Santa Cruz County Arrest Records

Santa Cruz County arrest records are maintained by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office in Nogales. This border county is the smallest in Arizona by land area.

Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office is located at 2170 N. Congress Drive in Nogales. Nogales serves as the county seat and sits right on the Mexican border, with its sister city Nogales, Sonora just across the line. The sheriff handles law enforcement for unincorporated areas and runs the county detention facility where booking happens for all county arrests.

Call (520) 761-7869 for general questions and records requests. You can also reach out by email at publicrecords@santacruzcountyaz.gov. Staff can explain what records are on file and walk you through the request process. Email works well for getting answers without sitting on hold in Santa Cruz County.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff website has contact details and department information. It is a good starting point if you need to learn about the office before making contact.

How to Search Santa Cruz County Arrest Records

Santa Cruz County does not currently run an online inmate roster. Unlike larger Arizona counties, there is no website where you can look up who is in the jail right now. To check custody status, you need to call the sheriff's office at (520) 761-7869. Staff can tell you over the phone whether someone is currently being held at the county facility.

The sheriff's website shown above provides department contact information for Santa Cruz County. While it does not have an inmate search function, it gives you the phone numbers and addresses you need to reach the right people.

For formal public records requests, visit the county public records page. This page explains how to submit requests for arrest reports and other documents. You can find forms and instructions there.

The public records page shown above walks you through the request process in Santa Cruz County. Read through the instructions before submitting so you include all the information staff need to find your records.

Santa Cruz County Arrest Record Fees

Santa Cruz County charges fees for copies of arrest reports and other public records. The exact amounts depend on what you are requesting. Call (520) 761-7869 or email publicrecords@santacruzcountyaz.gov to get current fee information before you submit your request.

The county notifies you of any fees before they process your request. This way you know the cost upfront and can decide whether to proceed. Once you provide payment, staff pull the records and send them to you. Payment methods should be confirmed when you submit your request in Santa Cruz County.

How to Request Records in Santa Cruz County

Email is often the easiest way to start. Send your request to publicrecords@santacruzcountyaz.gov with details about what records you need. Include names, dates, and any case numbers you have. Staff will respond with information about availability and what it costs.

Phone calls to (520) 761-7869 let you ask questions directly. Staff can search the system while you wait and tell you what exists. This is useful if you are not sure exactly what records to request. They can point you in the right direction based on what you describe in Santa Cruz County.

In-person visits work if you prefer face-to-face service. Go to the sheriff's office at 2170 N. Congress Drive in Nogales during business hours. Bring your ID and any information about the arrest. Staff can help you complete the request and give you a time estimate for when records will be ready.

Written requests by mail are also accepted. Send your request with details about what you need and your contact information. Include payment once you have confirmed the fee amount. Allow extra time for mail delivery and processing compared to other methods.

Santa Cruz County Border Location

Santa Cruz County runs along the Arizona-Mexico border. Nogales is a major port of entry with heavy traffic in both directions. The sheriff's office works alongside federal agencies on border-related matters. But local arrests for state crimes go through the county system just like anywhere else in Arizona.

The county is Arizona's smallest by land area, covering about 1,238 square miles. Despite its size, the border location brings unique law enforcement challenges. Multiple agencies operate in the area including Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection, and the sheriff. Cases sometimes involve more than one agency depending on what happened.

For records related to federal matters, you would need to contact the appropriate federal agency. The Santa Cruz County Sheriff handles local law enforcement and maintains records for arrests processed through the county jail. Knowing which agency was involved helps you find the right records.

Arizona Arrest Records Laws

Arizona's public records law applies to Santa Cruz County. Under A.R.S. § 39-121, you have the right to inspect and copy public records held by government agencies. This includes arrest reports, booking logs, and related documentation. You do not need to explain why you want them.

Some records have restrictions. Juvenile arrests are confidential under state law. Records sealed by court order stay sealed. Active investigations may be exempt until the case closes. These exceptions protect privacy and law enforcement operations while still giving public access to most arrest records in Santa Cruz County.

For statewide criminal history covering multiple counties, contact the Arizona DPS Central State Repository. If you want to seal your own record, A.R.S. § 13-911 explains the court petition process. You file with the court that handled your case, not the sheriff's office.

Nearby Counties

Santa Cruz County borders two other Arizona counties. Each has its own sheriff and records system. If your search extends beyond Santa Cruz County, contact those offices directly.