Pima County Genealogy Records

Pima County genealogy records offer researchers a direct path to uncovering family roots in southern Arizona. The county seat sits in Tucson, where both the Recorder and Clerk of Superior Court maintain extensive document collections. Genealogy research here covers birth certificates, death records, marriage licenses, property deeds, probate files, and court documents. Pima County Health Department handles vital records for more recent events, while older historical documents reside with the Recorder and state archives. The county serves over one million residents and holds records that stretch back to territorial Arizona days.

Pima County Recorder for Genealogy

The Pima County Recorder maintains property records, land deeds, and historical documents useful for genealogy research. The main office sits at 240 N Stone Avenue in Tucson. A second location at 6920 E Broadway Boulevard serves the east side of the metro area. You can call the Recorder at (520) 724-4350 for help with your research.

Property records often contain family information that vital records miss. Deeds show when ancestors bought or sold land. Mortgages reveal financial relationships. Liens and judgments can trace family disputes or business dealings. The Pima County Recorder website at recorder.pima.gov provides online access to many of these documents. This saves you a trip to Tucson if you live elsewhere. The online system lets you search by name, date, or document type to find Pima County genealogy materials.

The Pima County Recorder page shown above gives you access to online document searches and office information for genealogy research in Tucson.

Pima County Vital Records

The Pima County Health Department operates a vital records office at 3950 S. Country Club Road, Suite 100 in Tucson. This office handles birth and death certificates for Pima County residents. The phone number is (520) 724-7932. Each certified copy costs $20. The office holds birth records from 1950 onward and death records from 2008 to present.

For older Pima County vital records, you need to contact the Arizona Department of Health Services in Phoenix. The state bureau has birth records going back to July 1909 and some delayed birth records from as early as 1855. Death records at the state level go back to 1877. Arizona is a closed record state under ARS 36-302, so you must prove your relationship to the person on the record to get certified copies. For genealogy purposes, non-certified copies cost only $5 and work fine for family history research. The Pima County Vital Records page explains local procedures and hours.

This page shows how to request birth and death certificates through the Pima County Health Department for your genealogy research.

Birth records older than 75 years become available for public genealogy research. Death records open up after 50 years. The free state database at genealogy.az.gov lets you search and view actual images of these historical Pima County vital records at no cost.

Pima County Court Records

The Clerk of Superior Court in Pima County maintains marriage licenses, divorce records, probate files, and civil court cases. The office sits at 110 West Congress Street in downtown Tucson. Call (520) 724-3200 for assistance. Certification fees run $30 per document. The Pima County Superior Court website provides information about record requests and court procedures.

Marriage records contain valuable genealogy details. Under ARS 25-121, marriage licenses require both parties to provide their full names, ages, addresses, and sometimes parents' names. These details help you connect generations in your family tree. Pima County marriage records go back many decades and often predate state vital records for some families. Divorce records similarly contain family information including children's names and property divisions.

Probate files are goldmines for genealogy. When an ancestor died, the probate court handled their estate. These files list heirs, property, debts, and family relationships. Wills often name children, grandchildren, and other relatives. Pima County probate records can fill gaps that birth and death certificates leave empty.

Historical Genealogy Resources

The Arizona Historical Society maintains a research library in Tucson. Founded in 1884, this organization holds manuscripts, photographs, diaries, and oral histories from Pima County families. Their collections document southern Arizona history from Spanish colonial times through the present. Contact information and research hours are available at arizonahistoricalsociety.org.

The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records in Phoenix also holds Pima County materials. The state archives genealogy guide explains how to access court records, naturalization papers, prison records, and other historical documents. Arizona residents get free Ancestry access to state archives collections.

FamilySearch Centers in Tucson provide free access to subscription genealogy databases. The Arizona Memory Project offers nearly 280,000 digital items including photographs and documents related to Pima County history. Cemetery records on Find A Grave help verify death dates and locate family burial sites in the Tucson area.

Note: Always call ahead before visiting archives since hours may change and some facilities require appointments.

Pima County Genealogy Search Tips

Start your Pima County research with what you know. Gather names, dates, and places from family records before contacting county offices. The more specific your request, the better results you will get. Spelling variations were common in older records, so try different spellings of family names.

Use the Arizona eAccess court system at eaccess.azcourts.gov to search Pima County court records online. This free portal covers most case types and operates around the clock. You can find marriage records, civil cases, and probate files without visiting Tucson in person. The system covers recent decades but older records may require an in-person visit or written request.

The Tucson-Pima Public Library offers genealogy resources and may have local history collections relevant to your research. Library staff can point you toward Pima County specific materials and help with research strategies. Public libraries often subscribe to genealogy databases that you can use for free with a library card.

Pima County Record Fees

Pima County offices charge various fees for genealogy records. Birth and death certificates cost $20 each through the Health Department. Court document certifications run $30 through the Clerk of Superior Court. Recording fees at the Recorder office vary by document type. Most offices accept credit cards, debit cards, and money orders. Personal checks may not be accepted at all locations.

For genealogy research, non-certified copies often suffice and cost less than certified versions. Check with each office about their specific fees and payment methods before submitting your request. Processing times vary from same-day service for some in-person requests to several weeks for mail orders. Expedited service through VitalChek may be available for vital records at additional cost.

Cities in Pima County

Pima County includes the city of Tucson and surrounding communities. Tucson is the county seat and the second largest city in Arizona. Residents of these cities access genealogy records through the county offices described above rather than through city government.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Families often moved between neighboring counties. If you cannot find records in Pima County, check these nearby Arizona counties for your ancestors.