Mohave County, Arizona Court Records
Mohave County court records are official documents detailing legal proceedings within the county’s jurisdiction that are generated and maintained by its courts. These records are used to preserve an account of how cases in the local courts are filed, managed, and settled, and support accountability and transparency within the judicial system. Mohave County Courts, including the
Superior Court of Arizona and the smaller Justice and Municipal Courts and their clerks act as custodians of court records depending on the level and type of the case.
Court records are created as the case progresses and may include documents and filings such as petitions, motions, evidence, court orders, complaints, rulings, judgments, and dockets. Arizona’s rules of the supreme court and public record laws govern the creation, retention, and access of these records.
Mohave County court records are related to but separate from other public records, such as vital records and arrest records. While these other records may be attached or required during court cases, they are maintained and generated by other government agencies. For example, birth and death records are maintained by county or state health departments and may be required in divorce or probate cases. Arrest records and booking information generated by law enforcement are typically associated with criminal court case records.
Are Mohave County Court Records Public?
Yes, Mohave County court records are generally considered public records under Arizona’s Public Record Laws. However, the level of access will depend on the type of case involved and specific documents required. The laws and rules governing court records establish a presumption of public access in the name of accountability and transparency within the Arizona judicial system.
Most civil and criminal records are public information. This includes filings, dockets, motions, rulings, court orders, and final judgments in cases, such as contract or property disputes, small claims cases, misdemeanor offenses, and felony prosecutions. Record seekers among the general public can usually request and inspect these records by contacting the clerk’s office that serves as custodian.
However, some court records are also considered confidential information or restricted by law. Family law cases involving adoptions, termination of parental rights, and child custody are restricted. Criminal cases involving juveniles and minors may also be sealed for privacy reasons. In addition, sensitive documents and information in public records, such as medical or mental health records, financial affidavits, and information identifying crime victims or minors, may be restricted or withheld.
What Information is Available in Mohave County Court Records?
Mohave County court records contain a wide range of information showing how cases are started, processed, and resolved within the county’s legal system. Although the exact contents of each record may differ by court and case type, most records are generated to show the case history.
Typical court records include basic case identification details, such as the case number, case type, filing date, and the names of the parties involved. Docket records provide a chronological summary of case actions, including filings, hearings, and rulings. Court records also include pleadings and motions submitted by both parties, such as petitions, responses, complaints, and requests. Evidence, testimonies, affidavits, and exhibits admitted during the case may also be part of the records. At various stages, the court’s decisions will be recorded by rulings, judgments, court orders, minute entries, final dispositions, and sentencing instructions.
It should be noted that certain sensitive details, including Social Security Numbers, bank account information, identifying information about juveniles or minors, and medical records, are generally restricted or redacted from public access, even if they appear in otherwise public records.
Mohave County Court Records Search
Record seekers have several options to search for Mohave County court records. Members of the public can search for records online, in person, or submit requests by mail, email, or over the phone.
Online Access: Record searches can be made online via the Arizona Judicial Branch Public Access Case Lookup and the eAccess Superior Court record search. The public access case lookup allows users to look up case information from 177 courts in Arizona, including Mohave County courts. Users may perform case searches by name or case number using the provided search tools. The eAccess database provides 24/7 access to criminal and civil case records filed after July 1st, 2010. Copies of case documents may be purchased for a per-document fee or a monthly subscription. Certain types of cases and their records are unavailable online, including those sealed or otherwise restricted to the public by court order, court rule, or statute to protect sensitive or confidential information.
In-Person Access: To request copies of records in person, record seekers may visit the Superior Court branches in Kingman, Bullhead City, and Lake Havasu City. Requests can be made verbally or by submitting a completed court request form to the clerk’s office staff. The Superior Court locations may also have public access terminals where record seekers may look up records on the online portals.
Mail and Phone Access: To request court records by mail, record seekers may fill out the Court Records Request Form and submit it by email to clerkofcourt@mohavecourts.com or regular mail to:
Clerk of Superior Court
Attn: Research Clerk
415 East Spring Street
P.O Box 7000
Kingman, Arizona 86402-7000
A request can also be made over the phone by calling the clerk’s office at (928)753-0713 ext. 4089 during office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays. Mailed requests should include the completed form, a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and a check or money order for the copy fees, payable to the Clerk of the Superior Court. Payments for mail requests can be made by mailing a check, money order, or by phone using cards such as Visa, American Express, and Mastercard.
Fees for Court Records in Mohave County
Fees for obtaining copies of Mohave County Court records during record requests are as follows.
- Digital or paper copies of records cost $0.50 per page
- Certification of records(digital or paper) costs $35 per document plus the cost of copies.
- Postage of records will cost $8 if the requester did not include a self-addressed stamped envelope with a mailed request.
- Certified copies of marriage licenses cost $35 per copy, while divorce records follow the standard per-page and certification prices from the Clerk’s Office.
Payment can be made by check, money order, or card (Visa, Mastercard, or American Express). Checks and money orders should be made payable to the Clerk of the Superior Court.
Mohave County Courthouse Locations
The Arizona legal system consists of Superior, Justice, and Municipal Courts. Superior Courts maintain general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases unless it is limited by law or a case is specifically assigned to another court. Justice courts handle lower-level cases with limited jurisdiction, including small claims courts. Municipal courts generally handle misdemeanor offenses within a city or town, such as traffic offenses and violations of city ordinances and codes. Listed below are the court locations within Mohave County.
Mohave County Superior Court - Bullhead City
2225 Trane Road,
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
Phone: (928)758-0730
Mohave County Superior Court - Kingman
401 East Spring Street,
PO Box 7000, Kingman, AZ 86402
Phone: (928)753-0713
Mohave County Superior Court - Lake Havasu
2001 College Drive,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Phone: (928)453-0701
Bullhead City Justice Court
2225 Trane Road,
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
Phone: (928)758-0709
Fax: (928)758-2644
Kingman / Cerbat Justice Court
524 West Beale Street,
PO Box 29, Kingman, AZ 86402
Phone: (928)753-0710
Fax: (928)753-7840
Lake Havasu Consolidated Court - Justice
2001 College Drive, Suite 148,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Phone: (928)453-0705
Fax: (928)680-0193
The Lake Havasu Consolidated Court consists of the Lake Havasu Justice Court and the Lake Havasu City Magistrate Court.
North Canyon Consolidated Court - Justice
2100 South Hwy 389,
P.O. Box 3160,
Colorado City, AZ 86021
Phone: (928)875-8700
Fax: (928)875-2495
The North Canyon Consolidated Court consists of the North Canyon Justice Court and the Colorado City Magistrate Court.
Bullhead City Municipal Court
1255 Marina Blvd,
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
Phone: (928)763-0130
Fax: (928)763-8993
Kingman Municipal Court
219 North 4th Street,
Kingman, AZ 86401
Phone: (928)753-8193
Lake Havasu Consolidated Court - Municipal
2001 College Drive, Suite 148,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Phone: (928)453-0705
Fax: (928)680-0193
The Lake Havasu Consolidated Court consists of the Lake Havasu Justice Court and the Lake Havasu City Magistrate Court. The local Superior Court office also shares this location.
Criminal Records Access in Mohave County
Statewide criminal history checks for Arizona, including Mohave County, are obtained from the Arizona Department of Public Safety, which serves as the central repository for criminal history records. Authorized agencies can request employment background checks, while individuals may request a criminal record review to verify the accuracy and completeness of their record. For any inquiries about requesting a criminal record check, record seekers may call the Criminal History Records Section of the Department of Safety at (602) 223-2222.
Criminal case records for Mohave County can be obtained from the Clerk of Court for the local Superior Court. Record requests can be made in person, by mail, by email, or online. In-person requests can be made at any Superior Court Location in Mohave County. To request a record by mail, record seekers may fill out the Record Request Form and submit it to the address on the form with payment for copies, and a self-addressed, stamped envelope for returning the records. Criminal record searches can also be done online via the eAccess search Portal or Public Access Case Lookup database maintained by the Arizona Judicial Branch.
Mohave County Probate Records
Mohave County Probate records document probate cases heard in the county. The cases involve the administration of a deceased person’s estate and the court’s oversight of protective arrangements for incapacitated adults and minors. The Mohave County Superior Court generates probate court records, and their purpose is to ensure that assets are distributed according to the law or the deceased’s wishes or to ensure that vulnerable persons are given proper legal protection.
Common Mohave County probate records cover wills, estate administration, trusts, conservatorships, guardianships, and commitments. Records generated from such cases include wills submitted for probate, petitions, motions, asset inventories, guardianship or conservatorship filings, court orders, creditor claims, and final accountings. These records will come together to form an official history of how the court handled each case.
Recent probate records can be searched online through state databases like eAccess and the Public Access Case Lookup. The Clerk of the Superior Court office located at the Mohave County Courthouse in Kingman, Lake Havasu City, or Bullhead City can typically help with record requests in person. Requests to these offices can also be made via mail, email, or telephone. For inquiries about record requests, inspections, and copy fees, interested persons may call (928)753-0713 ext. 4089.
Mohave County Family Court Records
Mohave County family court records relate to legal matters concerning family relationships and domestic issues handled by the Mohave County Superior Court. These records document cases such as legal separation, divorce, adoptions, child and spousal support, and other related matters. While many family records are considered public information, some, including records of adoption, parental rights, and certain custody cases, are considered confidential, and access to them is limited due to privacy concerns.
Basic information for family records is generally considered public records and can be obtained online using the online portals operated by the State Judicial Branch. However, detailed records and sensitive court records may be restricted from online access. Record seekers may request more detailed case records, including certified copies, in person at any of the following Superior Court locations.
Mohave County Superior Court - Bullhead City
2225 Trane Road,
Bullhead City, AZ 86442
Phone: (928)758-0730
Mohave County Superior Court - Kingman
401 East Spring Street,
PO Box 7000, Kingman, AZ 86402
Phone: (928)753-0713
Mohave County Superior Court - Lake Havasu
2001 College Drive,
Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403
Phone: (928)453-0701
Federal Court Records in Mohave County
Federal court cases and records involving Mohave County are generated from cases originating in the county that fall under federal jurisdiction instead of state law. These cases are typically heard at the United States District Court for the District of Arizona. Mohave County does not have a dedicated federal courthouse, but all proceedings and cases connected to the county will be filed and maintained through the clerk’s office of the U.S. District Court and the appropriate division.
As federal jurisdictions involve matters such as constitutional issues, federal statutes, bankruptcy, and prosecutions by the U.S. government, federal records are kept separate from Mohave County court records and governed by federal laws and procedures. Public access to federal court records is available through the U.S. District Court clerk’s office and through PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records, which is the federal judiciary’s online case and record management system. Users may search and view case dockets, filings, and court orders electronically, typically for a nominal per-page fee.
