arizona Recent Bookings
Arizona recent bookings are public records kept by county sheriff offices across all 15 counties. Each county jail maintains its own booking database with arrest information, charges, and mugshots. You can search these booking records online through county sheriff websites, by phone, or in person at detention facilities. The Arizona Department of Corrections also runs a statewide inmate search for people serving prison time. Most jail booking records in Arizona become available within hours of an arrest, though some counties have changed their online access due to recent court rulings.
Arizona Booking Records Quick Facts
Arizona Booking Records and State Databases
Arizona keeps booking records at two levels. County sheriff offices hold jail booking data for people waiting for trial or serving short sentences. The state prison system tracks inmates who get longer terms. Both systems let the public search for people in custody, though the rules and access differ between them.
The Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry runs the main state prison inmate search. This database covers people serving time in state prisons. You can look up inmates by name or prison ID number. The search shows basic info like the inmate's location, sentence length, and earliest release date. This is free to use and works from any device with internet access. Keep in mind this only shows state prison inmates, not county jail bookings in Arizona.
One thing to know about Arizona prison records: sending inmate search results to someone in prison is a crime. Under A.R.S. 13-2505, this counts as promoting prison contraband. It is a Class 5 felony. This rule exists because inmates are not allowed to access other inmates' records. The warning appears on the ADCRR search page itself.
Arizona Criminal History Records
The Arizona Department of Public Safety runs the Central State Repository for all criminal records in the state. Under A.R.S. 41-1750, all Arizona law enforcement agencies must report arrests and case outcomes to this central database. This creates a complete criminal history for each person who has contact with the justice system in Arizona.
Private citizens cannot get full criminal background checks from DPS. State law blocks this use. But you can review your own Arizona criminal record. To do this, fill out a Record Review Packet from DPS. Mail it to the Criminal History Records Section at 2222 W. Encanto Blvd in Phoenix. You will get a response within 15 days of when they receive your request. The DPS phone number for criminal records is (602) 223-2222.
Note: The Central State Repository is not the same as county jail booking records, which you search through sheriff office websites.
How to Search Recent Bookings in Arizona
Most Arizona counties let you search recent jail bookings online for free. The sheriff office in each county runs their own booking database. Some use custom systems built for their county. Others use third party software from companies like Tyler Technologies or CitizenRIMS. The look and feel changes from county to county, but the basic info is similar across all Arizona booking systems.
A standard booking search in Arizona lets you look up people by name. Many also let you search by booking number if you have it. Some counties show a full list of everyone currently in custody. Results typically show the person's name, booking date, charges, bond amount, and a mugshot photo. The Maricopa County Sheriff inmate search is the largest in the state, covering the Phoenix metro area.
The 2024 ruling in Houston v. Maricopa County changed things for some Arizona counties. The Ninth Circuit Court found that posting mugshots and personal info online can violate due process rights. Because of this, Pinal County and Mohave County have turned off their public inmate search tools. Cochise County stopped posting mugshots. Other counties still run their searches as before, but this may keep changing as courts sort out the legal issues.
If the online search is down, call the jail directly. Every county has a jail information phone line that runs all day and night. Staff can tell you if someone is in custody and what their charges are. This works even when the website does not.
Arizona Public Records Law and Booking Data
Booking records in Arizona are public under state law. A.R.S. 39-121 says that public records must be open for anyone to inspect during office hours. You do not need to give a reason for wanting to see them. You do not need to be the person named in the record. This is a broad right that applies to most government records in Arizona, and booking data falls under this rule.
The law does have some limits on what gets released. Under A.R.S. 13-4434, victim identifying information must be protected. Financial account numbers get redacted from public copies. Records about juveniles have extra privacy rules. But the core booking facts like name, charges, and custody status are generally public for adults arrested in Arizona.
A.R.S. 41-1750 also allows agencies to share criminal history info that is "reasonably contemporaneous" to a current event in the justice system. This is why recent booking data can be posted online. Once a case is closed or time passes, the rules for accessing those records may differ. Some old booking records get harder to find even though they are still technically public.
Arizona County Jail Booking Records
Each county sheriff in Arizona runs the local jail and keeps all booking records. When police arrest someone, that person goes to the county jail for booking. This happens whether city police, county deputies, or state troopers made the arrest. The sheriff's office processes everyone and creates the booking record that becomes part of the public file.
Maricopa County has the biggest jail system in Arizona with five separate facilities. The main booking happens at the Intake, Transfer and Release center in Phoenix. You can search their inmate database online or call (602) 876-1000 for jail information. They also take public records requests for booking reports at 550 W. Jackson Street in Phoenix.
Pima County is the second largest, covering Tucson. Their jail system uses online forms for records requests. Jail reports cost $5 each with an extra 25 cents per page over twenty pages. You can call the jail at (520) 351-8111 for inmate status. Pinal County, the third largest, has paused their online inmate search due to the court ruling. Call their jail line at 520-213-8553 to check if someone is in custody there.
Note: City police departments book arrestees into the county jail, so use the county sheriff website to search for booking records even if a city officer made the arrest.
How to Get Copies of Arizona Booking Records
You have several options to get copies of booking records in Arizona. The free online search works for basic information. If you need an official copy of the booking report or arrest record, you will need to make a formal request to the sheriff's office. Most counties accept these requests by mail, in person, or through online portals.
Fees for booking record copies vary by county. Here is what some of the larger counties charge:
- Maricopa County: Video recordings $25 per hour, paper copies vary
- Pima County: $5 per report plus 25 cents per page over 20
- Pinal County: $7.50 for reports up to 25 pages
- Yuma County: $3 for case reports, booking photos are free
- Coconino County: $8 for first 20 pages
The Arizona DPS records request page handles state level records if you need those. Their fee is $9 for the first nine pages by mail or email. A DVD costs $15 and holds up to 4.7 GB of data. You can pay by money order or cashier's check. Call (602) 223-2345 for the Public Records Unit or submit your request by mail to PO Box 6638 in Phoenix.
Crime victims have special rights under Arizona law. A.R.S. 39-127 says victims of Part I crimes get one free copy of police reports, audio recordings, video recordings, and transcripts. This includes booking records related to their case. You will need to show you are the victim to claim this free copy.
Arizona Victim Notification System
Arizona uses the VINE system to notify crime victims when inmates are released or transferred. VINE stands for Victim Information and Notification Everyday. This free service lets you register for alerts about specific inmates in Arizona jails and prisons. You can get calls, emails, or text messages when their custody status changes.
To use VINE, go to the website and search for the offender by name. Then create an account and sign up for notifications. The system tracks inmates across all Arizona county jails and the state prison system. This gives victims peace of mind and helps them stay informed without having to constantly check booking records themselves.
Third Party Booking Services in Arizona
Several private companies work with Arizona jails to provide services to inmates and their families. These same companies often let you look up who is in custody. Knowing which system a jail uses can help you find booking information faster.
GettingOut by ViaPath (formerly GTL) handles video visitation at many Arizona jails including Maricopa, Pima, and Coconino counties. Their website at gettingout.com lets you search for inmates and schedule visits. TouchPay runs money deposit kiosks at several jails. JailATM serves Navajo County. Access Corrections works with Graham County. Each of these sites may show current booking information as part of their services.
For accident reports related to arrests, BuyCrash and CrashDocs sell traffic accident reports from many Arizona agencies. These cost around $5 to $14 depending on the department. They are useful when a booking stems from a traffic accident and you need the underlying report.
Browse Arizona Bookings by County
Each county in Arizona has its own sheriff and jail system. Pick a county below to find local booking search tools and contact information for that area.
Recent Bookings in Major Arizona Cities
City police arrest people, but county jails process the bookings. Pick a city below to learn which county handles their booking records.