La Paz County Genealogy Records
La Paz County genealogy research starts at the county offices in Parker along the Colorado River. This western Arizona county split from Yuma County in 1983, making it the newest county in the state. Genealogy records before 1983 may be found in Yuma County archives. The County Recorder has online records from 1983 to present, while marriage and court records go through the Clerk of Superior Court. Family historians can trace ancestors who farmed along the river or worked in the mining industry that shaped this desert region.
La Paz County Genealogy Quick Facts
La Paz County Recorder Office
The La Paz County Recorder keeps property records, deeds, liens, and other land documents. Visit the office at 1112 Joshua Avenue, Suite 201 in Parker, Arizona 85344. The phone number is 928-669-6136. Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Like most rural Arizona counties, La Paz follows a four-day work week with offices closed on Fridays.
Online records at the La Paz County Recorder go back to 1983 when the county was created. For property records before that date, you need to search Yuma County records since La Paz was part of Yuma County until the split. This is important for genealogy researchers tracking land ownership by ancestors who lived in the area before 1983.
The La Paz County Recorder website lists all services and provides guidance on document requests.
The recorder page shown above provides hours, contact info, and online access details for La Paz County genealogy records.
La Paz County Marriage Records
Marriage licenses in La Paz County come from the Clerk of Superior Court. This office is at 1316 Kofa Avenue, Suite 607 in Parker, AZ 85344. Call (928) 669-6131 for marriage record questions. Certified copies of marriage records cost $30 in La Paz County, which is less than the fees in larger Arizona counties.
Marriage records provide key genealogy details. You see the full names of husband and wife. Their ages appear on the license. Many records show residence addresses at the time of marriage. Some older certificates include birthplaces and parents' names. These facts help connect family members across generations and verify relationships in your family tree.
For marriages before 1983, check Yuma County records. Many couples who lived in what is now La Paz County got their marriage licenses through Yuma County courts before the split. This applies to divorces and other court records from that era too.
La Paz County Vital Records
Birth and death certificates are state records in Arizona. The Bureau of Vital Records at the Arizona Department of Health Services handles these documents. Their office is at 150 North 18th Avenue in Phoenix. Phone (602) 364-1300 or toll free (888) 816-5907. Each certified copy of a birth or death certificate costs $20.
Arizona follows closed record rules under ARS 36-302. This means only eligible family members can request certified vital records. The list includes the registrant, parents, spouse, grandparents, adult children, and siblings. For genealogy research, you can get non-certified copies for $5 if you prove your family connection.
Historical vital records are more accessible. Birth records over 75 years old are open for genealogy research. Death records over 50 years old are also available. The free Arizona genealogy database has searchable records and actual images of older birth and death certificates. This tool helps La Paz County genealogy researchers find ancestors without paying fees or proving relationships.
La Paz County Court Records
The La Paz County Superior Court handles civil cases, probate, and family law matters. Court records add valuable details to genealogy research. Probate files list heirs and describe estates when someone passed away. Divorce records document the end of marriages. Civil cases sometimes involve family members in property or business disputes.
Arizona courts offer online access through eAccess. This system lets you search court records from most Arizona counties around the clock. You can find case numbers and party names for La Paz County cases. Full documents may require a trip to the clerk office or a formal records request.
Under ARS 39-121.01, most court records are public in Arizona. You have the right to inspect and copy these documents. Agencies can charge fees for copies but cannot deny access to public records.
Note: For La Paz County court records before 1983, search Yuma County archives since all cases from this area went through Yuma County courts until the county split.
Arizona State Archives for La Paz County
The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records in Phoenix stores historical documents from across the state. The facility sits at 1901 W Madison Street. Call 602-926-3720 to schedule a research appointment. Collections include court records, naturalization papers, census data, and more that may mention La Paz County ancestors.
Arizona residents enjoy free access to Ancestry records through the state archives. This is a major benefit for genealogy research. The archives genealogy guide describes available collections. The vital records guide explains the 75-year and 50-year rules for accessing historical birth and death certificates.
Since La Paz County is relatively new, many historical records for this area appear under Yuma County in older archives. Search both county names when looking for ancestors who lived along the Colorado River before 1983.
More La Paz County Genealogy Resources
The Arizona Memory Project contains nearly 280,000 digital items including photographs and historical documents. Some items relate to the Colorado River communities now in La Paz County. Search by place names like Parker, Quartzsite, or Bouse to find relevant materials.
FamilySearch provides free genealogy records from Arizona. The Arizona Historical Society has research libraries in Tucson, Tempe, Flagstaff, and Yuma. The Yuma location may have the most relevant materials for La Paz County given the historical connection between the two counties.
Cemetery records help confirm death dates and find family graves. Find A Grave lists Arizona cemeteries including burial sites in La Paz County. These records often include photographs of headstones and biographical information added by volunteers.
Nearby Arizona Counties
La Paz County shares borders with several Arizona counties. Families often moved between neighboring areas. Check these nearby counties for related genealogy records:
Cities in La Paz County
La Paz County has no cities with populations over 50,000. Parker serves as the county seat and largest town. Quartzsite attracts seasonal visitors but remains small year-round. All La Paz County residents access genealogy records through the county offices in Parker. The recorder and clerk of court handle all local document requests.