Maricopa County Booking Records
Maricopa County booking and release records are managed by the Maricopa County Sheriff Office. MCSO runs one of the largest jail systems in the country, serving the Phoenix metropolitan area. When someone is arrested in Maricopa County, they are processed through the MCSO jail system. The sheriff office keeps records of all bookings, charges, bond amounts, and release dates. You can search for current inmates online through their official portal. The system is free to use and available around the clock. For older records or copies of booking documents, you need to contact the MCSO Records Section directly.
Maricopa County Booking Records Quick Facts
Maricopa County Inmate Search Online
The Maricopa County Sheriff Office provides a free online inmate search tool. You can access it at mcso.org/InmateInfo. This system shows people currently in MCSO custody. It does not include inmates who have been released.
To search for an inmate in Maricopa County, you need either their booking number or their name and date of birth. The booking number is a seven character code assigned when someone is processed into the jail. If you have the booking number, that gives the fastest results. Name searches require the date of birth in YYYYMMDD format. For example, January 15, 1985 would be entered as 19850115. The system returns basic booking information but notes that this data should not be used for legal purposes.
The MCSO inmate search portal shows the current status of anyone in Maricopa County jail facilities. Results include the booking date, charges filed, and bond amount if bail has been set. You can see which facility the person is housed in. The search is available 24 hours a day.
Note: MCSO states that information in their system may not be current, accurate, or complete and should not be relied upon for legal action.
How to Get Maricopa County Booking Records
For copies of booking records, arrest reports, or other documents, you need to file a public records request with MCSO. There are several ways to submit your request for Maricopa County records.
Email your request to PublicRecords@mcso.maricopa.gov. Include the name of the person, approximate dates, and what records you need. You can also fax requests to 602-876-0056. For mail requests, send them to 550 W. Jackson St., Phoenix, AZ 85003. If you want to visit in person, the MCSO headquarters is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Allow up to 30 business days for mail requests to be processed.
Maricopa County only accepts certain payment methods for records fees. Cash, money orders, cashier's checks, and business checks are accepted. Personal checks are not allowed. Credit and debit cards are not accepted either. Make sure you have the right form of payment before visiting in person.
For general jail information in Maricopa County, call the SIMS line at 602-876-0322. This automated system can tell you if someone is in custody. The Reports Section can be reached at 602-876-1078 for questions about booking records. Victim assistance is available at 602-876-8276.
Maricopa County Jail Services
Maricopa County uses several third party services for jail communications and payments. These services let you contact inmates or add money to their accounts. They also help victims track offender status.
GettingOut and ViaPath handle video visitation for Maricopa County inmates. You can schedule video calls through their platforms. GTL provides phone services for inmates to make calls. TouchPay allows you to deposit money into inmate accounts for commissary purchases. LexisNexis and BuyCrash handle crash report requests if you need accident records rather than booking records. Each service has its own fees and registration requirements.
The Arizona VINE system covers Maricopa County jails. VINE lets crime victims register for alerts when an offender's custody status changes. You get notified if the person is released, transferred, or escapes. Call 1-800-247-9763 or visit VINELink.com to sign up for free alerts about Maricopa County inmates.
Arizona Public Records Law and Maricopa Bookings
Arizona law gives you the right to access booking records. Under ARS § 39-121, public records held by any officer are open to inspection during office hours. This includes booking records at the Maricopa County Sheriff Office. You do not have to give a reason for wanting to see these records.
The law allows agencies to charge reasonable fees for copies. Maricopa County sets its own fee schedule for different types of records. Fees help cover the cost of staff time and materials needed to fulfill requests. If you believe your request was wrongly denied, ARS § 39-121.02 allows you to file a special action in superior court. A judge can order the release of records if the denial was improper.
Some booking information may be restricted. Details about juvenile offenders are not public. Victim information is often redacted from reports. Ongoing investigation details may be withheld temporarily. But the basic fact that someone was booked into Maricopa County jail is generally public information.
Note: Commercial use requests require you to state your purpose under ARS § 39-121.03.
Cities in Maricopa County
Maricopa County includes the Phoenix metropolitan area and many surrounding cities. When someone is arrested by a city police department in Maricopa County, they are typically booked into the MCSO jail system. The county sheriff handles all jail bookings for these cities.
Major cities in Maricopa County include:
Each city maintains its own police records for incidents and arrests. But for jail booking records, you need to contact the Maricopa County Sheriff Office. The city police can tell you about an arrest, but MCSO has the jail records showing when someone was booked and released.
Nearby Arizona Counties
If you are looking for booking records from areas near Maricopa County, check these neighboring county sheriff offices. Each county runs its own jail and keeps separate booking records.
Counties that border Maricopa include Pinal County to the south and east, Yavapai County to the north, La Paz County to the west, and Gila County to the east. Yuma County is further west. If an arrest happened outside Maricopa County, you will need to contact that county's sheriff office for booking records.