Find Coconino County Genealogy

Coconino County genealogy records document family history in the largest county in Arizona by land area. The county seat is Flagstaff, a railroad town that grew along the transcontinental route in the 1880s. Coconino County includes the Grand Canyon, portions of the Navajo and Hopi reservations, and vast stretches of forest land. County offices hold property records going back to 1891, marriage licenses from territorial times, and court documents that trace family stories across generations. Flagstaff also hosts Northern Arizona University with its own archival collections.

Coconino County Recorder Office

The Coconino County Recorder keeps property records, land deeds, and official documents used in genealogy research. The office is located at 110 East Cherry Avenue in Flagstaff. You can call (928) 679-7860 for assistance. Online records through the Coconino County Recorder website go back to January 1, 1891.

The recorder page shown above provides access to Coconino County property and land records.

Land records in Coconino County tell the story of railroad expansion, lumber industry development, and ranching operations. The Atlantic and Pacific Railroad came through in the 1880s, bringing settlers who filed land claims and started businesses. Property deeds from this era may name your ancestors and their neighbors. Homestead records, timber claims, and ranch sales all appear in recorder files. These documents often include the previous residence of buyers, which helps trace migration patterns.

The vast size of Coconino County means records may reference remote locations. Maps can help you understand where ancestors lived. Many early settlers came from the Midwest and East Coast, drawn by railroad jobs, logging work, or cattle ranching opportunities. Property records capture these waves of migration into northern Arizona.

Coconino County Court Records

The Clerk of the Superior Court handles marriage licenses, probate files, divorce records, and civil cases in Coconino County. The office is at 200 N. San Francisco Street in Flagstaff. Phone number is (928) 679-7600. The Coconino County Clerk website has information about available records and request procedures.

Marriage licenses in Coconino County cost $98. Certified copies of court records run $30. Court records provide essential genealogy documentation. Marriage records list full names, ages, and residences of both parties. Many also include parents' names and birthplaces. Probate files reveal family relationships when estates were settled. They list surviving spouses, children, and sometimes grandchildren.

This clerk of court page explains services available for Coconino County genealogy research.

Divorce records in Coconino County sometimes name children and include custody agreements. These records can confirm family compositions when other documentation is sparse. Civil court cases involving property disputes, debt collections, or contract disagreements also name individuals and their relationships. Even criminal cases can place ancestors in specific locations at specific times.

Marriage Records in Coconino County

Coconino County issues marriage licenses at the Clerk of the Superior Court office in Flagstaff. Under ARS 25-121, both parties must appear in person with valid identification. The Coconino County marriage license page provides details about requirements and fees.

The marriage license page above outlines the process for obtaining new licenses or copies of existing records.

Historical marriage records from Coconino County capture diverse populations. Railroad workers, lumber industry employees, ranchers, and merchants all appear in these files. Flagstaff served as a regional hub, so couples from surrounding areas often married there. Native American couples from the Navajo and Hopi reservations may also have records in Coconino County, though tribal records exist separately.

Marriage records from the early 1900s often include more detail than later records. Witnesses signed the documents, and their names can help identify family friends or relatives. Church records and newspaper announcements supplement official marriage records for genealogy research.

Coconino County Vital Records

Birth and death certificates in Arizona fall under state vital records rules. Coconino County residents can request certificates through county health offices or the Arizona Department of Health Services. Each certificate costs $20. Arizona is a closed record state under ARS 36-302, so only eligible family members can obtain certified copies.

For genealogy research, non-certified copies may be available if you prove family relationship. Historical records become publicly accessible over time. Birth records older than 75 years and death records older than 50 years are open for research. The free genealogy.az.gov database contains searchable indexes and actual images of these historical certificates.

Coconino County death records may reference the many small communities scattered across this vast county. Mining camps, lumber towns, and railroad stops all generated death records. Cemetery records from locations across Coconino County are available through Find A Grave and other databases.

NAU Special Collections

Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff maintains an excellent archive for regional genealogy research. The NAU Cline Library Special Collections holds over 2 million images and more than 500 archival collections. Phone number is 928-523-5551. Materials focus on the Colorado Plateau region including Coconino County.

The special collections include photographs of early Flagstaff, railroad construction, lumber operations, and Native American communities. Manuscript collections contain personal papers, business records, and organizational files. Oral history recordings capture memories of longtime residents. These materials supplement official records for Coconino County genealogy research.

Note: Contact NAU Special Collections in advance to schedule research visits.

State Resources for Coconino County

The Arizona State Archives in Phoenix holds additional Coconino County genealogy materials. Court records, naturalization files, and territorial government documents are preserved there. The Arizona Memory Project has digitized photographs and documents that may include Coconino County content. The Arizona Historical Society operates a regional research library in Flagstaff focused on northern Arizona history.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Coconino County borders several other counties. Families moved between areas for work and marriage. Search neighboring counties if Coconino County records are incomplete.

Cities in Coconino County

Flagstaff is the only city in Coconino County with a population over 50,000. Other communities include Williams, Page, Sedona (partially in Yavapai County), and Tusayan near the Grand Canyon. All county-level genealogy records are handled through the offices in Flagstaff described above.

Flagstaff grew as a railroad town and later became home to Northern Arizona University. The city clerk office and municipal records may have additional materials for researchers tracing Flagstaff families. The historic downtown area preserves buildings from the early settlement period.