Maricopa County Property Records

Maricopa County property records include deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents stored by the County Recorder in Phoenix. As the most populous county in Arizona, Maricopa holds over 50 million searchable documents going back to 1871. You can search these property records online through the recorder's website or visit the office in person at 301 W Jefferson Street. The recorder's office processes thousands of new documents each day and makes them available to the public. Whether you need to verify ownership, check for liens, or research a property's title history, Maricopa County offers several ways to access these records.

Maricopa County Recorder's Office

The Maricopa County Recorder's Office handles all property document recording in the county. Justin Heap serves as the current recorder. The office is at 301 W Jefferson St, Suite 200 in Phoenix. You can call them at (602) 506-3535 or use the STAR Call Center at (602) 506-3406. Office hours run Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

The recorder's office is clear about what they can and cannot do for you. Staff will record documents that meet state requirements. They will not provide legal advice or help you fill out forms. If you need a deed, quit claim, or other document prepared, you must get that done elsewhere before bringing it to record. The office does not draft documents for the public.

Recording in Maricopa County can happen three ways. You can walk in during business hours and get your document recorded on the spot. No appointment is needed. You can also mail documents to the office at 301 W Jefferson St, Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85003. Mail recordings take 2 to 4 weeks to process and return. The third option is e-recording through approved vendors, which most title companies and lenders use. Over 90 percent of documents in Maricopa County now come through e-recording.

You can search recorded documents through the Maricopa County document search portal. The database lets you look up records by name, legal description, address, or subdivision name. Basic searches are free. Document images and certified copies have fees.

The assessor's office works closely with property records in Maricopa County. They value properties for tax purposes.

Recording Fees in Maricopa County

Maricopa County follows the state fee schedule for recording. A standard document costs $30.00 to record. This flat fee applies to most deeds, mortgages, releases, and other common papers. Government agencies pay $15.00 per document when they request the recording.

Copies cost between $0.50 and $1.00 per page. Certified copies add $1.50 to $3.00 each. If you need a certified copy of a deed for legal purposes, expect to pay the copy fee plus the certification charge. The recorder's office accepts cash, checks, and credit cards for payment.

Your deed must include either an Affidavit of Property Value or an exemption code to be accepted for recording in Maricopa County. This is a state requirement under A.R.S. 11-1133. Without this form, your document will be rejected. Common exemptions include transfers between family members and certain trust transactions.

Maricopa County Property Assessor

The Maricopa County Assessor values real and personal property for tax purposes. Eddie Cook serves as the current assessor. The office is at 301 W Jefferson Street in Phoenix. You can reach them at (602) 506-3406. The assessor handles over 1.8 million parcels and accounts with a full cash value above $1 trillion.

The assessor's office maintains a parcel viewer map where you can look up any property in the county. Enter an address or parcel number to see property details, ownership info, and assessed values. This tool is free to use and gives you quick access to basic property data in Maricopa County.

Property values are set each year by the assessor. If you disagree with your assessed value, you can file an appeal. Use ADOR Form 82130 for real property. Appeals must be filed within 60 days of your notice.

Note: The assessor and recorder are separate offices with different functions, but both deal with property records in Maricopa County.

Property Taxes in Maricopa County

The Maricopa County Treasurer collects property taxes. Taxes are paid in two installments each year. The first half is due October 1 and becomes delinquent after November 1. The second half is due March 1 and becomes delinquent after May 1. Missing a payment leads to interest and penalties.

If property taxes go unpaid for several years, the county can sell a tax lien on the property. Maricopa County holds tax lien auctions online at maricopa.arizonataxsale.com. Investors can purchase these liens and earn interest when the property owner pays. The minimum deposit to participate is $500.00.

Tax records show the payment history for any property in Maricopa County. You can use this info to verify a property is current on taxes before buying it.

Title Fraud Protection

Maricopa County offers a free title fraud alert service. You can sign up at Maricopa Title Alert to get notified when a document is recorded against your property. This helps catch fraudulent deed transfers or liens before they cause damage.

Title fraud happens when someone forges a deed to steal property. The alert system sends you an email whenever a new document is filed with your name or address. You can then check if the recording is legitimate. This service is free for Maricopa County property owners.

Maricopa County GIS Maps

The county provides GIS mapping tools for property research. The Maricopa County Open Data Portal offers parcel boundaries, zoning layers, and other geographic data. These maps show property lines, subdivisions, and land features across the county.

You can also find mapping applications through the county GIS apps hub. These tools let you view aerial photos, search parcels, and explore land use data in Maricopa County. The maps are useful for property research, development planning, and understanding neighborhood boundaries.

GIS data complements the official property records at the recorder's office. While maps show where a property is, recorded documents prove who owns it.

Cities in Maricopa County

Maricopa County contains many of Arizona's largest cities. Property recording for all these cities goes through the Maricopa County Recorder in Phoenix. Each city has its own planning and zoning offices for permits and development questions.

Major cities in Maricopa County include:

• Phoenix - state capital and largest city
• Mesa - third largest city in Arizona
• Chandler - growing suburb in the east valley
• Gilbert - fast-growing community
• Glendale - west valley city
• Scottsdale - resort and tourism hub
• Peoria - northwest valley

Note: Property records for these cities are all filed at the Maricopa County Recorder's Office, not at city hall.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Maricopa County borders several other Arizona counties. If a property sits near a county line, make sure you search in the right county's records.

Counties that border Maricopa include Pinal County to the southeast, Yavapai County to the north, and Yuma County to the southwest. La Paz County lies to the west and Gila County is to the east. Each county maintains its own recorder's office and property record system.