Mohave County Public Records

What Are Public Records in Mohave County?

Public records in Mohave County are defined under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, which states that "public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours." These records document government activities, transactions, and decisions made by public officials and agencies serving Mohave County residents.

The following types of public records are maintained by various Mohave County departments:

Court Records: Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases are maintained by the Mohave County Superior Court Clerk's Office. These include judgments, filings, and case dispositions.
Property Records: Deeds, mortgages, liens, easements, and property transfers are recorded and maintained by the Mohave County Recorder's Office.
Vital Records: Birth and death certificates occurring in Mohave County are available through the Arizona Department of Health Services. Marriage licenses and divorce decrees are handled by the Clerk of Superior Court.
Business Records: Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name statements (doing business as) are maintained by various county departments depending on the business type.
Tax Records: Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens are maintained by the Mohave County Treasurer's Office and Assessor's Office.
Voting and Election Records: Voter registration data and election results are maintained by the Mohave County Elections Department.
Meeting Minutes and Agendas: Records of county commission meetings, board proceedings, and other public body deliberations are maintained by the Mohave County Clerk of the Board.
Budget and Financial Documents: County expenditures, financial reports, and budget documents are maintained by the Mohave County Finance Department.
Law Enforcement Records: Arrest logs, incident reports, and other public safety records are maintained by the Mohave County Sheriff's Office, subject to certain confidentiality restrictions.
Land Use and Zoning Records: Building permits, zoning applications, and development plans are maintained by the Mohave County Development Services Department.

Each record type is maintained by the corresponding county department responsible for that function, as established by Arizona state law and county ordinances.

Is Mohave County an Open Records County?

Mohave County fully complies with the Arizona Public Records Law as codified in Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121 through § 39-128. This law establishes that "public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person at all times during office hours."

The Arizona Public Records Law is based on the presumption that government records are open to public inspection unless specifically exempted by law. As stated in A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D), "Any person may request to examine or be furnished copies, printouts or photographs of any public record during regular office hours or may request that the custodian mail a copy of any public record not otherwise available on the public body's website to the requesting person."

Mohave County has established specific public records request procedures to facilitate access to government information. These procedures are designed to ensure compliance with state law while providing efficient service to requestors.

The county also adheres to Arizona's Open Meeting Law (A.R.S. § 38-431 et seq.), which requires that meetings of public bodies be conducted openly and that notices and agendas be provided for such meetings. This commitment to transparency extends to all county departments and agencies.

Mohave County's records policy reflects the Arizona Supreme Court's interpretation that the public records law should be "broadly construed in favor of disclosure." However, the county must also balance transparency with privacy concerns and statutory exemptions as outlined in state law.

How to Find Public Records in Mohave County in 2026

Members of the public seeking records from Mohave County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county maintains a centralized public records request system for many departments, though specific record types may require direct contact with the custodial department.

To obtain public records from Mohave County:

Identify the Specific Records Needed: Determine which department likely maintains the records you seek. Being specific helps expedite the request process.
Submit a Formal Request: Complete the county's public records request form, available on the Mohave County website. Requests may be submitted:
- In person at the appropriate department
- By mail to the relevant department
- By email to the department's designated records custodian
- Through the online request portal (for participating departments)
For Court Records: Access the Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access Case Lookup for basic case information or visit the Clerk of Superior Court for complete case files.
For Property Records: Search the Mohave County Recorder's Office for property deeds, mortgages, and other land records. Some records are available through the online portal, while others require in-person inspection.
For Vital Records: Birth and death certificates must be requested through the Arizona Department of Health Services. Marriage licenses and divorce decrees are available from the Clerk of Superior Court.
Await Response: Under Arizona law, agencies must promptly respond to records requests. While no specific timeframe is mandated, responses should be provided without unreasonable delay.
Review Records: Once notified that records are available, arrange to inspect them at no cost during regular business hours or pay applicable fees for copies.
For Expedited Service: Some departments offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Inquire with the specific department about availability.

Pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1), agencies must "promptly furnish" requested records. The county strives to fulfill straightforward requests within 10 business days, though complex requests may require additional time.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Mohave County?

Mohave County assesses fees for public records in accordance with A.R.S. § 39-121.03, which authorizes agencies to "charge a fee for copying public records for commercial and noncommercial use." The current fee structure for Mohave County public records is as follows:

Standard Copy Fees:

Black and white copies: $0.50 per page
Color copies: $1.00 per page
Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $1.00 certification fee per document

Specialized Record Fees:

Property records from Recorder's Office: $1.00 per page
Maps and large format documents: $3.00-$10.00 depending on size
Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $10.00 per disc
Electronic records provided via email: No charge for reasonable amounts

Court Record Fees:

Regular copies: $0.50 per page
Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $30.00 certification fee
Complete case files: Variable based on page count

Search and Production Fees:

Records requiring extensive staff time to locate or redact may incur additional charges based on employee hourly rates
Commercial requests may be charged for staff time required to fulfill the request

Payment Methods Accepted:

Cash (in-person only)
Check or money order made payable to "Mohave County"
Credit/debit cards (Visa, MasterCard, Discover) - subject to processing fee
Online payment for certain record types

Per Arizona law, fees must reflect the actual cost of reproduction and may not include charges for staff time spent on non-commercial requests unless extensive research or redaction is required. The county may request prepayment for requests exceeding $50.00.

Fee waivers or reductions may be available if the request is determined to be in the public interest or if the requestor demonstrates financial hardship. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian.

Does Mohave County Have Free Public Records?

Mohave County provides several options for accessing public records at no cost, in accordance with Arizona's public records laws. The following free access options are currently available:

Free In-Person Inspection: Pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121, all public records may be inspected at no charge during regular business hours at the office of the records custodian. This right to free inspection applies to all non-exempt public records regardless of their format or location.

Free Online Resources:

Mohave County Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes are available at no cost
The Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access Case Lookup provides basic case information for free
Mohave County property tax information is accessible through the Treasurer's online portal
Mohave County GIS mapping information provides basic property boundaries and information

Free Electronic Delivery: Small electronic records that do not require extensive redaction or compilation may be provided via email at no charge, though this is at the discretion of the records custodian.

Free Public Access Terminals: Computer terminals are available at various county facilities, including:

Mohave County Library branches
Mohave County Recorder's Office
Clerk of Superior Court

These terminals allow public access to certain digital records without printing fees, though charges still apply if physical copies are needed.

It is important to note that while inspection is free, reproduction costs apply when copies are requested. Additionally, commercial use of public records always incurs fees as prescribed by county fee schedules and Arizona law.

Who Can Request Public Records in Mohave County?

Under Arizona's Public Records Law, specifically A.R.S. § 39-121, "public records and other matters in the custody of any officer shall be open to inspection by any person." This broad eligibility standard means that virtually anyone may request and receive public records from Mohave County, regardless of citizenship or residency status.

The following eligibility criteria apply to public records requests in Mohave County:

Residency Requirements: There is no requirement to be a resident of Mohave County or Arizona to request public records.
Identification Requirements: For most general records, requestors are not required to provide identification. However, certain sensitive records may require verification of identity, particularly when:
- Requesting one's own confidential records
- Seeking vital records such as birth or death certificates
- Requesting records that contain restricted information
Purpose Disclosure: For non-commercial requests, individuals are not required to state the purpose of their request or intended use of the records. However, pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121.03, commercial requestors must:
- Certify that the records will be used for commercial purposes
- Provide a statement of the commercial purpose
- Pay fees that reflect the value of the commercial use
Requesting Records About Oneself vs. Others: When requesting records that contain personal information:
- Individuals have the right to access their own records
- Requests for records containing personal information about others may be subject to redaction of confidential information
- Legal representatives may request records on behalf of clients with proper authorization
Legal Entities: Corporations, organizations, and other legal entities may request public records through authorized representatives.
Incarcerated Persons: Pursuant to A.R.S. § 31-221, persons incarcerated in state prisons have limited rights to public records, primarily those related to their conviction or to pursue a claim of actual innocence or serious constitutional violation.

The county may ask requestors to complete a standard form that includes contact information for communication purposes, but cannot deny a request based solely on refusal to complete optional portions of the form.

What Records Are Confidential in Mohave County?

While Arizona law favors disclosure of public records, certain categories of information are protected from public disclosure under various state and federal statutes. Pursuant to A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(2), access to some records may be denied "if the custodian of such records determines that disclosure would be detrimental to the best interests of the state."

The following record types are generally considered confidential in Mohave County:

Court Records:
- Sealed court records by judicial order
- Juvenile court records (with limited exceptions under A.R.S. § 8-208)
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Adoption records
- Grand jury proceedings
Personal Information:
- Social Security numbers
- Financial account information
- Driver's license numbers
- Personal identifying information of crime victims
- Home addresses and phone numbers of certain public officials and law enforcement personnel
Medical and Health Information:
- Medical records protected under HIPAA
- Substance abuse treatment records
- Communicable disease reports
- Mental health treatment records
Law Enforcement Records:
- Active criminal investigation records
- Confidential informant information
- Undercover officer identities
- Records that would interfere with prosecution
- Department of Child Safety investigation records
Personnel and Employment Records:
- Employee performance evaluations
- Disciplinary actions (with some exceptions)
- Medical information of public employees
- Background investigation reports
Security and Infrastructure Information:
- Critical infrastructure details
- Security system plans
- Emergency response protocols
- Computer security information
Business and Proprietary Information:
- Trade secrets submitted to government agencies
- Proprietary business information
- Certain economic development negotiations
Educational Records:
- Student records protected under FERPA
- Individual student test scores and academic records

When a record contains both public and confidential information, Mohave County will redact the confidential portions and release the remainder of the record, as required by A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(2).

The determination of confidentiality is made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian, applying the relevant statutory exemptions and considering court precedents that interpret Arizona's Public Records Law.

Mohave County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours

Mohave County Recorder's Office
700 W. Beale Street
Kingman, AZ 86401
(928) 753-0701
Mohave County Recorder

Business Hours:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays

Lake Havasu City Branch Office
2001 College Drive, Suite 122
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
(928) 453-0701

Bullhead City Branch Office
1130 Hancock Road
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
(928) 758-0713

The Mohave County Recorder's Office is responsible for recording and maintaining various public documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, military discharge papers, and maps. The office serves as the official repository for these records and provides public access to these documents in accordance with Arizona law.

Services provided by the Recorder's Office include:

Recording of real estate documents
Issuance of marriage licenses
Recording of military discharge papers (DD-214)
Maintaining records of mining claims
Processing voter registration forms
Providing certified copies of recorded documents

Document recording fees are established by state law and vary by document type. Standard recording fees begin at $30 for the first five pages with additional charges for extra pages. The office accepts payment by cash, check, money order, and credit card (subject to processing fee).

The Recorder's Office maintains a public access terminal where members of the public may search records at no charge. Copies of documents are available for a fee as established by the county fee schedule.