Cochise County Genealogy Records

Cochise County genealogy records open doors to Arizona's Old West history. This southeastern county was named for the famous Apache chief and played a major role in territorial Arizona. The county seat moved from Tombstone to Bisbee in 1929. Records from both locations survive for genealogy research. You can find court documents dating back to February 1881, property deeds from mining claims, and vital records that capture the lives of frontier families. Two courthouse locations serve researchers today.

Cochise County Recorder

The Cochise County Recorder office maintains land records, property deeds, and official documents essential for genealogy research. The main office is at 1415 Melody Lane Building B in Bisbee. Phone number is (520) 432-8350. You can also email recorder@cochise.az.gov with questions. Recording fees are $30 for standard documents.

The Cochise County Recorder provides online access through theCountyRecorder.com system. This tool lets you search property records from your home computer. Cochise County land records are valuable for genealogy because they document mining claims, ranch properties, and town lot sales from the boom days of the 1880s. Famous locations like Tombstone, Bisbee, and Douglas appear in these records.

The recorder website above shows how to access Cochise County land and property records online.

Mining districts in Cochise County generated many recorded documents. Claim notices, transfers, and partnerships often name multiple people. These records can reveal business relationships between families. Ranch sales and water rights documents also contain genealogy clues. Many early Cochise County settlers came from other states or countries, and property records sometimes note their origins.

Cochise County Recording Fees

Understanding fees helps you budget for genealogy research in Cochise County. The Cochise County Recording Fees page lists current costs for various documents. Standard recording runs $30. Copies of recorded documents have separate fees. Planning ahead saves time and avoids delays in your research.

This fee schedule outlines costs for obtaining copies of recorded documents in Cochise County.

Cochise County Court Records

The Clerk of the Superior Court keeps marriage licenses, divorce records, probate files, and civil court cases in Cochise County. Two locations serve the public. The Bisbee office is at 100 Quality Hill Road with phone (520) 432-8600. The Sierra Vista office sits at 100 Colonia de Salud, Suite 200, phone (520) 803-3060. Court records in Cochise County go back to February 1881.

Certified copies of court records cost $35.00 in Cochise County. The Cochise County Clerk of Superior Court website has forms and instructions for requesting records. Marriage records from the 1880s and 1890s capture families who settled during the silver and copper mining boom. Probate files list heirs and their relationships to the deceased. Divorce records sometimes include children's names and custody arrangements.

The clerk of court page shown above explains how to request genealogy records from Cochise County courts.

Historical court records from Cochise County reflect the rough and tumble nature of territorial Arizona. Civil lawsuits over mining claims, water rights, and business disputes name many individuals. Criminal cases from the frontier era are also on file. While not directly genealogical, these records place ancestors in time and location. Naturalization records were also filed in court and document when immigrants became citizens.

Cochise County Vital Records

Birth and death certificates for Arizona events can be obtained through the county health department. Cochise County vital records fall under Arizona's closed record rules per ARS 36-302. Only eligible family members can get certified copies. Each certificate costs $20. For genealogy research, non-certified copies may be available if you prove your relationship to the person on the record.

The Arizona state system officially began tracking vital records in July 1909. However, some earlier records exist. Death records in state files go back to 1877 and delayed birth records to 1855. For Cochise County specifically, church records, cemetery records, and newspaper obituaries fill gaps from before state registration began. Historical vital records older than 75 years for births and 50 years for deaths are accessible through the free genealogy.az.gov database.

Cochise County History Resources

Cochise County has a rich history that attracts genealogy researchers worldwide. Towns like Tombstone, Bisbee, and Douglas have their own historical societies and museums. The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum preserves records from the copper mining era. The Tombstone Courthouse State Historic Park in the former county seat displays artifacts and documents from territorial days.

The Arizona Historical Society has materials related to Cochise County in its collections. The Arizona State Archives in Phoenix holds court records, naturalization papers, and other documents from the territorial period. Many Cochise County records have been microfilmed and are available through FamilySearch centers. The Arizona Memory Project contains photographs and documents that may picture Cochise County ancestors.

Cemetery records are another valuable resource. Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone is famous, but many other cemeteries across Cochise County contain family burial plots. Websites like Find A Grave have volunteer submitted photos and transcriptions from Cochise County cemeteries.

Note: Always call ahead to confirm office hours before visiting in person.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Cochise County borders several other Arizona counties and the state of New Mexico. Families often crossed county lines for work, marriage, or land. Check neighboring counties if you cannot find records in Cochise County.

Cities in Cochise County

Cochise County includes several historic communities. Bisbee serves as the county seat. Sierra Vista is the largest city by population. Other towns include Douglas, Tombstone, Willcox, and Benson. None of these cities exceed 50,000 residents. All genealogy records for Cochise County residents are maintained at the county level through the offices described above.

Sierra Vista grew around Fort Huachuca, a historic Army post that remains active today. Military families stationed at the fort over the decades may have records in Cochise County. Douglas sits on the Mexican border and has records reflecting cross-border family connections. Tombstone was the original county seat until 1929 and generated many of the oldest records still on file.