Mohave County Genealogy Lookup

Mohave County genealogy records trace family histories across northwestern Arizona from Kingman to Lake Havasu City. The county recorder has online records from 1988 to present with older documents available through the main office in Kingman. Marriage licenses and court records go through the Clerk of Superior Court. Mohave County covers a vast area along the Colorado River border with Nevada and California, making it a key location for researchers tracking families who moved between these states during the mining and railroad eras.

Mohave County Recorder Offices

The Mohave County Recorder maintains property records, deeds, and other land documents useful for genealogy research. Mohave County operates three recorder office locations to serve residents across this large county. The main office is at 700 West Beale Street in Kingman, AZ 86401. Phone (928) 753-0701 for the Kingman office.

Additional recorder locations include Bullhead City at 1130 Hancock Road with phone (928) 758-0701, and Lake Havasu City at 2001 College Drive, Suite 93 with phone (928) 453-0702. These satellite offices provide convenient access for residents on the western side of the county.

Online records at the Mohave County Recorder go back to 1988. For older property records, contact the Kingman office directly. Historical documents from before 1988 require an in-person visit or written request. Property records help genealogy researchers track where ancestors lived and owned land.

The Mohave County Recorder page above shows office locations and contact information for genealogy researchers.

Mohave County Marriage Records

Marriage licenses in Mohave County come from the Clerk of Superior Court. A marriage license costs $83 in Mohave County, which is less than the $98 fee charged in larger counties. Certified copies of existing marriage records cost $35. Under ARS 25-121, couples must apply for marriage licenses in person at a county clerk office.

Marriage records provide key details for genealogy research. The license shows full legal names of both spouses, their ages, and residence addresses. Older records often include birthplaces and parents' names. This information helps connect family lines and verify relationships across generations.

Mohave County's location on the border with Nevada made it convenient for couples seeking quick marriages. Many people from California and Nevada traveled to Arizona to wed. This means Mohave County marriage records may include ancestors who never lived in Arizona permanently.

Mohave County Vital Records

Birth and death certificates in Arizona are state records. 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. Call (602) 364-1300 or toll free (888) 816-5907. Certified copies cost $20 each.

Arizona follows closed record rules under ARS 36-302. Only eligible family members can request certified vital records. The list includes the registrant, parents, spouse, grandparents, adult children, and siblings. For genealogy research, non-certified copies cost $5 and require proof of your family connection.

Historical vital records are easier to obtain. Birth records over 75 years old are open for research. Death records over 50 years old are also available. The free Arizona genealogy database contains searchable records and actual images of older certificates. Mohave County researchers can access this database without proving family relationships or paying fees.

Note: For same-day vital records service, visit a county health department office. The state bureau in Phoenix no longer provides walk-in service.

Mohave County Court Records

The Mohave County Superior Court handles civil cases, probate, divorce, and family matters. Court records add valuable details to genealogy research. Probate files list heirs and describe what someone owned when they died. Divorce records document marriages that ended and often include information about children. Civil cases sometimes involve family members in disputes over property or business matters.

Arizona courts provide online access through eAccess. This portal lets you search Mohave County court records around the clock. You can find cases by party name or case number. Basic case information shows online. Full documents may require contacting the clerk office or visiting in person.

Under ARS 39-121.01, most court records in Arizona are public. You have the right to inspect and copy these documents. The clerk office can charge fees for copies but cannot deny access to public records.

Arizona Archives for Mohave County Research

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 visit. Collections include court records, naturalization papers, census data, mining records, and other materials relevant to Mohave County genealogy.

Arizona residents get free access to Ancestry records through the state archives. The archives genealogy guide explains available collections. The vital records guide covers the 75-year and 50-year rules for accessing historical birth and death certificates.

More Mohave County Genealogy Resources

The Arizona Memory Project contains historical photographs and documents that may include Mohave County materials. Search by place names like Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Bullhead City, or Oatman to find relevant items. The collection includes over 180,000 photographs spanning Arizona history.

FamilySearch provides free genealogy records from Arizona counties. The Arizona Historical Society maintains research libraries at four locations around the state. Their collections include manuscripts, photographs, and oral histories that document Arizona families. Cemetery records on Find A Grave help locate burial sites in Mohave County.

Route 66 history intertwines with Mohave County genealogy. Kingman and Oatman sit along the famous highway. Families who operated motels, gas stations, and restaurants along Route 66 left records in Mohave County. Railroad workers who built and maintained the tracks through this region also appear in local records.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Mohave County shares borders with several Arizona counties and two other states. Families often moved between these areas. Check nearby county records for related genealogy information:

For ancestors who crossed state lines, also check Clark County Nevada and San Bernardino County California records. The Colorado River communities have always had close ties across state borders.

Cities in Mohave County

Mohave County has no cities with populations over 50,000. Kingman serves as the county seat. Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City are the other major communities. All Mohave County residents access vital records through county offices. The recorder satellite locations in Lake Havasu City and Bullhead City offer convenient access for residents on the western side of the county.