Navajo County Public Records
What Are Public Records in Navajo County?
Public records in Navajo County are defined as all books, papers, maps, photographs, or other documentary materials, regardless of physical form or characteristics, made or received by any governmental agency in pursuance of law or in connection with the transaction of public business, as specified under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121. These records are maintained by various county departments and are generally available for public inspection.
Navajo County maintains a comprehensive collection of public records including:
- Court records - Civil, criminal, probate, and family court cases maintained by the Navajo County Superior Court
- Property records - Deeds, mortgages, liens, and property assessments recorded and preserved by the Navajo County Recorder's Office
- Vital records - Birth and death certificates (limited availability), marriage licenses, and divorce decrees
- Business records - Business licenses, permits, and fictitious business name registrations
- Tax records - Property tax information, assessment records, and tax liens
- Voting and election records - Voter registration data and election results maintained by the County Elections Department
- Meeting minutes and agendas - Official proceedings of the Board of Supervisors and other county boards and commissions
- Budget and financial documents - County expenditures, financial reports, and audit information
- Law enforcement records - Arrest logs and incident reports (with certain restrictions)
- Land use and zoning records - Planning documents, zoning maps, and building permits
Each record type is maintained by a specific county department. Property records, including deeds, mortgages, and liens, are maintained by the Navajo County Recorder's Office. Court records are managed by the Clerk of the Superior Court. Tax and assessment records are handled by the Assessor's and Treasurer's offices, while vital records are primarily maintained by the Arizona Department of Health Services with some services available through the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Is Navajo County an Open Records County?
Navajo County fully complies with Arizona's public records laws, making it an open records county. Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 39-121, "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." This statute establishes the fundamental right of access to public records throughout Arizona, including Navajo County.
The Arizona Public Records Law further stipulates that "Any person may request to examine or be furnished copies, printouts or photographs of any public record during regular office hours." This provision ensures that members of the public have broad access to government information.
Navajo County has established specific public records request procedures to facilitate access while ensuring compliance with state law. The county maintains a commitment to transparency while balancing privacy concerns and statutory exemptions.
In accordance with Arizona's open meeting laws, often referred to as "sunshine laws" under A.R.S. § 38-431, Navajo County also ensures that meetings of public bodies are conducted openly with proper notice to the public. This comprehensive approach to government transparency extends beyond document access to include the public's right to observe governmental decision-making processes.
How to Find Public Records in Navajo County in 2026
Members of the public seeking records in Navajo County may utilize several methods to locate and obtain the information they need. The county provides multiple access points depending on the type of record sought.
For general county records, individuals may submit a public records request through the following process:
- Complete the official Public Records Request Form available on the county website
- Submit the completed form to the appropriate department or to the designated records custodian
- Provide specific details about the records being requested to facilitate prompt processing
- Include contact information for follow-up communications
- Allow for processing time as specified by the department (typically 5-10 business days)
For property records, the Navajo County Recorder's Office maintains an online database that allows for immediate access to many documents. The property information portal enables users to search by:
- Property owner name
- Parcel number
- Property address
- Document type and recording date
Court records are accessible through multiple channels:
- The Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access Case Lookup system provides online access to case information
- In-person requests can be made at the Clerk of the Superior Court's office
- Written requests may be submitted for certified copies or extensive searches
For vital records such as birth and death certificates, requests must be directed to the Arizona Department of Health Services. Marriage licenses and divorce decrees can be obtained through the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Tax and assessment records are available through the Assessor's and Treasurer's offices, with many records accessible through their respective online portals.
How Much Does It Cost to Get Public Records in Navajo County?
Navajo County assesses fees for public records in accordance with A.R.S. § 39-121.03, which authorizes agencies to charge fees for copies, printouts, or photographs of public records. The current fee structure is designed to recover reasonable costs associated with reproduction and staff time.
Standard fees for common record types include:
- Paper copies: $0.50 per page for standard letter/legal size
- Certified copies: $0.50 per page plus $5.00 certification fee
- Large format documents (maps, plats): $3.00 per page
- Electronic records provided on CD/DVD: $10.00 per disc
- Electronic records sent via email: No charge for reasonable requests
- Staff research time: $20.00 per hour after the first hour (for complex requests)
The Recorder's Office maintains a separate fee schedule for recording documents:
- Standard recording fee: $30.00 for the first five pages
- Additional pages: $1.00 per page beyond the first five
- Non-standard documents: Additional $25.00 fee
The Superior Court charges:
- Case file review: No charge for inspection
- Copies of court documents: $0.50 per page
- Certified court documents: $30.00 for first page, $0.50 each additional page
- Marriage license: $76.00
Payment methods accepted by most county offices include:
- Cash (in-person only)
- Personal checks
- Money orders
- Credit/debit cards (subject to processing fee)
Fee waivers may be available in certain circumstances where the request is determined to be in the public interest or for individuals demonstrating financial hardship. Such determinations are made on a case-by-case basis by the records custodian.
Does Navajo County Have Free Public Records?
Navajo County provides free access to certain public records in compliance with Arizona law. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, all public records must be available for inspection during regular office hours at no charge. This means that individuals may visit county offices to view records without paying a fee, though reproduction costs may still apply.
The following records are currently available for free inspection:
- Board of Supervisors meeting minutes and agendas
- County budgets and financial reports
- Property ownership information (basic details)
- Voter registration status (personal information only)
- Building permits and zoning information
- Court dockets and case indexes
Additionally, Navajo County provides free online access to several record systems:
- The property information database allows searches of basic property records
- Board of Supervisors meeting agendas and minutes are available on the county website
- The Arizona Judicial Branch's Public Access Case Lookup provides free access to basic court case information
The Navajo County Recorder's Office maintains public computer terminals at their physical location where members of the public may search recorded documents at no charge. Similarly, the Clerk of the Superior Court provides public access terminals for reviewing court records without a fee.
It is important to note that while inspection is free, fees for copies, certified documents, and extensive research services remain applicable as outlined in the county's fee schedule.
Who Can Request Public Records in Navajo County?
Under Arizona's Public Records Law, any person may request access to public records maintained by Navajo County. The statute does not restrict access based on citizenship, residency, or purpose of the request. As specified in A.R.S. § 39-121.01(D)(1), "Any person may request to examine or be furnished copies, printouts or photographs of any public record during regular office hours."
Key eligibility considerations include:
- Requestors need not be Arizona residents
- Identification is generally not required for basic record requests, though it may be necessary for certain restricted records
- Requestors are not legally obligated to state the purpose of their request for most records
- Commercial use requestors may be required to provide a statement of commercial purpose and may be subject to additional fees
- Non-citizens of the United States have the same rights of access as citizens
For certain record types, additional restrictions may apply:
- Vital records (birth and death certificates) - Only the person named in the record, immediate family members, legal representatives, or those with a qualifying legal interest may obtain copies
- Juvenile court records - Access is restricted to parties to the case and their legal representatives
- Voter registration records - Full access is limited to specific authorized entities; the general public may only access limited information
- Medical and health records - Access is restricted by HIPAA and state privacy laws
When requesting records about oneself, proper identification is typically required to verify identity and prevent unauthorized disclosure of personal information. For requests concerning records about other individuals, access may be limited based on privacy protections established in state and federal law.
What Records Are Confidential in Navajo County?
Navajo County maintains certain records as confidential in accordance with A.R.S. § 39-121.04 and other applicable state and federal laws. These records are exempt from public disclosure to protect privacy, security, and other important interests.
Records that are generally considered confidential include:
- Medical records and protected health information (PHI) under HIPAA
- Juvenile court records and dependency proceedings
- Adoption records and related court documents
- Social Security numbers, credit card information, and financial account details
- Records containing information that would invade personal privacy where the public interest in disclosure does not outweigh privacy concerns
- Active criminal investigation records that would impede law enforcement if released
- Attorney-client privileged communications and work product
- Records related to security measures, emergency response plans, and critical infrastructure
- Employee personnel records (with limited exceptions for specific information)
- Records containing trade secrets or proprietary business information
- Victim information in criminal cases, particularly for victims of sexual offenses
- Child welfare and protective services records
- Mental health commitment proceedings
- Records sealed by court order
Additionally, A.R.S. § 39-123 specifically exempts certain information related to public employees, including home addresses, telephone numbers, and photographs from public disclosure.
When a record contains both public and confidential information, Navajo County will redact the confidential portions and provide access to the remainder of the record when possible. This process follows the principle that maximum disclosure should be provided while protecting legally confidential information.
The determination of whether information is confidential often involves a balancing test weighing the public's right to know against privacy interests and other statutory protections. Each request is evaluated on its specific circumstances in accordance with applicable law.
Navajo County Recorder's Office: Contact Information and Hours
Navajo County Recorder's Office
100 East Code Talkers Drive
PO Box 668
Holbrook, AZ 86025
Phone: (928) 524-4190
Navajo County Recorder's Office
Regular Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
Services Provided:
- Recording of deeds, mortgages, liens, and other property documents
- Marriage license applications
- Military discharge recording
- Voter registration
- Document research and copies
- Certified copies of recorded documents
Satellite Office - Show Low:
Navajo County Complex
100 N. East Frontier, Suite B
Show Low, AZ 85901
Phone: (928) 532-6800
Show Low Office Hours:
Monday through Friday: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on weekends and county-observed holidays
The Recorder's Office maintains and preserves the official public records of Navajo County. Staff members are available during business hours to assist with document recording, searches, and providing copies of recorded documents. The office accepts documents for recording in person, by mail, and electronically through approved vendors.
Lookup Public Records in Navajo County
Navajo County Recorder's Office
Public Records Request Information