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Pima County Recorder's Office 1857-1983

RG 110 SG 5

Administrative Note

The 1864 Howell Code established the County Recorder's Office. The Territorial Governor appointed the Recorder until statehood when it became an elected position. The Recorder officially recorded all deeds (including water and mining claims), mortgages of real estate, releases of mortgages, powers of attorney, leases of over one year, wills admitted to probate, certificates of marriages and other records. The Recorder also served as ex-officio clerk of the probate and county courts. In 1889, the County Recorder transferred the recording and issuing of marriage certificates to the Clerk of the District Probate Courts and the Recorder's marriage records were transferred to the District Courts. The current Recorder's Office continues to record all records, maps, and papers deposited with the office. The County Recorder also maintains the county voter registration rolls and conducts all national, state, and county wide elections.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of property, vital, legal and other records filed with the Pima County Recorder's Office. The Recorder transcribed some records pertaining to what became Pima County that predate the Territory of Arizona from their original sources. The majority of the collection consists of property records including real estate, personal property, mining, and brands. The collection also includes some birth and death records, census records, incorporation records, and power of attorneys.

Arrangement

Restrictions

Access Restrictions

All photocopies of original materials are made by staff. We reserve the right to refuse copy services based on physical condition and possible damage to the materials.

For preservation purposes, if microfilm copies are available, patrons will use the microfilm first.

Under Arizona Revised Statute 39-141, public records used for commercial purposes have additional requirements. Please contact the Arizona State Archives for further information.

Some records are restricted due to privacy concerns. Please consult with an archivist about access to these records.

Copyright

It is the researcher's responsibility to determine the copyright status of materials he or she uses. The Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records is not legally or financially responsible for any copyright infringement by researchers.

Many documents held by the Arizona State Archives fall under the Public Record law (ARS 41-1350). Documents created by the government are not copyrighted. The United States of America Copyright Law (P.L. 94-553, effective Jan. 1, 1978) extends statutory rights of authority to unpublished works which were previously protected by literary property rights under common law. Such works do not have to be registered with the Copyright Office to receive protection under the law.

Related Material

For brand records after 1897, please see the Livestock Sanitary Board (RG 60). There is some overlap between the Superior Court subgroup (SG 8) and Recorder's Office in regards to wills and other legal matters. Researchers are encouraged to check the Superior Court records when dealing with records pertaining to court matters.

Controlled Access Terms

Administrative Information

Credit Line

Bibliographic citations must cite the title of the record group(s), the box or volume number, the History and Archives Division and the name of the Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records in full. Please use the following example:

Governor George W.P. Hunt to Ely Sims, November 21, 1919, Box 14, Office of the Governor, RG 1, History and Archives Division, Arizona State Library, Archives and Public Records.

Accruals

Further accruals are expected.

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