Search Yavapai County Property Records

Yavapai County property records give you access to deeds, mortgages, liens, and other land documents stored by the County Recorder in Prescott. This central Arizona county covers over 8,000 square miles of diverse terrain from high desert to mountain forests. You can search these property records online through the recorder's website with records dating back to 1953. The recorder also has recorded surveys and subdivision plats going back to 1864. Whether you need to check ownership, look for liens, or trace a property's title history, Yavapai County offers several ways to find these records.

Yavapai County Recorder's Office

The Yavapai County Recorder's Office handles all property document recording in the county. The office is organized under the Mapping and Properties section of county government. You can call them at (928) 771-3244. The recorder processes deeds, mortgages, liens, and other documents that affect real property in Yavapai County.

Yavapai County has two office locations. The Prescott office is at 1015 Fair Street on the 2nd floor. Hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM for lunch. The Cottonwood office is at 10 South 6th Street in Cottonwood, AZ 86326. Having two locations makes it easier for residents across this large county to access services.

Yavapai County has one of the longer online record histories in Arizona. Online records date back to 1953 for most documents. Recorded surveys and subdivision plats go all the way back to 1864. This gives you a deep history to search when researching property.

Yavapai County Property Document Search

You can search recorded documents through the Yavapai County document search portal. The database lets you look up records by name, document number, recording date, book and page, or other details. Basic searches are free. You can view index information and often preview document images.

The online search covers records from 1953 to the present for most document types. Subdivision plats and surveys go back further to 1864. For documents older than what is online, you may need to visit an office in person. Staff can help you find older records stored on microfilm or in original books.

Yavapai County also offers web recording through Tyler Technologies. This allows title companies, attorneys, and others to submit documents electronically. E-recording is faster than mail and avoids the need to drive to the office.

Note: Document images online are for reference; certified copies may require a separate request.

Recording Fees in Yavapai County

Yavapai County follows the state fee schedule for recording under A.R.S. 11-475. A standard document costs $30.00 to record. This flat fee applies to most deeds, mortgages, releases, powers of attorney, and other common papers. The flat fee system started in 2019, replacing the old per page fees.

Government agencies pay a reduced rate of $15.00 per document when they request the recording. Plats and surveys have a different fee structure with $24.00 for the first page and $20.00 for each additional page. Copies of recorded documents cost about $1.00 per page. Certification adds $3.00.

Your deed must include either an Affidavit of Property Value or an exemption code to be accepted for recording. This is required under A.R.S. 11-1133. Without this form, your document will be rejected. The affidavit helps the state track property sales for assessment purposes. Common exemptions include transfers between family members, gifts, and trust transactions.

Yavapai County Property Assessor

The Yavapai County Assessor values real and personal property for tax purposes. You can reach the office at (928) 771-3220. The assessor determines the market value of each property and calculates the assessed value used for property taxes.

The assessor's office maintains an interactive map where you can look up any property in Yavapai County. Enter an address or parcel number to see property details, ownership info, and assessed values. You can also view parcel boundaries, aerial photos, and other map layers. This tool is free to use.

Property values are set each year. The assessor sends out notices of value in the spring. If you disagree with your assessed value, you can file an appeal using ADOR Form 82130 for real property. You have 60 days from the notice to appeal. The appeal goes to the county assessor first, then can be taken to the State Board of Equalization if needed.

Property Taxes in Yavapai County

The Yavapai County Treasurer collects property taxes. Taxes are paid in two parts 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.

You can check your tax status through the Yavapai County Tax Inquiry portal. This lets you look up any parcel by number or address and see current taxes owed, payment history, and other details. The portal is free to use and available any time.

Missing a payment leads to interest and penalties under state law. If property taxes go unpaid for several years, the county can sell a tax lien on the property. Investors purchase these liens at auction. They earn interest when the property owner redeems the lien. If the lien is not redeemed, the investor can eventually foreclose on the property.

Note: Always verify tax status before buying property to avoid surprises at closing.

Arizona Property Recording Laws

Arizona law sets the rules for recording property documents in Yavapai County. Under A.R.S. 11-461, the county recorder has custody of all records, maps, and papers deposited in the office. The recorder must keep documents safe and allow public access. This is a fundamental duty of the office.

Documents must meet certain requirements to be recorded. Under A.R.S. 11-480, each document needs a caption briefly stating what it is. Examples include warranty deed, grant deed, or deed of trust. The first page must have a two inch top margin for recording info. All sides need at least a half inch margin. Documents for residential property with 1-4 units must include "RESIDENTIAL 1-4" in the caption.

Recording a document protects your interest. Under A.R.S. 33-411, an unrecorded deed does not give notice to later buyers. This means someone could buy the same property without knowing about your claim. Once you record, your document gives legal notice to everyone per A.R.S. 33-416. Recording is not required by law, but it is strongly recommended.

Cities in Yavapai County

Yavapai County contains several cities and towns. Property recording for all of them goes through the Yavapai County Recorder. The main office is in Prescott, and there is also an office in Cottonwood.

Major communities in Yavapai County include Prescott (the county seat), Prescott Valley, Cottonwood, Camp Verde, Chino Valley, and part of Sedona. Prescott is known for its historic courthouse square and mild climate. Prescott Valley has grown rapidly in recent decades. The Verde Valley area including Cottonwood offers lower elevation living.

Sedona is split between Yavapai and Coconino counties. If you are looking at property in Sedona, check which county it is in before searching records. The parcel number will indicate which county recorder holds the documents. Property in the 86336 zip code could be in either county.

Note: All property records for cities in Yavapai County are filed at the county recorder, not at city offices.

Yavapai County GIS and Mapping

Yavapai County integrates its mapping and property functions under one department. The Mapping and Properties section handles both the recorder and assessor functions along with GIS services. This integration helps keep parcel data consistent across different systems.

The county GIS tools let you view parcel boundaries, zoning information, aerial imagery, and other layers. You can search by address, parcel number, or owner name. The interactive map is useful for property research, checking neighboring parcels, and understanding the area around a property you are interested in.

The Arizona Department of Revenue oversees property tax administration statewide. They provide guidance to county assessors and treasurers. The state and county work together on property tax matters, with the county handling day to day operations.

Nearby Arizona Counties

Yavapai County borders several other Arizona counties. If a property sits near a county line, confirm which county it is in before searching records. County boundaries determine which recorder's office holds the documents.

Counties that border Yavapai include Maricopa County to the south, Coconino County to the north and east, and Mohave County to the west. La Paz County borders Yavapai on the southwest corner. Each county has its own recorder's office and property record system.

The Phoenix metro area in Maricopa County is about 90 miles south of Prescott. Many people commute between the two areas. If you are searching property records, make sure you are looking in the right county based on where the property is located.