Maricopa County, Arizona • deeds, liens, plats and recorded-document research
Maricopa County Recorder Search: Find Deeds, Deeds of Trust, Liens, Releases and Plats
The Maricopa County Recorder maintains the county’s
publicly recorded documents, including deeds, deeds of trust, releases,
liens, judgments, plats, surveys, notices of trustee sale and many other
instruments.
The Recorder’s searchable archive contains more than
52 million documents and hundreds of millions of images dating
back to 1871.
Fastest workflow if you know only an address:
search the Maricopa County Assessor first → save the APN and owner →
look under Owner Information → Deed Number for the
current deed reference → open the Recorder’s Document Search →
search that document number or party names → open the image →
verify the legal description before relying on the deed.
Current Recorder
Justin Heap
Main office
301 W. Jefferson St., Suite 200, Phoenix, AZ 85003
Office hours
Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Standard recording fee
$30 per document
Archive
1871-present
Do not confuse the Assessor and Recorder.
The Assessor is normally easier for an address/APN/current
owner search. The Recorder is where you verify deeds,
deeds of trust, releases, liens and other recorded legal instruments.
Independent informational guide:
County-CAD.us is not affiliated with the Maricopa County Recorder,
Maricopa County Assessor, Treasurer, Arizona Department of Revenue,
courts or any eRecording company. Complete final searches, recordings,
payments and copy purchases through the official resources linked below.
Choose your exact task
What Are You Trying to Find?
Best workflow for most homeowners
Address → APN → Deed Number → Recorder Search → Image → Verify
1
Address
Start with Assessor.
2
APN
Save exact parcel number.
3
Deed Number
Check Owner Information.
4
Recorder
Search recorded document.
5
Image
Read actual instrument.
6
Verify
Parties + legal description.
Official websites only
Which Maricopa County Website Should You Open?
REC
Maricopa County Recorder
Recording, copies, fees, Title Alert and office information.
Open Official Recorder
APN
Maricopa County Assessor
Search APN, property address, owner and current deed reference.
Search Property / APN
Scenario 1: you only know the address
How to Find a Maricopa County Deed From a Street Address
For an older deed search, the Assessor is usually a better address-to-record
bridge than the Recorder’s newer full-text search because the Recorder’s
full-text address feature currently covers only the most recent two years.
Open the Maricopa County Assessor.
Enter the street address in the main property search.
Use the county’s preferred address format.
A standard search is number + direction + street name + abbreviated street type.
If the address fails, remove the street type.
For example, try the house number, direction and street name without ST, AVE or RD.
Open the correct parcel result.
Save the APN.
The APN appears in the first column of Assessor search results.
Save the current owner.
Open “Owner Information.”
Find the “Deed Number.”
The Recorder specifically points users to this field when looking for
the current deed.
Copy the Deed Number.
Open Recorder Document Search.
Paste the Deed Number into “Recorded Document Number.”
Open the document image and compare the legal description.
This is the cleanest beginner shortcut.
APN identifies the parcel. The Assessor’s Deed Number points to the
recorded instrument. The Recorder then supplies the legal recorded document.
Arizona parcel identifier
What Is a Maricopa County APN?
APN means Assessor Parcel Number.
It is the key identifier used by the Assessor for a real-property parcel.
Example format
111-11-111-A
Search flexibility
The Assessor accepts the APN with or without separators.
Book
First three digits identify an Assessor book.
Map
Next two digits identify the map.
Parcel
Final digits identify the parcel.
Split suffix
Some parcels include an additional letter.
A matching APN helps identify the property, but the
recorded legal description remains important when a deed,
easement or title issue must be verified.
Fastest search when you already have a recording reference
Search by Recorded Document Number
Open the official Document Search.
Find “Search by Recorded Document Number.”
Enter the complete document number.
The county’s example format resembles 20030930317.
Add a suffix only if the recording reference includes one.
Select Search.
Open the matching result.
Select the colored page box to view the unofficial image.
Verify parties, recording date, document code and legal description.
Older Document? Search by Docket/Book and Page
Maricopa County’s search still supports documents recorded under the older
Docket/Book and Page system.
Open the Recorder search.
Find “Search by document that was recorded using the Docket/Book and Page system.”
Enter the Docket/Book number.
Enter the Page.
Search and open the matching instrument.
This route is especially useful when an old deed, title report, legal
description, map or court document already gives you a Book/Page reference.
Grantor / grantee and business search
How to Search Maricopa County Recorder Records by Name
The structured Recorder search supports individuals, businesses,
document codes and date ranges.
Open Recorded Document Search.
For an individual, enter Last Name and First Name.
Use the full first name rather than only an initial when possible.
Add a second name if the property was jointly owned.
For a trust, LLC, HOA or company, use Business Name.
Choose a Document Code when you know the type.
Add Beginning Date and End Date when you know the approximate transaction period.
Open likely results and match them to the correct property.
A name match does not prove that a document belongs to your parcel.
Common names, trusts and companies may appear on many unrelated properties.
Useful new search — but limited historical range
Search the Latest Two Years by Address, Name or Legal Description
Maricopa County Recorder now offers a
full-text Research search.
This is powerful because it can locate words that appear inside indexed
document data, including an address or legal description.
Important limitation:
the Recorder currently says this full-text search covers the
latest two years. Do not use a failed full-text address
search to conclude that an older deed does not exist.
Open Document Search.
Scroll to the Research full-text field.
Try the owner name, address or legal-description phrase.
Use quotation marks for an exact phrase.
Example: “LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY”.
Use OR when either term can match.
Example: JUDGMENT OR DEED.
Use a minus sign to exclude a term.
Example: DEED – TRUST.
Open the result and verify the property.
Which search should you use?
Recent address/legal-description search → full-text Research.
Older deed → Assessor Deed Number, party name or document number.
Historic reference → Book/Page.
Unofficial view vs official copy vs certified copy
How to Get a Maricopa County Deed Copy
$0
View unofficial image
Open the colored Pages box in search results.
$1/page
Official copy
Current Recorder copy fee.
+$3
Certification
Added per certified document.
Search the deed first.
Open the colored box under Pages.
This lets you review the unofficial document online.
Verify it is the correct deed before buying anything.
Select “Buying/Purchasing Options.”
Select Edit before checkout.
Choose download by email or physical delivery.
Select certified copy only when the recipient requires certification.
Research first, purchase second.
A free unofficial view is often enough when you only need to confirm
names, dates, document type or legal description.
Arizona Affidavit of Property Value
How to Find the Recorded Sale Price
In Arizona, the sale price may be available through the
Affidavit of Property Value recorded with the deed.
Locate the deed for the sale.
Open the Recorder result.
Look for “View Affidavit.”
If available, open the colored Pages box for the affidavit.
Review the reported selling price and transaction information.
No View Affidavit option?
The transaction may have used a statutory exemption code rather than
an Affidavit of Property Value, so a recorded sale-price affidavit may
not exist for that deed.
Arizona mortgage terminology
Paid Off Your Loan? Search the Deed of Trust and Release
Arizona residential financing commonly uses a
Deed of Trust.
The ownership deed and the deed of trust are separate recorded instruments.
Paying off the loan does not mean the Recorder issues you a new ownership deed.
Search your name in Recorder records.
Choose or identify the Deed of Trust document.
Save its recorded document number and beneficiary/trustee information.
Search later recordings.
Look for the document releasing/reconveying the lien created by the deed of trust.
Verify the release references the correct prior instrument.
If it is missing after payoff, contact the lender/servicer or title professional.
Recorder search is useful, but not a title guarantee
How to Search Liens in Maricopa County
Confirm the property owner first.
Open Recorded Document Search.
Search the owner name.
Use a relevant document code or date range to reduce unrelated results.
Open the lien or judgment document.
Save the creditor/claimant, recording date and document number.
Search later documents for a release, satisfaction or other disposition.
The Recorder explicitly warns that its website search does not
guarantee a property is free and clear of liens.
Use a title company or Arizona attorney when you need a legal title or
lien-priority conclusion.
Arizona trustee-sale research
How to Search Recorded Foreclosure Notices
For nonjudicial foreclosure research, one useful Recorder document type
is the Notice of Trustee Sale.
Open Recorded Document Search.
Search the owner name when researching one property.
Select the Notice of Trustee Sale document code where appropriate.
Open the notice and verify the property/legal description.
Read the trustee, recording date and sale information shown in the actual notice.
Search later documents before assuming the sale occurred.
A recorded Notice of Trustee Sale is a foreclosure-process document.
It does not by itself prove the sale ultimately occurred or establish
the current owner.
Subdivision and map research
How to Find a Maricopa County Plat Map
There are two practical routes: start from the Assessor property page
when you know the parcel, or search the Recorder directly by subdivision.
Route A — From the Assessor parcel
Search the property by address or APN.
Open the parcel record.
Locate the MCR number.
It may appear near Property Information.
Use the MCR reference to reach the associated recorded map.
Route B — From Recorder Document Search
Enter the subdivision in Business Name.
Select Document Code “Plat Maps.”
If the exact subdivision name fails, shorten it.
Open the correct plat and verify Book/Page or MCR reference.
Plat and Assessor maps are useful for research, but do not substitute
for a licensed survey where exact legal boundaries are disputed.
How to Find HOA CC&Rs
Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions are often indexed under the HOA
or subdivision rather than the individual homeowner.
Use the Assessor property page to identify the subdivision if you do not know it.
Open Recorded Document Search.
Use Business Name.
Search the subdivision or HOA name.
Open likely restrictions/declaration documents.
Check for later amendments.
Do not assume the first declaration is the current complete set.
Current Recorder fee schedule
Maricopa County Recorder Fees
$30
Most documents
Standard recording fee per document.
$24
Plat/survey first page
Current public fee.
$20
Additional plat/survey page
Added per subsequent page.
$1
Recorded-document copy
Per page.
$3
Certification
Additional charge per document.
$0
Selected statutory documents
Certain military discharge, child support and other qualifying filings.
Payment:
the Recorder currently accepts cash, card and check for in-person
recording. Mail submissions may use check, cashier’s check or money order.
Recording kiosks accept credit card only.
A.R.S. §11-480
Document Requirements Before Recording
Document caption
Clearly identify the nature of the instrument.
Original instrument
Document must be original unless another law permits a certified copy.
Original signatures
Required except where law provides otherwise.
Maximum page size
8.5 × 14 inches for qualifying instruments dated/executed after January 1, 1991.
Minimum type
10-point.
General margins
At least one-half inch.
First-page top margin
At least 2 inches reserved for recording information.
Return information
Public may use the left 3.5 inches of the first-page top area for
requesting/return information.
Modification documents
Must reference the recording date and Docket/Page of the document being modified where required.
Legibility
Must be good enough for the Recorder to make certified reproductions.
The Recorder does not provide legal advice, choose deed types, complete
documents or provide notary services.
Critical Arizona deed requirement
Affidavit of Property Value or Exemption Code
A deed presented for recording must generally include either:
- an Affidavit of Property Value; or
- a valid statutory exemption notation.
Affidavit of Property Value
Arizona Department of Revenue Form 82162 reports items such as the
selling price, date of sale, parcel information and other transfer data.
Exempt transfer
If an A.R.S. §11-1134 exemption applies, the applicable statute and
exemption code are noted on the face of the deed.
The Recorder cannot tell you which exemption code to use.
Selecting an exemption is a legal/tax determination. Use the Arizona
Department of Revenue guidance and obtain legal advice when the correct
treatment is uncertain.
82162
Arizona Form 82162
Current Affidavit of Property Value resource.
Open Form 82162
FAQ
Arizona Property Tax FAQs
Affidavit requirements and exemption-code guidance.
Read State Guidance
Do not confuse searching with recording
How to Record a Deed in Maricopa County
Confirm the APN and property.
Prepare the legally appropriate deed.
The Recorder will not select or prepare it for you.
Check the document caption.
Confirm original signatures and notarization where required.
Check page size, font and margins.
Include the legal description.
Complete the Affidavit of Property Value or valid exemption notation.
Check the current $30 standard recording fee.
Choose in-person, mail or electronic submission.
Save the final recorded document number.
No appointment is currently required for ordinary in-person recording.
The downtown Recorder office is open Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.,
excluding county holidays.
Adding a spouse, removing an owner, transferring into a trust, changing
survivorship rights, handling an estate or correcting title can create
significant legal consequences. Use an Arizona attorney or qualified
document/title professional when appropriate.
Three Ways to Record a Document
Method
Best for
Important detail
In person
Individual / one-time filing
No appointment currently required; original is returned immediately after recording.
Mail
Users who cannot visit Phoenix
Recorded original is returned to the stated return address after processing.
Digital
Regular/high-volume eligible filers
Recorder account and eligibility requirements apply.
More than 90% of documents are digitally recorded
Maricopa County Digital Recording and eRecording
Maricopa County says more than
90% of documents are recorded digitally.
Its direct Digital Recording Program is designed for regular filers and
qualifying professionals—not a homeowner recording one isolated deed.
Regular/high-volume filer
Eligible users can establish a Recorder account, sign the required
Memorandum of Understanding and use Digital Upload or web-service options.
One-time filer
The Recorder points occasional users toward a third-party submitter
if they want electronic submission without establishing the county’s
regular digital-recording setup.
No extra county charge for direct digital recording:
the Recorder says eligible direct digital customers pay standard recording
fees; third-party submitters may charge separate service fees.
Direct county digital recording is subject to statutory eligibility rules
and Recorder account requirements. Do not assume the high-volume program
is the correct route for one personal deed.
Free recorded-document monitoring
Maricopa Title Alert
Maricopa Title Alert is a free Recorder program that alerts subscribers
when a document is recorded under a monitored individual or business name.
Cost
Free.
What it monitors
Individual and business names.
Notifications
Email, mobile text or both.
Languages
English or Spanish notification options.
Name limit
Recorder currently says there is no limit to the number of monitored names.
Coverage begins
Documents recorded after you enroll.
Enter your email address.
Add individual and/or business names.
Add meaningful name variations.
The Recorder recommends considering variations, including hyphenated names.
Select Email, Mobile Text or Both.
Select English or Español.
Activate the subscription from the email sent by the Recorder.
If an alert arrives, independently search the actual recorded document.
Title Alert is name-based, not a title-insurance policy or fraud-blocking system.
An alert means a matching name appeared in a new recording. Read the
document before deciding whether it is legitimate or suspicious.
Arizona Territorial-era records
How Far Back Do Maricopa County Recorded Documents Go?
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office was founded on
February 14, 1871.
The Recorder currently reports more than
52 million searchable documents and approximately 200 million
images dating back to 1871.
What you have
Best search
Why
Recent address
Full-text Research
Address/legal-description full text currently covers the latest two years.
Owner name
Structured name search
Better route for older documents than relying on recent-only full text.
Document number
Recorded Document Number
Direct exact retrieval.
Historic Book/Page
Docket/Book + Page
Supports older recording references.
What the Recorder Search Cannot Tell You
It does not determine market value
Use the Assessor for valuation records.
It does not calculate your tax bill
Property-tax billing/payment is separate.
It does not guarantee clear title
An online search is not a title examination.
It does not determine lien priority
Legal priority can require professional review.
It does not draft deeds
Recorder staff cannot select or prepare legal forms.
It does not notarize documents
The Recorder specifically says its office does not provide notary service.
It does not provide house blueprints
Building plans may be held by the applicable city permitting/planning office.
It does not prove a foreclosure sale occurred
A Notice of Trustee Sale is only one document in the process.
Which Maricopa County Office Handles Your Question?
Your task
Correct office
Best next step
Deed, deed of trust, lien or release
Recorder
Use Recorded Document Search.
Owner / APN / property characteristics
Assessor
Search property by address, APN or owner.
Current deed reference
Assessor → Recorder
Copy Deed Number under Owner Information, then search Recorder.
Property tax bill / payment
County Treasurer
Use the Treasurer, not Recorder.
Sale-price affidavit / exemption codes
Recorder + Arizona Department of Revenue
Locate recorded affidavit; use AZDOR for current tax-form guidance.
Legal title conclusion
Title company / Arizona attorney
Obtain professional title review.
Recording without downtown Phoenix
Maricopa County Recording Kiosks
In addition to the downtown Recorder office, Maricopa County operates
recording kiosks at selected county/library locations.
Sun City Library
16828 N. 99th Ave., Sun City, AZ 85351
Georgia T. Lord Library
1900 N. Civic Square, Goodyear, AZ 85395
Northeast Regional Court Center
18380 N. 40th St., Unit 130, Phoenix, AZ 85032
Ed Robson Library
9330 E. Riggs Rd., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248
Kiosk availability changes.
The Recorder currently marks the Southeast Regional Library kiosk in
Gilbert as unavailable. Check the official Locations & Hours page before travelling.
Recording kiosks currently accept credit card only.
Maricopa-specific search shortcuts
Local Tips That Save Time
Address-only search? Start with the Assessor.
The Assessor can give you the APN and current Deed Number.
Copy the Deed Number from Owner Information.
It is much cleaner than trying a common surname first.
Do not use recent full-text search for a 2010 deed.
Current full-text research is limited to the most recent two years.
Use quotes for exact full-text phrases.
This can reduce noisy results.
Use Business Name for trusts and LLC ownership.
Personal-name search alone can miss them.
Search subdivision name for CC&Rs.
HOA restrictions are not always indexed under each homeowner.
Paid-off loan? Search the deed of trust first.
Its document number helps you identify the correct release.
Sale price missing? Look for View Affidavit.
Exempt transfers may not have a sales affidavit.
Standard recording is $30 per document.
Maricopa does not charge the standard fee by ordinary page count.
View before you buy.
Search results provide an unofficial image before official-copy checkout.
One deed? Do not build a high-volume digital account.
Consider in-person/mail or a current third-party submitter.
Sign up for Title Alert under several name variations.
Monitoring only one spelling can miss another indexed version.
Researching a foreclosure? Search later records too.
A Notice of Trustee Sale does not prove the sale completed.
Need exact boundaries? Order a survey.
Assessor and subdivision maps are not substitutes for professional boundary work.
Buyer / investor due diligence
Buying Maricopa County Property? Check More Than the Assessor Owner
APN
Confirm the exact parcel.
Assessor owner
Use as a starting point, not your final title opinion.
Current deed
Retrieve the Deed Number and read the recorded instrument.
Prior deeds
Follow ownership history when necessary.
Deeds of trust
Identify real-estate financing.
Releases / reconveyances
Verify prior secured debts were released.
Liens / judgments
Search Recorder records and later releases.
CC&Rs
Search subdivision or HOA records.
Property tax
Verify separately through county tax records.
Title / survey
Use qualified Arizona professionals when legal certainty matters.
County-CAD.us Research and Corrections
Sources & Methodology
See how official Recorder, Assessor, state statutes and government
forms are prioritized.
Read Sources & Methodology
Report an Outdated Detail
Tell us if Maricopa County changes a fee, search interface, kiosk,
officeholder or recording rule.
Contact County-CAD.us
Independent Site Disclaimer
County-CAD.us explains public systems but does not operate government portals.
Read Disclaimer
Primary official source ledger
Official Sources Used for This Maricopa County Guide
Maricopa County Recorder
Current office, public-record scope, office limitation on legal advice
and general recording services.
Open Recorder
The Office and the Recorder
Current Recorder Justin Heap, 1871 history and 52+ million searchable records.
Open Office Information
Recorded Document Search
Document number, Book/Page, party-name, business-name, code, date and
full-text search fields.
Open Document Search
Recorder FAQs
Used for copies, deed search, Assessor Deed Number shortcut, liens,
deed recording, Affidavit of Property Value and accepted payment.
Open Recorder FAQs
Recording Fees
Used for the current $30 standard fee, plat fees, $1/page copies
and $3 certification.
Open Fees
Form Requirements
Used for A.R.S. §11-480 document captions, original signatures,
page size, type and margin requirements.
Open Form Requirements
Digital Recording Program
Used for digital-recording eligibility, account workflow and 90%+
electronic filing statistic.
Open Digital Recording
Maricopa Title Alert
Used for current free monitoring, notification choices, monitored
names and post-enrollment coverage.
Open Title Alert
Locations & Hours
Main Phoenix office, current kiosks, credit-card-only kiosk rule and holiday schedule.
Open Locations
Maricopa County Assessor
Used for APN, address/owner search and Deed Number workflow.
Open Assessor
Arizona Department of Revenue
Used for Affidavit of Property Value Form 82162 and statutory exemption guidance.
Open Form 82162
Editorial verification: August 15, 2026.
This guide reflects the current Recorder Justin Heap, $30 standard
document-recording fee, current copy fees, 1871-present searchable
archive, current two-year full-text search limitation, current Title Alert
service, current downtown office hours and current recording-kiosk status.
Verify the final fee, form and portal instructions before submitting a
legal document.
Maricopa County Recorder Search Checklist
- Start with the Assessor when all you know is the address.
- Save the APN.
- Save the exact owner name.
- Look for Deed Number under Assessor Owner Information.
- Use Recorded Document Number for the fastest exact Recorder search.
- Use Book/Page for older references.
- Use party-name search for older documents without a document number.
- Use full-text address/legal-description search only for the current two-year coverage.
- Open the actual recorded image.
- Verify legal description and parties.
- View the unofficial image before paying for a copy.
- Check the $30 current recording fee before filing.
- Include Affidavit of Property Value or valid exemption notation with applicable deeds.
- Search for a release after paying off a deed of trust.
- Register for free Maricopa Title Alert.
10 Maricopa County Recorder questions
Maricopa County Recorder Search FAQs
1. What is the official Maricopa County Recorder document search?
Use the Maricopa County Recorder’s Recorded Document Search at the
official Recorder website. It supports recorded document number,
Docket/Book and Page, individual and business names, document codes,
date ranges and a newer full-text Research field.
2. How do I find my Maricopa County deed if I only know the address?
Search the Maricopa County Assessor by address, open the correct parcel,
save the APN and owner, then look under Owner Information for the
Deed Number. Copy that number into the Recorder’s Recorded Document
Number search and open the matching deed image.
3. Can I search Maricopa County Recorder records by address?
Yes, but the Recorder’s current full-text Research search for an address,
name or legal description covers only the most recent two years.
For older deeds, use the Assessor’s current Deed Number, party-name
search, document number or Docket/Book and Page instead.
4. How far back do Maricopa County recorded documents go?
The Maricopa County Recorder’s Office was founded in 1871 and currently
reports more than 52 million searchable documents and approximately
200 million images dating back to 1871.
5. How much does a Maricopa County deed copy cost?
You can view an unofficial document image through the Recorder search.
Official recorded-document copies currently cost $1 per page.
Certification costs an additional $3 per document.
6. What is the current Maricopa County recording fee?
The standard fee for most recorded documents is currently $30 per
document. Plats and surveys use a separate fee schedule, including
$24 for the first page and $20 for each additional page. Always verify
the live fee before filing.
7. What must be included with an Arizona deed for recording?
Maricopa County states that a deed must include either an Arizona
Affidavit of Property Value or a valid exemption code/notation.
The Recorder cannot tell a filer which exemption applies, so use
Arizona Department of Revenue guidance and legal advice when necessary.
8. What should I search for after paying off a mortgage in Maricopa County?
Arizona commonly uses a Deed of Trust as the recorded real-estate
security instrument. Find the original Deed of Trust, save its recording
reference and then search later Recorder records for the applicable
release or reconveyance document. Paying off the loan does not by itself
create a new ownership deed.
9. Does Maricopa County offer free deed-fraud alerts?
Yes. Maricopa Title Alert is a free Recorder service that monitors
individual and business names for documents recorded after enrollment.
Users can currently choose email, mobile text or both and may monitor
multiple name variations.
10. Where is the Maricopa County Recorder office?
The main Maricopa County Recorder office is at 301 W. Jefferson Street,
Second Floor, Suite 200, Phoenix, Arizona 85003. The main phone number
is 602-506-3535. Current public hours are Monday through Friday from
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., excluding holidays, and no appointment is
currently required for ordinary in-person recording.